Republic of Ireland V Croatia - Sunday, 10th June 2012 - Euro 2012 Group C

**mypost** · 13/06/2012, 3:08 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

The actual reality is that Croatia had been much the better team for 15 minutes before they re-took the lead; that goal was coming. The game felt similar to Shamrock Rovers' euro games - you could try convince yourself that Rovers were fighting back in the second half at times, but really the opposition always had another gear if and when it was needed.

Indeed. Even Partizan Belgrade will tell you how effective their other gear was when they needed it. Even with that, it's complete madness attempting to compare the ability at LOI club level with the top tier of International Football. So I won't.

Despite them being "much the better team" before half time, the goal would have never come if our defender wasn't fouled in the build up or the ref had blown for it.

The other reality is that if we lose to the world and European champions tomorrow night, we're out.

I think I had discovered that at about 10.30 on Sunday night.

but we're clearly not going to go through short of a miracle.

Where were you in Stuttgart 88? Predicting comprehensive 4-0 wins for England probably. After all, we were the cinderella side that were only there because the Bulgars weren't good enough. Us and our dour football would be no match for the tournament favourites after all, and there was zero prospect of us coming within 10 minutes of a semi-final. Wasn't there?

Where were you in New York? Predicting 3-0 wins for Italy no doubt as we had never beaten them before and were outplayed by the Czechs at home just 2 weeks before. How were we going to deal with Baggio, Signori, and Baresi?

We struggle to keep possession, but I've seen every side in this tournament so far give the ball away at some point. 8 of them will be out in a week's time. I don't need to be told that we have a very hard task tomorrow night, but we have got results from "improbable" and "miracle" scenarios before, and we will do it again. Tomorrow night is as good a time as any.

**tricky_colour** · 13/06/2012, 4:29 PM

Yes some of the pessimists would have us on the plane flying back already!!

**shakermaker1982** · 13/06/2012, 6:43 PM

I thought I was positive but mypost is on another level!

**micls** · 14/06/2012, 2:58 AM

Being the worst team in the tournament is better than being the best team that didn't make it. Some people have ridiculously unrealistic expectations!

**tricky_colour** · 14/06/2012, 4:17 AM

I'm gonna be laughing when Croatia beat Italy!!

**pineapple stu** · 14/06/2012, 6:59 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

Even with that, it's complete madness attempting to compare the ability at LOI club level with the top tier of International Football. So I won't.

Not the comparison I made. I compared the differences between the relative levels - LoI v UEFA Cup groups to Ireland v rest of our group.

Originally Posted by mypost

Despite them being "much the better team" before half time, the goal would have never come if our defender wasn't fouled in the build up or the ref had blown for it.

Disagree. The goal was coming. If Croatia hadn't scored either of their two, they'd have gotten one sooner or later. They played out the game for the last 40 minutes.

Where were you in Stuttgart 88? Predicting comprehensive 4-0 wins for England probably. After all, we were the cinderella side that were only there because the Bulgars weren't good enough. Us and our dour football would be no match for the tournament favourites after all, and there was zero prospect of us coming within 10 minutes of a semi-final. Wasn't there?

Where were you in New York? Predicting 3-0 wins for Italy no doubt as we had never beaten them before and were outplayed by the Czechs at home just 2 weeks before. How were we going to deal with Baggio, Signori, and Baresi?

Nope, not that any of that is relevant. I'm going on what I've seen in this tournament. Games from 20 years ago are irrelevant.

**mypost** · 22/06/2012, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Not the comparison I made. I compared the differences between the relative levels - LoI v UEFA Cup groups to Ireland v rest of our group.

And I told you there was no comparison. National team football has it's level, LOI football has it's level.

Disagree. The goal was coming. If Croatia hadn't scored either of their two, they'd have gotten one sooner or later. They played out the game for the last 40 minutes.

I can disagree and argue that if we had gone in level at half time, we would have a chance to regroup and play better after the break. Despite Croatia been the better team for a third of the half, they weren't coming at us in waves. Then they fouled Ward to take the lead, scored another right after half time and sat there for the remaining 40 minutes, helped by refs turning blind eyes to stonewall penalty claims.

Nope, not that any of that is relevant. I'm going on what I've seen in this tournament. Games from 20 years ago are irrelevant.

In the context of what you've written, it's very relevant. What is irrelevant now is that result in Poznan, as the Croats went home at the same stage as we did.