ON TODAY’S MENU
FIRST up today is the clash of Spain and the Czech Republic at 2pm.
The Spaniards are defending champions and have every chance of going the whole way again.
They will seek to lay down an early marker against the Czechs.
Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland begin their campaign at 5pm against Sweden, led by the shy and self-effacing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was once described by O’Neill as “the most over-rated player on the planet.”
Motivation anyone?
The last course comes courtesy of Belgium and Italy, with the former now seeming to have slipped into the role previously occupied by Spain for years, namely those never-winning ‘dark horses.’
TALKING POINT
UEFA have begun disciplinary proccedings against Russia after the trouble which marred the end of the 1-1 draw with England on Saturday night.
Charges against the Football Union of Russia, who will host the World Cup in 2018, are for crowd disturbances, racist behaviour, and setting off fireworks.
Although no charges have been laid against England, both nations have been threatened with expulsion should there be any further violence from their fans.
NUMBERS GAME
IRELAND are ranked 31st in the FIFA world rankings with this evening’s opponents Sweden ranked 36th.
At the 2012 Euros, Ireland lost all three games – to Croatia, Spain and Italy – while Sweden also went out at the group stages after defeats to Ukraine and England and a win against the French.
Sweden have won half of their 10 encounters with the Republic, drawing two and losing three.
TALKING SENSE
“NO, I don’t think it’s a must-win. It’s very, very important, of course, it would be great to get of to a great start, and I’m sure that Sweden are targeting us in the sense that they feel that if they could win this game against us, it gives them a great chance.”
Ireland manager Martin O’Neill on today’s clash with Sweden.
PLACE YOUR BET
WITH the best goalkeeper in the world in David de Gea between the sticks, Spain can be fancied to keep a clean sheet.
That is even money with Betfair.
For the Ireland and Sweden game, the standout bet has got to be both teams to score which can be had at 6/5 with Ladbrokes.
The Belgium/Italy game has draw written all over it, which is 2/1 with Paddy Power.
WELL THAT WAS UNEXPECTED
IT was all going so well for Roy’s boys.
One up through an Eric Dier free-kick then those pesky Russians grabbed a point when Vasili Berezutski headed an injury-time equaliser.
Some might say that an English capitulation at a major tournament is hardly surprising, but seriously, the three Lions had battered the very poor Russians about all night and the late leveller should never have been conceded.
CHAUD OR FROID
THE opening games have been enjoyable enough with Luka Modric’s superb volley against Turkey a joy to behold.
Northern Ireland did well to stifle Robert Lewandowski only for Arkadiusz Milik to get a winner for the Poles.
The continuing violence of some fans at the tournament is quite simply staggering in a country which is on high alert.
