Spain v Italy

Rep of ireland v croatia.

Spain winners and holders 1964 and 2008 italy winners in 1968 and 2012??? . See the issue :))

Team news Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who has been nursing a hamstring problem, returned to training on Wednesday and should be available Full-back Alvaro Arbeloa (back) and winger Jesus Navas (hand) are also expected to be fit for Sunday's game.

Italy defender Andrea Barzagli will miss the opening two matches with a calf strain but will not be replaced.

The Azzurri have experimented with a 3-5-2 formation, and could switch Daniele De Rossi from midfield to centre-back.

Team news rep of ireland v croatia.

Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given will play despite nursing a knee injury in recent weeks.

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni has confirmed his starting line-up will be as expected, with Kevin Doyle partnering captain Robbie Keane in attack.

Croatia's Vedran Corluka has been passed fit despite a fitness scare.

The defender complained of tightness in his hamstring during a training session on Thursday, but doctors cleared him to play after they reviewed a scan.

The England football team visited a Polish orphanage yesterday.

"It's terrible to see so many sad faces with no hope" ............................said Igor aged 6.

Russia under investigation, they would be throwing the book at England if it had been England fans. You have to worry when Russia play Poland on tuesday could be lively to say the least. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18383678

Not sure I'd worry, maybe UEFA should, but hell they deserve too

England's plane home has already been booked for the day after their final group stage match, according to Sunday's papers.

The Sun on Sunday reports that the FA have already chartered a jet to take the squad and their entourage home on June 20, a day after England face host nation Ukraine in their final game. Sorry, final group stage game.

An FA spokesman apparently told the paper that it is standard procedure; though somehow we doubt that their counterparts at Germany's DFB have followed suit.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/10062012/58/euro-2012-paper-round-england-book-plane-home.html

I'm waiting for Martynski to come in here and tell us it's because of the missile defence system, and Russia or Russians are in no way to blame.

HEIL PUTIN!!!

Looking forward to todays games. The wife is away for a week with the kids so its an armchair footie fest for me this week. (May sneek out Monday night...its all about atmosphere you understand?)

Of course

Looking forward to the first appearance of this - against the Croats this evening.

Just saw this  BSkyB's SkyBet thinking Germany were playing Portsmouth...

There was also a piece on ESPN thinking that Arjen Robben played for Portugal

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/espn-thinks-arjen-robben-plays-portugal-193850058--sow.html

LOL, Spain starting with six midfielders and no recognised striker. Tippy tappy, tippy tappy.

No recognised striker on the bench either...

Actually, looking at the pitch, the grass seems a bit long, which won't favour the tippy tappy shite Spain play.

Hopefully, the Italians will stuff them.

Half time, 0-0 between Spain and Italy

Is it me, or are Spain pi$$poor?

They're certainly mind numblingly boring to watch. I've seen more dynamism in an Ed Milliband speech.