Ireland vs Croatia - Match thread

Bounty Hunter

So its today, Irelands first match of Euro 2012 and although I made threads for each group (will do a group D one before tommorow) I think we all know this game (and im sure all of Irelands games) deserves a thread of its own.

This is a head vs Heart game for me: head says draw if things dont go wrong, heart says we can take the 3 points in game one. Its a tough one to call tbh but we really have to get something out of itimo if we are to progress. Croatia will be thinking this way too though so I honestly think a draw isthe most likely result in this game and think it could be a cagey affair.

I didnt make this (not 100% on the croatian lineup but assume its right) but here are the teams:

Everyone knows Modric will be a threat as will be Srna (quality player) from the right and imo Dunne, St Ledger (always does well internationally) & Given will have to as usual be immense in green for us to get a result here. Our front four def have the quality to trouble their defenders though so we could win it if our defenders can perform to their best.

COYBIG

Jesus Wept

Go.on.you.boys.in.green

Professional Griefer

You'll never, beat the Irish.

soma

Head vs Heart all over the place for this game..

markc1184

I'll gladly take a scrappy 1-0 win. Watch McClean become a national legend by bagging the winner! COYBIG!

dahat

markc1184 wrote: »

I'll gladly take a scrappy 1-0 win. Watch McClean become a national legend by bagging the winner! COYBIG!

This i will also go for,pure romantic result but we have all waited for days like this so Come on the boys!!!!!!

chillywilly

It will be interesting to see how Spain do against Italy today, i reckon Spain will win comfortably, 2-0.

As others have said, I think a draw is possible too but my heart is saying we could take them and win 1-0!

I've been waiting 10 years for this

Professional Griefer

**** yer draw. 45-0. COME ON!!

G.K.

That Croat lineup looks about right. Numerous players could come in but that lineup is completely feasible.

Jimmy Iovine

Let's hope that by 9.30 tonight Irish eyes will be smiling.

Duff

1-0 win and McGeady to play out of his skin.

Sergio

I feel like a child on xmas eve waiting for kick off!Cmon Ireland!

Leiva

Duff wrote: »

1-0 win and McGeady to play out of his skin.

Hopefully your name sake and McGeady have an outstanding tournament cause that's what it is going to take.

Samich

Completely forgot about it :eek:

Samich

Hopefully Spain beat 7 shades of ****e into Italy too.

double GG

Well if our normal game plan of stifling the opposition and playing on the counter and hoping to nick a goal from a set piece doesn't work and we don't score, at least we can resort to playing short passing football as we are used to.

monkey9

"We'll do them for yiz today!!!!!!"

tinofapples

It's the stage they all wanna play at so here's hoping they do their best. McGeady could be immense and an introduction off young McClean could be electric.

COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yakult

Tis been way too long bah

ROCKMAN

Look at Denmark yesterday ,Ireland getting the rght result today wouldn't be half the shock that was ,Anything can and will happen in football ,So heart or head ,I feel positive about today 2-1 Ireland ,Spain and Italy draw ,,,

Ireland topping the group tonight



You heard it here first.............

Kone

Head say draw, heart says sneaky win for the boys in green!

Can't wait!

Mr.Crinklewood

0-0.

Hank Scorpio

Can't wait! Hope we get off to a decent start

chillywilly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5PT65I2ny8

Still makes the hair on my neck stand up:D

Also, I noticed on the video it was this very day in 1990 that we drew with England!


COME ON LADS WE CAN DO IT!!!

Neil3030

I'll be watching both matches tonight with about 20 Italians, they're all up for the BIG, but I wonder how they'll feel when we nick their qualification spot

Spread

Mega celebrations as Spain 1 - 1 Italy final whistle result

Ireland can nick it 1 - 0

Then a shock result against Spain will see us through

C'mon the lads!

keith16

Can't wait for this game! I'm thinking we will get a penalty at some point in this game. I am of course basing this on nothing.

antodeco

I reckon it could be 3-2 tonight with a Croatian sending off and a penalty for Ireland. Spain and Italy match will be boring, but I reckon Italy will grab a late winner.

Kone

antodeco wrote: »

I reckon it could be 3-2 tonight with a Croatian sending off and a penalty for Ireland. Spain and Italy match will be boring, but I reckon Italy will grab a late winner.

Can't see us scoring 3 tbh! Italy looking strong so far, still can't believe Spain aren't playing a forward!

Nozebleed

doyle 1-1..33/1.

Kone

Nozebleed wrote: »

doyle 1-1..33/1.

Dunne 2-1 201/1 ;-)

Benny Cake

20 bottles of Bud on ice, curtains drawn, RTE HD with the volume turned up to the bol1x.... C'MON IRELAND!!!

population

Well that Italy v Spain game showed that both teams are potential winners of the group. We really need to go for the win tonight

El Inho

reaching fever pitch! lets go top of the table tonight and stay there...

COYBIG!!!!!!!!!

MagicMarker

Benny Cake wrote: »

20 bottles of Bud on ice, curtains drawn, RTE HD with the volume turned up to the bol1x.... C'MON IRELAND!!!

Jaysus, if you like to drink piss I could have provided some for free. :pac:

Bounty Hunter

Benny Cake wrote: »

20 bottles of Bud on ice, curtains drawn, RTE HD with the volume turned up to the bol1x.... C'MON IRELAND!!!

1.5ltrs of Coke on ice, curtains wide open despite it being 2am, perfect quality stream on with the volume to the max (and earphones in not to wake the missus)....C'MON Ireland.

frisbeeface

Stupidly excited here. Optimism rising.

the realpigiron

That Italy Spain game was a cracker. By the looks of that game we have to win this one if we are to have a chance of qualifying out of the group.

Time to step up to the plate, Irish teams have a great record in big tournaments. 'Mon the boys in green, get stuck in and win tonight.

G.K.

Croatia need Ratikic or Perisic on the left to play at least as good as Dszadzudzak (sp?) did for Hungary.

Kone

Blaring put em under pressure now! COME ON IRELAND!!!

G.K.

Pletikosa - Srna, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Strinic - Rakitic, Vukojevic, Modric, Perisic - Mandzukic, Jelavic

ireland lineup as expected

Leiva

ceegee

Have sledge at 40/1 for first goal, long shot but have a weird feeling he'll pop up with one

awec

IMO one of Italy or Spain winning today would have suited Ireland better. I think a win is needed tonight now.

Kone

Although he hasn't shone so far for Croatia, Jelavic will be one to watch. Dunne better be on fire.

population

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

1.5ltrs of Coke on ice, curtains wide open despite it being 2am, perfect quality stream on with the volume to the max (and earphones in not to wake the missus)....C'MON Ireland.

3 pint bottles of Guinness bought in the African store in Piazza Garibaldi ready to go. Door open to hear the Italian reaction to their game as they toddle down the street. Volume way up on my crappy landlord's TV. C'MON IRELAND!!!

Francie Barrett

Like other have said, the heart says yes, but the head says no. A win gives us a fighting chance to qualify, a draw makes it difficult, a loss makes it impossible.

Fishooks12

population wrote: »

3 pint bottles of Guinness bought in the African store in Piazza Garibaldi ready to go. Door open to hear the Italian reaction to their game as they toddle down the street. Volume way up on my crappy landlord's TV. C'MON IRELAND!!!

San Migeul already down the hatch, off now for the short stroll across the ramblas to an Irish bar for the game

So ****ing nervous. Been watching Robbie's goal against Germany on repeat to get me physched!

COYBIG!!!

Jimmy Iovine

10 - No team scored more goals from set-pieces in qualifying than the Republic of Ireland.

PH4T

In London, any streams of RTE?

Frisbee

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

1.5ltrs of Coke on ice, curtains wide open despite it being 2am, perfect quality stream on with the volume to the max (and earphones in not to wake the missus)....C'MON Ireland.

Only two beers left, been up since 9 this morning, hungover as fúck. Kick off at 4.45am for me, head to bed straight after the game to get two hours kip before getting up for work. Had planned to go to bed and then get up for this but stupidly decided to stay up for Spain -v- Italy.