Euro 2012 Group C: Spain, Italy, Ireland, Croatia

[Darkon]

Legend
Pl: Games played, W: Won, D: Drawn, L: Lost, F: Goals For, A: Goals Against, GD: Goal difference, Pts: Points

Matches

10 June 2012
18.00: Spain v Italy 1-1
Stadium: Arena Gdansk, Gdansk (POL)

20.45: Republic of Ireland v Croatia 1-3
Stadium: Municipal Stadium Poznan, Poznan (POL)


14 June 2012
18.00: Italy v Croatia 1-1
Stadium: Municipal Stadium Poznan, Poznan (POL)

20.45: Spain v Republic of Ireland 4-0
Stadium: Arena Gdansk, Gdansk (POL)


18 June 2012
20.45: Croatia v Spain 0-1
Stadium: Arena Gdansk, Gdansk (POL)

20.45: Italy v Republic of Ireland 2-0
Stadium: Municipal Stadium Poznan, Poznan (POL)

[Darkon]

Spain Team Profile



Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina, (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona)

Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao)

Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Chelsea)

Forwards: Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla)

Likely formation and lineup:



STAR MAN

Tricky... Spain has an incomparable galaxy of glittering talent. But, if there's one man they might - just might - miss, then you'd plump for pass-master Xavi . The Barcelona midfielder is the world class linchpin around which his world class colleagues (for club and country) weave their magic, pinging his way out of trouble and carving delicious gaps that no other player on the planet can conjure. Minute upon minute. Match upon match. Season upon season. Xavi oozes dominant class.

He was Uefa's player of the tournament at Euro 2008, when he completed 89% of his passes, including an assist for Fernando Torres' winner against Germany in the final. He was just as influential at the World Cup - on average, he attempted a pass every 57 seconds in South Africa.

Manager

A mustachioed, unassuming character from Salamanca, Vicente del Bosque led Real Madrid to the most successful spell in its modern history before being jettisoned in 2003. Credited by players for creating a sense of serenity within the gifted squad, he succeeded Luis Aragones after Euro 2008 and began his reign with 13 straight wins as Spain set a world record of 15 straight victories - and went on to lift the 2010 World Cup. An astute and liberating presence, he signed a new contract in April.

Record at the Euro's:

Won twice in 1964 and 2008, but otherwise have almost always disappointed compared to the talent in the squad.

Fifa World Ranking 1

[Darkon]

Italy Team Profile



Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Sirigu (Paris St Germain).

Defenders: Abate (AC Milan), Balzaretti (Palermo), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Maggio (Napoli), Ogbonna (Torino).

Midfielders: De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Motta (Paris St Germain), Nocerino (AC Milan), Pirlo (Juventus).

Forwards: Balotelli (Manchester City), Borini (Roma), Cassano (Milan), Di Natale (Udinese), Giovinco (Parma).

Likely formation and lineup:



STAR MAN

Ignored by Marcello Lippi, temperamental forward Antonio Cassano has flourished under current Azzurri coach Cesare Prandelli.

Since joining AC Milan he has contributed more assists than goals, but he was prolific in qualifying, netting six times.

Cassano's dreams of playing in a third European Championship looked in doubt after he suffered a transient ischaemic attack - something often described as a "mini-stroke" - on the flight back from Milan's game away to Roma in October. He was barely able to speak or move, and admits he feared for his life.

A few days he later he underwent surgery to close a small opening in his heart. He was able return to light training in January, and made his first-team comeback in April.

After starting off with Bari, Cassano's spells with Roma, Real Madrid and Sampdoria all ended in acrimony, but Prandelli insists his enthusiasm is "contagious", adding "I need players like him".

Manager

After five successful years with Fiorentina, Cesare Prandelli agreed a deal to replace Marcello Lippi shortly before Italy's disastrous display at the 2010 World Cup. Prandelli quickly recalled Antonio Cassano, and has also put his faith in younger players such as Riccardo Montolivo and Sebastian Giovinco.

He has been credited with improving the atmosphere within the Italian camp, and adopting a less confrontational approach with the media, who had lambasted the team's performance in South Africa.

He laughed off defeat to the Ivory Coast in his first game, pointing out that Lippi also lost his opener yet was a World Cup winner two years later. His positive demeanour saw journalists dub Prandelli's side L'Italia del Sorriso - Italy of smiles.

Record at the Euro's:

Won it once at home in 1968 and only reached to semi's since then.

Fifa World Ranking 12

[Darkon]

Ireland Team Profile



Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Aston Villa), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland), David Forde (Millwall).

Defenders: John O'Shea (Sunderland), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Stephen Ward (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Sean St Ledger (Leicester City), Darren O'Dea (Celtic), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Paul McShane (Hull City).

Midfielders: Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Keith Andrews (West Bromwich Albion), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Darron Gibson (Everton), Paul Green (unattached), Damien Duff (Fulham), Stephen Hunt (Wolverhampton Wanderers), James McClean (Sunderland).

Forwards: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Long (West Bromwich Albion), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Simon Cox (West Bromwich Albion).

Likely formation and lineup:



STAR MAN

Robbie Keane was Ireland's top scorer at their last major tournament, the 2002 World Cup, and almost a decade later the Dubliner remains the chief Irish goal threat.

He contributed seven goals in qualifying, an impressive tally from a side that often struggles to create clear-cut chances. The captain may have lost a yard or two of pace, but there is no doubting the predatory instincts that have made him Ireland's record scorer with over 50 goals.

The 31-year-old joined Los Angeles Galaxy last August, and created the only goal in the MLS Cup final. The striker used the winter break to recharge his batteries in time for the 2012 season, also spending a brief but productive loan spell at Aston Villa. Fatigue should not be an issue for him this summer.

Keane scored three times in four appearances at the 2002 World Cup, with his injury-time goal in the 1-1 draw with Germany the highlight of the tournament for many Irish fans.

He was part of the Irish team that won the European Under-18 title in Cyprus in 1998, although he missed in the penalty shoot-out win against Germany in the final.

Manager

Giovanni Trapattoni's tactics may not please the purists, but they have certainly proved effective. After watching his side clinch qualification, the wily Italian suggested his side could emulate Greece's surprise victory at Euro 2004.

It may have been a tongue-in-cheek remark, but 'Trap' is certainly overdue some luck at a major international tournament. His Italy side were controversially eliminated by South Korea at the 2002 World Cup, and went out at the group stage at Euro 2004 despite collecting five points.

After securing qualification for Euro 2012, the 73-year-old agreed a two-year contract extension that will keep him with Ireland until the 2014 World Cup.

'Trap' began coaching 37 years ago, before any of the Irish squad were even born. His CV reads like a who's who of European football - AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Benfica.

Record at the Euro's:

Only previous entry was in 1988

Fifa World Ranking 18

[Darkon]

Croatia Team Profile



Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov), Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Ivan Kelava (Dinamo Zagreb).

Defenders: Domogoj Vida (Dinamo Zagreb), Vedran Corluka (Tottenham), Josip Simunic (Dinamo Zagreb), Gordon Schildenfeld (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ivan Strinic (Dnipro), Danijel Pranjic (Bayern Munich), Jurica Buljat (Maccabi Haifa).

Midfielders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Tomislav Dujmovic (Real Zaragoza), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dynamo Kiev), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Luka Modric (Tottenham), Ivan Perisic (Borussia Dortmund), Niko Kranjcar (Tottenham), Milan Badelj (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivo Ilicevic (Hamburg).

Forwards: Ivica Olic (Bayern Munich), Nikica Jelavic (Everton), Mario Mandzukic (Wolfsburg), Eduardo da Silva (Shakhtar Donetsk).

Likely formation and lineup:



STAR MAN

Easily one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, Luka Modric might also be described as one of the best players in the world. Tottenham dug their heels in to stop Modric from moving to Chelsea last summer, and have been rewarded as he continues to lead them on an upward curve with a heady blend of creation and vision.

Spurs clinched his signature shortly before Euro 2008, where Modric's majestic midfield displays saw him chosen in Uefa's team of the tournament. He converted a penalty in Croatia's opening win against Austria, but dragged his spot-kick wide in the shoot-out loss to Turkey. The 26-year-old will be desperate to make amends this summer.

Manager

A guitar-playing law graduate who is fluent in German, Italian, and English... Slaven Bilic is not your average football manager.

A relative novice when he took over in 2006, Bilic has established the Croats as a fixture near the top of the Fifa rankings - not since 2006 have they ended the year outside the top 10.

Although he calls the Croatia job a "duty" and "love", he admitted in April that any manager "would jump at the opportunity" to work in England.

Poorly paid, at least by Premier League standards, he has long been linked with a move to club management, and will step down when his contract expires this summer to take charge of Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow.

Only two coaches at Euro 2012 have held their posts for longer than him - Denmark's Morten Olsen and Germany's Joachim Loew.

Record at the Euro's:

Croatia's best result is the QF's.

Fifa World Ranking 8

[Darkon]

Spain and Italy to go through? Croatia to make a surprise if any?

[JohnDoe]

I think having Spain and Italy play each other first might put a lot of pressure on the potential loser of that match. I can see Italy being upset.

Spain 1st Italy 2nd is most likely though.

[RichC]

Ireland and Croatia have a great chance of getting the 2nd spot in this group IMO, Italy are not looking great at the moment beaten 3-0 last night by Russia and they've not won their last 3 games on top of this the match fixing scandal isn't going to help them either.

[RedReet]

Spain and Italy to go through? Croatia to make a surprise if any?

I think having Spain and Italy play each other first might put a lot of pressure on the potential loser of that match. I can see Italy being upset.

Spain 1st Italy 2nd is most likely though.

Come on Ireland.

[danperkins]

Ireland have a good chance of taking points off Italy & Croatia. I'll be at the Spain & Italy game, we'll most likely get dicked against Spain but great to see that world class talent play in the flesh. And sure ya never know we might sneak through with a bit of luck

[paulc]

Ireland have a good chance of taking points off Italy & Croatia. I'll be at the Spain & Italy game, we'll most likely get dicked against Spain but great to see that world class talent play in the flesh. And sure ya never know we might sneak through with a bit of luck

i am at those two games two

going with hope not expectation but you just never know

[danperkins]

Yeah mate, ah **** it the boys will do the best they can. I hope Spain don't hop off us, but i can see us sitting in our penalty area parking the bus. We are capable of grabbing something from Croatia & Italy IMO.

Whatever happens it's great to be there and going to be amazing over there

We fly into Munich have night out there, next morning picking up my campervan and driving up to Poznan, staying Carlsberg Fancamp.

Then going to Gdansk for 2 days for Spain game, staying in Gdansk Carlsberg Fancamp. Off we go back to Poznan for few days for Italy game & then back to Munich to drop camper off and for night out! Sounds exhausting already

[Frenchie]

the smell in that campervan by day 2 lol

[IrishRed1977]

I reckon this group will surprise a lot of people. I can see Croatia going through and one of the big guns will fail.

[colin85]

just read that Ireland team, what a load of **** they have.

Spain
Croatia

Surprised that jelavic isn't first choice.