Euro 2012: Day 11: Croatia v Spain match thread

[DuDe]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18181161


EURO 2012: CROATIA V SPAIN

• Venue: PGE Arena, Gdansk
• Date: Monday, 18 June
• Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: BBC Three, BBC Radio 5 live, highlights on BBC One and BBC Sport website


TEAM NEWS

Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic was substituted against Italy because of a knock and will be assessed.
The Croats began against Italy with a 4-4-2 formation, but switched to 4-2-3-1 at half-time to enable Luka Modric to play further forward.
If he keeps that role then Ivan Rakitic will drop deep to play alongside holding midfielder Ognjen Vukojevic.
Spain's Sergio Busquets hurt his foot against Ireland, but a scan showed no damage, and he has been passed fit.
Striker Fernando Torres is expected to keep his place after scoring twice against the Irish.
Cesc Fabregas netted as a substitute in that match but with competition for places fierce he may remain on the bench.

 

[antiloqus]

I have money on Spain, but would love to see Croatia do well as I've had a soft spot for them for some time.

 

[werty]

Am I right in thinking that if this ends 2-2 then both teams will qualify, regardless of Italy beating Ireland (unlikey, I know )?

 

[sonicdreams]

Am I right in thinking that if this ends 2-2 then both teams will qualify, regardless of Italy beating Ireland (unlikey, I know )?

Only matches among teams tied on points first considered, before all matches are taken into account.

2-2 or other higher scoring draws and irregardless of Italy result... Spain 1st, Croatia 2nd
1-1 and Italy win by 1 goal... Spain 1st, Croatia 2nd
1-1 and Italy win by 2-0... Spain 1st, Croatia 2nd (Considering all group matches, Italy has poorer GD than Spain, and same GD as Croatia but fewer goals scored)
1-1 and Italy win by 3-1... Spain 1st, Italy 2nd (Considering all group matches, Italy has poorer GD than Spain, and same GD and goals scored as Croatia. Italy qualify at expense of Croatia due to higher UEFA national team coefficient ranking)
1-1 and Italy win by 4-2 or any higher scoring 2-goal margin... Spain 1st, Italy 2nd (Considering all group matches, Italy has poorer GD than Spain, and same GD as Croatia but more goals scored)
1-1 and Italy win by 3 goal margin... Spain 1st, Italy 2nd (Considering all group matches, Italy has poorer GD than Spain, and better GD than Croatia)
1-1 and Italy win by 4-0... Spain 1st, Italy 2nd (Considering all group matches, Italy has same GD and goals scored with Spain, and better GD than Croatia. Spain 1st due to higher UEFA national team coefficient ranking)
1-1 and Italy win by 5-1 or any higher scoring 4-goal margin... Italy 1st, Spain 2nd (Considering all group matches, Italy has same GD as Spain but scored more goals, and Spain has better GD than Croatia)
1-1 and Italy win by 5 goals or more... Italy 1st, Spain 2nd (Considering all group matches, Italy has better GD than Span which has better GD than Croatia)
0-0 and Italy win... Italy 1st, Spain 2nd (Considering all group matches, Spain has better GD than Croatia)
Spain win and Italy win... Spain 1st, Italy 2nd
Croatia win and Italy win... Croatia 1st, Italy 2nd
Italy lose or draw, will be out. Spain 1st if they win/draw against Croatia (2nd), 2nd if they lose against Croatia (1st).

 

[DuDe]

All Final Group games = same time start.

To avoid 'shenanigans', I would imagine.

 

[nightgoat]

A win for either Croatia or Spain will see them qualify. If there is a winner, an Italy win of any scoreline will see them go through as well.

If Croatia - Spain is a 0-0 or 1-1 draw, Italy must win by three goals to qualify alongside Spain. A 2-2 or higher scoring draw sees both Croatia and Spain qualify regardless of Italy's result. At which point the Italians cry fix and everyone laughs at the irony.

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

All those different combinations...why don't they just use goal difference?

 

[DuDe]

UK TV: http://tvguide.co.uk/detail.asp?id=126423080

 

[DuDe]

I guess we're all watching this one.

 

[KingKay]

Definitely the pick of the two games tonight! Should be a good contest.

 

[CosmicHotspur]

Definitely the pick of the two games tonight! Should be a good contest.

A hell of a lot closer than the other game!

 

[mil1lion]

A win for either Croatia or Spain will see them qualify. If there is a winner, an Italy win of any scoreline will see them go through as well.

If Croatia - Spain is a 0-0 or 1-1 draw, Italy must win by three goals to qualify alongside Spain. A 2-2 or higher scoring draw sees both Croatia and Spain qualify regardless of Italy's result. At which point the Italians cry fix and everyone laughs at the irony.

They're already worried about it

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/conspiracy-theories-italy-nightmares-090052310.html

 

[KingKay]

The irony of the Italians worrying about match fixing

 

[DuDe]

Karma's a bitch.

 

[DuDe]

Slaven talking about inspirational team chats.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18478046


Damn, I woulda loved this guy at Spurs:

 

[KentuckyYid]

I met a couple of Spaniards last night, Valencia fans. Anyhow on leaving I wished them luck today to which they arrogantly replied "We don't need luck".

Sincerely I hope they get thrashed today.

 

[Riandor]

I met a couple of Spaniards last night, Valencia fans. Anyhow on leaving I wished them luck today to which they arrogantly replied "We don't need luck".

Sincerely I hope they get thrashed today.

Spain getting dumped out is unlikely, but would be hilarious. Holland gone is funny enough, but they were in a tough ol group, but after Spain's game against Ireland I wonder if they will have already thought they are through mentally?

Croatia know they need to win to guarantee passage as Ireland (alas) are unlikely to get anything from Italy.

 

[DuDe]

One thing's for sure: Slaven is really going to try and psych his boys up for this.

I can't see them playing for a draw, unless it's a grind for 60 minutes, with no success.

Way to dangerous against the 'wiki-wanky' tedium of Spain.

 

[Misfit]

Don't know which game to watch tbh. Ireland-Italy can throw up some unexpected reulsts/good games. This one has obvious attractions. Don't really care for any of the teams in this group really.

 

[nightgoat]

Ireland have not lost to Italy in three meetings under Trapattoni.