At Euro 2012 Cesc Fàbregas salvaged a point for Spain as the reigning champions began the defence of their European title with a pulsating encounter with the Azzurri in Gdansk. The Barcelona midfielder fired in after a clever pass by David Silva as Spain came from a goal down against Italy to draw the opening match of Group C. Substitute Antonio Di Natale had earlier given Italy a thoroughly deserved lead on the hour mark. Spain might have snatched all three points but Fernando Torres spurned a succession of late chances. Somebody remind me, didn't Torres used to be, you know, good, a few years ago? The result ended Spain's run of fourteen successive victories in competitive matches, dating back to their defeat by Switzerland in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup. While their form was not in question, the weight of history was stacked against La Roja coming into the tournament. No team had ever won three major tournaments in succession, none had ever successfully defended the European Championship title. Fatigue was another source of concern for Spain manager Vicente del Bosque, whose twenty three players had played a total of almost ninety thousand minutes of competitive football in the past season, some seventeen thousand more than their Italian opponents. There was more than a hint of lethargy about Spain in the opening exchanges. They lacked purpose and penetration having opted to play with no less than six midfielders and without an obvious centre forward as Fàbregas was preferred to Torres in the starting eleven. Although, whether Torres actually counts as a recognised centre forward these days is debatable. Having seen a little of his form return in the final weeks of the season at Moscow Chelski, this was another setback for Torres on an afternoon he will ultimately want to forget. Silva threatened twice in the early moments, but it was Italy who looked the more composed in the early stages. Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas was forced to dive low to his right to turn away an Andrea Pirlo free-kick after thirteen minutes as Cesare Prandelli's side, led by the tremendous Daniele De Rossi, tackled, battled and denied their more celebrated opponents space. 
The Azzurri were equally effective with the ball ensuring Casillas was much the busier goalkeeper as half-time approached. Antonio Cassano dragged a shot beyond the far post when well-placed but it was two nervy moments from Spain goalkeeper that gave his side most cause for concern. First, he lost control of a back-pass only to be fouled by Cassano, before he spilled a fierce low shot from Claudio Marchisio as the ball ran to safety. Marchisio tested Casillas again moments later, thumping a thunderous left-foot volley straight at the goalkeeper. Spain were only threatening sporadically. Xavi and Andrés Iniesta were constantly probing and just before the interval linked up only for the latter to shoot over having collected his team-mate's looping pass. It was Italy who finished the half the stronger, however. A piece of trickery wide on the left touchline by Mario Balotelli set in motion another fluid attack. It ended with Casillas sprawling low to his right to turn away Thiago Motta's close-range header after a pin-point cross by Cassano. The interval did little to disrupt the breakneck pace of play. Fabregas set Iniesta free down the left, only for Gianluigi Buffon to deny him with a fingertip save. But it was Balotelli who could - and perhaps, should - have broken the deadlock moments later. The Italian striker robbed Sergio Ramos of possession wide on the right before bursting towards goal but he then hesitated long enough to allow the Real Madrid defender back in with the goal apparently as his mercy. The Sheikh Yer Man City striker was replaced by Di Natale moments later and he was to have an instant impact. Pirlo skipped beyond Xavi in midfield, before playing a cleverly weighted pass that allowed the Udinese forward to slip between Gerard Piqué and Sergio Ramos and calmly stroke his curling beyond the advancing Casillas. Spain's response was instant as it was devastating. They're not World Champions for nothing, after all. Three minutes later Iniesta and Silva put Fàbregas clear in the penalty area and the Barcelona midfielder struck a low left-foot shot beyond Buffon from ten yards. Substitute Jesús Navas picked out Jordi Alba as Spain began to dictate. Torres was brought on to a huge ovation and might have made an instant impact but he fluffed his chance after cleverly beating the offside trap. Italy were being forced to rely on longer raids now, but they almost stole in again when Di Natale poked narrowly wide after good approach play from Pirlo. Spain were pouring forward time and again now. Torres should have won the game for Spain but squandered two seemingly straightforward chances, first running down a blind alley before looping a shot high over Buffon's goal with the net at his mercy. To make matters worse, he was later booked for a rash challenge. Italy might have snatched victory at the death when Marchisio burst forward, exchanged passes with Di Natale, only to shoot straight at Casillas. The Italians in the first half were exceptional. Tactically they got it absolutely right, defending well but quick in possession and they made Casillas make four good saves. After they scored, Spain pushed on a bit more and upped the tempo of their game. Both teams had chances to win and it was a thoroughly entertaining game. A draw was, in the end, probably a fair result. If the Italians continue to play this well and get through the group they really could be a threat.
In the Group C's second match, the Republic of Ireland's prospects of progressing beyond the group stages of Euro 2012 suffered a huge blow as they were systematically undone by a clinical and classy Croatia in a pulsating match in Poznan. Mario Mandžukić's header eluded Shay Given to put the Croatians ahead inside three minutes but a spirited response from Giovanni Trapattoni's side saw Sean St Ledger equalise. Nikica Jelavić's delightful dinked finish made it 2-1 before the break. And a second Mandžukić header, which went in off Given, sealed the win.
And so, to the big one. France versus England (kick-off 5.00pm). Odious greed bucket Chiles - badly - presents coverage of the opening clash in Group D from the Donbass Arena in Donetsk. England last appeared at a European Championship in 2004, when they were also drawn alongside this evening's opponents in the group stage. While both teams progressed to the knockout phase, it was France who topped the table after all three matches had been played, thanks largely to their 2-1 victory over Sven-Goran Eriksson's men in the opening encounter in Lisbon. Frank Lampard's first-half header had looked to have given England all three points, but two goals by Zinedine Zidane in the closing minutes snatched a win for the French after old balide saved a David Beckham penalty. Wayne Rooney became the second-youngest player to appear in a European Championship when selected for that match - and the youngest to kick some hapless Frenchman up a-height for no good reason - but Roy Hodgson will have to make do without Rooney's services in this clash, following The Scum striker's utterly pointless red card in the final game of the qualifying stage in Montenegro. Despite that, and the fact they have been drawn in a very competitive group, much will be expected of Hodgson's team, at least from bellowing skinhead numskulls, even though they have not reached the semi-final of a tournament since Euro '96. 
As office workers head home for the 5pm kick-off, England players gather in Donetsk, for their first match with the weight of a nation's hopes resting, for once, very lightly on their shoulders. If half the battle for an England coach is managing expectations, then Hodgson is flying. But hang on, let's try and salvage a bit of optimism: this is a team that has qualified for the Euros with an unbeaten record. They defeated world champions Spain last November at Wembley. And the players now speak the same language as the manager and his backroom team – that has to help, surely? If so, the fairy tale starts here. France went 2–0 down to Iceland recently (before salvaging a late win), but the likes of Andy Carroll (or, will it be Danny Welbeck?) will need to be on rampaging form against a mean defence. If they are then those expectations will suddenly be off the scale again. Given the presence of Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa in Les Bleus, yer actual Keith Telly Topping - being the contrary sod that he is - may well end up supporting France! With commentary by Clive Tyldesley and the odious, risible, crappy Andy Townsend. Take a tip, watch it with the sound off.
Meanwhile, over on the BBC, we've got Ukraine vs Sweden (kick-off 7.45pm). Gary Lineker presents coverage from the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, where the joint hosts begin their campaign against Group D rivals Sweden. This match will mark new territory for the Ukraine team - with their midfield trio who look like the laid-back rhythm section and keyboard player of some second division Californian hair-metal band from the mid-1980s - as they make their debut at a European Championship, having never qualified before, and play in only their second major tournament.
Their only previous appearance came on the global stage at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, when they went on to reach the quarter-finals, before being eliminated by eventual champions Italy in a 3-0 defeat. Sweden are participating in their fourth consecutive European Championship, and fifth overall, and will hope to do better than four years ago when they failed to progress beyond the group stage in Austria and Switzerland. On that occasion they were drawn alongside Spain, Russia and Greece, and while they did manage a victory over the 2004 champions, they lost both of their other matches. With analysis from Alan Hansen, Lee Dixon and Alan Shearer who is now back from Poland. Expect someone to get elbowed in the face at half-time.
Snottingtot Hotshots manager Hapless Harry Redknapp had told Match of the Day's Gary Lineker that he would have found it difficult to turn down the offer to succeed Fabio Capello as England manager. Fortunately, the FA didn't give him the opportunity and, instead, gave the job to somebody qualified. Redknapp, hotly tipped by plenty of his mates in the media - if not anybody that actually matters - to take over as national boss before Roy Hodgson's appointment, describes not being approached for the job as 'a relief.' Think how relieved those of us who don't rate Hapless Harry quite as highly as a bunch of brown-tongued scum in Fleet Street feel, matey.
Meanwhile, arch psycho nutter Joey Barton believes that he would have featured in the England squad at Euro 2012 were it not for his behavioural problems on and off the pitch. Which might be true but it's a little bit like Peter Cook's memorable character sketch about the man who believes he could have been a high court judge 'but for the Latin.' Barton will serve a twelve-match ban next season for kicking Sergio Aguero up-a-height and then trying to hoy the heed on Vincent Kompany after he was sent off at Sheikh Yer Man City for elbowing Carlos Teves in the much. Barton, who won a solitary England cap in 2007, has also criticised the selection of six Liverpool players. He wrote on Twitter: 'On ability I walk into the squad, on behaviour I don't.' So, he's a modest chap, obviously, although with a shade of common sense at least. The Queens Park Strangers midfielder, who began his career at Sheikh Yer Man City and then spent four years at yer actual Keith Telly Topping's bleoved (though unsellable) Newcastle (where, to be fair, when he wasn't injured or suspended, he did actually have one and bit terrific seasons), was in the news again last week when he was arrested, and later bailed, following a brawl outside a nightclub in his native Liverpool. On the pitch, Barton was also sent-off against Norwich last season, while he picked up ten bookings.
The outspoken player, who won his only cap under Steve McClaren in a 1-0 defeat against Spain, was particularly critical of England coach Roy Hodgson's decision to draft in Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson following the injury to Frank Lampard. Henderson is joined in the England squad by fellow Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haw players Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Stewart Downing, Andy Carroll and Martin Kelly, despite the Reds suffering a difficult season which saw them finish eighth in the Premier League. They did win the Carling Cup and reached the final of the FA Cup, but that was not enough to prevent manager Kenny Dalglish from losing his job. 'If Henderson got in, any Englishman not currently in the squad has to feel aggrieved. Yes, I wish I was there but I'm not,' Barton said. 'Everyone's thinking it, I'll say it. Liverpool have [had] an horrific season and have six players in our Euro squad. What chance do we have? [The England manager should] Pick on form. How [Grant] Holt, [Micah] Richards, [Michael] Carrick, [Rio] Ferdinand, [Leon] Osman, [Daniel] Sturridge etc never got involved is a travesty.' Barton insists he still wants England to do well at Euro 2012, but he is convinced they are unlikely to win the tournament. 'I really hope England do well and win it, I really do. All am saying is I don't think we will,' he tweeted. 'If everyone stays fit, we've got a decent eleven once Rooney's back. If any of the key players get a knock, we are done for. Three games in eight or nine days takes its toll on the body. If a few are carrying injuries from a long domestic season, it will show. Not being pessimistic, just a realist. I am overqualified to pass judgement on this. Not only have I played in the Premier League for ten years but I've played with and against most of them.'
The Azzurri were equally effective with the ball ensuring Casillas was much the busier goalkeeper as half-time approached. Antonio Cassano dragged a shot beyond the far post when well-placed but it was two nervy moments from Spain goalkeeper that gave his side most cause for concern. First, he lost control of a back-pass only to be fouled by Cassano, before he spilled a fierce low shot from Claudio Marchisio as the ball ran to safety. Marchisio tested Casillas again moments later, thumping a thunderous left-foot volley straight at the goalkeeper. Spain were only threatening sporadically. Xavi and Andrés Iniesta were constantly probing and just before the interval linked up only for the latter to shoot over having collected his team-mate's looping pass. It was Italy who finished the half the stronger, however. A piece of trickery wide on the left touchline by Mario Balotelli set in motion another fluid attack. It ended with Casillas sprawling low to his right to turn away Thiago Motta's close-range header after a pin-point cross by Cassano. The interval did little to disrupt the breakneck pace of play. Fabregas set Iniesta free down the left, only for Gianluigi Buffon to deny him with a fingertip save. But it was Balotelli who could - and perhaps, should - have broken the deadlock moments later. The Italian striker robbed Sergio Ramos of possession wide on the right before bursting towards goal but he then hesitated long enough to allow the Real Madrid defender back in with the goal apparently as his mercy. The Sheikh Yer Man City striker was replaced by Di Natale moments later and he was to have an instant impact. Pirlo skipped beyond Xavi in midfield, before playing a cleverly weighted pass that allowed the Udinese forward to slip between Gerard Piqué and Sergio Ramos and calmly stroke his curling beyond the advancing Casillas. Spain's response was instant as it was devastating. They're not World Champions for nothing, after all. Three minutes later Iniesta and Silva put Fàbregas clear in the penalty area and the Barcelona midfielder struck a low left-foot shot beyond Buffon from ten yards. Substitute Jesús Navas picked out Jordi Alba as Spain began to dictate. Torres was brought on to a huge ovation and might have made an instant impact but he fluffed his chance after cleverly beating the offside trap. Italy were being forced to rely on longer raids now, but they almost stole in again when Di Natale poked narrowly wide after good approach play from Pirlo. Spain were pouring forward time and again now. Torres should have won the game for Spain but squandered two seemingly straightforward chances, first running down a blind alley before looping a shot high over Buffon's goal with the net at his mercy. To make matters worse, he was later booked for a rash challenge. Italy might have snatched victory at the death when Marchisio burst forward, exchanged passes with Di Natale, only to shoot straight at Casillas. The Italians in the first half were exceptional. Tactically they got it absolutely right, defending well but quick in possession and they made Casillas make four good saves. After they scored, Spain pushed on a bit more and upped the tempo of their game. Both teams had chances to win and it was a thoroughly entertaining game. A draw was, in the end, probably a fair result. If the Italians continue to play this well and get through the group they really could be a threat.In the Group C's second match, the Republic of Ireland's prospects of progressing beyond the group stages of Euro 2012 suffered a huge blow as they were systematically undone by a clinical and classy Croatia in a pulsating match in Poznan. Mario Mandžukić's header eluded Shay Given to put the Croatians ahead inside three minutes but a spirited response from Giovanni Trapattoni's side saw Sean St Ledger equalise. Nikica Jelavić's delightful dinked finish made it 2-1 before the break. And a second Mandžukić header, which went in off Given, sealed the win.
As office workers head home for the 5pm kick-off, England players gather in Donetsk, for their first match with the weight of a nation's hopes resting, for once, very lightly on their shoulders. If half the battle for an England coach is managing expectations, then Hodgson is flying. But hang on, let's try and salvage a bit of optimism: this is a team that has qualified for the Euros with an unbeaten record. They defeated world champions Spain last November at Wembley. And the players now speak the same language as the manager and his backroom team – that has to help, surely? If so, the fairy tale starts here. France went 2–0 down to Iceland recently (before salvaging a late win), but the likes of Andy Carroll (or, will it be Danny Welbeck?) will need to be on rampaging form against a mean defence. If they are then those expectations will suddenly be off the scale again. Given the presence of Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa in Les Bleus, yer actual Keith Telly Topping - being the contrary sod that he is - may well end up supporting France! With commentary by Clive Tyldesley and the odious, risible, crappy Andy Townsend. Take a tip, watch it with the sound off. Meanwhile, over on the BBC, we've got Ukraine vs Sweden (kick-off 7.45pm). Gary Lineker presents coverage from the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, where the joint hosts begin their campaign against Group D rivals Sweden. This match will mark new territory for the Ukraine team - with their midfield trio who look like the laid-back rhythm section and keyboard player of some second division Californian hair-metal band from the mid-1980s - as they make their debut at a European Championship, having never qualified before, and play in only their second major tournament.
Their only previous appearance came on the global stage at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, when they went on to reach the quarter-finals, before being eliminated by eventual champions Italy in a 3-0 defeat. Sweden are participating in their fourth consecutive European Championship, and fifth overall, and will hope to do better than four years ago when they failed to progress beyond the group stage in Austria and Switzerland. On that occasion they were drawn alongside Spain, Russia and Greece, and while they did manage a victory over the 2004 champions, they lost both of their other matches. With analysis from Alan Hansen, Lee Dixon and Alan Shearer who is now back from Poland. Expect someone to get elbowed in the face at half-time. Snottingtot Hotshots manager Hapless Harry Redknapp had told Match of the Day's Gary Lineker that he would have found it difficult to turn down the offer to succeed Fabio Capello as England manager. Fortunately, the FA didn't give him the opportunity and, instead, gave the job to somebody qualified. Redknapp, hotly tipped by plenty of his mates in the media - if not anybody that actually matters - to take over as national boss before Roy Hodgson's appointment, describes not being approached for the job as 'a relief.' Think how relieved those of us who don't rate Hapless Harry quite as highly as a bunch of brown-tongued scum in Fleet Street feel, matey.
Meanwhile, arch psycho nutter Joey Barton believes that he would have featured in the England squad at Euro 2012 were it not for his behavioural problems on and off the pitch. Which might be true but it's a little bit like Peter Cook's memorable character sketch about the man who believes he could have been a high court judge 'but for the Latin.' Barton will serve a twelve-match ban next season for kicking Sergio Aguero up-a-height and then trying to hoy the heed on Vincent Kompany after he was sent off at Sheikh Yer Man City for elbowing Carlos Teves in the much. Barton, who won a solitary England cap in 2007, has also criticised the selection of six Liverpool players. He wrote on Twitter: 'On ability I walk into the squad, on behaviour I don't.' So, he's a modest chap, obviously, although with a shade of common sense at least. The Queens Park Strangers midfielder, who began his career at Sheikh Yer Man City and then spent four years at yer actual Keith Telly Topping's bleoved (though unsellable) Newcastle (where, to be fair, when he wasn't injured or suspended, he did actually have one and bit terrific seasons), was in the news again last week when he was arrested, and later bailed, following a brawl outside a nightclub in his native Liverpool. On the pitch, Barton was also sent-off against Norwich last season, while he picked up ten bookings.
The outspoken player, who won his only cap under Steve McClaren in a 1-0 defeat against Spain, was particularly critical of England coach Roy Hodgson's decision to draft in Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson following the injury to Frank Lampard. Henderson is joined in the England squad by fellow Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haw players Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Stewart Downing, Andy Carroll and Martin Kelly, despite the Reds suffering a difficult season which saw them finish eighth in the Premier League. They did win the Carling Cup and reached the final of the FA Cup, but that was not enough to prevent manager Kenny Dalglish from losing his job. 'If Henderson got in, any Englishman not currently in the squad has to feel aggrieved. Yes, I wish I was there but I'm not,' Barton said. 'Everyone's thinking it, I'll say it. Liverpool have [had] an horrific season and have six players in our Euro squad. What chance do we have? [The England manager should] Pick on form. How [Grant] Holt, [Micah] Richards, [Michael] Carrick, [Rio] Ferdinand, [Leon] Osman, [Daniel] Sturridge etc never got involved is a travesty.' Barton insists he still wants England to do well at Euro 2012, but he is convinced they are unlikely to win the tournament. 'I really hope England do well and win it, I really do. All am saying is I don't think we will,' he tweeted. 'If everyone stays fit, we've got a decent eleven once Rooney's back. If any of the key players get a knock, we are done for. Three games in eight or nine days takes its toll on the body. If a few are carrying injuries from a long domestic season, it will show. Not being pessimistic, just a realist. I am overqualified to pass judgement on this. Not only have I played in the Premier League for ten years but I've played with and against most of them.'
