:01:37. > :01:41.Hello everybody. Three days into Euro 2012 and thankfully we have
:01:41. > :01:47.been spared the usual sluggish start to a major international
:01:47. > :01:55.tournament. Controversy, heroes, villains, goals aplenty. Group C
:01:55. > :02:03.began under the watchful eyes of Lee Dixon, Clarence Seedorf and
:02:03. > :02:09.Steve Staunton. The Emerald Isle is back on the big stage and we will
:02:09. > :02:15.see how they fared against Croatia in their opener. Then we will seek
:02:15. > :02:18.defending champion shows -- champions Spain kick-off against
:02:18. > :02:26.Italy. Following the match action we will catch up with England who
:02:26. > :02:32.begin their bid for Euro glory against France tomorrow. Poland had
:02:32. > :02:35.all to themselves today as they hosted both of the day's games.
:02:35. > :02:41.Later we will be in good dance for Spain against Italy but first we
:02:41. > :02:48.will go to Poznan and the Republic of Ireland against Croatia. With
:02:48. > :02:53.Spain and Italy in Group C Republic made a flying start against Croatia.
:02:53. > :03:03.Maximum points would mean so much. It is their first major tournament
:03:03. > :03:05.
:03:05. > :03:10.for 10 years. Trapattoni has made them a hard nut to crack. Croatian
:03:10. > :03:15.coach Bilic will be looking for his big men to perform. They are in no
:03:15. > :03:25.way a one-man band. Jelavic has proved his scoring ability and with
:03:25. > :03:26.
:03:27. > :03:29.other stalls -- stars like Eduardo, they could surprise a few.
:03:29. > :03:31.they could surprise a few. Having been into the middle of
:03:31. > :03:35.Having been into the middle of Poznan this afternoon, it's hard to
:03:35. > :03:38.imagine they are too many people left in the Republic of Ireland. 10
:03:38. > :03:44.years on from their last appearance at a major tournament, one thing
:03:44. > :03:53.the Irish will not be short of his support in the stands. No surprises
:03:53. > :04:03.here. This team was named one week ago. Shay Given is is fit despite
:04:03. > :04:05.
:04:06. > :04:09.in the injury last week. Damian Duff and Aiden McGeady provide the
:04:10. > :04:13.width. Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews the glass when the surf --
:04:13. > :04:23.graft in the centre with Kevin Doyle chosen to partner Robbie
:04:23. > :04:24.
:04:24. > :04:34.Keane up front. Goalkeeper Pletikosa did not get much of a
:04:34. > :04:36.
:04:36. > :04:42.look-in at Spurs but this is one of many international appearances.
:04:42. > :04:46.Luka Modric pulls this brings in midfield while Jelavic who did so
:04:46. > :04:56.well for a Leverton in the second half of the last season is in
:04:56. > :05:14.
:05:14. > :05:24.getting involved in play. Croatia have the first corner of the game.
:05:24. > :05:35.
:05:35. > :05:40.Racket it has recovered from a Croatia! It was Mandzukic. He
:05:40. > :05:48.slipped as he went for the ball but Shay Given couldn't get there. Less
:05:48. > :05:56.than three minutes played and it is an awful, awful start for the Irish.
:05:56. > :06:01.The ball just gets deflected in a. He managed to guide it in and from
:06:01. > :06:07.that distance, that ball took a deflection. He managed to guide it
:06:07. > :06:16.to the corn and Shay Given really should do better with that. What a
:06:16. > :06:21.start for Croatia! Mandzukic with the goal. The Republic of Ireland
:06:21. > :06:31.have not conceded many in the last couple of years. They conceded very
:06:31. > :06:41.
:06:41. > :06:45.was unable to force a save. The Republic of Ireland over the years
:06:45. > :06:55.have a good record against Croatia. They have played them six times but
:06:55. > :07:14.
:07:14. > :07:22.well using his body. A defender got 1-1 and the Republic of Ireland are
:07:22. > :07:29.back in the game. That was Sean St Ledger for Ireland. These fans have
:07:29. > :07:36.got something to smile about. Croatian players looked at the
:07:37. > :07:41.assistant there. They timed this one beautifully. It is in the back
:07:41. > :07:46.of the net. He is just not even looking at his man. He has on the
:07:47. > :07:52.wrong side and get punished for it. Sean's N Ledger with his third
:07:52. > :07:57.international goal. He scored a big goal against Italy. He scored an
:07:57. > :08:07.even bigger goal here. This brings the Republic of Ireland level
:08:07. > :08:34.
:08:34. > :08:44.clearance. What a game we have here! Shay Given adjusted to his
:08:44. > :09:01.
:09:01. > :09:11.left and pushed it away from the Croatia. Eclairs in a row. Eight
:09:11. > :09:20.
:09:20. > :09:26.green shirts defending for their was loitering. And it felt very
:09:26. > :09:30.well. That was Jelavic who took the toss. The Republic of Ireland
:09:30. > :09:36.players look in vain to the official on the far side. They
:09:36. > :09:45.argue with the referee but Jelavic has scored for Croatia. The goal
:09:45. > :09:52.stands and they lead by the 2-1 with two minutes to go to half-time.
:09:52. > :09:56.The eventual goal scored by Jelavic. I am not sure if that is what they
:09:56. > :10:05.are complaining about but as the ball ricochets about, it is of side
:10:05. > :10:15.from the original shot. The arms go up straight away but the flags stay
:10:15. > :10:29.
:10:29. > :10:36.down all importantly. The Everton That was a beautiful move but not
:10:36. > :10:46.quite the finish. Lovely delivery here. Just watch her. They got in
:10:46. > :11:13.
:11:13. > :11:18.Shay Given. The Republic of Ireland may be worst possible start to the
:11:18. > :11:24.first half and they have done exactly the same thing at the start
:11:24. > :11:30.of the second. Three minutes into each half they concede. It is 3-1
:11:30. > :11:33.and it is a long, long way back tonight. They made their excellent
:11:33. > :11:37.start to the second half, they moved the ball around from one side
:11:37. > :11:42.of the pitch to another. This was a glancing header and Shay Given got
:11:42. > :11:52.as far apart as he could but it just hit him on the head and it
:11:52. > :12:01.
:12:01. > :12:05.went in. A lovely cross both. -- a ban on the back of the head. It is
:12:05. > :12:08.up to the referee to blow the whistle to stop the game.
:12:08. > :12:12.referee is happy for the game to continue and the players are within
:12:12. > :12:20.their rights to do that. Whether there is a head injury the referee
:12:20. > :12:25.would normally stop the game. Mandzukic has stayed down and
:12:25. > :12:31.Croatia is momentarily down to 10 which means there is billing in the
:12:31. > :12:35.background. They look for a penalty but nothing doing. The Irish
:12:35. > :12:42.players complain of the referee and the Croatian players complain that
:12:42. > :12:46.the Irish and nobody out there on the field is very happy at the
:12:46. > :12:53.moment. Mandzukic caused all the problems by staying down. You have
:12:53. > :12:57.to play on. I think it is a penalty. I don't think he gets the ball. He
:12:57. > :13:01.took the back of Robbie Keane's leg and I think it is a penalty. The
:13:01. > :13:05.referee got a good look at it. He was looking straight at and I think
:13:05. > :13:15.the Irish were unlucky. The referee did not cover himself in glory
:13:15. > :13:26.
:13:26. > :13:32.there. That really did look like a That was excellent play. He has got
:13:32. > :13:36.forward a lot more in the second half. He doesn't panic on the cross
:13:36. > :13:39.and he cut it back and I thought that was in to be honest. Excellent
:13:39. > :13:49.plate. That is the best bit of football I have seen for a while
:13:49. > :13:54.
:13:54. > :13:57.than the Republic, they have put them under pressure. They put them
:13:58. > :14:06.under pressure when they are in possession and I think Croatia have
:14:06. > :14:15.far too much space and time. Schildenfeld is under pressure.
:14:15. > :14:23.Andrews made a shot. He applauded it, didn't he? Shane Long is coming
:14:23. > :14:27.on. He is battling away. disappointing opening match so far
:14:27. > :14:37.for the Republic of Ireland. It is only the second time they have made
:14:37. > :14:43.
:14:43. > :14:48.it to the Euro champion final -- ground there. He has a problem with
:14:48. > :14:52.his lower back. There are two players on the ground. Things are
:14:52. > :14:58.getting a little heated out there. Kranjcar has to be careful because
:14:58. > :15:08.his stud was shelling in that challenge. He has gone over the top
:15:08. > :15:15.
:15:15. > :15:23.Poznan. None of the 39,000 crowd are leaving quite yet. A decent
:15:23. > :15:30.ball in from Cox, a good punch from Pletikosa. Here is Damien Duff. In
:15:30. > :15:40.towards Andrews, he was challenged by Corluka. Richard Dunne, getting
:15:40. > :15:49.
:15:50. > :15:56.Andrews as he went for the ball. Andrews goes up for the second one.
:15:56. > :16:06.Pletikosa does get an elbow to the face from the Shane Long. Pletikosa
:16:06. > :16:18.
:16:18. > :16:23.gets a whack. Oh, dear. I take that put it behind. And it is the first
:16:23. > :16:29.corner for the Irish in the entire match, and it is in injury time at
:16:29. > :16:34.the end of the game. They have got to throw everything at Croatia,
:16:34. > :16:43.including the kitchen sink. Over it comes! Andrews with the header just
:16:43. > :16:46.wide. Just like on the first goal, a free header. Nobody is marking.
:16:46. > :16:51.You would think after everything they have been through, Croatia
:16:51. > :16:57.would get tight, but they don't. A free header for Keith Andrews and
:16:57. > :17:07.he really should score. The last knocking us of added time.
:17:07. > :17:11.
:17:11. > :17:16.whistle and confusing everybody on the benches. Perhaps one last
:17:16. > :17:22.chance for the Republic of Ireland. Corluka is there, Andrews with the
:17:22. > :17:29.shot again. But unable to even forced a save. It has been a
:17:29. > :17:34.frustrating day for them. Now it is the referee's whistle that blows,
:17:35. > :17:39.and he brings to a conclusion, this opening match. After a 24 year wait,
:17:40. > :17:49.it is a disappointing return to the European Championships final so far
:17:50. > :17:51.
:17:51. > :17:53.for the Republic of Ireland. Well They conceded after three minutes
:17:53. > :17:59.in the first half, three minutes in the second and shortly before half-
:17:59. > :18:04.time. Sean's then Leader's headed goal was not nearly enough. -- Sean
:18:04. > :18:14.St Leger's headed goal was not nearly enough. The Republic have to
:18:14. > :18:15.
:18:15. > :18:21.He it is always nice to get a goal but we lost the game and that is
:18:21. > :18:24.the most important thing. We have another two games to go, two huge
:18:24. > :18:29.games. It is always important to get off to a good start, that has
:18:29. > :18:33.not happened. Croatia are a good side with a talented squad. We have
:18:33. > :18:37.to move on and put it behind us. The fans in the stadium were
:18:37. > :18:42.magnificent, I can't speak highly enough of them. The noise before
:18:42. > :18:46.hand and when we scored, hopefully they will stick with us. They were
:18:46. > :18:54.threatening us with set pieces, like they are going to do against
:18:54. > :18:59.any team. They are good on second balls. They were better on that.
:18:59. > :19:05.They were better in that department than us but it is quite normal, you
:19:05. > :19:09.have to come close to them. You can't stop them closing the ball
:19:09. > :19:17.from distance, it is very hard. You can minimise it but you can't stop
:19:17. > :19:24.them. Other than that, we expected the game to be like this. OK, we
:19:24. > :19:32.scored goals in great moments of the game. In the beginning and just
:19:32. > :19:36.before half-time, and then after half-time, so it was perfect.
:19:36. > :19:41.didn't perform to the 100% that we need to, to compete in games. It
:19:41. > :19:46.was unfortunate. We were not terribly bad but the goals came at
:19:46. > :19:56.the wrong time for us. It was a disappointing start. The second
:19:56. > :19:56.
:19:56. > :19:59.goal was clearly offside. Two metres. With these two goals, we
:19:59. > :20:06.lost in the first half, they deserved to win because they were
:20:06. > :20:10.superior in midfield. Do you feel you can still qualify? It is a big
:20:10. > :20:14.setback. It is. We usually perform well under difficult circumstances
:20:14. > :20:18.and we will need to now. It doesn't get much more difficult than
:20:19. > :20:23.playing Spain on Thursday. We could surprise a few people and that is
:20:23. > :20:27.what we need to do. We need those fans ready to do the same on
:20:27. > :20:31.Thursday and we need to get something. Steve, I will allow you
:20:31. > :20:34.to blame everything from the missed penalty to the idiot in the crowd
:20:34. > :20:40.with the whistle, but Trapattoni's side were the architects of their
:20:40. > :20:43.own downfall. Unfortunately, tonight's performance has been so
:20:43. > :20:47.out of character for the squad and what it has always been about for
:20:47. > :20:51.the last three or four years. I don't know how to explain it.
:20:51. > :20:54.don't know how to explain it. are going to have to! We are not
:20:54. > :21:00.coming out quickly enough to close this down. You see the ball coming
:21:00. > :21:07.in here inside the box. We are not close enough. We are slow coming
:21:07. > :21:11.out. They get a lucky break off the back of Stephen Ward and it is
:21:11. > :21:16.unfortunate because Shay Given has to come across. That was a great
:21:16. > :21:23.header. Fantastic. Just - Shay Given is getting to it, it takes a
:21:23. > :21:26.bounce off the wet surface -- just as Shay Given is getting to it.
:21:26. > :21:30.They got men back behind the ball and you don't expect Ireland to
:21:30. > :21:34.give anything away. To give two goals away three minutes into the
:21:34. > :21:42.game and just before half-time really did them in. They get men
:21:42. > :21:48.back, they win the corner, Croatia. From this, they get the second goal.
:21:48. > :21:52.You can see here, we are slow coming out. It is not good enough.
:21:52. > :21:59.Trapattoni will be disappointed. The defenders will be disappointed.
:21:59. > :22:06.Modric does well. A little bit of luck, in an offside position when
:22:06. > :22:11.the shot comes in but there is not a ricochet and it is a great finish.
:22:11. > :22:16.It was a great finish. I enjoyed watching the Croatians. The
:22:16. > :22:22.strikers are really important in the whole match they were available.
:22:22. > :22:29.Moving forward, giving a lot of work for the defenders of Ireland.
:22:29. > :22:39.That has been an exciting game. Knowing that we have had a
:22:39. > :22:39.
:22:39. > :22:45.difficult start in the World Cup -- Everybody is going for the win.
:22:45. > :22:50.That was the third goal. Great player from Croatia. Shay Given
:22:50. > :22:54.will be given the own goal which is unfortunate. I don't think the ball
:22:54. > :22:57.was going out, I think there is a chance it might have trickled in.
:22:57. > :23:01.It doesn't really matter, we would like to give it to the striker but
:23:01. > :23:05.unfortunately not. The way that Ireland set up, you don't expect
:23:05. > :23:09.them to give goals away anyway, but when they gave them a way, it
:23:09. > :23:12.showed a bit of a lack of concentration. To give the ball
:23:12. > :23:19.away so early in the second half, when they got themselves back in
:23:19. > :23:24.again, it was really unfortunate. Clarence, let's explore your love
:23:25. > :23:28.of Croatia a bit more. The forwards were a bit of a handful and you
:23:29. > :23:35.were impressed with the efforts of Modric. Absolutely. He had a great
:23:35. > :23:42.game. A real playmaker for them. He was all-around. Always in control.
:23:42. > :23:47.He was the extra man for Croatia. I still think the Republic of Ireland
:23:47. > :23:53.will have great matches against Italy and Spain. Here he shows his
:23:53. > :23:59.extra value for this team. A good shot on goal. Modric was just
:23:59. > :24:06.quality. Of course, he got a bit too much freedom. With that space,
:24:06. > :24:10.a quality player like him can make the difference. The two forwards,
:24:10. > :24:14.Jelavic and Mandzukic, I thought they led the line well. They caused
:24:14. > :24:17.Richard Dunne problems, getting the ball around to this guy as well, he
:24:17. > :24:27.was superb from right back, Sir enough. I think he was their Man of
:24:27. > :24:29.
:24:29. > :24:34.the Match. -- from right back, Darijo Srna. Unfortunately we did
:24:34. > :24:40.not do what we normally do, we normally win crosses and push out
:24:40. > :24:44.as a back four, but we are sat in there. Against two tall centre-
:24:44. > :24:49.forwards, we saw it with the third goal, you are only a few yards out,
:24:49. > :24:56.a greasy surface and it is a golf. I think the quick goal just killed
:24:56. > :25:00.them. Modric is not getting that space. Left-right was centre, he
:25:01. > :25:10.could have a picnic but he will not get as base against Italy or Spain.
:25:11. > :25:11.
:25:11. > :25:16.Win omelette -- he would not get I don't think Croatia were that
:25:16. > :25:23.special which will be disappointing for the Republic. Steven, let's
:25:23. > :25:28.have a moan. The penalty decision was a shocker. Most definitely. It
:25:28. > :25:34.is a certainty. The defender takes Robbie's left leg. You can see it
:25:34. > :25:41.as the ball comes into him. Mandzukic was injured further up
:25:41. > :25:46.the pitch. He was lying on the ground. You spotted this for the
:25:46. > :25:53.second goal. As Stephen Ward is about to kick that, the big centre-
:25:53. > :25:57.forward has clipped him on the heel. He puts his hand up. Because he
:25:58. > :26:02.knows he has tapped him on the ankle as he is ready to clear it.
:26:02. > :26:06.Unfortunately it is like a golf swing, if you hit the tree on your
:26:06. > :26:10.back from, it is going to put you off and you miss the ball, and that
:26:10. > :26:19.is what will happen. I love that we have said it should have been two
:26:19. > :26:25.well. -- it should have been two wall. That makes it 2-1, just
:26:25. > :26:35.before half-time. We were controlling the game. OK, we lost a
:26:35. > :26:36.
:26:36. > :26:43.bit of control, but to go in at 1-1 I think Ireland were unlucky but
:26:43. > :26:47.beaten, and not a very Republic of Ireland like performance. The Irish
:26:47. > :26:53.fans out there will be loving it tonight, they will be painting the
:26:53. > :26:58.streets Green. They like a laugh, even in adversity. You could look
:26:58. > :27:02.at the two managers all right. are at the opposite Spectrum's of
:27:02. > :27:08.the managerial career. Slaven Bilic, a reasonably inexperience, he has
:27:08. > :27:13.been there for six years managing Croatia. This guy, 73 years of age,
:27:13. > :27:17.he is just as passionate as ever. Both of them trying to run the game
:27:17. > :27:27.from different positions, up and down, shouting and controlling. The
:27:27. > :27:28.
:27:28. > :27:32.energy is unbelievable. -- cajoling. They are kicking every boy -- every
:27:32. > :27:36.ball like David Moyes or Martin O'Neill. That is what you do. Sir
:27:36. > :27:41.Alex has only just come down in the last couple of years. That is what
:27:41. > :27:44.managers do, you kick every ball. We saw a clip earlier on,
:27:44. > :27:51.Trapattoni Polly a bottle of water into the stand. That is what it is
:27:52. > :27:57.all about -- volley a bottle of We move on to the second game,
:27:57. > :28:03.Spain. They arrived without David Villa and Carles Puyol. They also
:28:03. > :28:08.took on an Italian side beset with match-fixing allegations, just like
:28:08. > :28:14.in 1992 -- 1982 and 2006, when they won the World Cup. Spain are
:28:14. > :28:19.without doubt the team to beat. The touch and technique is unrivalled
:28:19. > :28:23.and rightly, they are short-priced favourites to triumph again. They
:28:23. > :28:28.won eight from eight in qualifying and their generation of geniuses,
:28:28. > :28:32.marshalled by Vicente del Bosque a, will take all the stopping. For
:28:32. > :28:42.Italy, this is a tough start but if they are disciplined, they could
:28:42. > :28:45.catch a slow start in Spain cold. After qualifying unbeaten, they
:28:45. > :28:49.could -- they have lost their last three and they were knocked out in
:28:49. > :28:59.the Group Stage of the World Cup 2010 come as a depression is on
:28:59. > :29:01.
:29:01. > :29:08.them to deliver. -- so the pressure that is quickly described as must
:29:08. > :29:12.watch. Four years ago they met in the quarter-finals, spay won the
:29:12. > :29:16.penalty shoot-out, crossing a huge psychological hurdle and they have
:29:17. > :29:21.not looked back since. They now trace an unprecedented treble.
:29:21. > :29:27.Rocked by another match-fixing scandal at home, Italy hopes to
:29:27. > :29:32.unite rather than -- it to the edge it divides -- Italy hopes it unites
:29:32. > :29:39.rather than divides. How significant will be the absence of
:29:39. > :29:45.Puyol and Villa? It lacks an out and out striker, Fernando Torres
:29:45. > :29:49.left on the bench, Cesc Fabregas included as one of six midfielders.
:29:49. > :29:54.Only Busquets and Alonso will hold positions, the rest with licence to
:29:54. > :29:59.roam and cause havoc. With Barzagli injured, Italy gamble with three at
:29:59. > :30:03.the back, including De Rossi. A five-man midfield will try to block
:30:03. > :30:09.Spain's way to the box. Balotelli gets a start alongside Cassano up
:30:09. > :30:14.front. The big surprise is a debut for Giaccherini, now of eventers,
:30:14. > :30:24.four years ago he was playing in the 4th tier of Italian football --
:30:24. > :30:32.
:30:32. > :30:42.this trophy. West Germany were beaten in 1966 in a famous penalty
:30:42. > :30:45.
:30:45. > :30:55.and then checked. Spain will try and get both full-backs as for
:30:55. > :31:14.
:31:14. > :31:24.Rossi. There was a last-ditch challenge. So far the gamble to
:31:24. > :31:24.
:31:24. > :32:05.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds
:32:05. > :32:15.play him as one of the defenders is The referee said to play on. That
:32:15. > :32:37.
:32:37. > :32:45.was David Silva for Spain. He strong and unfair challenge. Now
:32:45. > :32:52.then, this is a very inviting position for Italy. That blog
:32:52. > :32:58.stopped Cassano getting to the ball. Italy have a free kick. Will
:32:58. > :33:08.Balotelli blast or do something more subtle? That bounced off fully
:33:08. > :33:09.
:33:09. > :33:15.in front of the Spanish captain. He got a good firm palm to that to get
:33:15. > :33:25.it clear. Prandelli will be pretty impressed with the way his team
:33:25. > :33:40.
:33:40. > :33:44.nearly got there. I am not sure if that was an attempt for goal of or
:33:44. > :33:49.just an attempt to get over the six-yard box. He justified it over
:33:49. > :33:53.but in the end it was neither a shot nor an accurate centre but
:33:53. > :34:03.agonisingly close to the boot of Balotelli who did not quite arrived
:34:03. > :34:30.
:34:30. > :34:40.Buffon gave a good save. It was on target. That was the first save the
:34:40. > :34:57.
:34:57. > :35:04.been penalised for his challenge. It was a great little run from
:35:04. > :35:14.Cassano. That is why Balotelli was blown up for the foul on player two
:35:14. > :35:32.
:35:32. > :35:42.macro. He felt it should have been bit too straight. Casillas didn't
:35:42. > :35:53.
:35:53. > :36:03.forward at the moment for Spain. He appears. That was beautifully found.
:36:03. > :36:06.
:36:06. > :36:16.He just couldn't find the finish. He just couldn't execute it. They
:36:16. > :36:29.
:36:29. > :36:39.can sit down again, the score is was Motta. Player five macro nearly
:36:39. > :36:53.
:36:53. > :37:03.put Italy in front on the stroke of Fabregas. It was heading in and
:37:03. > :37:10.
:37:10. > :37:17.Buffon had to stretch all the way unfavourable. That was why it
:37:17. > :37:22.finish wide. Spain he had a man over. Buffon showed all of his
:37:22. > :37:32.world-class, the faintest of fingertips were hugely significant
:37:32. > :37:42.
:37:42. > :37:52.to see that go the right side of he took far too long. How long did
:37:52. > :38:01.
:38:01. > :38:11.he need here? Reworking initially. afternoon. Antonio di Natale to
:38:11. > :38:21.come on for Italy. It's the end of the road for Super Mario. That was
:38:21. > :38:33.
:38:33. > :38:42.a missed opportunity where he had a brilliant. That was inspired
:38:42. > :38:51.substitution. Antonio di Natale and Italy are in front. That is food
:38:51. > :38:57.for thought for del Bosque Day and company. Di Natale timed his run to
:38:57. > :39:01.perfection and what a finish! Lifting it beyond Casillas and that
:39:01. > :39:04.was the far corner. The man was that -- the man that was denied
:39:04. > :39:09.from the penalty shoot out for years ago makes up for it there.
:39:09. > :39:19.Italy take the lead. The way they have played today, few will hold
:39:19. > :39:59.
:39:59. > :40:07.That was as comfortable as it comes Fabregas. Spain are at their
:40:07. > :40:13.wonderful best. The lease lasted barely three minutes. -- the lead
:40:13. > :40:23.lasted barely three minutes. We had two goals in the space of three
:40:23. > :40:28.
:40:28. > :40:34.minutes. Look at this lovely goal from there. That was the mark of
:40:34. > :40:38.champions. We all square in did outscore once more. Spain's
:40:38. > :40:48.goalscoring Cesc Fabregas will make way for the man that they hope will
:40:48. > :41:01.
:41:01. > :41:05.scour the winning goal, Fernando brilliantly in the end. With that
:41:05. > :41:08.it was a spectacular introduction for the di Natale when he scored
:41:08. > :41:18.five minutes after coming on but this would have been five seconds
:41:18. > :41:32.
:41:32. > :41:42.could have made it too. Spain were almost behind again. Di Natale
:41:42. > :41:52.
:41:52. > :41:58.coasted in behind Ramos. That was chances in see came on but he could
:41:58. > :42:08.not quite pull it off. Buffon was in no man's land and he got away
:42:08. > :42:22.
:42:22. > :42:32.finished. What a goal that would have been. From the halfway line to
:42:32. > :42:37.
:42:38. > :42:47.the six-yard box, but not a happy for the opening up would get them
:42:48. > :42:54.
:42:54. > :42:59.three points. Alarms so fired wide. -- Alonso. The leader from di
:42:59. > :43:06.Natale was only to last three minutes before Fabregas made a
:43:06. > :43:16.brilliant move. In Gdansk it finishes all square, of Spain won
:43:16. > :43:26.
:43:26. > :43:31.Let us have a look at groups say, Croatia lead the way. The Republic
:43:31. > :43:38.of Ireland are rock-bottom. That was a must not lose game against
:43:38. > :43:48.Croatia. See how bad my body languages after that group! My arms
:43:48. > :43:49.
:43:49. > :43:54.are folded. I am not playing! They caught us a bit off guard. It was a
:43:54. > :43:58.little unusual that Italy played with three centre-backs with de
:43:58. > :44:01.Rossi playing as a sweeper in the middle and Spain decided to play
:44:01. > :44:06.with six midfield players and no forwards which was unusual but
:44:06. > :44:10.Spain, to be fair to them with their midfield, they tried to draw
:44:11. > :44:16.out the defenders of Italy and hit the space behind. Time and time
:44:16. > :44:20.again they tried that. They have three centre-backs and the midfield
:44:20. > :44:23.players, we know what they're all about with Spain, there are the
:44:23. > :44:26.three centre-backs in the middle and they were all deciding who
:44:26. > :44:32.should go tight and when they should go to but tight and should
:44:32. > :44:36.they stay where they are. One of the runners got in there that he
:44:36. > :44:41.got tied on his man and that was good defending. This time as the
:44:41. > :44:47.ball comes in, they are the three centre-halves again. There is the
:44:47. > :44:51.space behind and Silva is in it up but they do not get it to him
:44:51. > :44:55.quickly enough. Italy get men behind the ball and clearer it.
:44:55. > :44:59.That leads them to the goal which is a mirror image of what has
:44:59. > :45:07.happened so far. There are the three centre-backs and the little
:45:07. > :45:11.passing of Spain. This time the run happens when Fabregas sees it. They
:45:11. > :45:15.have the quickness of thought to make a pass and Fabregas is in none
:45:15. > :45:18.of us absolutely super. That is Spain claimed that his centre
:45:18. > :45:26.forward and it was very effective at times and got them back into the
:45:26. > :45:30.game and Italy were bit unlucky When they brought on the right
:45:30. > :45:35.could nice striker, the pattern changed completely. -- when they
:45:35. > :45:38.brought on the recognised striker. It did. Torres came on and you get
:45:38. > :45:43.a different sort of game completely. It is a different sort of build up.
:45:43. > :45:47.It was poor defending from Italy and the first touch was horrendous,
:45:47. > :45:52.but Buffon does really well and the chance goes begging. The chest
:45:52. > :45:57.control, laid it off and spin. That is the job of the centre forward.
:45:57. > :46:01.There is the space, poor defending. He should do better than that. He
:46:01. > :46:05.should have passed and they should have scored. There are two
:46:05. > :46:09.different ways of playing. Spain have that quality in the squad with
:46:09. > :46:15.players like Torres and Llorente on the bench, I think they are still
:46:15. > :46:18.going to be a force. Let's look at the question of Italy, coming into
:46:18. > :46:22.any tournament. They were undefeated and stylish in
:46:22. > :46:25.qualifying, then they lose three warm-up games in a row and they
:46:25. > :46:32.have all sorts of crisis at home. They always come together in this
:46:33. > :46:38.sort of situation. It seems to motivate them as a unifying matter.
:46:38. > :46:42.In a lot of years, things have gone on in Italy. But Italy has a great
:46:42. > :46:49.team. Prandelli has done a great job, putting in a lot of new
:46:49. > :46:56.players. Cassano had struggles this season but he was close to him. He
:46:57. > :47:03.is motivated. Balotelli didn't have a great game. Italy is a strong
:47:03. > :47:10.force. In the first half, I liked them. You have the situation of
:47:10. > :47:14.Spain on defending well. Thiago Motta gets in a header. This was
:47:14. > :47:21.not a great defending either. what is he doing? He was waiting
:47:21. > :47:25.for a cappuccino! Di Natale made a difference, he made a great run.
:47:25. > :47:33.Poor defending from Spain. They were a bit wobbly at the back. A
:47:33. > :47:40.great finish. I think that is a wonderful finish but Ramos, for a
:47:40. > :47:45.top defender, I thought he was very poor. All day himself and Pique
:47:45. > :47:48.were only interested in playing out from the back. They are so far
:47:48. > :47:56.apart, they are ball-watching. You don't come running out when the
:47:56. > :48:02.ball is going the other way and that is why Italy scored. Maybe
:48:02. > :48:06.Pique is back with Shakira. Is that inside information? I don't have
:48:06. > :48:13.any contacts! This is the most obvious thing we are going to say,
:48:13. > :48:18.but Iniesta was unplayable. He is one of those players you pay money
:48:18. > :48:25.to watch. He is fantastic. He has a low centre of gravity, he just goes
:48:25. > :48:29.by you, left side, right side, left foot, right foot. He is unplayable.
:48:29. > :48:33.When he gets into the groove, you can't stop him. We had a
:48:33. > :48:38.conversation during the World Cup, if you could sign one player, would
:48:38. > :48:46.it be Iniesta or Chavez? I always go for Iniesta, I think he has got
:48:46. > :48:52.everything -- Iniesta, or Xavi? the team, I think Xavi has more
:48:52. > :48:58.influence. I think if Iniesta has his day, he makes an influence but
:48:58. > :49:08.often I have seen him not being into the game. Chevy, instead, it
:49:08. > :49:10.
:49:10. > :49:17.is always present -- chappie, Iniesta, fantastic dribbling, fast
:49:17. > :49:22.feet. Xavi making the right choices and it was not a good shot. It was
:49:22. > :49:27.a seed of a shot at the end! Thank you! A -- a Clarence Seedorf shot
:49:27. > :49:32.at the end! Thank you! It is hard to see how the Republic of Ireland
:49:32. > :49:35.can get through this group, now. are certainly up against it! We
:49:35. > :49:40.like to be the underdogs, but I think that is an understatement
:49:40. > :49:43.after tonight's performance. game has done for Group C, before
:49:43. > :49:48.game has done for Group C, before we move on, some sad news. Former
:49:48. > :49:53.Everton goalkeeper Gordon West has died today at the age of just 69
:49:53. > :49:57.following a long illness. He won two First Division titles, and FA
:49:57. > :50:02.Cup with Everton. He made 400 appearances for the club and will
:50:02. > :50:06.be fondly remembered. He was also capped for England three times.
:50:06. > :50:12.We move on to England. Gabby has been with the team on the eve of
:50:12. > :50:18.their big opener against France. England have arrived in the next go
:50:18. > :50:23.ahead of their first Group D game. Just a two hour flight from Krakow
:50:23. > :50:27.but noticeably warmer. -- England have arrived in Donetsk. Roy
:50:27. > :50:32.Hodgson insists he would not take any of England's plans. It has been
:50:32. > :50:36.absolutely no hardship to take a short plane journey here. We have
:50:36. > :50:39.moved from one good hotel to another. I like being in Krakow, I
:50:39. > :50:43.like our training facilities and I am convinced that our performances
:50:43. > :50:47.will not suffer by making a short plane journeys. The journey of a
:50:47. > :50:51.couple of our flight was what we do in European games at home. A lot of
:50:51. > :50:55.the squad have European experience. It will be really hot tomorrow, but
:50:55. > :50:59.for both teams are so we won't use that as an excuse. In the earlier
:50:59. > :51:05.game, it plays a bigger role than the later game. We have been
:51:05. > :51:09.fortunate that we have two later games and only one earlier game.
:51:09. > :51:13.The bus journey from the team hotel to the Donbass Arena is just a
:51:13. > :51:17.stone's throw. The 49,000 seater stadium has only got a handful of
:51:17. > :51:22.tickets left for tomorrow night, when England face daunting
:51:22. > :51:25.opposition. I am unwilling to make too many comments about the front
:51:25. > :51:29.but it is obvious that in the attacking phase of the game, they
:51:29. > :51:34.are blessed with a lot of players who can make an enormous difference
:51:34. > :51:38.and can maybe win again off their own bat. Any scored would miss the
:51:38. > :51:41.likes of Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry but you have to cope. Other
:51:41. > :51:45.squads in this competition are suffering similar things. You have
:51:45. > :51:50.to cope and get on with it. We are really confident that we can do
:51:50. > :51:54.well in this competition. By now, the players will know who has been
:51:54. > :51:58.selected for the Euro 2012 open up. We will find out tomorrow but it is
:51:58. > :52:03.expected James well there and Stewart Downing will provide the
:52:03. > :52:07.width -- James Milner. Danny Welbeck is poised to start up front.
:52:07. > :52:10.Expectations may be low but could this be the group of unlikely lads
:52:10. > :52:15.to bring former glories back to the English game? Arce French people
:52:15. > :52:18.are always afraid of the English team -- Arce French people. But
:52:18. > :52:27.England doesn't always do so well. His England a great football nation
:52:27. > :52:32.or not? How far do you want to go back in time? 1966. I can go back
:52:32. > :52:36.further than that, we started professional football in the 1860s.
:52:36. > :52:41.During the centuries, I don't think we could ever be accused of not
:52:41. > :52:46.being a very serious, even a top football nation. The fact that you
:52:46. > :52:51.are referring to, that it is 1966, since we won a major tournament, we
:52:51. > :52:56.are very much aware of that. You didn't need to remind me. That has
:52:56. > :53:00.crossed my mind on one or two occasions. But how could we are as
:53:00. > :53:07.a nation, how good we will be as a nation will always be decided on
:53:07. > :53:15.the field of play. -- how good we are as a nation. You can watch
:53:15. > :53:19.extended highlights tomorrow. Then we have life highlights -- then we
:53:19. > :53:22.have live coverage of the other game in Group D.
:53:22. > :53:26.You are a man with contacts, so 19 hours ahead of time, you are going
:53:27. > :53:30.to run us through the England starting 11. This is what we think
:53:30. > :53:35.starting 11. This is what we think the team well be. It is pretty much
:53:35. > :53:39.set in stone, certainly the goalkeeper. Wow! I don't think
:53:39. > :53:47.anybody is going to get in front of him. I think Lescott will play on
:53:47. > :53:52.the left. I think up front, the choice between Andy Carroll, or
:53:52. > :53:58.Danny Welbeck, I think he will go for Welbeck, a bit of extra pace.
:53:58. > :54:08.Young Dustin behind. I think that is the team. No Oxlade-Chamberlain?
:54:08. > :54:11.We haven't got time to put my team up! I think Welbeck gets the nod
:54:11. > :54:15.over Carroll because I think you can get at the centre backs with a
:54:15. > :54:25.bit of pace. Young has got pace and I think that is where we will be
:54:25. > :54:26.
:54:26. > :54:34.able to get at the French. We want I am always optimistic about the
:54:34. > :54:38.English. I am hopeful that they will kick-off well. The pressure is
:54:38. > :54:45.off from the home side, they were truly thinking about England doing
:54:45. > :54:54.this great tournament. What is great for them? Getting through in
:54:54. > :54:58.a convincing way with the I think We have had a look at the French
:54:58. > :55:03.training camp. No players storm off, no coaches throwing down their
:55:03. > :55:11.passes, it looks like a picture of harmony. You have to look at the
:55:11. > :55:15.likes of Rami and M'Vila, it is a very strong strop -- scored. --
:55:15. > :55:19.strong squad. Very much so but I think England are coming in under
:55:19. > :55:24.the radar. I think the French will be expected to win this game, they
:55:24. > :55:30.will be favourites, but I think England can get at the back four. I
:55:30. > :55:34.think Welbeck and Young have enough about them to cause problems.
:55:34. > :55:39.this is purely a production idea, nobody complained to me. But I want
:55:39. > :55:45.to show you England's opening games in European Championship history.
:55:45. > :55:51.It doesn't make for great reading. We have never won one, is that what
:55:51. > :55:56.you're saying? Then there is always tomorrow. I agree with Steve. I
:55:56. > :55:59.think we have to impose ourselves. We won't go bombing forward. We
:55:59. > :56:03.will sit and be tight and try to hit on the break. You can
:56:04. > :56:08.definitely get at the back four of France. It is whether we win the
:56:08. > :56:12.ball high enough up the pitch, and keep the ball out of that midfield
:56:12. > :56:18.area. Because when they get it in there, Benzema up front, he is
:56:18. > :56:21.frightening. They have got to be tight in the mid- field. A bit like
:56:21. > :56:25.the Irish today but without the mistakes, they cannot make the
:56:25. > :56:30.mistakes that the Irish made today or they will get punished. I think
:56:30. > :56:34.we need to score first. If we can get the first goal, we have a
:56:34. > :56:40.chance of getting a great result. What a pleasure to be in your
:56:40. > :56:50.company. Thank you for tuning in. Full highlights of England-France
:56:50. > :57:10.
:57:10. > :57:19.and Ukraine-Sweden, and both games Before we go, a quick look at the
:57:19. > :57:25.euros story is today on and off the pitch. -- euros stories today.
:57:25. > :57:31.Di Natale did the business as the Azzurri blew hot. But it was
:57:31. > :57:36.fabulous for Fabregas as spay managed a point. St Leger raced
:57:36. > :57:46.into risky the Republic -- Spain managed a point. Croatia had the
:57:46. > :57:47.
:57:47. > :57:52.luck of the Irish. -- St Leger I'm not sure what is going on here,
:57:52. > :57:56.Roy knows how to tell a joke, I think.
:57:56. > :58:00.Three groups started, one more to go and tomorrow it is time for
:58:00. > :58:03.England to enter Euro 2012. Expectations are low but I reckon
:58:03. > :58:07.England have done a lot of things right in the build-up to this one.
:58:08. > :58:17.Like not going on TV and singing whilst on the set of a makeshift
:58:18. > :58:37.
:58:37. > :58:43.# If we do it right. # We are going to get there.
:58:43. > :58:47.# If we do it right. # We can face any stormy weather.