Euro 2012

[Sam]

Decent shot by Keane, good goal by Torres, this no striker situation is weird though when they have got strikers to put on the pitch.

[MDK]

McClean hat trick

[MJB]

Terrible stuff again from Ireland. 4-0; Fabregas.

[Robsturgh]

The Spanish and Irish fans singing together. Lovely.

[Sam]

Bye bye Ireland. Good win by Spain but we still don't know how good they are this tournament.

Edited June 14, 2012 by Sam

[Dan]

Another group set up nicely, Spain only need a point, Croatia probably need to win or hope Italy can't put a few past Ireland, should be interesting.

[Sam]

And a group with major implications for England if we get through, whatever happens hopefully we avoid Spain! Italy or Croatia I could see us standing a chance against.

[Dingle]

And a group with major implications for England if we get through, whatever happens hopefully we avoid Spain! Italy or Croatia I could see us standing a chance against.

What you talking about? We beat Spain before Super Roy even arrived. Silly.

Got lucky with 4-0, had that and Torres down as first scorer so some free money there (just used whatever I won on my Gomes first scorer from yesterday). Fabulous Fabregas finish there, loved it.

[Pesci]

I'm actually starting to change my tune on Torres now. Before it was kinda like 'HA TORRES YES, YOU FAIL' for leaving us but he's such a top striker when he's on form that now I just want to see him back to his best. It would be nice if he hadn't left us for a team in the same league and a team we've had a pretty big rivalry with over the past 7 or so years, but yeah. So long as him and Gomez quieten the fuck down and let one of the guys I've backed to be top scorer go ahead and do that, I will set aside my bitterness!

[Johnny Drama]

Roy Keane was hilarious after the game, Spain absolutely destroyed them. Can see Italy going home in the group stage.

[Adam]

I'm actually starting to change my tune on Torres now. Before it was kinda like 'HA TORRES YES, YOU FAIL' for leaving us but he's such a top striker when he's on form that now I just want to see him back to his best. It would be nice if he hadn't left us for a team in the same league and a team we've had a pretty big rivalry with over the past 7 or so years, but yeah.

This is exactly how I felt watching him tonight, I was happy for him and I want to see him back to his best despite the fact that would benefit Chelsea, who I can't stand.

Ireland were the definition of outclassed tonight. They were so inept at the back and just bested all over the pitch. Spain killed them stone dead in this tournament, quite literally. It's a shame what happened against Croatia as to be out after just two matches, less than a week after the tournament gets underway is quite a shame. Their only players to even earn respectability tonight for me were Duff and Andrews. Keane I guess would have if he had been able to get in the game for more than 5 minutes, but since the majority of the game was played by Spain in the Irish half it's no great surprise that he didn't. I'm pulling for Croatia and Ireland in the last games as I'd like to see the Croatians go through.

Only two things will stick in the mind positively from tonight's game - the fans were absolutely magnificent, was a pleasure to see them and the Spaniards singing together like that. Hopefully the team puts in a performance against the Italians that makes up at least a little bit for them having to go out there to support their team.

The other is to see Paul Green get on and play in the game. It made me immensely proud of him to see him on the international stage, in a major tournament against the world champions. Having first met him when he was a 16 year old kid in the youth team who would come and ask my mother how she was doing at work (she was on the reception where the youth team lived) it was great to see him out there tonight.

[Dingle]

Roy Keane was hilarious after the game, Spain absolutely destroyed them. Can see Italy going home in the group stage.

Oh? I didn't see this.

[Lineker]

My reception is shit. Keeps stuttering. Not sure I can be bothered to put up with the game if this keeps happening.

Not quite as bad here but ITV ALWAYS seem to have issues with their signal. It frustrates me that they are allowed any football coverage. It doesn't help that Adrian Chiles is a cunt >_>. BBC coverage was fine earlier, no issues with signal then.

They shouldn't - ITV and BBC are sharing one satellite dish...

[Lineker]

Roy Hodgson is ready to recall Andy Carroll as England go for goals and a crucial Euro 2012 victory when they face Sweden in Kiev on Friday.

Liverpool's £35m striker was overlooked in favour of Danny Welbeck for England's opening 1-1 draw with France.

But indications from England's final training session suggest they will be paired against the Swedes.

Sweden are expected to bring in Jonas Olsson at centre-back and switch Andreas Granqvist to right-back.

Fit-again striker Johan Elmander also looks set for a recall at the expense of the misfiring Markus Rosenberg.

England captain Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker have overcome exhaustion and will continue in central midfield.

Glen Johnson will play despite being on antibiotics for a toe infection, while Wayne Rooney serves the last match of his two-game suspension.

Right-back Martin Kelly remains doubtful for England with a virus.

Hodgson is keen to use striker Carroll to exploit Sweden's vulnerability in the air and he is expected to leave out Arsenal teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to accommodate him, and use Ashley Young on the left flank and James Milner on the right as orthodox wide men.

Sweden have conceded six of their last seven goals from headers - including both from Andriy Shevchenko in their 2-1 defeat against co-hosts Ukraine - a factor that appears to have persuaded Hodgson to go with aerial power.

Hodgson believes that Sweden's well-drilled side and unpredictable striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic may pose England problems in Kiev.

"They are organised as a result of years of work based on English coaching," said Hodgson, who began his managerial career in Sweden.

"Their major weapon is Ibrahimovic - he is one of the best strikers in European football."

[Jimmy]

Sounds good to me, but I'd take Ox over Milner on the wing and save Milner for CM cover.

[9 to 5]

I would probably go Walcott over the Ox. Not because he had a bad game but at this stage would probably have more impact as a sub.

[Adam]

Agreed, I'd fetch in Walcott on the right, shift Young to the left and perhaps play Milner in the centre or drop him. Also bring in Carroll.

Hart

Johnson - Terry - Lescott - Cole

Walcott - Gerrard - Parker - Young

Welbeck

Carroll

Looks good to me.

[METALMAN]

Agreed, I'd fetch in Walcott on the right, shift Young to the left and perhaps play Milner in the centre or drop him. Also bring in Carroll.

Hart

Johnson - Terry - Lescott - Cole

Walcott - Gerrard - Parker - Young

Welbeck

Carroll

Looks good to me.

Could you centre align your team please Adam? It looks stupid with Joe Hart directly behind the right back and it annoys me a little bit.

[Adam]

Perhaps I wish to deploy a team skewed towards the right side in an attempt to confuse the Swedes!

[gunnar hendershow]

The Swedes line up pretty far to the left usually, so England will counterbalance that perfectly.