Russia Give Azzurri Blues for Italy

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Russia beat Italy 3-0 on Friday in the last warmup game before the European Championship to send the Azzurri to its first three-game losing streak in more than a quarter-century and cap a dismal week for Italian soccer.

Italy was done in by uncharacteristically poor defending in the second half, as Alexander Kerzhakov broke the deadlock after he was left unmarked in the 60th minute. Another defensive mistake allowed Roman Shirokov to score into an empty net in the 76th following a mix-up between substitute goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis and Christian Maggio.

Maggio was again at fault for Russia's third, which Shirokov headed home in the 89th.

The four-time world champions have lost three straight games for first time since 1983 and have not scored in 300 minutes.

Italy was looking for a morale-boosting victory, with the country embroiled in another match-fixing scandal which saw 14 people arrested on Monday and forced Prandelli to drop Domenico Criscito from his roster after the defender was placed under investigation.

Prandelli Frank About EURO 2012

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli claims he would have 'no problem' if the national team was withdrawn from Euro 2012 with the country gripped by another match-fixing crisis.

The Italy boss was speaking at the end of a week which has seen police make 19 arrests, including Lazio captain Stefano Mauri, while Prandelli dropped Domenico Criscito from his squad for the Euros after the Zenit St Petersburg defender was questioned at the team training camp.

Those events led Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti to suggest the game would benefit from being suspended for "two to three years" to root out the problem once and for all, but the scandal has only continued to spread with the lawyer of Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon forced to leap to the defence of his client amid further claims.

With confidence in Italian football now severely shaken, Prandelli seemed to echo the sentiments of Monti and others in suggesting that cleaning up the game is "more important" than carrying on as normal.

"If you told us that for the good of football we should not participate, it wouldn't be a problem for me," Prandelli told RaiSport.

"There are things that I believe are more important."

Prandelli added: "I dislike crusades. I prefer to face up to things and not take positions without considering the consequences.

"I would rather only talk about football, but events are conspiring against this."

Buffon

Prandelli was speaking after Buffon's lawyer appeared on television to reject claims about the Juventus veteran, who is not under investigation by the police.

Marco Valerio Corini told SkyTG24 television: "There is nothing which could even carry the faintest suggestion of a connection between Gianluigi Buffon and any betting activity that would concern him in any irregularity either with respect to federation rules or criminal law.

"There is not the slightest foundation for any suggestion that this is connected with a bet."

Prandelli admitted he did not know what effect the matter could have on his goalkeeper.

"We keep on saying those players caught up in the investigation will not be going to Euro 2012," he said.

"How is Buffon's mood? You should ask him. He is very strong, with a great personality. He manages to hide uncomfortable moments, but despite this, even a person like him can suffer in a difficult moment like this."

Criscito, who came under the microscope after prosecutors discovered a photograph of him speaking with other suspects, has spoken today of his own heartache at missing Euro 2012, while claiming that he has been made a "scapegoat" after his very public questioning on Monday.

"On Monday morning, I was shocked," the defender told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I never expected it. I have not done anything wrong in my life, as those who know me can attest.

"When I realised the reason for the questioning, I and my family co-operated fully.

"But I don't understand why, when this relates to a photograph of me that is more than a year old, they did not speak to me before, but instead waited until one day before the start of training."

Having been questioned under the full glare of the media at Italy's training camp, Criscito now fears he will forever be associated with the scandal regardless of whether he is found guilty of involvement.

"Being dropped from the squad, I know, makes me a symbol of the scandal," he said.

"I feel anger and sorrow because I should not be a scapegoat for something I am not involved with."

Criscito has also been angered by the fact that Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, who has also been placed under investigation, has not been dropped from the squad as he has not yet received an official notification from the authorities.

"We both should have gone to Euro 2012," Criscito added. "The fact that I received an official note does not mean that I'm guilty. Perhaps the FIGC should have read the order before cutting me from the team."

Italy Should Hail Cesare!

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Yet again Italy have emerged from the darkness of a domestic Serie A scandal to waltz through a major football tournament to reach a final that few would have predicted at the outset of EURO 2012. What’s more, they will now have a new belief that took Cannavaro to lift the trophy in Berlin six years ago, dismissing France in the final using a more typical style of Calcio – which on the day worked. As it has done as far back as the football records exist. 

After all they hold four world cup titles from 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006. They were also runners up in 1970 and 1994, with third places secured in 1990. At the same time in European Championships they won in 1968 and were runners-up in 2000. 

The shock for Germany is that their dominance of the EURO’s is now but a distant memory with wins back in 1972, 1980 and 1996; second places finishes in 1976 and 1992 – with the most recent lost final in 2008. 

This year was deemed the breakthrough for Germany, although a meeting with Italy was not part of the preferred plan given that in seven meetings - at either European or World Cup tournaments - Germany have failed to overcome, in football at least, their Southern European partners. A statistic that remains unchanged still today following the two goals from Italian striker Mario Balotelli and the unceremonious demotion of the champions apparent. Nothing learned either from the slip up on home soil in Dortmund in the 2006 World Cup semi-final. 

So after Thursday night in Warsaw that sense of crisis will return once again to German football last time the national team held a major trophy is now more than a generation in the past. The unexpected loss to Chelsea by Bayern Munich in the Champions League final at the Allianz Arena in May would only add to a new period of self evaluation. 

With a team averaging 23 years of age the German Football Federation [DFB] was looking to change history at EURO 2012 after the close calls in 2008 and 2010, which were also supposed to have helped the team mature. But Italy unexpectedly unravelled the German driving machine – in the same way Ferrari have undone Mercedes on more than one occasion in Formula 1 – and when tested Joachim Loew’s team had no gear change. 

That sense of crisis came long before the EURO 2012 semi-final this week, or the loss in Durban to Spain in the 2010 World Cup semi-final. Or indeed in Vienna to Spain at the EURO 2004 final, but back in 1997 when Borussia Dortmund won the Champions League, and Schalke 04 became UEFA Cup champions. 

Albeit the crisis identified at that time was a lack of quality players coming through the Bundesliga.

The match against Italy in the quarter-final was another test of the progress made with the current talent pool and the shortcomings found on this occasion were that the German system could be easily unsettled. And not unlike South Africa, the central defensive partnership this time a round was just as vulnerable as Per Mertesacker and Christoph Metzelder were in Durban - under the Spanish inquisition. Although in Warsaw the captain Philippe Lahm was uncharacteristically away from home when Andrea Pirlo released his pass for Super Mario’s goal number two. 

As a stalwart of the German side for more than eight years Lahm was unfortunate to be caught out this time – given his usual reliability and leadership. But that’s football. 

For Italian boss, Cesare Prandelli, it has been a tumultuous few weeks which all started out with the match fixing scandal, and affecting some of the players in the original squad. The sense of shame being such that Prandelli himself was ready to support any plan to have Italy banned from future International football. or if needed, leave the EURO 2012 tournament itself. 

It also pitched him at the group stage against the Republic of Ireland in the third match and his former boss at Juventus, Giovanni Trapattoni, where he played in midfield from 1979 – 1985. And left him having to manage the demands of the raw diamond that is Mario Balotelli, having left him out of game against Croatia. The reward from the Manchester City striker was a superb gaol that ensured a 2-0 win over the Irish and set Italia on their way to the quarterfinal. 

A day also where the master was taught a tough life lesson by his former pupil. And ahead of the final it is worth noting that the two teams have emerged out of Group C - from where Trapattoni fancied his chances of making an impact at this tournament. 

This illusory aspiration was highlighted further by the game plan Prandelli adopted in the semi-final - ditching his teachings at Juventus under Il Trap to play a more modern counter attack system. Still reliant on good zone defense but hinging on the quick release of the ball very quickly by Pirlo - once possession was regained from any German attack. The manager’s faith in Balotelli for such a key game is reminiscent of Roberto Mancini at City, and both have been able to exact a response from the talented – but moody - striker. 

The two goals in Warsaw that destroyed the most careful German planning showed a style of football of the golden days of Italian attacking play from 1994, 1990, 1982, 1970 and parts of 2006 world cup. Away from the negativity of 2002 where Italy were knocked out in the group stage. 

If Italy can retain that formula the attacking flair of Cassano and Super Marion will bring down Spain. A team still debating whether to play or not to play a centre forward. Based on the destruction of Germany by Prandelli the final will be an intriguing contest, with holders about to relinquish their EURO title. 

Hail Cesare! 

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Trapattoni Continues Phony Keane War

Giovanni Trapattoni has continued his war of words with Roy Keane after the ex-Republic of Ireland captain gave a second damning assessment of his side.

Ireland head into Monday night's final Group C fixture against Italy with their hopes of reaching the Euro 2012 quarter-finals long gone after comprehensive defeats by Croatia and Spain.

Keane, who struck his first blow in his role as a television pundit after Thursday night's 4-0 drubbing by the reigning champions, was even more withering in his Sunday morning newspaper column, suggesting Trapattoni should make 11 changes for Monday's game because the team which played in midweek is not good enough.

Trapattoni, who had his own say the following day, returned to the theme on Sunday evening when asked about the former Manchester United captain's latest verbal assault.

The 73-year-old said: "He has been a great player and had great success. I don't know if he achieved the same results as coach or manager.

"I can ask him why? I think for intelligent man, I can't understand it."

Trapattoni then made a remark in Italian which was not translated, but proved to be less than complimentary.

The coach had hoped to approach the final game with qualification still a possibility, but will instead send his players out for what is a dead rubber for them, but very much alive for his native country.

Italy need to win and hope that Croatia and Spain do not play out a high-scoring draw, which would eliminate them regardless.

Inevitably, minds have returned to Euro 2004 when Denmark and Sweden draw 2-2 to dump the Italians out of the competition amid cries of foul play, and the conspiracy theorists are already in full flow.

Trapattoni said: "When things like this go on, we are all ready to think that we Italians are masters at making these agreements.

"We are famous - in fact, infamous - for it. Everything is the same in other countries. These things have happened all over the place. Great scars were left by this.

"We need to play our own game and ask for commitment from players for the people who pay our wages and our supporters.

"We have worked well. We will not change our approach because we lost two games. It would undermine our honour."

Greece v Russia - Preview - Group A

Dick Advocaat is confident Russia can win their final Group A encounter against Greece, whose coach Fernando Santos retains full faith in his players.

Russia are favourites to claim top spot in the group after following up an opening game thrashing of the Czech Republic by drawing 1-1 with co-hosts Poland on Tuesday.

Greece also drew 1-1 with Poland before losing 2-1 to the Czechs to leave the 2004 champions needing a win to have any chance of reaching the knockout phase.

Russia coach Advocaat said: "Whenever you go and play a game, you have to win and you have to want to win.

"We are very confident in ourselves. I'm sure the Greece coach will say the same thing."

A draw would be enough for Russia to qualify for the quarter-finals, while even a narrow defeat could be sufficient depending on the outcome of the Czech Republic-Poland game.

But top scorer Alan Dzagoev said: "I'm really sure that we will go through and we are very focused. We must go on the pitch and win the game.

"We don't feel relaxed. We simply must win."

Dzagoev has also urged Russia fans not to bring further shame on the country after violent, offensive and unsafe behaviour of supporters has already landed the Football Union of Russia a huge fine and a suspended six-point deduction for their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

He said: "Maybe they should be more calm. We don't need to lose six points in the next qualification so we don't want anything bad for our national team."

Meanwhile, Advocaat confirmed forward Aleksandr Kokorin would miss the rest of Euro 2012 after suffering a torn hamstring in training in Sulejowek on Friday.

Konstantin Zyryanov also missed the training session through sickness and was a doubt for the game.

Regarding Greece's task, Santos said: "My faith in my team is total. It's the same faith I had back in the autumn after our (qualifying) draw in Latvia.

"Back then, it was tense and we needed a victory against Croatia to have any chance of qualifying.

"I believed in that team, I said so, and afterwards I was vindicated. I am saying the same now."

Santos urged his players to forget Tuesday's Czech Republic defeat, saying: "We must leave it all behind us.

"We must take all our passion on to the pitch and I am sure we will make the Greek fans happy."

France v Ukaine - Preview - Group D

Victory for Ukraine against France in Donetsk on Friday will secure the co-hosts a surprise place in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.

Euphoria was the word on everyone's lips in Ukraine on Monday when Andriy Shevchenko - the golden boy of Ukrainian football - scored two goals against Sweden in Kiev to seal a 2-1 win that sent them top of Group D.

The sense of excitement was palpable and fuelled a growing belief that they can make it through to the knockout stages.

The result certainly altered the aspect of Group D, with the prospect of the two group favourites, France and England, missing out on the quarter-finals now a very real one.

A first win against France on Friday will ensure Ukraine's spot in the next round, leaving England, Sweden and the French to battle it out for the other qualification place.

However, in a very obvious bid to drag his players - and the country - down to earth, coach Oleh Blokhin is keen for everyone to regain a sense of perspective ahead of Friday's match.

After all, they are playing a France side who are unbeaten in 22 games and thumped Ukraine 4-1 in their last meeting in 2011.

"It's too early for euphoria! We've just won one match, and if we lose both our following games, we might as well wash that first win down the drain," warned the 59-year-old.

"I had a serious discussion with the players after [the match against] Sweden."

Meanwhile, France coach Laurent Blanc admits he was left frustrated after the 1-1 draw with England on Monday.

His side dominated possession and had the greater number of chances, but could not find their way past a stubborn Three Lions rear-guard.

He also admits the win for Ukraine has galvanised the host country and that could make things even tougher for Les Bleus.

"The country is in a state of euphoria," he said of the co-hosts. "The people will be behind the team more than ever now.

"It's going to be a hard game, there's no doubt about it, but we will prepare ourselves in the same way we have planned."

Coach Blokhin could opt to field a slightly more defensive line-up than the one that beat Sweden in Kiev on Monday, with Ruslan Rotan a contender to come in and bolster the midfield.

However, that would mean one of strikers Andriy Shevchenko or Andriy Voronin - both very impressive on Monday - dropping to the bench.

Shevchenko, at 35, would be the logical choice to take a rest, but following his heroics against Sweden it is unlikely he will be dropped.

For France, Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila has fully recovered from an ankle injury and could come in at the expense of Alou Diarra.

That is expected to be the only change made by coach Blanc, though Hatem Ben Arfa and Marvin Martin and Olivier Giroud remain options from the bench.

Denmark v Portugal - Preview - Group B

After finishing behind them in qualifying for Euro 2012, Portugal take on a familiar foe in Denmark on Wednesday knowing a win is vital if they are to keep their Group B hopes alive.

Morten Olsen's men arguably produced the shock of the tournament so far when they defeated 2010 World Cup finalists the Netherlands 1-0 on Saturday to go top of the table.

Germany's subsequent 1-0 won over Portugal sent them level with the Danes at the summit and piled the pressure on Paulo Bento's men, who know there is no margin for error in this year's 'group of death'.

Defeat to Denmark in Lviv would all but eliminate Portugal from the competition with a game to spare.

"The Germany defeat has left us in a difficult situation but we have been here before," said a defiant Bento, who replaced Carlos Queiroz two games into Euro 2012 qualifying.

"We've only won one of the last four games against Denmark but we don't dwell on past games.

"This is another time, with different preparations and in different circumstances. Tomorrow we will face very strong opponents and we will have to play our own game from the start. Denmark are in a more comfortable position and are strong on the counterattacks so we need to be aware.

"I continue to think we can get through to the quarter-finals. We lacked a greater capacity in the final third of the pitch against Germany, particularly in the first half but our strategy remains to be strong all round, not to rely on counterattacking."

Speaking of Denmark's win over the Netherlands, Bento added: "It didn't surprise me. They have great organisation and really sought to starve the Netherlands of space. The Dutch missed chances but Denmark had one and took theirs.

"There are no favourites tomorrow. Of course, Denmark are better placed but we'll give 100% and, having beaten them before, we know we can beat them again."

Denmark meanwhile have every reason to be confident going into this fixture against increasingly familiar opponents.

Not only did they finish above them in Euro 2012 qualifying but also in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, winning two and drawing one of their four meetings.

Striker Nicklas Bendtner has yet to lose when playing against Portugal and has scored all three of his competitive games against them as well as in a 4-2 friendly victory.

However, he is quick to play down his side's chances, despite his recent goalscoring exploits.

"When you name all those things [statistics] then yes, you could say that [we are favourites]. But when you look at their players, they are all at top clubs and have shown their talent over the years," said Bendtner, who is set to win his 50th international cap on Wednesday.

"We're building a new team at the moment but we stand united and have great players of our own - as we showed against Netherlands.

"Portugal may have better players but which is the greater side we will have to wait and see. I think you rarely see a team like ours, always ready to make that extra run for your team-mate - no matter who the opponent is."

Speaking of reaching 50 international caps, Bendtner added: "I'm so proud.

"It means a lot to me to represent my country, and though I have done it for so many matches, it still feels the same as it did on my debut."

Fans and Police Clash In Warsaw

Soccer hooligans clashed with rival fans and police before and during Poland's game Tuesday against bitter rival Russia, leaving 15 injured, and more than 100 people were detained.

After scattered fighting in the Polish capital before the match, police fired rubber bullets at a group of fans who attacked them with bottles and stones near an outdoor fan zone in central Warsaw where about 75,000 people were watching the game on huge screens. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

None of the injured, including a police officer, was in life-threatening condition.

Security camera footage was being studied by police to try to identify the people involved.

Following the incidents, the website of Moscow radio station Ekho Moskvy reported that Russian authorities were sending Mikhail Fedotov, head of the presidential council on human rights, to Warsaw to help deal with the situation.

About 5,000 Russian fans marched to the match at National Stadium to celebrate the Russia Day national holiday. The two countries share a difficult history, including decades of control by Moscow over Poland during the Cold War. Many Poles believed authorities shouldn't have allowed the Russians to march as a group in Warsaw, given the historical wounds.

One of the most violent incidents occurred during the march. Polish hooligans attacked Russians, who responded violently. The two sides, made up of dozens of men, kicked and beat each other in the face, while flares could be seen exploding in their midst.

Journalists from The Associated Press saw several people lying injured and bleeding on the ground, with one of them appearing to be seriously hurt. Poland and Russia fans were also seen fighting and throwing stones outside the stadium.

Near the fan zone, new fighting apparently unrelated to nationalist tensions broke out among Polish fans. Police responded with rubber bullets and tear gas and made some arrests. Some of the men wore Polish team T-shirts and one said he was attacking police simply because he didn't like them.

Before the game, Russian fans clashed with police on a bridge near National Stadium, and police were later seen making arrests. The news agency PAP reported that police used water cannons and tear gas to quell the disturbances.

In another incident, a group of clearly drunken Polish men began fighting among themselves, hitting and kicking each other. Two were on the ground bleeding and police intervened, throwing two more to the ground. The men were holding cans of beer and mumbling and one appeared to be unconscious. An AP reporter witnessed the incident and saw police detain three people.

In recent days, Polish media have tried to stir up nationalistic sentiments over the match, suggesting the encounter would be more than a simple soccer game. Newspapers Monday were full of dramatic references to Poland's victorious 1920 battle against the Bolshevik army, known as the Miracle on the Vistula.

The Super Express tabloid carried a front page mocked-up picture of Poland coach Franciszek Smuda charging on horseback, saber in hand, in a 1920 Polish army uniform under the headline "Faith, Hope, Smuda" -- a play on an old army motto: "Faith, Hope, Motherland."

Poland v Russia - Preview - Group A

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Balotelli Agent Expresses Disappointment

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Mario Balotelli's agent has expressed his disappointment over comments made by UEFA president Michel Platini in response to the Italian striker's declaration that he would walk off the pitch at Euro 2012 if he was racially abused.

Balotelli made it clear before the tournament started that he would not tolerate racism and Platini agreed with him that a tough stance needed to be taken in Poland and Ukraine.

However, Platini insisted that it would be up to the match officials to stop a game if there were problems, saying: "It's not a player, Mr Balotelli, who's in charge of refereeing."

Platini also stated that any player who walked off the pitch would receive a yellow card, and Balotelli's agent is unhappy that UEFA did not show more support.

Mino Raiola said: "I have to say that the reaction of UEFA to what Mario said was very strange and I would have expected a different reaction.

"Mario has had this problem before and in Italy we have a saying: Racism is ignorance.

"Mario is the kind of lad where this kind of abuse glides off his back but I was very disappointed with what Michel Platini said and a lot of people are with me on that. I can't say I'm surprised by the reaction, though.

"I don't believe Platini has done anything to improve the game or help the position of players - as his reaction to Mario shows."

Raiola has been impressed by the approach the English Football Association has taken to race issues and says the rest of the world could learn a lot.

He said: "I have had meetings with the FA and they've been very proactive. They are ahead of other countries in Europe."

England Lose Lampard to Injury

Frank Lampard has been ruled out of England's Euro 2012 campaign. The Chelsea midfielder suffered a thigh injury in training on Wednesday and went for a scan on Thursday afternoon to discover the extent of the damage.

However, Lampard and Roy Hodgson were preparing for the worst and the Football Association has now confirmed that the player, who will be 34 next month, will not be part of England's 23-man squad. Jordan Henderson had been placed on standby.

England have already had to deal with the loss of one midfielder, Manchester City's Gareth Barry, who suffered a stomach injury in Saturday's friendly win in Norway.

For Lampard, it potentially spells the end of his England career, with Hodgson expected to offer the younger midfielders a chance to prove themselves during next autumn's World Cup qualifying programme.

Henderson will be called into the England squad providing Hodgson receives approval from Uefa, which should be automatic as Lampard has suffered a fresh injury after Tuesday's deadline.

Lampard was only in his second day of training for the tournament, having joined the squad late after winning the Champions League with his club against Bayern Munich on 19 May.

Hodgson said: "It's a huge blow for the team, especially coming after the loss of another senior player in Gareth Barry. The fact that the doctor cannot guarantee Frank could take part in any of the group matches means we have to replace him in the central midfield area.

"Apart from it being a huge blow to me and the team, I'm especially disappointed for Frank himself. He has been in very good form and was looking forward to the tournament. He made a huge contribution towards us qualifying for the Euros so it is cruel to be forced out through injury just before the tournament."

Mamma Mia More Republic Betrayal

Torres on Target Against South Korea

Josh Faces EURO Hungary Test

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Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni admits he may have to look at other options if John O'Shea fails to regain fitness in time for next Monday's friendly against Hungary.

The Sunderland defender is a doubt for the Budapest clash after sitting out Saturday's 1-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium with a niggling ankle injury.

Trapattoni is confident the 31-year-old will shake off the problem in time for Monday's game but has hinted he will have to look for an alternative ahead of Euro 2012 if the stopper fails to recover.

"I think O'Shea can play in Hungary. He assured me that he can be ready. But we wait because in Budapest he must play," the coach is quoted as saying in the Irish Examiner.

"I preserve him against Bosnia, like (Shay) Given. I said I would not run the risk but in Hungary he must play or else we have to look at another option."

Trapattoni was disappointed to lose Keith Fahey after the Birmingham midfielder was ruled out of the Euros with a groin injury.

"The players were sad for him, it is a pity," he added.

"We gave him our regards and said see you in August and again in the future. But at the moment we must concentrate on what we can do."

Paul Green, who will depart Derby this summer when his contract expires, has been called up to replace Fahey and Trapattoni is backing him to bring something extra to his midfield.

He said: "I thought very, very long about him and spoke with Marco (Tardelli). Paul Green is a particular kind of player.

"I know you (in the media) don't like him, you like only players who play the violin. But, for Italy, (Gennaro) Gattuso has been one of team's most important players.

Mentality

"There are players we need who have this mentality. They can't all be playmakers."

"Darron Gibson has other qualities and I complimented him on his performance against Bosnia. That is the Gibson I wish to have. But Paul Green can be like (Andy) Keogh against (Andrea) Pirlo when we played Italy in Liege last year.

"I need this type who does not permit others to play. Green has this quality. He has an attitude

McClean Out of the Traps for Bosnia

Sunderland winger James McClean will make his first senior start for the Republic of Ireland in their friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday.

The 23-year-old will line up on the left, although manager Giovanni Trapattoni has indicated Aiden McGeady will also play some part in the game.

McClean has one cap to his name having made his international debut in February, coming off the bench for McGeady in a friendly against the Czech Republic at the Aviva Stadium.

Defenders Richard Dunne and Sean St Ledger will both start after shaking off groin injuries, while Paul McShane, who was this week drafted in as cover, will start at right-back.

Keiren Westwood will take Shay Given's place in goal with the Aston Villa man recovering from a knee injury.

Republic team to face Bosnia-Herzegovina: Westwood; McShane, Dunne, St Ledger, Ward; Duff, Gibson, Whelan, McClean; Keane, Doyle.

Republic Ready to do a Greece

Kevin Doyle has revealed Giovanni Trapattoni has challenged Republic of Ireland's players to 'do a Greece' at Euro 2012.

The odds are stacked against Trapattoni's team as they have been drawn in a group which also includes Spain, Italy and Croatia.

But Doyle and his team-mates are being repeatedly reminded of Greece's sensational upset win under another veteran Otto Rehhagel in 2004.

Doyle said: "If you are in it, you have a chance. I don't think it's madness.

"The manager has used the example plenty of times of Greece. But the toughest part really is getting out of our group because it's so difficult.

"But it shows whenever we play the big teams, we compete and do well in these tournaments.

"We seem to get out of the group stages - the quarter-final in 1990 and the World Cup in 1994, we got through the group, and the (2002) World Cup, we got through the group, so we have a good history when we have been involved in the Euros or World Cups.

"We have all seen Irish teams do well in World Cups, so hopefully that will rub off on us."

Doyle, who is set to lead the line alongside skipper Robbie Keane this summer, believes the Republic have shown in the recent past they are not to be underestimated.

Italy failed to beat them home or away in the last World Cup qualifying campaign, and succumbed 2-0 in a friendly in the Belgian city of Liege last summer.

For that reason, the 28-year-old does not expect any of their Group C opponents will take them lightly.

The striker said: "I hope not - Italy won't, I am sure, because they have experienced it three times in the last few years.

"Last summer was a great result for us and they will know what to expect.

"Our manager, I think, gets that little bit more excited when we are playing Italy than normal as well.

"He will know them inside-out and we will be prepared. They are a good team, Croatia, Spain - it's going to be very difficult, we are not stupid.

"But I am sure they are not thinking it is going to be anything but difficult against us as well."

Doyle joined up with the squad on Sunday having had some time to come to terms with his disappointment at Wolves' relegation from the Premier League.

Release

He and club-mates Stephen Ward, Kevin Foley and Stephen Hunt could be forgiven for feeling down in the dumps, but the former Reading forward claims the emotion is very different.

He added: "The opposite. It's a release. It's great to have this at the end of a very tough season, to be able to finish on a high note, hopefully.

"There are four of us from Wolves in the squad and we have all said the same thing. We have had a reason to keep going the last couple of months to make sure we were right for this.

"A few of the Wolves lads were jealous. It has been such a tough season, and they had to go off and try to forget about it.

"We have got this to be excited about and to have something really brilliant to look forward to.

"It's kept us going, definitely. I am really looking forward to it now."

Doyle will return to his club after the finals to start work with a new manager in the shape of Norwegian Stale Solbakken, and that too is a challenge he will relish.

He said: "I am excited. He had a season like us last year, but apart from that, he has been very successful.

"Stephen Kelly and Damien Duff play with (Brede) Hangeland at Fulham, and he played under him and he told them he is very, very good.

"I think we have done well to get him."

Czech Republic Name EURO Squad

Hodgson to Name Squad May 16

England boss Roy Hodgson will name his Euro 2012 squad on Wednesday, 16 May.

The new England boss has until 29 May to make alterations to his party for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine, at which point a final 23-man list must be submitted to Uefa.

England's players are scheduled to report for a four-day training camp in Spain on 21 May.

Hodgson will name his initial Euro 2012 party three days after the end of the Premier League season.

It is also three days before the Champions League final.

England have two friendlies, against Norway in Oslo on 26 May and at home to Belgium on 2 June, before their first Euro 2012 match - and the first competitive fixture of Hodgson's tenure - against France on 11 June.

He is combining his new job with his position at the Hawthorns until the Premier League side's final game of the season against Arsenal on Sunday.

Group D fixtures

11 June: France

15 June: Sweden

19 June: Ukraine

OSM news service

Bert van Marwijk Names Dutchmen

Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul and Swansea keeper Michel Vorm have both been named in Netherlands' 35-man provisional squad for Euro 2012.

Twelve players must be trimmed from Bert van Marwijk's squad by 29 May.

Trapattoni Names Republic Squad

Republic of Ireland have named their squad for the 2012 European Championship, and there is no place for Wigan's James McCarthy. McCarthy has revealed that he has made the decision to withdraw his name from selection due to his father being diagnosed with cancer......