Euro2012: Italy hold Spain, Croatia win

The 2012 European Championships kicked-off for the Group C teams tonight with matches in the Polish cities of Gdansk and Poznan. Italy surprised many by holding top favourites Spain to a draw, while Croatia showed their potential in their win against a fighting Ireland.


GROUP C

Spain 1-1 (0-0) Italy
Goals: 0-1 Antonio di Natale (61'), 1-1 Cesc Fàbregas (64')

Reigning World and European champions Spain were held to a surprise one-all draw by former champions Italy in their opening Group C match in Gdansk. It was one of the most anticipated matches of Euro2012 and the match lived-up to its expectations because Italy could match the Spaniards.

Spain wasn't its usual self early on as David Silva tried it long-range as the Italian bothered the Spanish defence time and again with their goalkeeper-cum-captain Iker Casillas having to come to his teams rescue a few times following a Andrea Pirlo shot, Antonio Cassano's low drive from the left and Thiago Mottas header.

But after the break Spain started to show glimpes of what they are capable off as no Italian captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had to defuse chances from Cesc Fàbregas and then Andrés Iniesta. On the other side young Mario Balotelli was free on goal after Sergio Ramos's slip, but Ramos himself incepted Balotelli before he could take an attempt on goal. Soon after Balotelli was replaced by Antonio di Natale and the Udinese striker with his first touch gave Italy the lead in the 61st minute. But it only lasted three minutes as Spain equalised with a great combination at blistering speed as Iniesta first found David Silva, whose perfect through-ball reached Cesc Fàbregas who sloted home past Buffon. Spain looked better towards the end as Italy looked tired, but Spain's best chances were both wasted by substitute striker Fernando Torres who first couldn't beat Buffon and then his effort landed on the goal netting. It ended one-all, a point with which both teams can live.


Ireland 1-3 (1-2) Croatia
Goals: 0-1,1-3 Mario Mandžukic (3',49'), 1-1 Sean St. Ledger (19'), 1-2 Nikica Jelavic (43')

Croatia got the better of a fighting Ireland as the team from the Balkans won 3-1 and showed that they could be a team to look out for while the Irish fans simply celebrated their team being at Euro2012.

Wolfsburg striker Mario Mandžukic gave the Croats a perfect start with a 3rd minute header following a corner. Ireland looked shocked, but they regrouped and got the equalised in the 19th minute off a Aiden McGeady free-kick which defender Sean St. Ledger headed in to the large joy of the Irish fans. But Croatia remained in control and put Ireland under a lot of pressure with their second goal coming two minutes before the break through a Nikica Jelavic strike.

Ireland were still in the match, but another early goal, this time in the fourth minute of the second session again by Mario Mandžukic, this time with a little bit of luck then his shot hit the post and then keeper Shay Given's head to go in and seal the game for Croatia though Ireland were denied a penalty when Robbie Keane was brought down. Thereafter the Croats controlled proceedings and had their chances with the best for Ivan Rakitic, but it went wide. Towards the end Ireland did get some chances but all were wasted by Keith Andrews as they lost 1-3 on their return to the European stage.