Italy managed to secure an unexpected draw in their first match against Spain, but now face the challenge of Croatia. The latter managed a 3-1 win over Ireland, so they're not shy of scoring a few goals. Apparently, the Italian team are collectively the shortest of the tournament, with a 5ft 5 player the actual smallest. He is called the "Atomic Ant" in Italy, but hey, perhaps being a short team will just make them nimble. However, Croatia have won all five of the countries head-to-head matches.
Italy vs Croatia (Group C)
Published by Christine Blachford on
Ahh, a nice bit of actual football with a sprinkling of golf. A good evening ahead.
Go Croatia!
Since there are four current and ex-Spurs players in the Croatian team, I feel obligated to support them.
Your thoughts on 'arry getting sacked.
Evening guys.
Hey Will.
Thank god it's not lawro commenting tonight!
He couldn't keep his mouth shut, that's always been his problem. And to some extent, he could get away with it for a while. But his hiring of Stretford, openly discussing his renewal of his contract in the media a day after Levy's mother had passed, and to some extent his poor run of form at the end of the season, really did not help his cause.
I'm not doubting we had some great times with him. 4-4, 3-2, 2-1s against Arsenal, the 1-0 against Man City, the 5-0 against Newcastle (maybe just me on that one). But we also had some low times, the last two seasons we fell away because of Redknapp's shortcomings, he wouldn't rotate the squad. We have some decent fringe players in the likes of Kranjcar (who left because of him), Corluka (who went on loan because of him), dos Santos (who, somehow, is still in the team) and he would never play them. It's why Parker didn't look so sprightly for England v France, he played all the time. He has been frustrating, but we haven't had it so good since the days of Burkinshaw either. I've enjoyed the football he's played, but I'm not sorry to see him go.
As well as that (I'm aware this is a long comment already), we need to look to the future. This summer we're moving into a state-of-the-art training facility, we have a new stadium coming in a few years, as well as a somewhat ageing squad too. Redknapp was always short-term, we need long-term. Someone like Benitez, AVB... Klinsmann (in my dreams, maybe) would be brilliant for us.
Wow. Croatia hasn't lost to Italy ever.
Cheers Ryan, interesting stuff.
I'm going for Italy, but that's only because of family connections!
I'd love to see balotelli do well. He's charming in a flawed way.
Wait the ref is English? I'm pulling for him!
How does Mark Clattenburg get any sort of involvement at the Euros?
What about howard Webb?
I dislike Clattenburg, far more.
And 23 seconds later the ball touches the ground for the first time.
Rubbish balotelli!
I've frozen up here.
Cracking shot by Marchisio, shame it didn't go in.
That Italian player looks properly old!
Pletikosa should have done better I think, lucky it didn't fall at the feet of Marchisio.
Right. I'm here properly now.
Not sure Croatia has been around for too long to face Italy many times.
(Reading the comments through)
Best goalkeeping of the tournament.
They said 4 meetings in Croatia's history when the game started on my feed.
Even though I like the Croat's kit, the Itals bring us pizza
Pirlo!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE ANDREA PIRLO.
Who doesn't my friend, who doesn't.
Have we been told what results would do for the Irish chances?
I wonder if everyone shuts their eyes the moment before they head a ball.
If Italy win, and they lose to Spain, they'll be out for sure.
... and anything else just means it's a hard task.
Perfect freekick - between the jumping wall's heads.
I really do hope Gary Linekar only said that for a bet.
Which line?
"That's sick"
Great goal.
Steven Gerrard said "Sweden is not France". Having been to both countries, I'm inclined to agree!
Go on Webb, you know you want to rebel and start the game ahead of the countdown.
Kind of a ho hum finish on that one.
Is that another one of those lock-up smoke-screens that has been deployed?
Why does the Croatian kit always remind me of pyjamas?
Will says that the Italians brought us pizza, but the Croatian kits make it look like they deliver the pizza.
Italians dropping like flies!
that was a little bit bruce lee
Srna has my favorite name.
GOAL!
GOAL = that will make things more interesting :D
Good goal. It's been coming.
Such a nice touch collecting that.
Well placed - as far away from the keeper as he could
If Croatia had a GP they could just wave their country's flag at the end of the race.
Great control
Did a bomb go off?
Croatia's attempt to use a smokescreen will be punished by UEFA.
If the Croatian fans don't stop this, they should forfeit the game.
That is now the second thing I've learned from this tournament to make the USMNT better.
Maybe this is Blatter's way to make the game more interesting (a la Bernie).
Along with extra-time multi ball.
:)
And the point of that was?
Italy are intensely irritating when they play like this and don't score.
Waste
No one wants to shoot tonight
Italy could have won this. They defo didn't deserve to though.
This keeps it interesting. Not sure the Italians wanted to make it easy for themselves
Ok then.
See you all for Spain Ireland.