Euro 2012 Group C: Ireland, Strong Outsider

Ireland. Capital: Dublin. Population: 4.7 million. Area: 70,273 km2. Ireland will play Croatia on June 10, Poznan, then Spain on June 14 in Gdansk, and finally Italy on June 18 in Poznan. 
During the qualifying phase, the Irish finished second in its group, after Russia, with 21 points for 6 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss. She received a ticket for Euro 2012 after dams against Estonia.

The Irish reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 1990 under the leadership of Jacky Charlon, and participated in the finals of the Euro in 1988.

The Italian coach, Giovanni Trappatoni, in office since 2008, has imported the game design rigorous and very defensive which had been so successful with Juventus, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich. He now has a group composed mainly of players playing in the English Premier League for most clubs in the middle or bottom. The most famous Irish players, including Robbie Keane (attack), Shay Given (goalkeeper) Damien Duff (center) and Richard Dunne (defense) are all veterans of the 2002 World Cup.

Considered by bookmakers as the second biggest underdog of Euro 2012 after Danemerk, Ireland is in his first appearance in a major tournament for ten years. He will, however, very difficult or almost impossible to get out of this group stage.

Italy in search of new life

Italy. Capital: Rome. Population: 60.4 million. Area: 301,308 km2. Calendar: June 10 against Spain in Gdansk, June 14 against Croatia (Poznan) and June 18 against Ireland (in Poznan).

Italy finished first in its group during the phase of qualifying ahead of Estonia, Serbia, Slovenia, Northern Ireland and the Faroe Islands. 26 points to 8 wins and 2 draws (20 goals for and 2 against). 
His palm is eloquent. Indeed, Italy won the World Cup 4 times (1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006), was second in 1970 and 1994 and third in 1990. But she won the Euro once (in 1968), and lost the final in 2000.

This is a team that has had a disastrous World in 2010 and is still under construction. Marked by the recent match-fixing scandal involving several players from the Serie A, Italy is also reduced in attack. Its top two executives are attacking convalescing in their own way. Antonio Cassano AC Milan returned to action on April 7, six months after a heart attack, while Mario Balotelli (Manchester City) has too many discipline problems. Other strikers do not fare better.

Giuseppe Rossi's pass, then qu'Alesandro Matri and Giampaolo Pazzini are not the trip. This selection, however, has a good midfield, with Andrea Pirlo, Daniele Rossi, Claudio Marchisio or Riccardo Montolivo, and a solid defense for the excellent goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Note that only three of 23 players selected to move abroad: in France (Paris St Germain) and England (Manchester City).

The selection has Italian, men of talent, of course. But will they be able to forget the fiasco of World South Africa, and confirm the rebirth of Italy?

Group A (First part, Second part)

Group B (First part, Second part)

Group C (First part)