Italy v Republic of Ireland Match of the Day Live

Welcome to BBC Three's live coverage of Euro 2012. Tonight, we

focus on Group C, where three teams are vying for the two qualifying

spots. Spain and Croatia are favourites, but the question we are

asking this evening is that after two heavy defeats, can the Republic

of Ireland salvage some pride and end Italy's hopes of making the

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Italy can only qualify from this group with a victory tonight. Even

then, they are not guaranteed to go through. Italy could win

convincingly, but still go out with Spain and Croatia draw at 2-two or

higher. Trust us on that. Ireland are sadly already out, but will

look to end the campaign on a positive note. We will keep you up-

to-date with the Spain versus Croatia game, which is also on BBC

One. But here, we are concentrating on Italy versus the Republic of

Ireland, in the company of Steve Staunton and Alan Shearer. Steve,

Richard Dunne has said the players are clearly hurting after the two

big defeats. It is all about putting on a performance, isn't it?

Especially for those who have given support. Yes, our performance has

been disappointing. We made simple mistakes which cost us dearly with

goals. It is so uncharacteristic of the team. I think Giovanni

Trapattoni has said, let's have a good goal. He has stuck with a team

which has been successful in their qualifying campaign, and he is

I you surprised that he has not really change things around and,

with youth this time? I would have liked to have seen young Maclean

given a goal. I do not know why Darron Gibson is not playing in the

middle of the park. Shane Long is another absentee that I find

strange. They are all good, young, hungry footballers with pace.

his defence, it is the older guys with experience that got them into

this position. He did not be surprised after this tournament if

you see the likes of Damien Duff, shade -- Shay Given, even Robbie

Keane, say to the fans, that is enough. We gave Ireland our best

shot. That is why he stuck with them tonight, because it is

conceivable that three or four of the guise could retire after this.

Damien Duff is captain for the evening and picks up his 100th cap

for the Republic, one of only five players who have done so. Can't

remember through the first one was. It is fantastic for him. He

deserves it. He is a great professional. He works so hard in

training. He is the ultimate professional, and he is a leader.

He has been given the armband tonight. As for Italy, four changes

They have to go for goals, don't they? They need to win tonight. A

few people were surprised at the system. In the first game, they

played three at the back. In qualifying, they were successful

with four at the back. They have gone back to four tonight, with De

Rossi pushing into midfield and two forwards, with Balotelli left back,

which does not surprise me because we have not seen anywhere near his

form in the previous two games. Andrea Pirlo caught the eye. We saw

that terrific free-kick from him. He has been crucial for them in

midfield. Absolutely. He is a fantastic player who brings an

experience to that Italian midfield. If Ireland are going to get

anything to write, they will have to get around him. He will start

most things off for Ireland tonight. All of his goals for Italy have

come from set pieces, be it penalties or free kicks. They also

have to go against them nature to score goals. They have to win this

game. It is as simple as that. You might see a different approach from

the Italians. It is almost time for kick-off in Poznan. Could there be

a final dramatic twist for group C As the Republic of Ireland take on

another former Ireland manager, Mick McCarthy, with Steve Wilson.

So will Ireland play with some freedom to write? Will Italy play

with fear? For Ireland, Giovanni Trapattoni is a manager for Italy.

He is a legend, and tonight, he is their enemy within. Italy cannot

qualify if they don't win. They may not qualify even if they do. And

Giovanni Trapattoni will know every single Italian strategy in the book,

because it is a book that he helped to write. And Giovanni Trapattoni

is a huge factor in the Italian psyche tonight. They are on a

knife-edge, and they face a side, Mick McCarthy, who are coming out

here in Poznan very much with something to prove. Very much so. A

lot has been said and written back home in Ireland about the

performances. It is sad that we have never given ourselves a solid

footing to compete. We based our success here on a solid defensive

base, and we have not had it. We conceded seven goals, most unlike

us and certainly unlike a Giovanni Trapattoni team. So here they walk

into a sultry, sticky evening in Poznan, the Municipal Stadium. It

is not full, maybe about four- fifths full. And about four fifths

of the people in the stadium Irish. So a night for Ireland to try and

restore some pride. A night for Italy to try and get through to the

last eight of this European Championship. The Irish have had a

ball. But unfortunately, they have not had much of the ball. Their

fans have been making themselves heard wherever they go. But now it

is down to the men in green, red and white to do something where it

matters. The anthem of the Republic of Ireland will be the one we here

# A ta faoi gheall ag Eirinn. # Buion dar slua.

# Thar toinn do rainig chughainn. # Faoi mhoid bheith soar.

# Sean tir ar sinsear feasta. # Ni fhagfar faoin tioran na faoin

traill. # Anocht a theam sa bhearna baoil.

# Le gean ar Ghaeil chun bais no saoil.

# Le gunna screach, faoi lamhach na bpilear.

# Seo libh canaig amhran na bhFiann # Fratelli d'Italia.

# L'Italia s'e desta. # Dell'elmo di Scipio.

# S'e cinta la testa. # Dov'e la vittoria?

# Le porga la chioma. # Che schiava di Roma.

# Iddio la creo. # Fratelli d'Italia.

# L'Italia s'e desta. # Dell'elmo di Scipio.

# S'e cinta la testa. # Dov'e la vittoria?

# Le porga la chioma. # Che schiava di Roma.

# Iddio la creo. # Stringiamoci a coorte.

# Siam pronti alla morte. # Italia chiamo.

# Stringiamoci a coorte. # Siam pronti alla morte.

# Italia chiamo #. Si! It is a great anthem, and the Irish

fans are enjoying it almost as much as the Italians, jumping up and

down and clapping along. As you can see, Damien Duff, wearing the

captain's armband this evening. As we were saying earlier, it is his

100th cap for the Republic this evening. They say there might be a

storm about half-time, so bear with friendlies before this tournament,

their last run of results in 26 years. They have won only one of

nine matches in major finals since then. They won the World Cup in

2006. That is not great. Here is the referee, who is a Turkish

insurance worker who took charge of Ukraine's win over Sweden in group

D and also Fulham's victory over Trapattoni had made a whole bunch

of changes he would have been accused of favouring Italy, be

country he managed to in 2004. He also represented them as a player

in the 1962 World Cup. Some were keen for him to go after a couple

of poor displays. Others believe that reaching the finals was

achievement enough. His response to his critics suggest that if it is

down to him he will do the two more years on his contract. Ireland

wearing be predominantly white shirts and green shorts. They want

to really put on a put -- a display for their supporters. Italy after

when. Mick McCarthy, as a manager, how do you feel psychologically

playing against a team managed by somebody who used to be your

manager? It will play on his mind. Let's see what happens. Italy have

to when. Kevin Doyle here for Ireland. They nearly scored after

nine seconds of the game. It was a good chance. They made a hash of it.

I don't know how Kevin Doyle latched on to it. 18 years ago

today, Ray Houghton scored in New one slide away. Interesting to see

the set-up already. And they want to chase it, Ireland. One of the

midfield players has caused a problem but I am happy to see that

they are closing them down. Ireland have played four halves of football

so far in this tournament. They have conceded in the 4th minute of

each half. They will be glad if it is 0-0 at -- after five minutes

of Robbie Keane. Not a particularly comfortable start for the Italians

closing down, not letting them settled -- settle. McGeady and Duff

might have a bit of joy because they are playing narrow. Balzaretti

across, decision goes island's way. -- Kevin Doyle. Him it is a goal

kick. Path -- not a free kick, as it turned out. The I thought it was

a half decent chance from the free edge of the penalty area. Damien

Duff is also in the box. These lads never give anything up easily. They

have not played well and they know that and they want to repay the

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Wylam -- Glenn Whelan snuff it out. Goal kick, Kevin Doyle incensed.

looked like a corner kick to me. Let's see if the referee has got it

right. Never. He did well, Kevin Doyle. He was trying to get a shot

in but, if not, good to get a corner kick. Ignazio Abate had a

little bit of room on the other side. Ireland have to be narrow

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because they are playing three Italian squad. Also in the stands,

The cross deflected, Kevin Done with the clearance. -- Richard

Dunne. Path they have got the -- they have got the extra man in

Andrew's. -- Andrews. Into it -- Italy coming into tonight's matches

going to so -- shut down the two forwards down, the rest of the team

Mario Balotelli? They need goals. The manager knows better than

anybody else. You do not know what you will get out of Balotelli. When

he is good he is very good and when he is bad he caused us problems. --

can't debt done one against one. -- Sean St Ledger. Put away by Richard

Dunne. They have committed a lot of little shove from Robbie Keane.

was always going to be a foul. Them his Italian experience of Inter

Milan seems a long time ago now, needed to come a little bit earlier.

The longer it goes on, the more anxious the Italians will get.

are leading two centre backs against Robbie Keane. They should

let Kevin Doyle stay up against the offering. Just be patient, keep

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hold of the ball, and neither one of the pitch. The referee has asked

Kevin Doyle to put the ball out of play. It does my head in. Was he

enjoyed? I think Doyle did brilliantly. That was his job. He

actually kicked Doyle, so I don't know how much he hurt him. I think

it is rubbish. They should play on and see it out. A head injury is

one thing, but that is not a head injury. I agree. It is usually

have been since they became world champions in 2006 in the World Cup.

They went out of the last European Championships in the quarter-final

stage on penalties to Spain. And they had an abysmal World Cup.

There are a few countries which have been poor since they won the

World Cup. By their standards, they have had two poor tournaments, and

that is not counting the finding the picture a bit awkward.

-- they are finding the pitch a bit awkward. The pictures are really

hard now. Most of them wear rubber- That got the reception it deserved

from the fans behind that goal. was never convincing. His eyes lit

up when he thought he had a shot. The two Italian full-backs are

pushing really far. I would like to see one or two of our winners

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is wrong with that?, says Richard Dunne. I don't think it was for

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that, because that is always going them have the ball are working so

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minutes, and they have not caused get a head on it. Well played,

McGeady. Excellent play from group see when you look at the

games include one who is the daddy of them more. And we have the baby

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marriage corner. For a moment, they will punish us. 0-0 here, and still

0-0 in the Spain-Croatia game. That means that as it stands, Spain win

the group and Croatia go through with them. Is it not to to to yet?

Yes, there is the two to two things. If Spain and Croatia finish with

two each, Italy could win 15-0 and frustrating. We are that keen to

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score a goal. Kevin Doyle could tonight. -- Ireland look a

one of the star men of the Republic of Ireland World Cup team of ten

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seems any challenge in there is a Ireland would go out with a whimper.

I do not think that will be the case. Not a chance. Never, ever.

They have been playing well. But they have to do better with the

opportunities. They are defending was probably Italy's best chance so

far. Balzaretti gets the yellow Natale before that. It was a good

chance. The Italians are not The inevitably in Poznan the Poznan

was going to happen. Stephen Ward needs somebody to run for that. He

needs a centre forward been prepared to chase that. Would it be

cruel to suggest that the Irish fans don't want to wait for a goal

to do the Poznan? They came here wanting to see their team when. To

see our team when. But if they don't they will still enjoy being

here. They want to see the team play and they have come to have a

Great block, they are all appealing for handball. They are not going to

get it. The Turkish referee says no. Great run by Balzaretti, wasn't it?

Fabulous. He has been booked for a rugby tackle but he showed his good

side there. It has hit him in the looking for a ball to slip inside

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all over the top. They are but the door is shut. The two

centre backs are playing a very narrow. Sean St Ledger did a good

Ireland. They need to get out of from di Natale, which I don't think

would have beaten Shay Given. of respite, because we have been

under pressure there. The two winners are doing a great job but I

would still like to see one of them to get it on target! Off the line.

Pressure is building on the Irish goal now. Cassano, a good hit.

don't know how di Natale get that on target. It was a great strike

and you would expect Shay Given to gobble that up. The di Natale did

fantastically. Was that across the line or not? The goal is given. The

goal is given. It might be Antonio Cassano at the heart of the huddle.

Italy lead 1-0. I think you would have to say that that was over the

line. It was over the line. Antonio Cassano with the header. Shay Given

got a hand to it. It has been covering in the last four or five

minutes. It has. It started with a mistake, di Natale nearly scored

and Shay Given has spilled the shot. It is looking at half. It had been

crying for Fido six minutes. -- five or six. Italy would when this

group if it remains like this. Spain would go through as runners-

up. A yellow card for Keith Andrews. It his -- it is mack his second of

again before half-time. Then it with this free kick. We can see how

Croatia. We then got a head to it. -- Glenn Whelan. Cassano with the

header put them on five points. They are level on points with Spain

and Croatia but Italy would go blood on the lip of Balzaretti. The

yellow card is coming out for John O'Shea. I think he is given the

yellow card because he saw the O'Shea has the yellow card, the

Italians have the free kick and Andrea Pirlo will take it.

Shouldn't he have to go off if he has blood on his face? It is not

have been fortunate, Ireland. was a really good free kick. You

was unlucky. He was on the move, he jumped early, he got in front of

him. It was actually a great header. Scored a couple goals in a Euro

2004, Cassano. I don't think it would take a lot for the referee to

give another yellow card. At the moment, Spain, Croatia and Italy

all have five points. The results against Ireland would be taken out

of the equation and the other teams would be put in a mini league. The

goals scored against the Irish would not count. One flick on and

he was always through -- almost was offside, which is fairly

obvious. This is all hypothetical but if Italy do win Group C and it

-- then the winners of Group D would play Spain. It looked like

handball by George at Chiellini. -- now. It really is different if the

other team are one goal ahead. It makes you chase the ball all night

long. It is difficult to go from 4- 4-2 to forfeit -- 2433 mack, a

positive position to a negative one. Good block. I think Balzaretti was

happy with that, he had run about 70 yards. I hope somebody is

watching di Natale, who is lurking inside the Irish penalty area.

Richard Dunne came across very quickly to block Thiago Motta.

never stands still. Great ball by Thiago Motta and well done, Richard

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bed gracefully. He won't be older he gets, believe me. The Irish are

out of the Irish headers. They looked full of enthusiasm. When he

went in, they must have thought, here we go again. That is half-time.

Ireland started like a different side from the one that was so

comfortably beaten by Croatia and Spain. But the tide was beginning

to turn, and then Antonio Cassano's near-post header definitely crossed

the line. At the moment, Italy So a disappointment for the

Republic of Ireland, because for most of that half, they more than

held their Rome. Yeah, we did. But unfortunately, simple mistakes and

poor decision-making cost us again. It has knocked the stuffing out of

the boys. You could see in the last few minutes that everything has

been drained out of the lads, who put in a very good shift so far.

But unfortunately, this is what happens. It was looking positive

until Cassano has struck. It was. The Republic had a fair amount of

the game for the first half-hour, and created a few chances. We

thought Italy were not looking too dangerous. But basic errors have

cost Ireland the goal. It is in stark contrast to prove the

Republic of Ireland's game in qualifying. Six out of 7 goals they

have conceded have been down to defensive mistakes. There were two

or three hours in the build-up to we did OK. There was a wonderful

left. It was just a knock-on. We gave the ball away again. Then

there was a shot. Shay Given rushed off his line and then fumbled the

shot. The smallest guy on the pitch got the header, and it should not

happen. You have got to stay alive to set pieces. We have seen time

and time again that set pieces win or lose you games. The smallest guy

on the pitch got a free header, and that is not acceptable. But Ireland

have had their chances, but it has not quite happened to them. We have

had good situations. But again, we have taken the wrong option. As a

centre forward, Kevin Doyle got this ball after five or six seconds,

and he has to test the goalkeeper, Buffon. He had the opportunity. The

defenders are showing him where to go. The gap was there. As a forward,

you have to be thinking that way. Perhaps this is why they are not

scoring goals. There was a poor ball in to Robbie Keane, who did

all right to shield it, but look who he passed it to. Kevin Doyle.

There are your two centre forwards. Look in the 18 yard box. There is

no one there. That is one of the reasons why. Aiden McGeady had a

great run, but he overruns it again. You can see that Damien Duff is

screaming for it. Doyle is the widest man. It is these little

errors that have cost us. When Aiden McGeady ran at the back line,

he could have caused problems. Ireland have had their fair share

of chances. We have highlighted three opportunities. They should

get their shot at goal away earlier. When they don't, they have to get

there goals in the box with more quality. No one expects them to go

out and beat Spain or Croatia, but the chances have been there for

them tonight to score against Italy. It goes to show what you said

earlier about the strength of injecting pace in this Ireland side.

That is it. With any football team, you have got to have pace. Aiden

McGeady has the ability to do that. But he has to get better at quality.

Robbie was looking for a pass often. He doesn't do that, he delays it.

As you can see, Damien Duff is screaming for to get a shot of.

for Italy, Di Natale came in for Balotelli. He has been their main

danger man. He has looked very sharp. They are having problems

with Di Natale and Cassano. They found themselves in that pocket

where they were getting the ball time and time again. Cassano and Di

Natale were waiting for the ball to come in. I think the referee got it

right on the handball. For me, that is not a penalty. Those two guys

want to get in the box and score goals, whereas Robbie Keane and

Kevin Doyle are not so keen. They are spending too much time outside

the 18 yard box. Let's look at where this leaves us at half-time.

As things stand, Italy lead the group at five points ahead of Spain.

Italy scored two goals in the head to heads. The other teams have

scored just one. If Croatia score in the second half, then Spain

could exit the competition, which would be extraordinary. Absolutely.

It is unbelievably tight in this group now. It will be fascinating

to see how both Croatia and Spain face up to that in the second half.

It is anyone's at the minute. you have been engrossed in this

feast of football for the last 11 days, you could be forgiven for not

realising that another sporting treat is almost under starter's

orders. And they're offer. That is a nice hat, followed by stuck in

the turf. Cheeky tipple. A late push from Gone With The Wind. It

Alan, you have got horse racing on Wednesday. Yes, for 20 5:00pm on

Wednesday in the Royal Hunt Cup. We have got a day off, so I will be

there. Just when everybody has had enough of the rain over here, you

actually want it to rain. Our horse likes a bit of mud, so I am praying

for rain. As the start of Royal Ascot begins

tomorrow, we will also see one Wayne Rooney make his Euro 2012

debut. The heartbeat. The polls. The one. Good things come to those

who wait, and your time is now. Stronger than an ox. Potent as

venom. Rooney, Rooney, Rooney. Your name strikes fear. Unleash the

This is England at the Stadium in Donetsk, having a look at the

facilities before the bid game. Wayne Rooney, by all accounts,

looking very relaxed. Not straining at the leash, as some have put it.

But being relaxed is a good thing. It is, and this is the moment he

has been waiting for. He asked his team-mates to do the business in

the first two games, to allow him to come into this game all guns

blazing. We are assured that he will play tomorrow, and that is

right. No point having him in the squad if you were not going to play

him in this game. Andy Carroll or Danny Welbeck, who gives way?

Probably Andy Carroll. Harsh on him, probably, but in fairness to

Welbeck, in the first two games, he has been brilliant. He did not

score in the first game, but he was excellent, and his second game has

given him the role he deserved. They have got a lovely

understanding of being in and around each other when the ball is

coming into the box. There is plenty of movement and mobility,

and they will cause any team problems. Let's see what has

happened in tonight's other game group C. Spain are taking on

Cup a few years ago. Beautifully done. Almost out of reach. So

the hallmarks of the Spanish game. The first shot on target came from

thought that was a foul. It was right under the nose of the

additional assistant behind the goal at that end. Usually, anywhere

on the pitch, that would be a foul. That has been the one major talking

point, that challenge. Was it a foul? Definitely not a foul for me.

It was a fantastic tackle from Ramos. If you look at the direction

of the ball, and look where it goes. It goes out for a corner. That

tells you that the defender has won the ball. But it was a great tackle.

You would be proud of a tackle like that. Definitely. Plus, the centre

forward is hurting. It is not right seeing Spain play in light blue.

is not my favourite kit. But they have not been beaten in it. That

means there player is hobbling a bit towards half-time. That is not

great, considering that Croatia are now one goal down and needed to get

another player to come on as well, you bitch. I think Croatia will be

quietly confident, and Spain will get edgy. Who knows? Column have

come out. -- Holland have gone out of. By the way, looking at mind

games before football matches, this is nice. The Italian goalkeeper,

Buffon, is trying to out stare the mascot. Who blinks first? He is

doing well, but he did not flinch. Solid as a rock. What about the

Republic, Steve? What do they do in the second half? A much improved

display on the last two. What can they do? A bit more quality. Take

their time. One or two subs now would freshen things up. Let's have

a go with Italy. This is not a getting to this tournament but I

have found it really tough and it is an eye-opener for the guys who

think, we have done well to get here, can we kick on? Clearly the

answer is no. The players are about to emerge from the tunnel. Let's

hand you back took our commentators in Poznan, Mick McCarthy and Steve

his lip stitched up. Italy are topping the group at the moment

ahead of Spain but if Croatia sneak in the goal Spain could be going

out with the Dutch. Everybody is caning Ireland for not having any

points but Holland so far do not have any points. Ireland other

first to emerge and I don't think there are any changes in the side

at half-time. Cassano, who scored the goal, is waiting to somebody in

the crowd. -- waving. All that Italy can do is win the game of

course but it is possible that they could win the game and not go

through. The system used by UEFA was defended by Michel Platini

today. It is the same system used by the Champions League. It throws

up the odd position of Spain, Croatia and Italy all having five

points in the current situation. Italy top the group because of the

mini league. But Ireland have 45 minutes to put Italy even more

firmly in the corridor of uncertainty. Let's grasp the nettle

while we are waiting. Lots of discussion about whether Trapattoni

should stay or go. What do you think? If he has the desire and

hunger and belief that he can build another team and make sure that he

can coach them, yes. But it will have to be turned over, there is no

question. Six weeks ago he was a hero. The short pause is because we

need to co-ordinate with Spain and need to co-ordinate with Spain and

Croatia. Cassano could not keep the ball in play. It is an Irish throw.

Buffon would have come and collect inside the Italian half of the

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he will take the throw-in, the man Balzaretti with all kinds of room.

Well played, Glenn Whelan. He kept Sean St Ledger. Early Italian

pressure. The Italians seem to be getting numbers forward. Another

and around their own penalty area. The way they started, the first 30

Dunne. Smash over the top by Balzaretti. You think he might have

put his laces through that. Hit it with some violence, you get a

deflection and who knows. Pretty tame effort considering where he

was. Yes, but we are getting Almost impossible. He was behind

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him, falling over, trying to get away to the far side. A nice touch.

A bit of space was made for de Rossi by the run of Cassano.

need to get a foothold in this game. He has gone for the top left-hand

corner. He was wayward with it but they are running all over the top

of us and if they get the second goal... There is a danger that

Ireland could leave Poland with the worst ever record of European

Championship finalists. Zero points and to a goal difference of

Robbie Keane at the back post. I think that hit Ignazio Abate. It is

Richard Dunne and Andrea Barzagli. It only takes one Irish goal, that

header and it was a nervous moment for the Italian defence. You fancy

our Guys to win the game in the air. The Premier League has lots of

football spend a box. -- balls into went to the near post, Shay Given

got something on it and he is grateful that Keith Andrews is

shelf on Robbie Keane. The referee narrowed to deal with the three in

the middle of the park. A waste from Cassano. That was a lovely

move. Went for the near post. will never be beaten at that near

post. While we were watching a replays of that, Chiellini has a

problem and the Italians are suggesting he is not going to be

able to go on. He would be a loss for them. They have had their

defensive problems. Andrea Barzagli with a calf injury was not able to

play in the first two games. think I would be tempted at this

stage, all we can do is get something out of the game, and I

would be tempted, with 34 minutes left, try to liven it up, try

something, see if we can get a spark because at the moment we are

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with Spain in second place. That was not an easy one. It was

spinning. Again, they just played through Ireland. It is all a bit

too easy at the moment. This was that with a look of contempt on his

face. It nearly missed him by a long way. He was not going to

flatter the pass by trying to chase bench. I don't know if there seems

to be any movement or not. Buffon made the save. Keith Andrews, who

scored against the Italians in a 2- from the referee, which he didn't

get. Cassano and Di Natale are two good players up front. Cheers for a

little bit of control from contemplating a second I thought I

saw the number 10 on the fourth official's board. In which case,

that would be Cassano. Balzaretti was pulled back by O'Shea. The

frustrated, the players and the Irish fans, thinking that every

little decision is going against them. Is he wanting them to make a

substitution first? I am not sure. The former West Ham man Diamanti

will come on in a minute. But this interesting. They seem to use Di

Natale and Cassano. There goes a familiar figure in Cassano. Another

familiar figure comes on for him. It was a great goal. His movement

was terrific. Alessandro Diamanti, now of Bologna. He had only won one

cap prior to this tournament. He had a year at West Ham. He had

eight goals, four of them from the change is imminent as well. Shane

Long will bring some energy and enthusiasm. He is a handful. He is

very difficult to deal with. He is not the biggest man in the world,

but he has a real presence about him. Will he take will be off and

have more physical presence up heading straight for goal. Well

done to Keith Andrews. Won the team-mate corner just by his

make the change first. Aiden McGeady is coming off. I thought it

might be one of the two centre front? 25 minutes to go. The Irish

are appealing. Richard Dunne is, anyway. Bit of a lone appeal from

coming out to play on the right hand side of the Irish midfield,

with Long supporting Robbie Keane. It looks that way. I was hoping

they might have three up front. It Bonucci under pressure. I wonder

who has been delegated to mark him? Dunne. Still, Spain versus Croatia

Italy are going through as group winners at the moment, but there is

still plenty of time for that Free kick, right on the edge of the

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Irish Box. The referee got that one are just a red herrings. It is

Pirlo. Over the bar. He is whingeing at the wall. What was he

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expecting? They are going to try played well. They have narrowed the

eight years ago in 2004, time flies - Italy were going through in the

very last minute of their group game against Bulgaria, winning 2-1.

Then the other match that matter for them, Denmark and Sweden were

2-1 and then they equalised in the last minute to finish 2-2. And

Italy went out, so they will not take anything for granted. You can

see why it frustrates the players Rossi. Did well, Kevin Doyle. De

Rossi took one for the team. Professional foul to stop them

getting forward. It will not affect his participation in the quarter-

final, assuming Italy have a quarter-final. Now that it was a

tattoo. Glenn Whelan with his free kick. Cam Ireland find an

equaliser? Plenty are hoping. The sheer weight of numbers might cause

that they have given the free kick away, because they were breaking.

And I am not so certain it was a will be off like a scalded cat.

Great delivery from Duff. De Rossi is down and holding his head.

must get sick of this. He might have been caught but they are

wanting a game stop and it is not in the rules, they don't have to

stop the game. Unfortunately the referee did stop it because the

Irish were breaking. It is a yellow card for Buffon. A little bit too

is a corner. A really good spell this for Ireland. Yes, Italy have

dominated but they are getting a bit nervous. Mario Balotelli is

coming on. At di Natale is coming Buffon under all kinds of pressure.

Inevitably gets the free kick his way. He was always going to get a

free kick. He comes and flaps. I know he is a very experienced

keeper. Trapattoni is about to put Jonathan Walters on. Trying to

spread unease among the Italian the change. Jonathan Walters is

coming on and Kevin Doyle is going done. I am a bit surprised. I think

Kevin Doyle has been excellent and coming out why did he has been a

real handful but Jonathan Walters Balotelli. It is a free kick as

has been strangely muted, with the nerves are round the place. Ireland

have just had a good spell. -- around the place. Free kick, foul

on Jonathan Walters. What a good position this is in. I have no idea

what they are complaining about. It nerves. I do they speak good

Turkish or he speaks good Italian, I don't know whether there is a

common language between them! Turkish referee has very pointedly

taken 10 long strides. That is a good 10 yards, that. There marking

his six yards. He is spot on. -- the marking is. Excellent save by

Buffon. Fabulous. He has kept his heart in the mouth time. He has to

say that. If they want to go through to the quarter-finals, he

has to save that. Ireland a touch on it. Robbie Keane has

gone after it, and he has kept it in. Offside in the middle. Italian

defenders do clear that 18-yard box so they have caught them offside a

couple of times. It is a difficult one to tell. He was the nearest man.

Robbie Keane maybe became active when he chased after it. Bouton

with the clearance as we look at some fairly anxious Italian faces.

-- Buffon. Ireland's best spell of the game, best spell of the

tournament. You can just feel it with 10 minutes to go, something

special might be just around the corner for Ireland. He won the

header. Let's see if it was a foul. Not a chance. We have had our best

spell here and it has become a bit more direct, playing up to Shane

Long. You can ask whether it is Ireland playing better or Italy are

getting nervous. A bit of a relief, that, for the Italians. Still

goalless in good banks to -- Gdansk. Andrews and Long in the middle.

Sloppy from Italy. He has been the Tallis man, the guy who has got the

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has been on the pitch but he is one. Damien Duff and Glenn Whelan

are incensed. He is on his way down before anybody get anywhere near

him. Standing order, that. They do wriggle through all of them if he

is in the mood. He has got a free kick. That was theatrical. Has he

caught him? Yellow-card is shown to Sean St Ledger. He misses the next

match but it is purely theoretical. He caught him there, definitely.

Yes, he caught him, but it is a theatrical for to the ground. --

Italians as to who is going to take this. Balotelli and Marchisio have

minutes plus extra time of excitement. The Italians have moved

the ball back a bit and the referee has made them put it back on the

spot from where he gave the free kick. While he had his back

to talk about there. Marchisio seemed to shove some body and...

was a handball. No question. Robbie Keane is coming off. Fabulous

career. He was always going to break the goalscoring record, but

surprised that he is offside there, I would like to see that one again.

for a push because the Lines man definitely had his flag up for

offside. -- linesman. Italy are close but nowhere near as close as

penalty. We have only had one penalty in this entire championship

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class. He has been a real threat, and defended well when he has had

Spain have scored. Very late on, we have got a Spanish goal in Gdansk,

and we have got a red card for Keith Andrews in Poznan. I'm afraid

he has not helped himself by smashing the ball away. Keith

Andrews is sent off with two yellow cards. It is all kicking off. I was

looking at Giovanni Trapattoni, and he was shaking his head. He

probably thinks the Italians are getting all the decisions. We used

to think that when he was there as well. That will be a corner.

Deflected off Richard Dunne. The Italians have a lead and a man

advantage, an time is almost up. That goal for Spain has meant that

Italy no longer take the group. done absolutely nothing so far in

this European Championship, and then he goes and does that. It was

well worth the wait. Well done, Bonucci, who has just told him to

shut his goblin no uncertain terms. He has just cut his hand across it.

He scored a goal, so what? All the Irish players are completely

of an eye in real time. Italy have a corner here. It does not change

the group, by the way. Spain are still on top. Italy still in second

place. It would be very hard on Ireland if Italy get another.

all gone wrong. All in disarray, and yet they had a good spell in

this second half. It was a great finish from Balotelli. John O'Shea

that will affect the result. It is a stupid free kick. Abate has had a

really good game. There was no need for that. Just a few seconds to go

there. Balotelli ignored those around him. He did well, Richard.

Left on his lonesome there, when there were three of the Italians.

In goes the corner kick from Italy. It is going to be another corner.

Italy are desperate for a third because, should Croatia equalise

and it is 1-1, then that means that 2-0 would not be enough for Italy.

3-0 Wood, which is why they are desperate for a third goal. The

referee blows his whistle, and Italy have won this goal -- game by

2-0. Now they wait for confirmation that a Croatian equaliser in go

danced against Spain will not knock them out. The celebrations are on

hold at the moment from the Italians whilst they are still

playing in Gdansk. But Mario Balotelli's all has meant that it

has finished here at 2-0. Balotelli and Given exchange have. The

Italians don't know yet if they are through. While we wait for that,

let's reflect on the Irish campaign. Great disappointment, obviously,

but much better tonight? Huge disappointment, but they were never

going to be happy with being just better. They had a good spell for

30 minutes, and then Italy deservedly took the lead. In the

second half, they dominated. We had a good little spell, and then we

have one sent off. It looks awful, because we have not been like that

in the tournament. We ended up with ten men, and it is a real

disappointment. But one is asking the Italian fans wet of the game

has finished in the Gdansk. They can't tell him from here, but there

is the answer. Italy are through! They know it now. Spain have beaten

Croatia 1-0. It was a horrible wait, because if Croatia had scored late

in that game, then Italian Joia would have turned to tears and they

would have been out. But as it is, Croatia for through the trapdoor.

Spain win group C. Italy go through as runners-up. Spain and Italy are

through. Ireland goal and applaud their magnificent fans before

heading home. It has finished in Poznan.

Incredible scenes there, with Italy clearly delighted to be through to

the quarter-finals. Steve and Allen, this went right down to the wire.

Incredible much of football. We just didn't know what was going to

happen right until the last kick in both games. A great night of

football. From the Republic of Ireland's point of view, at least

they went out give it a good goal. They fought in the second half. At

least they gave it a go. You can hear that the fans are happy with

what they have seen. They made it so much noise tonight, and that has

been one of the hallmarks of the Republic's involvement in this

tournament. The support has been incredible. You can still hear them.

There are 20,000 or 30,000 of them, and they have enjoyed every minute.

Thankfully, at least in the second half, the lads put in a great shift

for them. Unlucky not to get a goal, but it was a much improved

performance in the second half. Gdansk in Poland, these are the

scenes. Similarly jubilant for Spain. They go through.

Disappointment for Croatia. They go home. There manager gives up the

position. Yes, he has got the manager's job at Lokomotiv Moscow.

It looked as if Croatia had a few chances. Ability-wise, Italy, Spain

and Croatia are three very good sides. We are going to lose a side,

with Croatia missing out. Spain were wobbling this evening. That

will give all the other protagonists of the tournament

plenty of heart. If you look at the group itself, Spain have been quite

poor at the back. Italy got at them. We did not do too much to them, but

Croatia got at them. I think there is a weakness there at the back.

They did not look great, but they won 1-0. And that is all that

matters. Let's get final confirmation. These are the scenes

in Gdansk. Clearly, disappointment What an evening, gents. It was a

great evening of football. But looking at the points total, we all

expected Spain to win the group, which has happened. But the

standard of football from both Italy and Croatia has probably

surprised everyone. The problems Italy had coming into the

tournament, they have looked pretty strong. And Croatia, with Jelavic.

They have got some good players. They will be disappointed, but as

you say, Ireland were up against three good sides. The Italians do

it in every tournament. No one fancies them to get out of the

group. Don't be surprised if they go all the way either. If you look

at the Czech Republic and Greece, laugh qualified from other groups,

and look at their ability compared to Croatia, Croatia can count

themselves lucky. It has been a high standard group apart from the

Republic. The Irish performance was much improved in the second half,

but they found themselves one-0 down. It has been one of the

hallmarks of their display defensively that they look very

unsteady. It is so not like us. There was a catalogue of mistakes

here. We gave the ball away. Here, we had a chance to clear it again,

moving all over the place. For me, that was a poor goal to give away.

Cassano gets a cross to Keith Andrews. The hallmark of the

Republic, coming into the tournament, was that the one thing

about them was that they would be tough to beat. But in this

tournament, they weren't, unfortunately. They gave away too

many basic errors. When you do that against top quality players, you

get punished. That is the disappointing thing from their

point of view. They came into it with high hopes, maybe not of

qualifying, but of giving it a right could go and saying to their

fans, we have turned up. It was not meant to be, but we gave you

everything. But now they will go away thinking, we gave away so many

sloppy errors. If you look at the start of the first half and second

half, it is so not like us. The other thing is, we normally close

down teams as a unit. But in the first game, we played too deep as a

back four. Then your midfield is stretched and you are playing

against three in the middle of the park. Then there midfield has a

helluva a long way to go and support the front two, so we were

disjointed and spread out. It was crucial that the Republic put in a

much better second half performance as they leave this tournament and

focus on the World Cup qualifiers the 2014. Keith Andrews had a mixed

second half, but he fought a good save from Buffon. This was typical.

Three of our lads react to it. One Italian defender, and where does

the ball fall? In fairness to the Italian defender, that was

tremendous defending. How many times do you seek defenders

isolated and not going in to protect the goalkeeper? Well, this

time the defender got there first. It was fantastic defending. It was,

but pleasing from our point of view to see three of our lads react.

was unfortunate for Keith, because his tournament ends now. We didn't

see the incident, but here was the second yellow card. There was

nothing in that. It is his reaction. That is a bit harsh from the

referee. The referee has not been too bad during this tournament.

letter of the law says that he probably should. But he is totally

frustrated. His reaction got him the second yellow card. That sums

up the first three games. That is the way it has gone for the

improved second half performance, they conceded a second goal. This

was a magnificent goal. You can take nothing away from that finish.

We said at half-time that at set pieces... And they have been done

by another set piece. It is a great folly but when he looks that, he

should not get beaten. He should be half a yard in front of him. Pot --

disappointing. Let's get some reaction from the Republic of

Ireland camp. Robbie Keane. An incredible reception from the

fans once again. Yes, the last three games they have been

fantastic. We did not perform as well as we know we can and we did

not get the results, but if anybody deserves if it is them. Perhaps we

should have got a result? I think we played well tonight but we did

not really get too many chances. Obviously disappointing that we did

not get anything out of the group and the players are disappointed

but we have been be -- beaten by better team is. Set pieces again?

Yes, that has been the same for the last few games. In previous games

we were quite solid in that department. Is it the end of the

road for some of the players? will have to see.

He could be on his way. Could we see him in the Republic of Ireland

shirt again in a major tournament? He is big pals with Richard and I

hope the two of them don't go together, O'Shea and Shay Given as

well. That is five of them out of the starting 11. If it is, it would

be a shame for the likes of Damien Duff and Shay Given and Robbie

Keane. I have been fantastic and given everything to their country.

To bow out on a game and a tournament where it has not gone as

expected for them, it would be a shame, but no surprise. Definitely

the end of an era. Let's see how events unfolded in Gdansk because

Spain against Croatia was watched by mark Brotherton and its -- Simon

impressive. Beautifully done by a long slow. -- Xabi Alonso. Him he

was trying to drive back as hard as he could and hopefully it would

hallmarks of the Spanish game. Ramos. First shot on target comes

easy stopped. The -- stop. Beautiful movement from Mandzukic,

got the better of Ramos. He is taking some stopping here, and

Ramos went diving in. I thought that was a foul. It was right under

the nose of the additional assistant behind the goal. Anywhere

else on the pitch I would say that would be a foul. Here is in

Leicester -- in Leicester for Spain. possession. Beautifully done there.

Mandzukic into the centre. Rakitic! Saved by Casillas and away by a

Xabi Alonso. Great ball by Modric. Anywhere down for a cross and the

goal -- or across the goal. What a chance. Her Xavi making himself

available, as he always does, at the earliest opportunity.

Schildenfeld able to make the block. Again it is to one of the central

defenders, this time Pique, who is down and holding his head. It does

not quite reached Silva Because Schildenfeld puts himself in the

right place at the right time. is an excellent delivery towards

the near post. If the referee sees that, that is a red. Croatia

looking for that one chance that could swing the game around

completely, and then mack is the man who could be the provider of

that opportunity. -- there is. False to Vega and the save made by

Casillas. -- it falls to Domagoj Vida. The blue shirt flooding

forward. -- blue shirts. It fell to the right man, -- wrong man, didn't

it? They are taking a chance now, Croatia. In Leicester for saying

the stop from Pletikosa. -- Iniesta stays down. Spain are going through

to the quarter-finals. Finally the deadlock is broken. Croatia

suddenly have an awful lot to do and not much time to do it in.

Iniesta was not offside. Finally Spain pick the lock.

Spain are through with Italy but it was nervy stuff. Let's reflect more

about the Republic of Ireland's For the tournament, from a neutral

perspective, the two sides you would want to see have gone through.

Yes, although it ended up being a really nervous end, especially for

Italy. For the Irish point of view, three games and three defeats.

There is pressure on Trapattoni. Should -- be? -- should there be?

They have come here and come up against better opposition and they

have been punished for it. I think we were competing against teams we

could not really cope with. We had some bad luck, some if the goals.

Whether Trapattoni goes ball stays, now is the natural time for there

to be some evolution in the squad. Clearly some of these guys are not

likely to be around for two, four years. No, Robbie Keane, Damien

Duff, Shay Given, they are the ones, and they might say they have had

enough. If it is Giovanni, I hope he has that desire and ambition to

build a new team because he has made a success by getting us here.

But it has been asked -- a disappointment here.

Obviously Trapattoni has signed up for the World Cup qualifiers. Do

you expect him to fulfil those fixtures? I would expect so. I

think he would see that there is enough young talent coming through.

There is and nucleus to build on and I hope he does. He has done a

wonderful job in the qualifiers but we need to push on with the younger

talent. Looking at the teams they will have to compete against,

Germany, Sweden, Austria, the Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan, a major

challenge. It will always be a major challenge for Ireland. Four

us to qualify for it honoured is a magnificent achievement. You can't

take anything away from that. After that, anything is a bonus. They

have been brilliant to come here but they have just come up against

better opposition and I have to say, we could have done better, but they

did great there to get here. have to do -- leave it there. Thank

you for your company. The Irish go home after a much improved