Day 12 - Group D Wraps Up
posted by The Blue Devil @ 2:35 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!
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
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
- Day 12: Group C Wraps Up
- Day 11 - Group B Wraps Up!
- Happy 1st Anniversary!!
- Day 10 - Group A Wraps Up
- Euro 2016 Predictions Game - Group Stage Update #2
- Day 9 - Group E: Belgium v. Republic of Ireland
- Day 8 - Group E: Italy v. Sweden
- Day 7 - Group C: Germany v. Poland
- Day 7 - Group B: England v. Wales!
- Day 6 - Group A: France v. Albania
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The team line-ups for today's clash between Spain and Croatia:
Croatia: Subasic, Srna, Corluka, Jedvaj, Vrsaljko, Rog, Badelj, Perisic, Rakitic, Pjaca, Nikola Kalinic.
Subs: Vargic, Strinic, Kovacic, Kramaric, Modric, Schildenfeld, Brozovic, Mandzukic, Coric, Vida, Cop, Lovre Kalinic.
Spain: De Gea, Juanfran, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Fabregas, Busquets, Iniesta, Silva, Morata, Nolito.
Subs: Casillas, Azpilicueta, Bartra, Koke, Lucas, Pedro, Bellerin,
Thiago, San Jose, Bruno, Aduriz, Sergio Rico.
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland)
Looks like a full strength side that Del Bosque has put out, so he's not taking any chances of qualifying second. Are you watching, Woy?
Reports are circulating that Croatian fans are planning further disturbances during tonight’s match, including an attack on referee Bjorn Kuipers in the 30th minute.
Kuipers doesn't look that fussed about the prospect of being attacked - top man. And we're about set for kickoff now.
Spain yet us going in their horrible white away kit.
Vedran Corluka is wearing his water polo hat, to protect that head wound he picked up earlier in the tournament and quite a few Croatia fans are wearing similar headwear in solidarity with their centre-half.
Nervous moment there for the Spanish backline as Ramos allowed the ball to bounce and Pjaca nearly got in.
GOAL! Spain take the lead early doors through Morata who is now level top Golden Boot boy.
That was a real poachers goal. Fabregas broke through and tipped toward goal and Morata was there on the line to make sure.
That will certainly settle the nerves for Spain early on. I wish England had been able to do the same thing yesterday.
Oh - I thought that Rakitic had scored there. A spectacular chip on De Gea and it went down off the bar but didn't cross it.
Oh - Iniesta nearly plays in Juanfran. Listening to Max Bretos commentating on a Spanish language team is just irritating.
Croatia are looking dangerous here. This has been one of the most open and attacking matches in the last two weeks.
Corluka got on the end of that corner from Rakitic but misdirected it away from goal.
The time is ticking down toward the 30 minute mark. We shall see what happens with the Croatian ultras. I wonder how ESPN will handle it. They mentioned the issue at the top of the broadcast.
Oh - Silva had a great strike saved well by Subasic.
Silva is brought down right outside the D. Good chance now for one of the more creative Spanish players.
Silva strikes it straight into the wall and Croatia breaks.
Half way through this first half and Spain haven't quite been able to choke the life out of this match.
Over in Lens, Turkey have taken an improbable lead against the Czechs, which will certainly end their advancement in this tournament. Could Turkey still qualify? Doubtful with their goal difference.
Barry Glendenning on the Guardian blog says: "I’ve had a revelation, of sorts. Imagine eating a hotdog that’s absolutely smothered in ketchup and mustard, only for somebody to run into you and knock it all over your pristine white t-shirt, just as you’re raising it to your mouth. That’s what Spain’s shirt resembles tonight."
We’re in the 30th minute and there’s no sign of any trouble from the crowd, mercifully. Fingers crossed it stays that way. Goal kick for Croatia, which Subasic leathers down the field.
Spain continue to lead, but Croatia are far from out of this contest. Rakitic has been excellent, constantly driving forward with the ball at his feet.They may well still get something out of it - and I would love to see it!
Oh - great ball over but Perisic couldn't quite get over it. Where the hell is Mario Mandzukic?!
This is typical of Spain. They score in the seventh minute and then it's Siesta Time.
GOAL! YESSSSS!!!!!!!
What a time to score! Brilliant stuff from Perisic who bamboozled Juanfran out wide and then knocked a lovely ball over for Kalinic to get on to.
1-1!
The half-time whistle comes and Spain will go in wondering how they through that lead away. I'll tell them how. They went off for a plate or two of tapas and some sangria about the 20 minute mark and Croatia kept working at it.
The Croatian fans may be big time bottlers but their side is doing them proud.
Some interesting scenarios with Group D now. Spain are still fine with a draw but another Croatia goal would knock them out of top spot. It could happen.
More interesting is what's going on in Lens, where Turkey are still 1-0 up over Czechs. That result would knock the Czechs out for sure but Turkey will have to rely on other results. They currently have 3 points and a -3 GD. In Group A, Albania have three points and -2 GD. Slovakia have 4 points and 0 GD and look fairly safe for qualifying. Northern Ireland have 3 points and 0 GD. Sweden and Portugal are still to play and currently have 1 and 2 points respectively.
And we're away again - Croatia kicking us off.
If Turkey, who are one goal up against the Czech Republic, fail to win by four or more goals, Northern Ireland will also go through to the knockout stages.
Juanfran latches on to a Silva ball across the face of the Croatia penalty area and shoots first time, but skies the ball high over the cross-bar.
Vedran Corluka has left his protective water polo hat in the dressing room, having apparently decided he doesn’t need it any more.
Spain have an extended spell of possession with their move culminating with a pull-back from Jordi Alba that Morata is unable to convert from the edge of the six-yard box.
Croatia have a corner now....
Oh - massive scramble in the box after that corner. Spain all over the place now.
Croatia seem keen to win this one - I'd love to see it. Nearly an hour gone now.
Perisic is really turning it on now - shame his final ball was to no one.
Nolito comes off to be replaced by Bruno. A defensive move from Del Bosque.
Big shout for a free kick there for Croatia - nothing doing from Kuipers.
Turkey are 2-0 up now! They still need two more goals to best Northern Ireland. But they're level now with Albania.
Goalscorer Morata troops off after a quiet night. Replaced by Aduriz.
Oh - free header from Ramos but he heads it wide. Should have scored.
Spain have a penalty! That won't endear Kuipers to those Croatian fans. It seemed soft - Silva went down like a sack of spuds.
Sergio Ramos to take now...
Oh - great save by Subasic!!!
In truth, Ramos hammered it right at him. Terrible penalty. Justice.
Rakitic over this free kick now - hits it well over the bar.
Before Ramos took that penalty, Sime Vrsaljko was booked for either the “foul” that resulted in the spot-kick or protesting his innocence afterwards. H”is captain, Dario Srna, was also booked for complaining to the referee.
Marko Rog comes off to be replaced with Kovacic.
Fabregas comes off, too. More defensive posturing from Spain.
Still five minutes and change for Croatia to upset the apple cart.
YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!
Perisic has won it for Croatia!!!!!!
Wonderful. Came from a break and Perisic busted a gut to get there. De Gea will look at that one again and wonder how he got beaten at his near post.
2-1 Croatia!
Spain have to go for it now or they are in a world of hurt. They could easily get Italy in the next round.
Croatia throw a couple of late defenders on to secure this result.
It's all gone wrong now for Spain, who are staring down the barrel of a R16 match against Italy.
Spain look fairly shell-shocked here.
This must be the last chance for Spain now.
Wow - Silva had a chance to square it - but no. It's all over.
My - that was satisfying to watch. Croatia have set themselves up for a tasty Saturday evening fixture against a third place side. That might be Northern Ireland, who are definitely into the R16.
Meanwhile Spain and Italy are set to play on Monday. That is, unless the Italians are tempted to throw it against Sweden tomorrow. Who will want to win that group now?
Italy are confirmed as Group winners because they can only be caught by Belgium and they have beat them head to head
So...right half of the draw
Spain, Italy, England, France and Germany!!
Portugal could be there too!
Left half
Switzerland, Poland, Croatia, Wales.....
WELL DONE WOY!!!
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