Defending champion Spain tied Italy to open play in Group C and now the two group favorites will look to close the gap on group leaders Croatia with wins today.
Italy will look to employ the same stingy defense that stifled Spain to stop a dangerous Croatia attack that soundly defeated Ireland on opening day. For the Spanish, the challenge will be to get the offense going after struggling with their no-forward attack against Italy. Ireland's defense is an easier challenge, but the Irish will also be in desperation mode today.
Here is today's Euro TV Schedule:
NOON- Italy vs. Croatia (ESPN2, ESPN3.com)
2:45pm- Spain vs. Ireland (ESPN2, ESPN3.com)
If you will be watching today's action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action.
anyone have a link for highlights of the Spain Game? i only saw the first half before i had class
Relax.
Yeah, just like there was no way Chelsea was going to beat Barca and Bayern in the Champions league, just like there was no way the US Under 23’s were not going to qualify for the Olympics, just like the US was not going to beat Italy at home earlier this year.
No way any of that ever happens.
Eh, Spanish are farther away 🙂
Incredible that Ireland can actually finish ahead of Italy,…if they win. Not that that is going to happen.
Are the Irish fans the best in the world? Loud as any other group of supporters, that far from home, even in defeat.
Lol Cesc Fabregas. Okay man. Trying to upstage Torres. Sick goal.
Welcome back Fernando “El Nino” Torres. Cool as you like with his brace.
Torres with his 2nd. These poor Irishmen look like they’re about to keel over and die.
Shots: Spain 21 (12 SOG) vs 4(1)
My favorite moment in the whole tournament so far: Irish player gets CREAMED from behind, rolls over looking for a call, only to see that it is the ref who knocked him over.
Save of the tournament. That was simply Matrixian from Given. Can he slow down time?
Actually that might be the greatest exhibit of goalkeeping skill I’ve ever seen.
Lol, apparently you can, literally, if you’re Spain.
Spain is just steamrolling Ireland. Ouch. Silva megs two defenders with a single shot into the corner of the net.
Half time stats:
14 shots, 8 on goal for Spain with 72% possession. 4 shots and 1 shot on goal for Ireland. Given has kept this from being an epic blowout already.
Torres has been sublime so far. He really brought his A-game today. World class striking and hold-up play.
right when i type they shoot 4 times
Luck of the irish is going to run out at some point here. You can only throw your body in front of so many shots before you get worn out.
It would probably help if Spain actually shot the ball. Can’t pass it in every time.
Great, great atmosphere at this game. Supporters in full song.
Ref deserved a yellow.
Awesome. Referee just tackles an Irish player on accident.
They’re nice, but they’re essentially the same as the new US kit (representing the flag of the country….which I love but the majority seem to dislike
Maybe a little bad luck involved, but as Ian Darke just mentioned, Ireland keeps losing possession at the top of their box. He mentioned twice, but I’ve counted three times. Nice challenge on Xavi there though.
Spain look pissed. Sleeping giant has been awoken.
Terrible defensive effort so far from Ireland. Just terrible. Ward got burned badly on that Torres goal after Dunne whiffed on a clearance. And as I type it, Ward just got burned again. They must improve or this could get ugly quick.
I’m not sure what’s more shocking — Spain started a real forward or that Torres scored.
Holy crap what a goal from Torres. He just threw a middle finger to the world with that. Wow. First time he touched the ball and that happens. Wow.
Eduardo. Now there’s a name from history past. Wow. Havent heard from him in a while. Still recall that horrible injury he suffered and the comeback he made. Good story.
He has?
Amazing free kick from Pirlo! Near the upper left corner of the penalty area, managed to get it up and down over the wall (between the heads to two jumping men in the wall) and beat the goalkeeper.
Prilo has been player of the tournament thus far.
Damn, then Pirlo hits a jewel. That’s about all he can do at this stage but he IS good at it.
Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice. Pirlo.
HOLY CRAP what a couple of stops by Pletikosa.
I just have to say that I love Croatia’s jerseys. Brilliant.
I love how many national teams have that one identifying trait that runs through all their different kits. I hope and pray for the day when America has the same quality in all their uniforms.
Balotelli a little too hesitant so far in the tournament. And doesn’t seem to have a great understanding with Cassano.
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