By Mike O’Brien
Group C will be first group where not all four teams can qualify for the quarter finals, but that should in no way derive from the drama that will surely unfold today when Republic of Ireland take on Italy and defending champions Spain take on Croatia.
How it Stands
| Position | Team | W | L | D | F | A | GD | Points |
| 1 | Spain |
1 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
+4 |
4 |
| 2 | Croatia |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
+2 |
4 |
| 3 | Italy |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
| 4 | Rep. Of Ireland |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
-6 |
0 |
The fact that Croatia and Spain are playing each other in the final game will give Italy a great chance at sneaking in to snatch qualification. If Italy beat Rep of Ireland they move onto five points which would guarantee them to be in the qualification picture. But should there be a draw between Spain and Croatia then it would all be settled on goal difference and you feel that Spain’s 4-0 win over Ireland would be the main decider. Having said that, the Spain/ Croatia game is pretty much a winner take all and the first team to grab the initiative will surely take the spot in the quarter finals.
Croatia V Spain
Definitely the deciding match of group C Croatia will be hoping to come away with three points and the spot as group winners. England fans will be watching this with a lot of interest because they have a high probability of finishing second in Group D which would mean they play the winner of this group and I feel this match will end in a victory, one way or the other.
Croatia have looked good at Euro 2012 thus far. Their first game against Republic of Ireland saw them earn a lot of respect for the way they played. They simple outclassed the Irish and set themselves up for a good cup run. Everyone questioned how they’d fare against the stronger teams like Spain and Italy however but I think they held their own against Italy, were fairly unimpressive in the first half but once they got caught up in the game they found their rhythm and gave the former world champions a run for their money.
Spain appeared to struggle against Italy but I feel this was largely due to any recognisable striker on the pitch. When they demolished Ireland that had changed and Fernando Torres bagged himself two goals. If Spain can start the game brightly and possibly grab an early goal I see them having the capability to go on and win it and clinch the group winners spot.
On the whole I think this game will go to Spain. They appear to just outshine Croatia in every department and with Italy breathing down their necks they will certainly be motivated to push for a win.
Italy V Republic of Ireland
Italy looked strong in the first half against Croatia and even pushed Spain to their limit in the opening game. Mario Balotelli has failed to really impress me in the tournament yet but as a fan of the Premier League I know he has some real class to show. On the whole Italy are a team back on the rise after their terrible display at World Cup 2010 and could easily come through the group stage but the possibility of coming through as winners is out of their hands. Either way, if they gain qualification they will certainly be a handful for whoever they are drawn against.
No qualification possible for Republic of Ireland, simply playing for Irish pride. But pride can only get you so far; they have been completely outmatched by this group so far and haven’t looked at all threatening to their opposition and with a goal difference of -6 after two games that is fairly clear to see.
Overall I struggle to see this going anyway but Italy’s. They are simply too strong for Ireland to handle and since they will know qualification could come down to goal difference they will be aiming for as many as possible.
Follow me on Twiter @mike_oby_92
Spain will win the group and I hope they will be the first team to successfully defend the Euro cup title..