Euro 2012 - Official Discussion Thread

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

Looks like Ireland is in for a trashing ...

Yeah, Spain is toying with Ireland right now.

And they didn't stop to play to cry for a hand?? (lol at the foul of the referee on an Irish player though, what if a goal had been marked here? ^^...poor Irish...)

Well, I'd like to have Spain finishing 2nd of the group, so that France can play them in quarters. ^^. Then Croatia in semis (and our right defender putting 2 goals, would be a kind of revenge for Blanc), and then France-Germany in final. Revenge of 1982!

[Lief 🗽]

..........

[Tender Branson]

I demand the introduction of yellow and red cards for referees ...

[argentarius]

Wow it's only 1-0.

[Velasco]

Yeah, we need to score more; Croatia won't be easy to beat. Torres isn't still at his best but his goal was beautiful. Silva and Iniesta genial as usual.

[argentarius]

This must be the worst Irish team since we nearly drew with San Marino (in a competitive match).

[Velasco]

Silva is a genius, just like I said.

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

lol, the French commentator trying to find excuses to the Irish 'performance':

'They have excuses, they are only 5 millions in their country, they are good at rugby, won the European cup at it...'

[argentarius]

This is so much better to watch when Ireland aren't playing.

[Keystone Phil]

And that's that.

[Tender Branson]

1 more Spanish goal plz, so I can collect my 6 points.

[argentarius]

1 spanish guy against 7 Irish guys and he still scores. Terrible.

[Tender Branson]

YES ! YES ! YES !

[Tender Branson]

This game must end ... naaauuuggghhh !

[Franzl]

The Irish fans were still apparently in a good mood at the end, lol

[Keystone Phil]

As expected, cynicism has swept across Italy: it seems like an overwhelming majority believe Italy will be knocked out, regardless of what they do against Ireland, because Spain and Croatia will agree to draw 2-2. It would be 2004 all over again. 

I'm not sure what to think. At first, I'm inclined to agree but then I think Croatia will want to play for the win in order to claim top spot in the group (a draw means Spain remain in first). That will force Spain to play, too, and likely win. It would be hilarious if Croatia fought for the win at the very end, got it and we see Spain eliminated assuming Italy beats Ireland. That's why Spain can't just let Croatia do whatever they want. They should be almost as concerned as the Italians.

Of course, none of this matters if we lose or draw with the Irish which is also a worry of mine. This could be the exact same ending as 2010: two opening matches ending 1-1 and then a surprise defeat. The Irish are playing for pride and they have Trap. He'd love to make a statement against us. Plus, we tend to screw up games we should win...

Bottom line: Monday is going to be a real headache.

[argentarius]

Well I've seen nothing in our last 2 matches to suggest we can get a result against Italy. The bottom has completely fallen out of this Irish side. No defensive concentration, and Shay Given is all of a sudden a below average keeper. Of course the attack is gone too. I still think we could pull it off against the Italians though. In 2004 Italy screwed up their last game because they were useless in attack when they needed a ton of goals (I remember I just happened to be in Portugal for that tournament) against Bulgaria. It's hard to see anyone not scoring at least 3 against Ireland.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Uuuh, poor Irish. That was a massacre.

[Franzl]

As expected, cynicism has swept across Italy: it seems like an overwhelming majority believe Italy will be knocked out, regardless of what they do against Ireland, because Spain and Croatia will agree to draw 2-2. It would be 2004 all over again. 

I'm not sure what to think. At first, I'm inclined to agree but then I think Croatia will want to play for the win in order to claim top spot in the group (a draw means Spain remain in first). That will force Spain to play, too, and likely win. It would be hilarious if Croatia fought for the win at the very end, got it and we see Spain eliminated assuming Italy beats Ireland. That's why Spain can't just let Croatia do whatever they want. They should be almost as concerned as the Italians.

Of course, none of this matters if we lose or draw with the Irish which is also a worry of mine. This could be the exact same ending as 2010: two opening matches ending 1-1 and then a surprise defeat. The Irish are playing for pride and they have Trap. He'd love to make a statement against us. Plus, we tend to screw up games we should win...

Bottom line: Monday is going to be a real headache.

Really shocked that Italy has allowed this to happen. After the fight they put up against Spain, I was reasonably sure they were in good shape.

[Јas]

Our worst defeat since 1971 means we go into the final group game with no hope of progression (a first for us).

Such a pity.

On the plus side, the fans were great.

[Keystone Phil]

Really shocked that Italy has allowed this to happen. After the fight they put up against Spain, I was reasonably sure they were in good shape.

You shouldn't be. We have a history of making our group play way more difficult than it really is.

[Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese]

As expected, cynicism has swept across Italy: it seems like an overwhelming majority believe Italy will be knocked out, regardless of what they do against Ireland, because Spain and Croatia will agree to draw 2-2. It would be 2004 all over again. 

Italians have come to expect matches already being made up on beforehand.

Ah I remember 2004, I think it's the only time I've rooted for Sweden only to draw one of their matches rather than winning. 

[Phony Moderate]

Sweden tend to be a bogey team for England....I'd be happy with a draw to be honest.

[Platypus]

There is a strong correlation between Italian soccer successes and global tragedies. For example, in 2006 the Azzurri won the World Cup, and in 2006 the Italians won the World Cup.

[Keystone Phil]

Ah I remember 2004, I think it's the only time I've rooted for Sweden only to draw one of their matches rather than winning. 

There is a strong correlation between Italian soccer successes and global tragedies. For example, in 2006 the Azzurri won the World Cup, and in 2006 the Italians won the World Cup.

One thing we, as Azzurri fans, have to accept is that jealousy of haters. Great people must carry great burdens.