UEFA 2012 European Championship: Day 8
Friday 15 June 2012
Well Group C is becoming actually ‘not see’, as circumstances dictate that I don’t get a chance to watch either of these games, so have watched nothing of Spain, Italy, the Republic of Ireland and Croatia. Therefore it’s the internet for me this morning and a quick gander at the BBC highlights.
Group C
Italy (1) 1 – 1 (0) Croatia
Croatia went into the game knowing that a win would take them through to the Quarter-Finals. However, Italy dominated the first-half with a number of attempts on goal from Balotelli and made the breakthrough on thirty nine minutes with a superb free-kick from Pirlo. Croatia came out positively in the second-half with Modric having a couple of efforts at goal. Italy were unable to shut out the game and on seventy two minutes Strinic crossed for Mandzukic to fire home the equaliser.
Spain (1) 4 – 0 (0) Republic of Ireland
As against Croatia, Ireland conceded a goal very early on in this game. A through-ball looked like it had by dealt with by the Irish defence, but as they hesitated, in stepped Torres who with skill and pace took the ball before slamming home to put Spain 1-0 up. The World and European Champions continued to dominate and Given in goal for the Republic had to be alert in dealing with strikes from Iniesta. The Irish started the second-half badly and conceded another early goal. From an Iniesta strike, Given could only push the ball out to the penalty spot where David Silva collected, jinked one way then the other before slotting home to give Spain a 2-0 lead. The Spaniards continued to dominate and it was no surprise when they went further ahead after Torres latched onto a through ball and placed past Given on seventy minutes. The rout was completed on eighty three minutes when Fabregas on as a substitute, lashed in a fourth goal from a tight angle, with Ireland looking out on their feet.
The Republic of Ireland become the first time to exit the tournament in 2012, but for the remaining three teams the permutations are as follows:
Spain will win the Group if;
- they defeat Croatia or
- they draw with Croatia scoring at least two goals or
- they draw with Croatia with 1-1 and Italy don’t do better than 4-0 with Republic of Ireland or
- they draw with Croatia with 0-0 and Italy don’t defeat Republic of Ireland
Spain will advance to the Quarter-Finals in second place if:
- they draw with Croatia with 1-1 and Italy do better than 4-0 with Republic of Ireland or
- they draw with Croatia with 0-0 and Italy defeat Republic of Ireland or
- they lose to Croatia and Italy don’t defeat Republic of Ireland
Croatia will win the group if;
- they defeat Spain
Croatia will advance to the Quarter-Finals in second place if;
- they draw with Spain scoring at least two goals or
- they draw with Spain with 1–1 and Italy don’t do better than 2-0 with Republic of Ireland or
- they draw with Spain with 0-0 and Italy don’t defeat Republic of Ireland or
- they lose to Spain and Italy don’t defeat Republic of Ireland
Italy will win the Group if;
- they defeat Republic of Ireland and Spain-Croatia end 0-0 or
- they defeat Republic of Ireland better than 4-0 and Spain v Croatia ends 1-1
Italy will advance to the Quarter-Finals in second place if;
- they defeat Republic of Ireland and Spain and Croatia don’t draw or
- they defeat Republic of Ireland better than 2-0 but worse than 5-1 and the Spain v Croatia game ends 1-1, if they win 3-1 they edge out Croatia on UEFA national team coefficient ranking.
England kicked-off the working week with their game against France and end the working week with their game against Sweden. As with Monday, I don’t have that feeling of dread in the stomach that usually is a feature of watching the national team. Three points tonight would be most welcome chaps…C’mon England!