Ireland (National Football)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0fiOxAm4SQ

For Giovanni Trapattoni, pain is a crutch kept handy by mere mortals.

Trapattoni, the 73-year-old manager of the Republic of Ireland, recently insisted he feels like a 20-year-old (via the Scottish Daily Record). But even a robust 20-year-old would feel the pain if 26-year-old Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic ran him over.

Not Gio Trap. No flippin' way, man.

And thus, Trapattoni, the oldest manager in the history of the UEFA European Football Championship, is the protagonist of today's B/R Viral Video of the Day.

Why? Because when a professional athlete less than half his age barreled into him on the sidelines Sunday, he got right back up like a real man.

Watch the video above, which is taken from Ireland's 3-1 loss to Croatia on Sunday. Then consider his words, quoted in that Daily Record article:

It’s as if I was 20. I am fresh in the head and, above all, I am hungry for new situations.

I watch every game and think I can maybe discover something. I want to know new things.

That is important. A general once said it’s an old man who isn’t curious about the next news.

I’m like a 20-year-old—but with more experience.

In that article, Trapattoni also said he could probably play 15 years ago, and after watching this video, I'm not so sure who would doubt him.

Trapattoni, in fact, is almost a walking, talking, coaching version of the scene in Rocky IV where Apollo's former trainer and Rocky keep saying "No pain!" to each other over and over.

Rocky IV, by the way, came out in November 1985, at which time Trapattoni was a spring chicken at age 46.

Think he could've gone a few rounds with Ivan Drago?

(h/t 101 Great Goals)

Follow @MikeCummings37

The Republic of Ireland entered the European Championships ranked 18th in the world but must now beat the previous two world champions to be sure of a chance of qualifying from Group C.

Only the Czech Republic (27), Ukraine (52) and Poland (62) are ranked lower than them in the tournament, according to FIFA.

The Irish succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Croatia, a team ranked 10 positions above them in FIFA’s official world rankings.

Only the Czech national team has suffered a bigger margin of defeat in the opening three days of Euro 2012; the Nároďák lost 4-1 to Russia on the opening day of the tournament.

Two goals from Mario Mandzukic and an effort from Everton striker Nikica Jelavic emphasised Croatia’s dominance in Poznan, although the Irish may feel that referee Björn Kuipers served as a 12th man for their opponents.

Jelavic’s goal had more than a hint of offside to it and Ireland were later denied a penalty following a blatant foul by Gordon Schildenfeld on Robbie Keane.

Before the Irish players award Kuipers a place in their hall of shame alongside Thierry Henry, however, they need to look at themselves to pinpoint the precise reason why Croatia outplayed them.

The pre-match buildup mostly concerned the injury situation surrounding stalwart goalkeeper Shay Given. The Aston Villa shot stopper, who has amassed 123 caps for Ireland, had been hindered by a knee injury in his tournament preparations and all indications suggest he was still suffering from ring-rust.

Such media attention can only have a negative impact on  a team making their first appearance in the Euro’s for 24 years.

Given wrong-footed himself for Croatia’s opening goal and three minutes into the second half he found himself luckless once again. A cross from Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ivan Perisic was met by Mandzukic’s head, which ricocheted onto Given’s head and behind the goal line after initially hitting the post.

Defensively the Irish were poor; the first goal came as a consequence of failing to clear a corner and allowing Croatia to play inside the 18-yard box and throughout the game Perisic, Jelavic and Mandzukic proved themselves to be a nuisance for Richard Dunne and John O’Shea.

Flamboyant midfielders Aiden McGeady and Damien Duff found themselves dominated by full-backs Dari Srna and Ivan Strinic. The duo continually pushed forward which kept the Irish wingers preoccupied with defence, rather than creating chances.

When Ireland did create chances they too were squandered. Keith Andrews screwed two shots wide and wasted a good headed chance in the closing stages of the game; opportunities that Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle may have finished had they remained on the pitch.

Such evidence reveals that, however aggrieved Ireland may feel about Croatia’s second goal and their denied penalty claim, they did not deserve to collect any points against a very well organised Croatia team.

Ireland now find themselves perilously close to an exit from the tournament, which puts into reality how cut-throat international tournaments are. Although Poland, Greece and Czech Republic have all failed to impress in their opening games, they will be buoyed by the fact they have the chance to play each other for a chance to progress.

Similarly Holland and Portugal, both of whom suffered bitter defeats in Group B, will find comfort in the fact that there is enough quality in their team to suggest they have the potential to beat their remaining two opponents.

Ireland on the other hand will arrive in Gdansk on Thursday knowing that an improved performance from their Poznan display may not be enough to beat a Spanish team that is oozing with experience, youth, organisation and flair—traits that have tournament success to accompany them.

When reflecting on the game former Ireland international Kevin Kilbane told BBC Sport:

“There was real Irish optimism before this game. Every Irish fan felt confident but it wasn't to be. Croatia played very well at times. They made it difficult for the Irish to get a foothold in the game. I feel Trapattoni should make changes for the Spain game, just to try and freshen things up. I'd bring James McClean in. He's Ireland's form player. He'd give the fans a real lift and he'd get the team higher up the pitch in terms of his possession and the way he can travel with the ball. I think he'd cause a lot of problems.”

It is the first time Ireland have ever lost the opening game of a major tournament but they now face one of their biggest ever challenges to qualify from a very competitive Group C.

Neil Sherwin, Ger McCarthy and Bleacher Report's Willie Gannon reflect on the Euro 2012 action so far and Ireland's defeat to Croatia in particular.

The second Euro 2012 podcast is a rather depressing affair following Ireland’s 3-1 loss to Croatia in Group C and the lads look at where it all went wrong for Giovanni Trapattoni’s side.

There’s also a look at the game between Ireland’s next two opponents, Spain and Italy, as well as talk on the other games so far.

Ger and Willie both get to wax lyrical about Spain and Italy while hammering Holland and Portugal for their insipid performances against Denmark and Germany, respectively, while the entire pod reckons Russia will carve up Group A.

Don’t forget, you can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or RSS! Also, if there is anything you would like to hear on the show in future, simply drop us an email, tweet or comment on Facebook.

You can listen to the latest pod here. Euro 2012 Preview Podcast. Listen here.

Ireland are effectively out of Euro 2012 after losing 3-1 to Croatia in Poznan. Mario Mandžukić was the hero for the Croats on the night with two headed goals as Slaven Bilic's side out-fought and out-thought the Irish.

In the run-up to the game, over 20,000 Irish people had descended upon the Group C clash, and as the teams took to the pitch, Croatia could have been forgiven for thinking they were playing away as the green crowd danced to "The Poznan" in Poznan.

However, Croatia settled the quickest and went 1-0 ahead after just three minutes through a combination of poor defending, poor goalkeeping and fortunate finishing. Wolfsburg's Mario Mandžukić was the only player to read a deflected cross, and his guided headed effort to the near post was left by Keith Andrews for his wrong-footed 'keeper, who could do nothing about the goal.

To their credit, Ireland fought back and dominated the next 20 minutes before deservedly equalizing through Sean St Ledger. But having scored, they stepped down a gear and allowed Croatia's midfield to dictate proceedings.

Playing a rigid 4-4-2 system, Ireland will always struggle against teams who play between the lines, and with Croatia utilising a 4-1-3-2 system, Luka Modric basically dictated the tempo of the game. The Croats, a big and powerful side, constantly went to Mandzukic early, and with the commanding forward having the better of Richard Dunne, who is no pushover, the Irish defence was essentially neutralised.

However, and it must be said, Croatia struggled to create chances, and with neither 'keeper having much to do, it was always going to take something special or something stupid to breach the goals.

Unfortunately for the Irish, that happened twice in the space of five minutes either side of halftime.

The Croats' second goal was fortuitous to say the least, as firstly, Nikica Jelavic was in an offside position when Modric initially shot at goal and then, secondly, as Stephen Ward went to clear the shot, he was fouled by Mandžukić, which caused the clearance to bounce to the Everton striker, who calmly slipped the ball home.

But whichever way you look at it, the goal was a clear indication that Croatia were well and truly on top after Ireland's earlier effort.

If the first half ended in the worst possible manner for the Irish, then the second half continued in the same fashion with another poorly-conceded goal. Rakitic was given far too much room on the right by John O'Shea, and his whipped cross was met by the head of Mandžukić, who guided his headed effort onto the foot of the post with a sublime touch.

Unfortunately for Ireland, though, the ball cannoned into the net off Shay Given's head, and all of a sudden, Croatia found themselves in an unassailable and scarcely deserved 3-1 lead.

The lead was indisputable for various reasons.

Ireland's game is built upon keeping clean sheets—they had kept 11 in the previous 14 internationals—and scoring from set pieces.

Against a big and powerful side like Croatia, scoring set pieces was always going to be difficult, and having players like Modric, Perisic and Mandžukić—who was outstanding—they had players who were clever, intelligent and who could keep possession under pressure.

While Ireland's basic tactic of direct football was rendered null and void by the fact that they were not only out-thought but also out-fought, and what was most worrying for Ireland was how cheaply they constantly gave possession away.

After the game, a disappointed Sean St Ledger told reporters , "The second one was dubious, it could have been offside and we thought it was a foul. We had to come out in the second half and the next goal was important.

"It was unlike us to concede the goals we conceded today. It was unlike us the goals we conceded. I wouldn't say Croatia split us open but they were poor goals to concede."

The goals that Ireland conceded were unfortunate, and they had a very good case for a penalty when Robbie Keane was blatantly fouled from behind, but when all is said and done, Croatia deserved their win due to their quality of play.

They dictated the game, dominated possession and only relaxed when they had the game won.

Mario Mandžukić was obviously elated in the match zone after the game. "Is this the best match of my life? he asked. "I must thank the coach first because he gave me a chance to play and then I really played a good match. I scored twice but I also must thank my great team-mates.  

"I still can't believe what we just did, it was a fantastic victory," Croatia coach Slaven Bilic stated after the match. "We knew it would be a tough match but we team responded excellently."

By contrast, the result could effectively have ended Ireland's participation at Euro 2012, as they play Spain next before finishing out the group with a match against Italy on June 18.

The psychological effect of this defeat is something that Ireland's manager, Giovani Trappatoni, will be sure to work on over the coming days.

"I know you want to know but we have to think about how the players are with their fitness and also Spain is another game. We have to think about it very much." he said.

"The team was ready but we conceded a goal after two minutes and perhaps Shay didn’t see the ball because there were three or four players in front of him. Psychologically we were inferior and we had no reaction"

The problem for Ireland, though, is that Spain and Italy, who drew 1-1 in their Group C game, were the two most impressive teams in the competition so far and that it will take something of a miracle for Ireland to get any kind of result when they face the two giants.

That effectively means that Ireland's trip to Poland and the Ukraine is over, which is unfortunate for their fans, because once again, they lit up a tournament, even in defeat.

Player Ratings

Rep of Ireland 

Given (6)

O'Shea (5)

St. Ledger (6)

Dunne (6)

Ward (5)

McGeady (4) [sub-Cox 54 (5)]

Whelan (5)

Andrews (6)(Y)

Duff (4)

Doyle (4) (sub-Walters 53 (5)]

Keane (3) [sub-Long 75(4)]

Subs Not Used: Westwood, Kelly, McShane, Gibson, Hunt, O'Dea, Green, McClean, Forde.

Croatia

Pletikosa (6)

Srna (6)

Corluka (7)

Schildenfeld (7)

Strinic (7)

Vukojevic (6)

Rakitic (7) (sub-Dujmovic 90)

Modric (8)(Y) (MoM)

Perisic (7) (Eduardo 89)

Mandzukic (8)

Jelavic (8) [sub-Kranjcar 72 (6)(Y)].

Subs Not Used: Kelava, Simunic, Buljat, Pranjic, Badelj, Vrsaljko, Kalinic, Vida, Subasic.

You can follow me on Twitter   @WillieGannon

With the top spot in Group C up for grabs in Poznan on Sunday night, the Republic of Ireland could gave up three tough goals to Croatia in their 3-1 loss.

The Croatian onslaught started early when Mario Mandzukic put a header past Irish keeper Shay Given in the third minute.

Things were looking up for The Boys in Green for most of the first half, especially after Sean St. Ledger headed home an Aiden McGeady cross in the 19th minute to tie the game.

But that would be one of the few positives that Giovanni Trapattoni's team took out of the rainy night in Poznan, Poland.

Right before halftime, a scuffed cross by defender Stephen Ward ended up at the feet of Croatian forward Nikica Jelavic, who put the ball past Given to retake the lead for Croatia.

Moments after the goal was scored, most of the Irish players were screaming at referee Bjorn Kuipers, but the complaints were to no avail as Jelavic was put onside by the mishit clearance by Ward.

Going into halftime, Trapattoni's men were down a goal and were looking to play better in the second half but those dreams were crushed just three minutes into the second half.

Mandzukic scored his second goal of the game in the 48th minute with shot that hit of the post then bounced off the body of Given and into the net.

Down two goals, Trapattoni brought on three forwards, Jon Walters, Simon Cox and Shane Long, to try and get something going but that was not successful either.

Ireland thought they had a penalty in the 62nd minute when Robbie Keane was brought down by Gordon Schildenfeld in the box but Kuipers has nothing of it and kept play going.

The closest that The Boys in Green came to a scoring chances came late in the match when midfielder Keith Andrews put two shots on goal, one went over the bar and the other wide right.

Now, after one game in Poland, the Irish sit at the bottom of the group with zero points ahead of their match with defending Euro and World Cup champions Spain on Thursday in Gdansk.

Heartbreak in Poznan 

Following the earlier Spain-Italy draw and tonight’s 3-1 defeat to Croatia, the Republic of Ireland is now bottom of their group. Much is said of the opening game in major tournaments, and indeed Trappatoni will have wanted his team to set out a strong foundation in their EURO 2012 campaign. Having lost their opening game, however, against some would say the “easiest” team in Group C, is there any hope for progression for the determined but lacking Irish squad?

Maintaining the Hope

The Republic of Ireland always knew they had a tough task before them ahead of this year’s European Championship. The Irish squad has plenty of recognizable names, but no stellar stars of the same class as Ronaldo, Rooney, Iniesta or Arshavin. In order to get to this year’s finals, the Republic made it to second place in qualifying against the likes of Russia and Slovakia, and many Irish fans are hoping for an unlikely and amazing EURO 2012 win in lieu of Denmark or Greece’s remarkable victories in 1992 and 2003, respectively. The team, along with the fans, will have to retain that hope and those aspirations in order to have a chance at progressing to the knockout stages.

Galvanizing the Team 

Pundits and critics alike have praised the great team spirit and camaraderie within the Irish camp. The majority of the 23-man squad have been together in every game getting to the finals, and despite a relative lack of quality in the players, the teamwork and companionship between Duff and Keane is far superior to what has been seen from Van Persie and Robben of the Dutch. This team spirit is often the stuff of cliché remarks and not tangible football results, however, it holds true for Ireland in this case—this is what makes the Republic so strong, so capable, and what still gives them a chance versus their higher-rated opponents throughout the tournament. 

Expectation Versus Result 

Both the bookmakers and media have long odds on Irish success in the tournament. As stated, Robbie Keane is no Karim Benzema. The team just doesn’t have the same depth in quality and class. Ireland are true long shots at any rate. What the team (and the fans) need to keep in mind, however, is that football is a sport that either of the two teams can win. Egos are rampant in the Spanish and Italian camps, and if Denmark’s win against World Cup runners-up Holland proved anything, it’s that at this level, with stakes so high, any team can go out and compete and see a result as well.

In Trapp We Trust

The oldest manager in the history of the tournament is therefore also the most experienced. This man, Trappatoni,  has seen Ireland get this far, and will know the intricacies of his team and what he can do to try to get success for the team in the coming games. The novelty t-shirts read “In Trapp We Trust” and rightly so. Don’t pick apart the substitutions, tactics or players. Get behind the manager and the team, as they will too. Ireland still has a hope and a dream for this tournament. Get behind the Boys In Green.

Ireland may not be one of the tournament favorites—frankly, most people would be surprised if they advanced to the quarterfinals in the tough Group C—but the Irish squad is not to be taken lightly, either.

They are unbeaten in 14 straight games

Robbie Keane

With 53 goals in 116 caps for Ireland, the success of this Irish team begins and ends with the performance of striker Keane.

The Irish are a gritty, stout defensive team, happy to sink back and absorb the attack. With that mentality, they'll look to Keane on the counter-attack to find the back of the net.

Maintaining a solid defensive presence and chipping in a surprise goal or two could be the secret for the Irish to beat Croatia. And the one player on the pitch capable of chipping in a few goals is the savvy veteran, Robbie Keane.

James McClean

The Sunderland winger was one of the surprises of the Premier League season, scoring six goals and tallying four assists in 29 appearances for the club.

McClean is strong and brings solid pace coming up the wing. I would expect him to have his hand in most Irish counter-attacks. He's an excellent crosser, and a McClean-to-Keane connection for a vital goal would not be surprising in the least.

Keep an eye on the 23-year-old during this match—if he is a major factor, the Irish will make life difficult for Croatia.

Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews

The two central midfielders will have a tough task against Croatia: slowing down the keystone of the Croatian attack, central midfielder Luka Modric.

Both are familiar with Modric, having done battle with the Tottenham playmaker in the Premier League, Whelan at Stoke City and Andrews at West Bromwich Albion.

They will be the key in Ireland's strong defensive strategy. If they can bottle up Modric and force other Croatian players to fuel the attack, they'll have done their jobs and given Ireland a major advantage. But if Modric is given space and time to clinically play passes to his teammates, the Croatian attack will eventually find the back of the net, and Ireland will lose this match.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets really wanted to have another.