The remaining two teams of Group C get together to play each other for the first time of the tournament. Ireland will be recovering from a bashing by Croatia, whilst Spain drew their first match against Italy. Spain may be slightly on the back foot after star player Cesc Fabregas has picked up a thigh injury and may not be fit to play. For fact fans, Ireland have never won their second group match of any major competition. They'll be hoping to change that statistic today.

147 responses

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 18:04

    I predict 7,464,964-1 to Spain.

  • Rubbergoat14/06/2012 at 18:05

    Watching Danish TV with 5Live. Cannot stand itv!

  • Christine14/06/2012 at 18:11

    Watching Danish TV with 5Live. Cannot stand itv!

    I have ITV on the TV, and Le Mans on the iPad. This could get confusing :)

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 18:16

    I have ITV on the TV, and Le Mans on the iPad. This could get confusing :)

    Only if there are two Karun Chandhoks.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 18:17

    I predict 7,464,964-1 to Spain.

    Maybe that's a little bit of an exaggeration. I'd go for something nearer 6 000 000 - 2.

  • Pat W14/06/2012 at 18:18

    I have ITV on the TV, and Le Mans on the iPad. This could get confusing :)

    I had to miss the earlier game because my Freeview box is playing up, looks like I'll miss this one as well. With LM stuff on though I didn't mind too much!

  • Christine14/06/2012 at 18:18

    Maybe that's a little bit of an exaggeration. I'd go for something nearer 6 000 000 - 2.

    Ireland FTW!

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 18:19

    Maybe that's a little bit of an exaggeration. I'd go for something nearer 6 000 000 - 2.

    I reckon Ireland will pull off a huge upset and limit Spain to less than one million goals.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 18:19

    Ireland FTW!

    Ohh yes - that would be the best result, but maybe the hardest. Having said that, Spain played with no strikers in the last game.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 18:20

    Spain playing 4-3-3 - ohh dear!

  • Rubbergoat14/06/2012 at 18:23

    Just watching highlights of ITA-CRO. There were flares in that corner all game. Why didn't UEFA shut it down sooner?

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 18:24

    Just watching highlights of ITA-CRO. There were flares in that corner all game. Why didn't UEFA shut it down sooner?

    In the stands or on the pitch

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 18:24

    Just listening to the news about the Birmingham riots. Apparently a mystery man "known as Mr C" was involved.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 18:26

    Just listening to the news about the Birmingham riots. Apparently a mystery man "known as Mr C" was involved.

    I heard that. Say it isn't so! Is someone is doing a frame-job?

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 18:26

    I heard that. Say it isn't so! Is someone is doing a frame-job?

    Must be jealous HTML coders.

  • Rubbergoat14/06/2012 at 18:38

    In the stands or on the pitch

    In the stands close to the pitch, in the same corner from where the trouble started.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 18:39

    That little girl looked super-pleased to be there

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 18:44

    Honestly, what is it with Spain, they just hate to sing to their national anthem.................

  • Pat W14/06/2012 at 18:48

    Ah my picture works again, touch wood

  • Christine14/06/2012 at 18:49

    Blimey that was quick.

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 18:49

    Out of form then.

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 18:49

    The Irish like to give away early goals.

  • Pat W14/06/2012 at 18:49

    I'm saying 12-nil :)

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 18:50

    Hey, Irish defenders, Fernando is faster than you!

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 18:50

    Hey, Irish defenders, Fernando is faster than you!

    :D

  • Rubbergoat14/06/2012 at 18:50

    Wow, even Torres can score in this game!

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 18:56

    Ok I'm back.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 18:56

    Ok I'm back.

    Hi there.

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 18:56

    Ok I'm back.

    I don't believe you. ;)

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 18:57

    I don't believe you. ;)

    You got me. This is Jonathan's pug.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:02

    Woah - thought I was about to get an ITV Sport fail - picture froze for a moment

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:05

    Ireland have resorted to route-1 already - this doesn't bode well.

  • Christine14/06/2012 at 19:06

    It's fun that they use the goal as their personal storage place. Towels and bottles and stuff.

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 19:06

    It's fun that they use the goal as their personal storage place. Towels and bottles and stuff.

    We'd use a kitchen sink but I think FIFA would get angry...

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:08

    Interestingly (or otherwise), those in the know recommend that GKs leave there stuff outside the goal, otherwise it give a striker something to aim at. (As if a goal isn't a good enough target already.)

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:10

    Cue the magic-towel.

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 19:12

    Cue the magic-towel.

    Is the magic towel like the magic spray? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3Ei5k9f2ck

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 19:14

    Is the magic towel like the magic spray? www.youtube.com/w…tch?v=I3Ei5k9f2ck

    Magic spray is actually a thing (not like in the ad though), but its got nothing on the magic sponge.

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 19:14

    Magic spray is actually a thing (not like in the ad though), but its got nothing on the magic sponge.

    Oh I know its a thing. I just thought that commercial was funny.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:15

    Years ago the magic-sponge (& bucket of water) did the same job.

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 19:16

    Why would a steep winding road put in removable guard rails?

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 19:20

    So the ref isn't on the Irish side then

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:20

    Blatant foul *by* the ref!

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 19:21

    And so he cards Ireland's captain.

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 19:21

    Blatant foul *by* the ref!

    He was right in front of it as well, and still didn't give a free kick.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:25

    Torres should've curled that into the top corner over a stranded Given

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 19:25

    Spain give the ball away twice in a minute. THE DREAM IS OVER.

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 19:30

    I think they were GoDaddy.com suits.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:30

    Should've hit that!

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:38

    Do you think that woman was the only Irish fan in the stadium not to swear when the goal was scored?

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 19:38

    I am genuinely surprised Roy Keane hasn't killed someone in the ITV studios.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:39

    I am genuinely surprised Roy Keane hasn't killed someone in the ITV studios.

    It's the jumper/cardigan - I think it's mellowed him out.

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 19:39

    Man all this talk about ITV makes me wish I had ITV.

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 19:40

    Man all this talk about ITV makes me wish I had ITV.

    Be glad you don't have ITV, relish in it.

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 19:41

    Be glad you don't have ITV, relish in it.

    Their entire halftime coverage is two advert breaks and guff in between. I learnt nothing new from those four.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:42

    Their entire halftime coverage is two advert breaks and guff in between. I learnt nothing new from those four.

    I'm surprised ther was no mention of England. The way we've been mentioned so far, you'd think we were playing in every match.

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 19:43

    I'm surprised ther was no mention of England. The way we've been mentioned so far, you'd think we were playing in every match.

    And the Chelsea/Barcelona match. All of the first seven games were compared to it at some point.

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 19:48

    Ello

    It's goal time

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:48

    It's goal time

    It's worked every time so far ...

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:49

    Ello

    Hi there.

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 19:49

    It's worked every time so far ...

    Didn't work last night. Netherlands hit the post

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:50

    Didn't work last night. Netherlands hit the post

    Ok - but that is still a good conversion rate

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 19:50

    That was far too easy.

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 19:50

    Steven strikes again.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:50

    ... another!

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 19:50

    That was...

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 19:50

    Steven strikes again.

    Way way too easy

  • Christine14/06/2012 at 19:50

    Shay is having a bad day.

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 19:50

    Did it go right past 3 Ireland defenders standing in a line?

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 19:50

    Shay is having a bad day.

    H

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 19:51

    Shay is having a bad day.

    It'd be more useful putting the cardboard cutout we have of him in goal.

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 19:51

    It took nearly two minutes to get a goal this time. Major disappointment

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 19:51

    He might need treatment for PTSD after this match.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:52

    It took nearly two minutes to get a goal this time. Major disappointment

    You are becoming the Paul-the-Octopus of this tournament.

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 19:53

    You are becoming the Paul-the-Octopus of this tournament.

    You mean I die in two weeks time?

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 19:53

    You mean I die in two weeks time?

    You'll make excellent calamari though ;)

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 19:54

    You'll make excellent calamari though ;)

    :)

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:54

    You mean I die in two weeks time?

    Maybe only your ability to predict / influence the goals.

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 19:56

    Great save

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 19:56

    Given has made up for it there.

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 19:56

    Great save

  • Christine14/06/2012 at 19:58

    Given has made up for it there.

    Yay!

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 19:58

    At times Spain have five men unmarked they can pass to

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 19:59

    At times Spain have five men unmarked they can pass to

    Is that because the Irish players blend in with the turf?

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 20:00

    Is that because the Irish players blend in with the turf?

    Stealth football.

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 20:02

    The ESPN commentators are already calling a Germany Spain final.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:02

    Nice cross there.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:03

    The ESPN commentators are already calling a Germany Spain final.

    The papers here would (on the most part) agree.

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 20:04

    The papers here would (on the most part) agree.

    I'm still holding out on the Russians doing something... maybe...

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 20:05

    I'm still holding out on the Russians doing something... maybe...

    I could see the Russinas surprisng someone.

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 20:06

    The ESPN commentators are already calling a Germany Spain final.

    Spain are by far the best team I have seen so far but to be fair I have only seen one game all the way through.

    Their passing angles are outrageous at times and yet they almost always work. Defensively they really shut down teams in midfield and get lots of bodies in the way.

    I can't see anyone beating them

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:06

    I could see the Russinas surprisng someone.

    Crazier things have happened.

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 20:06

    I could see the Russinas surprisng someone.

    Presuming they do finish top of their group, I could see them taking whoever finishes 2nd in Group B. Semi Finals onwards I'm less sure.

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 20:08

    Great defending. Two men on the crosser and the keeper and a defender with the player the ball was going to

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:12

    I was waiting for him to mess it up

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 20:12

    It really should have been 3-0 about half an hour ago.

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 20:12

    I was waiting for him to mess it up

    I thought he was going to trip over the ball

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:12

    I thought he was going to trip over the ball

    I thought that was a cheeky stepoverish thing that was going to be too much

  • Christine14/06/2012 at 20:13

    When I said Ireland FTW, clearly I didn't mean Ireland. I meant something else.

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 20:13

    When I said Ireland FTW, clearly I didn't mean Ireland. I meant something else.

    Spain?

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 20:14

    When I said Ireland FTW, clearly I didn't mean Ireland. I meant something else.

    I'm sure they play in the rugby in a couple of days.

  • Christine14/06/2012 at 20:15

    Spain?

    That's the one.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:15

    Torres, after his performance tonight, I wonder whether Chelsea will try to sign him in the summer.

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 20:16

    Torres, after his performance tonight, I wonder whether Chelsea will try to sign him in the summer.

    They should sign that Tores instead of the rubbish one they currently have.

  • Rubbergoat14/06/2012 at 20:16

    Spain are good, but I still think Germany will win the tournament.

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 20:16

    Robbie Keane pre-Liverpool would have scored that.

  • Pat W14/06/2012 at 20:17

    Office Crabtree

    @good_moaning_

    This is earl toe oozy for Spoon. Oreland are win dominsional and wool oat of their dipth. #IRL #ESP

    (may only make sense to fans of 80s sitcoms)

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 20:18

    @good_moaning_

    Goad moaning :)

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 20:19

    If Ireland could collapse like a weak bleumange against Italy I would be very grateful.

  • Christine14/06/2012 at 20:21

    Cor, substitution central out there.

  • Christine14/06/2012 at 20:21

    If Ireland could collapse like a weak bleumange against Italy I would be very grateful.

    The chances must be pretty good.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:22

    Cor, substitution central out there.

    Game is won, legs get rested (not risking any more cards)

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 20:23

    Hehe, if Croatia and Spain draw 2-2 Italy are out. Just like 2004 again.

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 20:24

    Someone was unhappy about being a substitute.

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 20:24

    Ooooof, poor post. That must hurt.

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 20:24

    That was a rocket.

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 20:24

    That is a ridiculous goal wit all those defenders in there

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:25

    This is turning into a Barcelona scoreline

  • Christine14/06/2012 at 20:25

    Ireland look like they would very much like to stop now.

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 20:25

    Why do all the good Arsenal players always go to Barcelona?

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:25

    Why do all the good Arsenal players always go to Barcelona?

    Titles, money, no Wenger,

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 20:26

    no Wenger,

    Yep

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 20:26

    And what is that 3-looking thing on the front of Ireland's kit?

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 20:27

    And what is that 3-looking thing on the front of Ireland's kit?

    It's a 3 for 3 Mobile. Cell phone company

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:27

    And what is that 3-looking thing on the front of Ireland's kit?

    Mobile phone network

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 20:27

    It's a 3 for 3 Mobile. Cell phone company

    Network

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 20:28

    Do your all's mobile's work all over Europe then?

  • Ryan14/06/2012 at 20:29

    Assuming Ireland don't score, heaviest defeat at the Euros since Sweden 5-0 Bulgaria in 2004.

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 20:29

    Do your all's mobile's work all over Europe then?

    Yes

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 20:30

    Ah yes. Let's show all the miserable Ireland fans...

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 20:31

    Ah yes. Let's show all the miserable Ireland fans...

    I think they should show happy Ireland fans instead.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:31

    Ah yes. Let's show all the miserable Ireland fans...

    Why are they sad, beer is 50p a pint out there!?

  • Mark14/06/2012 at 20:32

    Why are they sad, beer is 50p a pint out there!?

    #CasualRacism

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 20:34

    Ireland reminds me of teams I played for when I was growing up.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:34

    #CasualRacism

    #CasuallyGuilty

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 20:35

    Very impressed with the Spanish team and the Irish fans

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 20:36

    Irish fans were belting it out.

  • jwcrummett14/06/2012 at 20:37

    See you all tomorrow. Do we get a live sidepodcast tomorrow too?

  • Christine14/06/2012 at 20:37

    See you all tomorrow. Do we get a live sidepodcast tomorrow too?

    Afraid not. Health still not 100% in the Sidepodhousehold.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:38

    While watching football, and everything else. Hmmm - I hear multi-taking might not be healthy either.

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:41

    Do we get a live sidepodcast tomorrow too?

    A similar question, do we get a Hangout as well as football on Sun?

  • Steven Roy14/06/2012 at 20:43

    A similar question, do we get a Hangout as well as football on Sun?

    We have Le Mans and an Indycar as well as football this weekend. And Moto GP

  • Christine14/06/2012 at 20:45

    A similar question, do we get a Hangout as well as football on Sun?

    Hopefully if we can find a spot for it. Busy weekend for sport!

  • Will^14/06/2012 at 20:46

    Hopefully if we can find a spot for it. Busy weekend for sport!

    Looks like I can write off doing anything around the house then :)

  • Rubbergoat14/06/2012 at 20:52

    Interesting comments from Roy Keane there.

  • Leigh O'Gorman14/06/2012 at 23:11

    Must pop in to say briefly... wow, we got spanked royally. Ireland need a new team me thinks.

    :(

  • Leigh O'Gorman14/06/2012 at 23:11

    #CasualRacism

    Truth though.

    ;)