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[criesofthepast]

Can see Italy conceding an 89th minute goal in a set play and getting bundled out with this score line. Get that 2nd goal!

They can't feel safe unless they score 2 more. The longer the Croatia/Spain game goes goalless, the better Italy's chances.

 

[Cerebral Assassin]

Again, the only exciting game I remember Spain being involved in 2010 was against Chile.

That's because Chile went at Spain & left them space(<3 Bielsa), it's not really fair to blame Spain for not forcing the play when the opposition have no ambition whatsoever.

 

[Ushojax]

What have Spain done now to be hated? :?

No one hates them. They just play a deathly boring game of football.

 

[Para bailar La Bomba]

Croatia playing defensively and with extra defender and GAF is going bananas on Spain.

GAF will turn on Croatia when they score a goal on the counter-attack and scratch out a 1-0 win.

 

[Jay Sosa]

ewwww fucking kahn again.

 

[Consul]

oh my, tell me someone else saw that bbc replay of Buffon staring out that little kid.. hahaha

 

[LegoArmo]

Cassano to score first, and Italy to win 2-1 @ 30/1.

Make it happen!

 

[Broder Salsa]

What have Spain done now to be hated? :?

Not only do they got players like Biscuits and Ramos, but the "REAL FOOTBALL!!!" crowd that follows Spain (and Barca) are so fucking unbearable. Also of course I'm nearly always hoping for an upset.

 

[Ravensmash]

I hope Croatia win - would be a great upset and make the rest of the tournament very exciting.

Plus Spain, meh.

 

[John Dunbar]

why didn't spain just bring Raul back? it's not like they have a better striker.

 

[WJD]

That's because Chile went at Spain & left them space(<3 Bielsa), it's not really fair to blame Spain for not forcing the play when the opposition have no ambition whatsoever.

It's generally quite difficult to be ambitious when the opposition are just making safe passes all game. Unless you fancy losing 3-0 ala Chile.

I absolutely loved watching Spain against Ireland, but that was mostly due to Ireland being terrible.

 

[hylje]

Pirlo so damn confident again.

 

[Cosmozone]

Didn't find the Spain game all that boring to be honest. Always some little things here and there to enjoy (or be upset of).

 

[fuenf]

I lost count of how many times Neuer conceded a goal from a corner. It stopped being funny a long time ago.

cuz that's his fault? wtf. Neuer is the least of our problems when it comes to corners!

 

[Fularu]

Quick question, why is Italy topping the group when they have the least number of goals scored and the same number of goals taken?

 

[leroidys]

Spain are overrated as fuck.

Clearly not, if you look at their stats. They are boring as fuck though.

 

[criesofthepast]

Horrible shot Cassano

 

[thy_]

Quick question, why is Italy topping the group when they have the least number of goals scored and the same number of goals taken?

Because the games against Ireland are ignored, only those between Croatia, Italy and Spain count.

 

[Yurt]

cuz that's his fault? wtf. Neuer is the least of our problems when it comes to corners!

I didn't want to say Bayern's defense

Something is clearly wrong when it comes to corners with Germany/Bayern.

 

[Wellscha]

why didn't spain just bring Raul back? it's not like they have a better striker.

Cuz he's a bitter old man.

 

[pulga]

Lol Pique

 

[Fularu]

Because the games against Ireland are ignored, only those between Croatia, Italy and Spain count.

So the deciding factor is who scored first?

 

[panty]

Ramos you so fine.

Iniesta you so boring.

 

[Divius]

Spain trying to walk the ball into the goal.

 

[Ushojax]

Are Spain afraid to shoot? Why try that extra pass in the penalty area?

 

[criesofthepast]

Come on Italy you gotta strike better than that.

 

[Snakeyes]

What have Spain done now to be hated? :?

What have O. Sagat and 3S Chun done to be hated?

 

[K1LLER7]

Soft fouls being given

 

[Cerebral Assassin]

It's generally quite difficult to be ambitious when the opposition are just making safe passes all game. Unless you fancy losing 3-0 ala Chile.

I absolutely loved watching Spain against Ireland, but that was mostly due to Ireland being terrible.

Chile lost 2-1 in the WC, & that was after having a man sent off.

 

[Verano]

torres almost

 

[John Dunbar]

croatians and their smoke.

 

[thy_]

So the deciding factor is who scored first?

rinse82 posted the tiebreakers on the last page

8.07 If two or more teams are equal on points on completion of the group matches, the following criteria are applied, in the order given; to determine the rankings:

a) higher number of points obtained in the matches among the teams in question;

b) superior goal difference in the matches among the teams in question (if more than two teams finish equal on points);

c) higher number of goals scored in the matches among the teams in question (if more than two teams finish equal on points);

d) superior goal difference in all the group matches;

e) higher number of goals scored in all the group matches;

f) position in the UEFA national team coefficient ranking system (see Annex I, paragraph 1.2.2);

g) fair play conduct of the teams (final tournament);

h) drawing of lots.

8.08 If two teams which have the same number of points, the same number of goals scored and conceded play their last group match against each other and are still equal at the end of that match, the ranking of the two teams in question is determined by kicks from the penalty mark (Article 16), provided no other teams within the group have the same number of points on completion of all group matches. Should more than two teams have the same number of points, the criteria listed under paragraph 8.07 apply.

So, based on all that, here are the rather cut-and-dry Group C scenarios:

SPAIN, ITALY WIN: Spain wins group. Italy finishes second.

CROATIA, ITALY WIN: Croatia wins group. Italy finishes second.

IRELAND DEFEATS/TIES ITALY: Spain, Croatia advance. Spain is first with win or draw; Croatia is first with win.

But the fun starts if Italy wins and Croatia and Spain tie, as all three teams will have five points.

ITALY WINS, SPAIN/CROATIA TIE, 0-0: Italy finishes first because of Rule C (Azzuri scored two goals total against Spain and Croatia; the others will finish with one goal total in such a scenario). Spain finishes second because of Rule D above (Spain 5-1 in goal differential in all matches, Croatia 4-2). NOTE: There have been no scoreless draws in Euro 2012.

ITALY WINS 1-0 OR 2-0, SPAIN/CROATIA TIE, 1-1: Spain finishes first because of Rule D (goal differential in all matches). Croatia finishes second because of Rule D (if Italy wins 1-0: goal differential) or Rule E (if Italy wins 2-0: higher number of goals).

ITALY WINS BY TWO, SCORES AT LEAST THREE, SPAIN/CROATIA TIE, 1-1: Spain finishes first because of Rule D (goal differential). With 3-1 win, Italy finishes second because of Rule F (Italy is higher in UEFA coefficient ranking system). With any two-goal win bigger than 3-1 (4-2, 5-3, etc.), Italy finishes second over Croatia because of Rule E (total goals scored).

ITALY WINS BY AT LEAST FOUR, SCORES AT LEAST FIVE, SPAIN/CROATIA TIE, 1-1: Italy finishes first because of Rule E (total goals scored). Spain finishes second over Croatia because of Rule D (goal differential).

ITALY WINS, SPAIN/CROATIA TIE, 2-2: Spain finishes first and Croatia finishes second, both because of Rule C (goals scored in the matches between the tied teams).

 

[hylje]

Flares again.

 

[Arjen]

Those croatians really love their flares huh.

 

[TCRS]

wtf are the croatian fans doing? stupid.

 

[amar212]

croatians and their smoke.

I wonder where they hide the flares during entry.

But maybe I am not that interested really.

 

[Dark Schala]

So much smoke.

 

[leroidys]

Man Silva receiving MASSIVE DAMAGE this game. I can't believe he can still walk!

 

[WJD]

Chile lost 2-1 in the WC, & that was after having a man sent off.

Wow my memory is bad. Did Spain beat anyone 3-0 at the WC?

 

[Jal]

torres almost

.....went to get a snack because he's as bored as we are.

 

[Verano]

Those croatians really love their flares huh.

dat purple haze.

 

[John Dunbar]

Wow my memory is bad. Did Spain beat anyone 3-0 at the WC?

i don't think they scored more than 1 goal in any match other than the chile one.

edit: they did beat honduras 2-0

 

[Broder Salsa]

I wonder where they hide the flares during entry.

But maybe I am not that interested really.

You can get some that are so small you can really have them anywhere, probably even in your shoe. Can of course fit more in your ass!

 

[K1LLER7]

i don't think they scored more than 1 goal in any other match than the chile one.

Score first, hold the ball

 

[fuenf]

I didn't want to say Bayern's defense

Something is clearly wrong when it comes to corners with Germany/Bayern.

not enough training, for some reason the coaches dont value corners that much.

 

[Arjen]

dat purple haze.

That reminds me. Brb

 

[Sickboy007]

Chiellini out it seems. So we're burning a sub for a defender.

 

[flake]

Uh oh Chiellini gonna b replaced

 

[criesofthepast]

Chielini done

 

[Fantasmo]

wtf are the croatian fans doing? stupid.

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