It;s a long wat to Tipperary

So far, only one thing has been decided for sure and that is that the Holy Ghost (Ireland) will be going home with their tail between their legs, played two, lost two, goals against seven goals for one, not very good reading for the paddy’s.
Although the Marquis Del Bosque didn’t pick Llorente as I suggested, he did pick a striker, Torres, who responded with 2 well taken goals, it is nice to be vindicated.
Italy and Croatia played out a one-one draw, which leaves this group intriguingly poised as well.

Today’s games do not inspire much excitement, in fact I would not be surprised if the first nil-nil draw of the tournament happens today between England and Sweden. The French should beat the Ukraine, but they will have to play better than they did against England and Shevchenko will cause the slow French central defenders some problems.

Now back to Group A, and the matches to decide who goes home and who plays on. All four teams are still in with a shout. Russia after the battle on the Vistula (a repeat of 1920 when the then fledgling state of Poland repelled Trotsky and the red army in a surprise result) are in pole position with four points and face the Greeks who only have one point. A draw would suffice for the Russians, and they will get that or more.

The Poles who are in an ebullient mood after pushing the Russians back from the said Vistula are playing the Czech Republic. The Poles with two points need to win, a draw would probably be enough for the Czechs assuming that the Greeks don’t pull off the surprise of the tournament and snatch a victory against the Russians, which would leave Greece, Russia, and the Czechs in a 3 way tie to the be decided on goal difference.

As you can see there are many possible permutations, which should lead to a nail biting night of exciting football