[sbu_large_image] Euro 2012
14 June 2012 1908 comments
Paul Paul
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Italy and Spain both go seeking their first wins in Euro 2012 today after playing out a 1-1 draw in last Sunday’s Group C opener. While Vicente Del Bosque’s side have to wait until later tonight before squaring up to Republic of Ireland, the Italians take on group leaders Croatia in the early kick-off and, as usual, we’ve opened up the Dugout Discussion ahead of the 5pm showdown…

The team news is in already and the lineups are as follows:

Italy XI: Buffon; Bonucci, De Rossi, Chiellini; Maggio, Marchisio, Pirlo, Motta, Giaccherini; Cassano, Balotelli.

Croatia XI: Pletikosa; Srna, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Strinic; Rakitic, Modric, Vukojevic, Perisic; Jelavic, Mandzukic

Cesare Prandelli remains faithful to the XI that started the game against Spain. The 3-5-2 system stays intact, then, with Daniel De Rossi once again kept in defence, while right-back Christian Maggio offers Fantasy managers an out-of-position prospect on the right of the midfield five. Up front, Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli keep their places, with Antonio Di Natale set to once again play the role of impact sub.

Slaven Bilic’s side is unchanged from the 3-1 win over Republic of Ireland. Darijo Srna is again at right-back, cut-price Fantasy favourite Ivan Strinic (4.0 in the McDonald’s game) remains at left-back, while Luka Modric will keep the more advanced central midfield role against the Italian’s three-man defence. Unsurprisingly, Nikica Jelavic and Mario Mandzukic maintian their places up front after notching all of the goals against Ireland between them.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    JKisthe1 and Optimus. You have struck gold...

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    1. JK - Cønt â­
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      That combined with Coentrao and Gomez (c) must keep me in the hunt to retain that award

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        Most definitely in the hunt.

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  2. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    I wonder which bit of 'keep it tight early on' they don't understand? Three goals conceded not long after kick off.....

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  3. afcblegend
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Annhilation imminent.

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      Not a word I'd attempt on a forum tbf.......

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  4. Red-United
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Clutching at straws..but was that a silva assist??

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    1. JK - Cønt â­
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      That was my thought.

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    2. emperikal
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      Clutching myself but sadly doubtful

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      1. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        oi!

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      2. Shipstontrev
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        You're clutching yourself? 😯 Does 4Vets know about this? 😉

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        1. emperikal
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 8 months ago

          LOL.. He's not doing his part!

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          1. Shipstontrev
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 8 months ago

            😆

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    3. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      Even FPL wouldn't have given that!

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  5. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Irish: Will McClean come on?

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    1. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      I'd love it but no. Trap has some issue with him. We'll grab a dodgy goal and then try to defend the draw.

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      1. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        Sad. The best Irish player this season the way I've seen it. Unless St Ledger was absolutely sensational for Leicester. With Long a good runner-up.

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        1. Somalion
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 8 months ago

          Very sad and frustrating. I agree though, McClean, Long and Walters have been the best Irish players in the EPL this season and all are on the bench. Madness.

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    2. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      doubt it..if there is nothing to play for in the 3rd game he might have a cameo

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    3. Keane There Dunne That
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      Mcclean- andrews
      Walters- whelan
      Long- st.ledger

      They would be my subs

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      1. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        You'd remove Andrews? Imo your best player so far.

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      2. Somalion
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        Remove McGeady for McClean. Long on for Keane and Walters for Whelan.

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        1. Keane There Dunne That
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 8 months ago

          They would be my proper 3 . The ones above we would be Playing so attacking taht we'd loose 15-0

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      3. BONZ
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        with those you would lose by 12........no shape with 6 strikers LOL

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  6. Testing
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    To all of you that laughed when I had Torres in my team, are you still laughing?

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    1. Red-United
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      Hes obviously going to get sent off...

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        That actually happened to a guy on here in the FPL season.. 🙂

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        1. Mull
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 8 months ago

          What player was it.

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    2. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      most likeable 1st post ever..you win the internet sir

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    3. emperikal
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      He was doubtful to start hence why I had to go expensive and get Silva

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  7. JK - Cønt â­
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Torres could get a bagful at this rate, Ireland are awful. Might have to get an attacker from Italy next week.

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    1. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      he was 25/1 for hattrick

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    2. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      Shame when we have good players on the bench.

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  8. mr. inconspicuous
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Alba's been given the assist 🙂

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    1. emperikal
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      Wtf? How?

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    2. JK - Cønt â­
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      No he hasn't, that is CS points that they add in before the game

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      1. mr. inconspicuous
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        Ah sorry right you are. I'm sure it said assist before but now changed to clean sheet.

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      2. Optimus.
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        😆 hate that

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        1. Shipstontrev
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 8 months ago

          +1

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  9. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Story of the tournament... small teams stop doing the only thing they can do and lose.

    Defending.

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  10. Back on the horse
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Is there a way to get a replay of the goal on itv-player?

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    1. Shipstontrev
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      Wait for it to come on the itv+1 player? 😉

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      1. Back on the horse
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        ha- that's quite quick for you trev 🙂

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        1. Shipstontrev
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 8 months ago

          thanks 😆

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    2. Derailed Bandwagon
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      It will be BBC sport later on.

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  11. afterset
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    who got the assist then??

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    1. newborn
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      no assist given. It was a loose ball.

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      Nobody

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      1. afterset
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        ugh k thanks haha

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  12. newborn
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    From the Uefa.com matchcenter..
    'Spain are ahead! Richard Dunne denies David Silva with a strong tackle on the edge of the Irish area, but the Chelsea FC forward pounces on the loose ball, drives into the area and flashes the ball past Shay Given from the angle on the right.'

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  13. JK - Cønt â­
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    so far today 3 goals and only 1 assist and that was to Strinic 😆

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    1. Kagawa-san-mia
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      i for some reason didnt sub in strinic and his 5 points is sitting on my bench

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  14. Mull
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Damn you Silva. Why couldn't you just head it in.

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  15. Alan The Llama
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Ireland 35/1 to win. Bloody 'ell.

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    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      66/1 on bet365

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  16. A.
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Alba cross, Silva header would be perfect for me..

    But he missed 😛

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  17. Puzzle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    This Ireland team is an extract of all the most boring players in the Premier League

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    1. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      im guessing your not a stoke fan?

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      1. Puzzle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        That is correct! I'm a..erm...Liverpool fan..

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        1. Optimus.
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 8 months ago

          join the club 😉

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  18. DonTheSpecialOne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    I forgot to change my captain! Couldn't make up my mind on who to choose, Mandy, Iniesta or Cassano.Was in a job meeting when the deadline passed, still have Ozil... :/

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    1. JK - Cønt â­
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      Benzema FTW

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      1. DonTheSpecialOne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        Yup! All my money on Benzema now

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  19. BRK
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    the ref just tackled an Irish player wtf

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    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      surely a yellow card offence

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  20. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Scottish ref?

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  21. Mull
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    😆 The ref must have Andrews in his fantasy team.

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  22. Grounderz
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    LOL at the ref!

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  23. djman102
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    yay-save point for Given!

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  24. JK - Cønt â­
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Note to Nando

    You should only pass the ball when in and around the box if you are passing to Alba

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      An Alba goal would cheer me up.

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      1. Grounderz
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        +1

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  25. Mílanista
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Another 7.45 day 4 captain for me. Ashley Young(c) does not excite me like Yarmolenko(c) last week ğŸ™

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  26. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Given looking rather buoyant. Put on some extra padding recently?

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      The weight of a Nation

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  27. BRK
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Given might break the save points record here.

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    1. djman102
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      works for me!

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      2 Points so far ... ;-0

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  28. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    This Spanish team needs more Fabregas...

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  29. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Cox the best Eire out there so far

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 8 months ago

      Go to SpecSavers ... 😉

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      1. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 8 months ago

        ha! who then?

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 8 months ago

          St. Ledger, Ward and Whelan ... imo! 🙂

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  30. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 8 months ago

    Andrews with a very poor number of rb.

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