Group E was throw wide open yesterday by the opening skirmishes in what now appears to be EURO 2016’s most unpredictable group.
The day started with an above average performance by the Republic of Ireland who had needed a playoff win against Bosnia-Herzegovina to qualify. They were the better side than a Sweden, dreary even by Swedish standards who has beaten neighbours Denmark in the qualifiers. The Irish led by a Wes Hoolahan strike just after the interval and seemed set sail for three points.
Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic had not been a factor and the men in green had also been peppering the woodwork, with John Walters looking especially dangerous. However the efforts exerted by Irish centre back Ciaran Clark and John O’Shea was undone when Clark headed into his own net after 71 minutes.
The Swedes knew they had played badly and a general gloom pervaded their press.
The Irish knew they had taken one point against the lowest seeded team in Group E where they had earned three but events in Lyon would son buoy their mood.
Traditional powerhouses Italy had, at least according to their media, the worst team they had ever sent to a major Championships. None of their starters played in Serie A, a league that has made little impact on European club football in recent years.
Their first opponents were much fancied Belgium, a team packed with superstar talent, such as Marouane Fellaini, Eden Hazard, and Thibaut Courtois. On the day however, Marc Wilmot’s Diables Rouges faltered and were unable to unlock the Azzurri who defended like the great but depressingly negative Italian sides of yore, picking up four yellow cards and holding just 44% of possession.
Bologna midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini stunned the Belgians with a 32nd minute opener and then the Italians sank deep and coped with everything the Belgians threw at them. They even had the time for the occasional counter attack. In stoppage time, Graziano Pelle added a second on the break to secure a 2-0 win for the Italians.
The buoyant Italians play a subdued Sweden in Toulouse on June 17. They must really fancy their chances of a second win which will see them qualify unless Belgium beat the Irish Republic the next day.
The Belgians will surely play better than they did in Lyon and the Irish will face a stiffer test the day after they watch Italy battle the Swedes.
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