Euro 2012 - Day 11!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 1:33 PM
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Contributors
Previous Posts
- Euro 2012 - Day 10!
- Euro 2012 - Day 9!
- Euro 2012 Predictions Game - Group Stage Update
- Euro 2012 - Day 8!
- Euro 2012 - Day 7!
- It Was Thirty Years Ago Today...!
- SPURS AXE 'ARRY!!!
- Euro 2012 - Day 6!
- CONCACAF WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
- Euro 2012 - Day 5!
363 Comments:
Here are the various ramifications:
Italy must win to stand a chance of going through to the quarter-finals, while Spain and Croatia could both qualify with a scoring draw.
Spain and Croatia go into the game in pole position - able to control each other's destiny by engineering a 2-2 draw. With that result, both teams would go through to the quarter-finals no matter what Italy do.
An Italy win and a draw in the Spain-Croatia game would leave all three sides level on five points, and with the games involving the three sides all finishing as a draw it goes down to goals scored in the mini-league.
Good afternoon, BD. Trap is all too familiar with this scenario as his Italian team were eliminated in this fashion as Denmark and Sweden played to a 2-2 draw to eliminate Italy. I wonder if he will help his native Italy,by losing by a large margin, of course depending upon events in the Spain vs Croatia match
The team news first for Italy v. Ireland, which will be shown on ESPN2.
Italy 4-3-1-2: 1-Gianluigi Buffon; 7-Ignazio Abate, 15-Andrea Barzagli, 3-Giorgio Chiellini, 6-Federico Balzaretti; 8-Claudio Marchisio, 21-Andrea Pirlo, 16-Daniele De Rossi; 5-Thiago Motta; 11-Antonio Di Natale, 10-Antonio Cassano.
Ireland 4-4-2: 1-Shay Given; 4-John O'Shea, 2-Sean St. Ledger, 5-Richard Dunne, 3-Stephen Ward; 7-Aiden McGeady, 6-Glenn Whelan, 8-Keith Andrews, 11-Damien Duff; 10-Robbie Keane, 9-Kevin Doyle.
Afternoon, MUR - I would laugh myself silly if we saw a 2-2 draw again today.
An unchanged Spain lineup and an irate Tommy Smith , who referred to Trap as rigid for refusing to change the Irish lineup. I'm with Tommy as Ireland has been eliminated and has nothing to lose. He should give some of the younger players a chance.
I agree, BD,. Spain has not conceded more than a goal in a match in a major tournament since losing 3-1 to France in the round of 16 in 2006. Then to concede two to Croatia of all teams???
I will watch Spain vs Croatia on the telly and Ireland vs Italy on the computer.
I would have played Jon Walters and Shane Long up front. Walters played in the qualifiers, yet is on the bench??? what did he do for Stoke that caused Trap to want to drop him?
Teams in the tunnel - I'll be watching Italy v. Ireland on the telly and Spain v. Croatia on the laptop - you, MUR?
I agree with you - why not mix it up, Trap?
My wife and father-in-law are part Irish and part Italian. They normally root for the Irish, but I told the missus why it's better to root for Italy today. She said she would.
Damian Duff joins the 100 Cap Club.
Tommy Smith is none too pleased and I agree with him. Trap did well to get the Irish to qualify, but it may be time for a change starting tomorrow morning.
I used to root for the Azurri as a kid but I got fed up with the catenaccio style fairly quickly. I haven't supported them in a World Cup since 1978.
Stephen Kelly was the right back in qualifying, not John O'Shea.Again why not make that change
I am doing it the reverse I am watching Spain on the telly and Ireland on the computer
Still love the Italian anthem, though.
My father in law supports Ireland because he was closer to his Irish mother than Italian father
Trap noticeably not joining in with his own anthem singing.
I agree. I love opera, but agree about their football.
It is an awkward situation. Italy rarely scores a lot of goals, even versus minnow teams.
Sad to see Mario Balotelli out of the first team tonight in favor of old man DiNatale.
Italy can only win the group is Spain vs Croatia finishes 0-0 or if it finishes 1-1 and Italy wins by five or more goals. I don't see either scenario transpiring.
Bollocks was indicating that they'd score early and then close up shop. We'll see.
Di Natalie scored vs Spain and Balo is on a card. It makes sense. Di Natalie will cause problems for the old,slow Irish back four.
Kick-off time - way hay!
We're off from Gdansk
The Irish off to a quick start with Kevin Doyle nearly onto one.
And from Pioznan
Croatia in their home checkerboard shirts and Italy in unfamiliar blue-grey kit.
Doyle should have scored after ten secpnds. Early Spain free kick.
De Rossi volleys wide from a cross and run but Di Natalie and the Spain free kick was headed away
A furious pace to the Spain-Croatia so far.
Naughty by Iniesta on Srna.
Spain waering sky blue jerseys tonight.
Ireland have an early free kick chance - they must take advantage of these.
Oh - Doyle had a free header in the area there but didn't make enough contact.
Schildernfeld heads out a cross from Alba for a corner that is taken by Xavi and headed over by Torres.
Great noise from the Irish fans already - you wouldn't know that there's an economic crisis in Ireland from the number of fans they've taken to Poland.
My link is doing horribly, but heard the Irish had a free kick headed away
Climbing by Chiellini on Doyle. That should be an interesting contest
Good run by Doyle but he should have laid it off earlier.
The link freezes and is three minutes behibnd.
More Croat smoke bombs. This is the second consecutive match and bloody ridiculous
Now on link 2.
Cassano wins a corner off of Dunne,.
A raer Croat attack and Mandzukic goes down , trying to win a free kick. Wolfganmg was having none of it.
I think they've already been fined for the smoke bombs once and are on an investigation for racist chanting toward Balo.
I remember that famous win at Giants Stadium
They should be kicked out of the tourney and deducted points in qulaifying
St. Ledger gets roasted by Cassano but the cross wasn't good enough.
dunne heads out a corner from Pirlo for another
As I remember, that was the opening match for both sides in '94 - Italy usually start slow but I would find it hard to believe that they'd allow that to happen under these circumstances.
Tons of Spanish possession as usual
I agree, but the Irish seem up for this match. why wasn't that the case for the previous two matches.
Poor cross from De Rossi straight to Given
Doyle is winning his 50th cap tonight.
That says everything about the lack of quality on Ireland.
A long ball from O'Shea is straight to Buffoon and The Italians return the favor. Slow start in both matches.
Finally home
Didn't miss much?
Agreed BD.It's amazing they even qualified for the Euros.
Good afternoon, UWS. You did not. The Irish should have scored ten seconds after kickoff.
Why did the ref stop play? it was not a head injury. Harsh on the Irish
Welcome, UWS - I reckon your testing was more enjoyable than the opening fifteen minutes of these two matches.
The Irish cannot be faulted for their effort this evening
Cassano wions a corner off of Ward.
well over by Balazarelli off the short corner.
Chiellini fouls Robbie off a long goal kick
Not at all - the Irish are working hard.
Dunne heads on the cross from Duff and a foul is called.It seemed minor by Dunne on the replay
The Silava wins a free kick just outside the box. The Croats are thuggish and playing for a draw. Surely they must go for a win?
Poor free kick from Xavi is headed away and a foul is called.
It looks like it - yeah.
USeless cross from Pirlo.
Was that Keane that whiffed on the header!!
Great run and cross from McGeady, but too high for Doyle, who was double teamed.
Nothing clicking for the Azurri yet.
Torres has a cross cut out by Pletikosa.A short Spanish corner.
A long range effort takes a hop and is gathered by Pletikosa.
A bit of confusion at the back for Italy. What gives?
Great run by McGeady on the counter and Ireland win a corner
Good hit by Xavi Alonso but the keeper was behind it.
Sean St. Ledger was unable to get to the cross off the short corner.
The Irish are growing in confidence but Doyle has been hopeless. Every attack through him dies a grim death.
Casillas saved easily from the near post from Pranjic and a great run by McGeady, but poor cross from Doyle.
I agree. I would bring on Walters
Pranic has a go at goal but Casillas is well behind it.
Duff wins a feee kick off of Marchisio.
Croatia win a corner on the counter
St>ledger is called for a foul off the free kick
two weak shots from Croatia... do we want Spain out with the chance of England playing them
Oh - Mandzukic goes down just on the edge of the box there. Very close to a pen.
Corluka has been booked for dissent as Mandzukic is down,supposedly injured.
The Italians almost in
I think Doyle whiffed at the header.
Balzaretti picks up a yellow card for a cynical tug back.
Bloody hell... what a rugby tackle there
Balzaretti is booked for a cynical foul on McGeady
And Corluca seems to have talked himself into the book as well.
I agree UWS, but unfortunately I don't see it happening.
Why are the Irish doing the Poznan.... no one scored
Not too bright!!
Silva had a shot deflected straight to Pletikosa.
What about you Bob? Do you want the Spanish to keep going
Half an hour gone and I've seen more action at the local farmer's market on a Saturday morning.
I think it's the fact that they're not on to another hiding.
Italianas have a shot blocked.. they thought it was the arm.... no
Di Natale claims a handball on the part of St. Ledger. A bit more shoulder than arm, I suspect.
The luck of the Irish as a shot from Di Natlalie went off of St. Ledgers arm after a grea run by Blazaretti. was it off his shoulder?
BOOM BOOM BD!I agree and even worse in the other match
And again St. Ledger bails Ireland out.
Superb defending by St. Ledger after great work from Di Natalie and Motta.
Will there be the first scoreless game of the tournament today?
It's definitely looking that way right now. The Italians are the ones who have to go for it - the others are either in good shape or out.
McGeady and St. Ledger have been the two best players on the pitch so far.
OH- off the the line from DiNatale!
oooh... Italy almost in there
De Natalie had a great effort from a tough angle!!
I am surprised he didn't go down..... ITALLY SCORES!!!!
Definitely in!
PHEW! Di Natlaie rounded Given from long ball and it was cleared off the line. Given fumbled that shot from Cassano.
GOAL! The Azurri break the deadlock with a Cassano header that just creeps over the line. Officials are spot on with that one.
1-0!
GOAL!!!1-0 ITALY AS CASSANO SCORED AT THE NEAR POST OFF THE CORNER AS GIVEN GOT A HAND TO IT AND DUFF WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR OFF THE LINE.
Italy are now on top!!
So Italy are into the second slot. Croatia will have to do something. Could we see Spain go out, as UWS wondered yesterday?
Now Italy have a free kick and Andrews is booked for that.
Pirlo can't deliver another free kick goal.
Into the wall by Pirlo.
According to ESPN Italy are on top... I don't know why though. Again, it is all to do with what you did against everyone but Ireland in the min group
Prnajic whiffs at a great cross.
Now - why are Italy on top if their goal difference is inferior to Spain's? I don't get it.
Dunne is booked for a foul on Balzarelli.
I would guess they would because Italy would have drawn 1-1 and 1-1... the other two would have a nil niller
Di Natalie hooked the free kic across the face of the goal and Robbie was fouled.
Great play at the back post but no one was there... he could have been off side
If that's the case, as it stands we'll be watching Italy v. Group D's second place (probably England) on Saturday at Johnno's and Spain v. Group D's top slot (probably France) on Sunday at my brother's place. I would luv that!
Correct UWS. It is down to goals scored in the mini group. Italy have scored two and Croatia and Spain each have one. I think Spain is second due to a better group goal average than Croatia.
Again, the mini group is only with what you did against the fellow mine group members... I would guess that they would take out pummeling the minnows of the group
Spain should start getting nervous!
Silva wins a corner off of Corluka. Ramos is called for a foul.
Spain and Craotia are tied in the mini group on everything d, so the overall group is the next tiebreaker.
I blame Given for the goal. He fumbled that effort from Cassano out for a corner when he should have done better
The only better scenario would be a freak Croatia goal now that would have them top and Italy second!
Will this be enough for Italy? It depends upon the other match
My links are really annoying me today
I agree, BD. It could happen
I agree with Robbie Mustoe - there's no point playing Kevin Doyle - give some others a chance.
The BBC website still has Spain on top
Half time in the Italian match... so far so good for brother Tony
Silva has a cross deflected for a corner. Stoppage time in Gdansk>none at Poznan and it's 1-0 Italy at the half.
I agree with Robbie Mustoe.
Halftime and it's Spain 0 Croatia. This must be the worst match of the tournament.
Half time in both matches now
Just a goal by Croatia and the Spanish are out
Half time in Gdansk - 0-0. Wow! Both sides have everything to play for in the second half.
It's not outside the realm of possibility now - Mandzukic always looks good for a goal and they still have Jelavic to throw on.
Spain and Croatia will be forced to attack the longer this match progresses. As things stand a draw does nothing for Croatia and surely Spain would rather win the group.
If the Croats win then it would be Croatia vs England and Italy vs France.I could see both matches going to penalties.
Bollocks predicts that Roon will come in for Carroll and that Theo will come in for Milner. Your thoughts?
Spain's closest effort was a long range effort from Pique that went just over
I reckon Danny Welbeck may drop out for Roon. I do agree that Theo will replace Milner.
We're off from Gdansk
And we're underway again in the second half - I don't see any changes for any of the sides.
And from Poznan
Italy has twice blown a 1-0 lead this tourney while Ireland were trailing Spain 1-0 at the half before collapsing.what will give?
Spain Vs Croatia has been the worst match of the tournament up to this point. I think even worse than Ukraine vs Sweden
The ESPN highlights of the Spain v. Croatia showed only Spanish chances but I thought Croatia had a few as well - no?
Great cross from Balzaretti intended for Di Natlaie cut out by Dunne after a great pass from Cassano. Italy maintains possession form the corner.
Rearguard action now for Ireland as DiNatale and then Cassano have chances denied.
Of course, a foul is called on the keeper... wimps!
Croatia have an early corner. I'd love to see this one nodded in. That would put the cat amongst the proverbial pigeons.
No - pulled up for a foul. Waste.
Great block by O'Shea from Cassano after great work by Balzaretti.Corluka is called for a push off a corner after Strinic won a corner off of Silav
Doyle volleyed over off a cross from O'Shea that was not of the bst quality.
I think Spain go through instead of Croatia because of goal difference. It is the third tie breaker
Croatia will have to attack and throw those defensive tactics out the window as they are eliminated with a 0-0 draw.
Wow. I really feel like the US could not look less impressive than Ireland. They often seem oblivious that they have 10 players on the field, and have their heads down like 5-year olds when they dribble.
well over by De Rossi from long range.
Right now, you're right but just one freak goal by Croatia and the footie world will be turned upside down.
Correct UWS. Perfectly stated.
Afternoon, Red Devil - how have you been?
Good afternoon, Red devil. Two poor matches today
The Croatia game will be on later tonight here in Italy, and it sounds like it is a much more contested match than this "friendly" between Italian coached teams.
mCGeady wins a corner after he crossed for Robbie
I'd actually argue that the Italy v. Ireland match has been the better of the two. I'm watching both simultaneously.
Strinic is booked for a foul on Silva as Dunne heads well wide from the corner.
You'll have to let us know if there is any carhorn blowing and cheering at the end of this match if Italy continue to top the group.
I agree, BD. Spain vs Croatia is a cure from insomnia, Red Devil. It has been the dullest match of the tournament up to this point.
Hi Fellas, I'm doing well. It was weird, when Italy scored I did not hear any shouts of joy from the neighborhood. I usually hear more when the Buffalo Bills score a touchdown on a given Saturday.
Di Natalie has a shot from an acute angle... Given parries it out... very strange save
Given saves at the near post from Di Natali after a great run by Cassano.
Welcome RD
Croatia look as if they're starting to give it a go. More smoke bombs, though. UEFA will no doubt be happy to say goodbye to both Russian and Croatian fans at this point.
I think that the Italians know that a win is not enough and that they need help from the other match. It must be really tense for Italian fans,.
Well, to be fair, touchdowns by the Bills are a bit more rare than Italian goals, right? ;=}
I have to say, I cannot understand how Ireland got scored on in a corner kick... by Cassano. Biggest gaffe since Puyol scored off a corner against my Krauts in WC 2010.
Chiellini just got subbed out.
Did you see that the FA was going to take action against England because their fans 'invaded' the pitch.
Some fans jumped out of the stands but were still by the stands
well stated , BD. Croatia should be deucted points in qulaifying
Hey the Bills were 4 and O
Bonucci is on for the injured Chiellini. Like for like.
Useless free kick by Croatia... BEAT THE FIRST MAN!!!
I did not hear that , UWS. Why don't the Russian and Croat FAs due the same.
Watch it stay the same way here and England win the bloody group... it would be Spaain anyway
OOOOH... Croatia should have been in the lead!
OHHHHHH!!!!!!!! So close for Croatia!
OH!How did Croatia not score as Casillas made a reflex save from Modric from close range.
Andrews with a volley at Buffon.
Torres coming off for Navas
Is Fab playing?
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