Euro2012 Preview: Group C Matches

10Jun 2012

EURO2012

Last nights eagerly anticipated encounters in Group B fell a little flat as both games didn't live up to the pre-match billing. The Netherlands who were strong contenders for the tournament are already under serious pressure after losing 1-0 to Denmark. They now have to play Germany next who beat Portugal 1-0. So defeat to Germany could eliminate the Dutch with a game to spare.

Today we see the reigning European and World Champions Spain start their campaign against Italy while The Republic of Ireland take on Croatia. The game between Ireland and Croatia will be vital for both teams who will feel that they need to get away to a good start with 3pts. This is based on the knowledge that their next two games are going to be very tough and a draw will suit neither team.

If Croatia or Ireland make it through to the next round then it is likely that this will come at the expense of Italy and not Spain. It will be very interesting to see the Ireland vs Italy encounter as there have been some famous ones down the years. Italy defeated Ireland 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup while Ireland got their revenge four years later beating Italy 1-0 in the group stages of the 1994 tournament.

With the manager of Ireland being an Italian then many people will be looking to see if he has the tactical acumen to defeat his home country. Giovanni Trappatoni is one of the top coaches in world football and he would love nothing better than to take the Irish to a quarter-final or semi-final in this tournament.