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Trap as Italy boss in 2004. Hochzwei/Hochzwei/Press Association Images

Trapattoni aims to go out on a high against Azzurri

The Ireland manager spoke of “playing with honour” in the final Group C game in Poznan tomorrow.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI FINDS himself in a very unusual situation tomorrow.

Eight years ago, infamously, his Italian team were knocked out of Euro 2004 by a mutually beneficial 2-2 draw between Sweden and Denmark after all three teams had ended level on five points.

Tomorrow, the same result between Spain and Croatia will eliminate the Italian team he now opposes. It all adds a huge layer of intrigue to what is already a fight for pride from Ireland.

“The same things don’t always repeat themselves,” Trapattoni insisted. “I think it’s actually because that they have occurred in the past that the bodies in charge of this will keep a close eye on things. There are still doubts about [the Sweden-Denmark draw in 2004]. But I don’t see this happening again.

“I must admit that, when situations like this go on, we’re all ready to think that we Italians are the masters at making these agreements. This is what we’re infamous for, if you will. But I think the grass is always greener… these things have happened all over the place, not just Italy. There are great scars left by this. We must play our own game. I have to ask for the greatest commitment possible.

“It’s no longer decisive for Ireland but, as I’ve already highlighted, we’ve got to show respect for a country that has supported this team when 3-0 down against Spain. Ireland is a country that deserves a great deal of respect so we have to play our own game.

Against Italy, we play for honour and the honour of the nation, with our supporters with us all the way. We all have a duty to do the best we can. Obviously, we do not want to go home with another defeat.”

“Football is important in the social aspect and this is the same for Ireland.

“This is what football offers you: great situations.”

Another great situation is the fact that Damien Duff will earn his 100th cap – only the fifth player in Irish history. As such, Robbie Keane has passed the captain’s armband onto him.

Trapattoni, naturally, only had praise for the day’s skipper.

“I am very happy for Robbie Keane to pass the armband on to Duff for his 100th cap. All of us should express gratitude to Damien, who is not just an excellent footballer, but a role model and example for future generations.”

With Duff’s place confirmed, Trapattoni then went on to announce that the future generations will actually have to wait: he will name the same team that started against Croatia.

Obviously, we do not want to go home with another defeat. I will play the same team that brought us qualification out of respect for my players.”

Trapattoni, meanwhile, also expressed great respect for his former player and opposing manager, today, Cesare Prandelli.

“I think he’s done a very good job since taking over. He’s changed players, given the squad a sense of professionalism, respect, a playing style. He got them through the qualifying campaign in excellent fashion.

“So, I think he’s demonstrated he’s very wise. He’s shown this with the way he’s dealt with players like [Mario] Balotelli, [Antonio] Cassano. He’s got great character so I’m very happy for some I’ve really rated as a player, and especially a coach.”

Having mentioned the players, Trapattoni also spoke of how he hope Balotelli would eventually emulate Cassano.

“He [Balotelli] has had problems in the past and we’ve said the same things about Antonio Cassano: a young boy, someone who needs to grow up but I think Cassano has grown up a lot.”

Duff plays down taking captain’s armband for 100th cap

‘What has he won as a manager?’ – Trap takes a swipe at Keane

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51 Comments
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    Mute Johnnathan Biskalero
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    Jun 17th 2012, 8:36 PM

    what a joke you have become Trap……..resign please for the sake of our football team, just seen the selection…dear god above the man has no clue !! Shane Long should be on that pitch simple as , Keane should be dropped but of course Trap does not want to hurt is big ego…..very sad for this team !!

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    Mute camada
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    Jun 17th 2012, 8:35 PM

    As long as the money keeps rolling in, he’ll say whatever the irish want to hear! Why can’t those in the know, not see through him!

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    Mute Bridie Greene
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    Jun 17th 2012, 9:08 PM

    The only way that team is going ‘out on a high’ is by getting a kilo of heroin and sniffing the lot

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    Mute Noel Preston
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    Jun 17th 2012, 9:22 PM

    Somebody correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think sniffing heroin would get you high :-D

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    Mute Audrius Neviera
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    Jun 17th 2012, 10:49 PM

    Top 2 comments today;)

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    Mute Sesal OToole
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    Jun 17th 2012, 9:04 PM

    Soccer is a joke in this country. Watch the Sunday Game tonight and watch real sportspeople playing a brilliant game. Soccer is a depressing game played and supported by people who have no knowledge of what sport is all about.

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    Mute Noel Preston
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    Jun 17th 2012, 9:19 PM

    You are the one who has no knowledge of what sport is about.

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    Mute Patrick Kenealy
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    Jun 17th 2012, 10:01 PM

    That GAA is crap too in fairness,cycling is the real sport:)

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    Mute Martin Healy
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    Jun 17th 2012, 10:48 PM

    Soccer , real football is the greatest game on Earth. Just because ireland had a bad tournament doesn’t make soccer bad. You’d never get a TV audience of 1.4 mil for the all Ireland final. But you did for Ireland v Croatia

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    Mute Martin Ryan
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    Jun 18th 2012, 3:42 AM

    Ignorant comment of the highest order. If its such a proper sport why is not played all over the world and why don’t the players get paid to play?

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    Mute RG Cuan
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    Jun 18th 2012, 5:55 PM

    It’s a bit pointless attempting to compare the merits of GAA to soccer in this way but some of the comments above are well off target.

    The All-Ireland finals are the most watched sporting events in Ireland year after year (they get over a million viewers in the south with a few hundred thousand in the north) and the reason Gaelic players are not paid is because they are amateur sports. We don’t want to ruin our national sports with professionalism.

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    Mute Sean Macc
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    Jun 17th 2012, 9:44 PM

    Ireland are an embarrassment. We’re only two goals away from becoming the worst team in the history of the Euro’s. You’ll never bate the Irish (at drinking and being $hit).

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    Mute Ben Calton
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    Jun 17th 2012, 10:03 PM

    Are you Paula Brennan in disguise?

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    Mute Martin Healy
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    Jun 17th 2012, 10:52 PM

    Seasal ,your pulling our legs here mate. Or maybe you actually believe that crap the Christian brothers brain washed ya with

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    Mute Sean Armstrong
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    Jun 18th 2012, 10:15 AM

    Hi Sesal, I can understand your hatred for other sports as the GAAs influence on young people wanes. However, instead of making points that people can agree with, you are coming across as a pretty poor troll. Typing from Poznan in Poland, yep, loads of the supporters are drunk. 2 nights ago the police were decked out in riot gear for the polish match. Last night, they just wore their usual outfits and there was about half the number, to deal with twice the number of Irish fans. Say all you want, the fans over here are incredible. No trouble whatsoever. Why do we sing long after the final whistle? Because you’d have to be pretty stupid to get upset and head home from the euros because we played badly. It’s about more than the results mate.

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    Mute Killian Fitzpatrick
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    Jun 17th 2012, 9:57 PM

    “I will play the same team that brought us qualification out of respect for my players.” What about respect for the fans Trap, the ones that deserve a decent game and possibly a respectable score. Choose a team that might actually achieve this!

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    Mute Audrius Neviera
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    Jun 17th 2012, 10:54 PM

    Well you see he is not stupid..at least he knows what to expect from “these” players… Imagine him changing most of the players and they draw or even win against Italy…he would be eaten with $hit for the first to match selections. Just a thought

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    Mute Celtic Lady
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    Jun 17th 2012, 9:06 PM

    Pray ??? Were you at Croke park today ????

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    Mute Thosj Carroll
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    Jun 17th 2012, 9:45 PM

    Celtic girl, I even pray for u too……where’s my thanks?

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    Mute Thosj Carroll
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    Jun 17th 2012, 9:05 PM

    Let’s pray for Ireland to win tomorrow…..

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    Mute Sesal OToole
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    Jun 17th 2012, 9:09 PM

    Don’t be daft. They will lose. We can then spend the summer watching hurling. We are all sick of the soccer thrash

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    Mute Mac Ready
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    Jun 17th 2012, 9:22 PM

    I think he wants to be sacked I’m sure it’s in his contract to get a big pay off so he can retire back to Italy!

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    Mute Sesal OToole
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    Jun 17th 2012, 9:40 PM

    Can we stop talking about this boring team and boring game. The Sunday game starts in a couple of minutes. Real honest players, soccer should be left to the playstations!

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    Mute Sean Mc Avinue
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    Jun 18th 2012, 12:25 AM

    Sesal O’Toole. No it doesn’t. It’s now 00.24hrs. All together now,,,
    Low lie the fields of Athenry
    Where we once we watched the small free birds fly. Our love was…….

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    Mute Ray Dempsey
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    Jun 17th 2012, 10:27 PM

    @sesal… The players tried their best and weren’t good enough. That is the level we are at. We are an average team and only in Ireland to we criticise our supporters for supporting

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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Jun 17th 2012, 8:40 PM

    Is he crossing his fingers in that picture?

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    Mute Pig Boy
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    Jun 17th 2012, 9:19 PM

    I reckon they have photoshopped a spliff out of the photo

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Jun 17th 2012, 11:11 PM

    No Sesal supports gaa and the catholic church.

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    Mute Adrian de Cleir
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    Jun 17th 2012, 11:01 PM

    Sad to see how the comments have unfolded in the space of a week.
    British media wouldn’t get a look in.

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    Mute Paul Murphy
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    Jun 17th 2012, 10:18 PM

    Cycling hahaha a 5year old can master that

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    Mute Ray Dempsey
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    Jun 17th 2012, 10:06 PM

    @sesal. Quit trollin….. 20000 thousand supports there and I don’t think they were all drunk

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    Mute Sesal OToole
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    Jun 17th 2012, 10:20 PM

    I’m sorry if the truth hurts. The soccer team and supporters have let our country down. Watching the Sunday game at the moment.

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    Mute Arsebiscuits
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    Jun 18th 2012, 1:23 AM

    just wait and see how many of our famous travelling supporters turn up at an eirtricity league match next week, not many! The FAI have ignored the domestic game, JD is paid more than the Taoiseach! We are the only team in Euro 2012 that has no representative from a domestic league. Speaks volumes for the state of the game here.

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    Mute Sean Armstrong
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    Jun 18th 2012, 10:19 AM

    Actually mate JD has instigated the largest reform of the domestic league ever. Since he has taken charge the sponsorship money has increased, there are more televised matches and teams are improving. The sad thing is that it coincided with the recession so clubs are going under regardless. In fact the FAI have started to insist on proper debt control for clubs which has made some clubs more stable.

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    Mute Ray Dempsey
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    Jun 17th 2012, 11:09 PM

    Are u a soccer supporter sesal?

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    Mute Liam Lyons
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    Jun 18th 2012, 1:37 AM

    Someone should tell Trap its not the eurovision….we can afford to win.

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    Mute john g mcgrath
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    Jun 17th 2012, 9:59 PM

    The only way he will be going out on a high is if he takes up smoking crack cocaine !!

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    Mute Peter Murphy
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    Jun 18th 2012, 1:20 AM

    Poor old trap done his best, with what he has to choose from. Delaney and fai have to review very quickly irelands future.

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    Mute Diarmuid Walshe
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    Jun 17th 2012, 10:37 PM

    The FAI should put a limit on the amount of caps a player can earn,thus making way for new talent.

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    Mute Ray Dempsey
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    Jun 17th 2012, 10:40 PM

    That has to be the most stupidest thing I have ever heard. Fool

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Jun 17th 2012, 11:10 PM

    then Mc grath, keane, Quinn, staunton, Irwin, and lots of other would have been finished before their primes dear god are you friends with Sesal?

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    Mute Pig Boy
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    Jun 17th 2012, 8:38 PM

    Time to unleash a bit of ” Mary Joe Warner ” then

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    Mute Sean Mc Avinue
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    Jun 18th 2012, 12:46 AM

    Sesal O’Fool Did you use the breathalyzer on the 20,000 plus, Irish fans?

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    Mute Conor Flynn
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    Jun 17th 2012, 11:08 PM

    we won’t with the team he picked.

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    Mute fizi_water
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    Jun 17th 2012, 11:35 PM

    In fairnes…regardless of players picked…

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    Mute jon_81111
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    Jun 18th 2012, 4:50 AM

    My god he is a total idiot isn’t he

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    Mute rayven
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    Jun 18th 2012, 1:22 AM

    Bringing mc clean long and Walters all premiership players to the euro and not starting then is just silly this is their opportunity to prove themselves with little to loose it’s way better for the new blood than ant friendly the old guard are past it now we need energy and guts now with some basic risk taking

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    Mute Thomas Mc Grory
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    Jun 17th 2012, 10:21 PM

    A high cliff and throw him and the team off

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    Mute Thomas Mc Grory
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    Jun 17th 2012, 10:18 PM

    A mile high cliff with a push

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    Mute Warren Kennedy
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    Jun 18th 2012, 8:44 AM

    Anyone else notice he’s the image of the oul italian guy in the father Ted episode “the over 75 5 a side indoor soccer game” lol

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    Mute Arsebiscuits
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    Jun 18th 2012, 2:53 PM

    So Monaghan United are gone. I also hear that Bray are holding an emergency meeting tonight. Derry were thrown out of the Europa Cup by UEFA although the FAI backed them. It’s a complete and utter mess.

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