Group E: Belgium - Italy - Ireland - Sweden

[Angryred]

On paper Belgium have a cracking squad, one of the strongest in world football but they are very beatable..... not that Ireland will do that. We always get the group of death, poxy group for us. A result vs Sweden would make things very interesting though. Would be a massive achievement for Ireland just to make it out of the group, but it's a tough ask.

Not many teams will have it easy against us as they will be looking at our performances when we have our backs to the wall!

We are unpredictable for the stronger teams as they will be wary of us!...what mood will we be in, the one that made us beat Germany or the one that slogged a win against Georgia?

[danperkins]

Yeh Wilmots is a ****e manager alright. Yeah we usually turn up against the big sides. It will be an achievement just to get out of that group but it'll be a hard ask. I'm hoping injuries are at a minimum and that few of the lads step up.

I'm looking forward to the tournament, such a good buzz when Ireland get into a major tournament. We may do jack **** but we enjoy the ride. I would have loved to go over, was at the last Euros in Poland and was great craic but had holidays, few weekends away recently & missus just moved over from UK so couldn't stretch it this time around. Mates brother is a ref and had tickets sorted for us.

I'm hoping the atmosphere is not spoiled by what's going on at the moment. Chap in work was in Paris last weekend and was showing me pics of soldiers full armed walking around the main streets.... it's such a bad vibe to go into. Safety warnings and what and what not to do like avoiding fanzones etc is just not a good start to such a massive event. Hoping it goes off without a hitch.

[Fernandinho]

I think anyone could get 2nd in this group. Italy have nothing going forwards, but great quality at the back. Sweden are basically the opposite and who knows what Ireland will turn up. I think this will go down to goal difference with a few teams in equal 2nd on 4 points.

[RedReet]

There is going to be Fanzone in Belfast for the Republic and N.Ireland matches. Good idea, but recipe for disaster up here.

Is this happing in a lot of major European cities, is it UEFA thing or have ones here just decided it’s a good idea for fans and retailers alike?

[danperkins]

It sounds like a great idea but yeah I agree it could be a potential nightmare. There is always some prick that will kick off & putting drink into the mix heightens that risk. I had two tickets for Sweden and Belgium game if I wanted but couldn't stretch it as been on holidays and weekends away recently. Lot of the lads meant to go tomorrow but they've had an absolute nightmare with their flights, strikes & cancellations.

They have literally got a phone call now saying that they need to fly out at 8 o clock tonight, so they are rushing to the airport now, they were meant to fly out tomorrow morning & this is the 3rd time the flight has been changed... it's a mess. Not a good start. I was gutted originally that I couldn't go but with all that's going on, I don't mind so much now. Over 100,000 people going from the island of Ireland which is amazing. I hope there is no trouble and people can just go there and enjoy the football and the atmosphere. Lot of people in work today are slightly worried about their other halves/sons going over, it's football and it's such a shame as it shouldn't be like this. I said don't worry sure we'll be knocked out in a few days anyways

I spent 10 days in Poland last time around, they said 60,000 went over there. I didn't see one single scuffle or any sign of trouble over there whatsoever. It was absolutely brilliant, well apart from Ireland being dreadful which is no surprise. With the terror attacks on people's mind, the paranoia, the strikes etc it's a really bad start to what should be a fantastic event. I hope the Irish can go over and lift the atmosphere like they usually do.

[ChesterDave]

Italy 1-0 v Belgium

[BobTheCharmer]

Love watching Italy in tournaments.

[Roboklopp]

It's times like this when we must think of St Vincent in His hospital bed.

[Liverpool]

football is nothing without origi

[Buzzo]

football is nothing without origi

The Belgian game in is crying out for Divok.

[Buzzo]

80s Retro footy from Italy.

[Chazza]

Lukaku has been a useless uninterested lump much like he was for the 2nd half of the season.

[Liverpool]

[Buzzo]

Here he comes.

[Chazza]

Lukaku's touch