Watching Italy lose 2-0 to Russia here. They're not great. They've nobody to stick the ball in the net. Balotelli is stinking the place out. Hopefully they stick with him. Reckon we can definitely take them...if we're still in it

Balotellis dangerous. Could just as easy stick a hat trick past us as get sent off. Could prob even do both

Hopefully we are still in it by the 18th when we play em

Beaten 3-0 in the end, third game in a row they've lost and failed to score. In their defence it was their first game since February, and it was 0-0 when Buffon went off - sub goalie De Sanctis was pants.

Still though, it was a very-un Italian performance; really attacking, created and missed a fair few chances, and all over the place at the back.

Draw with Croatia, lose to Spain, beat Italy...might be enough...

i think croatia will complete underestimate us, and i would say the crowd will be mostly irish and we could sneak a win. i know everyone says yeah yeah yeah croatia are amazing, but fuck it I think we can do it! go in to the spanish game brimming with confidence, bring them down to our level, try grind out a draw, then Italy are a team we should definitely not be afraid of.

Ireland were garbage last night. If Hungary had a striker we'd have been easily beaten, they created so many chances.

Paddy_Ob said:

Ireland were garbage last night. If Hungary had a striker we'd have been easily beaten, they created so many chances.

Croatia have a lot of injuries going into this and are shit at the back. If we can shut down Modric and Jelavic, its well there for the taking

The Score.ie are currently live blogging Ireland v Holland from Euro 88. As you do. Hope we win.

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/live-ireland-v-holland-european-championships-18-june-1988-475818-Jun2012/?utm_source=facebook_self&utm_medium=thescore&utm_campaign=from_page

was really poor performance against hungary alright. think walters should get the nod instead of doy;e for the opening game - seems much sharper over the last two friendlies.

i think he'll stay loyal to doyle, but for me walters and long are ahead of doyle in the pecking order.

hard man to dislike doyle, and he's a total grafter, but unfortunately he's as dangerous as a poodle