FIFA World ranking:
18th
Group opponents:
Group C:
v. Croatia – June 10 – Municipal Stadium Poznan, Poznan
v. Spain – June 14 – Arena Gdansk, Gdansk
v. Italy – June 18 – Municipal Stadium Poznan, Poznan
The road to the championship:
The Irish enjoyed a relatively stress free passage through to the Euro 2012 Championship finals, finishing second to Russia in Group B of qualifying. Giovanni Trapattoni’s talisman Robbie Keane was the main goal threat for the Boys in Green, leading the way with seven goals – the next best coming from Wolves forward Kevin Doyle, who scored two.
Placed in a weak group alongside the likes of Andorra and Macedonia, two crucial home and away wins against third placed Armenia secured qualification for the Irish, after an away win in Yerevan had kick-started their campaign.
Past success:
Group Stage: 1988
Star Players:
Robbie Keane – Ireland will have a heavy reliance on Keane come June, just as it did in the qualifying stages of the tournament. With seven goals, the Los Angeles Galaxy striker scored five more goals than any other Irish player in qualifying and at times looked virtually the only avenue to goal for Trapattoni’s side.
The likes of Kevin Doyle and West Brom’s Simon Cox will need to provide Keane support up forward to ensure he is not isolated against some of the world’s top defenders.
Aiden McGeady – Like Keane, McGeady is a crucial to the Irish set up, and an important part of the team’s midfield. Along with Glenn Whealan, McGeady played 12 matches in qualification, the most of any Irish player. McGeady’s performance in mifield will be crucial to Ireland’s chances, as will be his ability to link up with the experienced Damien Duff.
Player to watch out for:
Kevin Doyle – As mentioned above, the European Championships bring an important opportunity for Doyle.
With Wolves relegated from the Premiership this season, the finals could be somewhat of a shop window for the talented Doyle – who no doubt will want to continue to ply his trade in the top flight of English football. What better stage to showcase his talents against world-class defenders such as Sergio Ramos and Giorgio Chiellini.
Playing alongside Robbie Keane, Doyle’s form will be crucial to Ireland’s chances with the pair of strikers ill-affording to miss any chances that fall its way.
The Coach:
Giovanni Trapattoni – the veteran Italian coach took charge of the Irish in 2008, after over thirty years coaching some of the largest club sides in Europe.
Entering the job with a large reputation as one of the Serie A’s most successful club coaches, Trapattoni was unlucky not to guide the team to the 2010 World Cup. Yet the team bounced back from the ‘Hand of Frog’ debacle, and qualified the Irish for the European championships – only the second time the country has been able to do so must be considered a success.
Trapattoni’s four-year reign at the helm of the Irish national side has given great stability to the Republic of Ireland’s set up, which had endured a constant turnover of coaches in previous years.
Unfortunately, it seems the veteran Italian has an uphill battle to see his side exit the group stages for the first time in European Championship history. The Irish have been drawn in what many have dubbed the ‘Group of Death’, alongside perennial giants Spain and Italy as well as the underrated – yet dangerous – Croatians.
Classic EURO moment:
Whilst the Republic of Ireland’s participation in the European Championship finals has been limited there is no doubting it is its finest ‘EURO moment’.
In Ireland’s ’88 campaign, the Boys in Green defeated rivals England in its first match of the tournament 1-0; courtesy of Ray Houghton’s sixth minute strike. Despite not picking up another point in the tournament the Irish win consigned local rivals England to the bottom of Group B.
Prediction:
Being placed in the ‘group of death’ has Ireland starting from the backmarkers for its European finals campaign without a ball being kicked. It would be considered a minor miracle in the football world if the Irish are able to advance from the group stages. Yet Spain, Italy and Croatia should all prove too strong for an Irish side lacking considerable depth, which won’t progress beyond the Group Stage.
Jonathan Demos is a third-year Bachelor of Journalism student at La Trobe University. You can follow him on Twitter: @jldemos
upstart is previewing each of the final teams in the lead up to the EURO 2012. Tomorrow’s team: Croatia