IT’S ALL GETTING very real now. There was a bite about the final practice match in Gdynia. Ireland were even practising penalties.
And, duly, Giovanni Trapattoni was in quite a reflective mood. If also a state of readiness.
“I am not [exactly] excited. I am a little tense. But I want to keep a level of tension. A manager has to. It keeps the players [on edge]. It’s a positive tension.”
So, indeed, is the atmosphere around the camp.
“We are very well. Fresh in mind, fresh in body. I think one day after the Budapest game, there was a bit of a strange atmosphere. But I saw this morning, we were back to normal.”
“In every competition, one or two days before — even the Champions League final — it is a little bit tense. I think we are conscious of our quality, though. Remember, we have good quality, good balance, good mentality, our strength.”
Not to mention a full-strength team. Trapattoni all but confirmed — as many have been expecting — that the side which started the Hungary will indeed play against Croatia.
“I think, without the surprise or the injury, sure I’ve called back the same XI.”
He also insisted that there has never been a doubt about Shay Given’s fitness, after the goalkeeper finally completed a full training session yesterday for the first time since going off at half-time against Hungary.
“I had no doubt about that [Given’s ability to train]. He can play.”
As for the team they will play, Trapattoni stated that Croatia’s perceived superiority won’t have any bearing on Sunday. “They are before us in the ranking. Many players play in England, Germany. Our team know their opponent but no result is confirmed until the match is played.”
Underdogs
He responded to questions about replicating Greece’s feat from Euro 2004 on a similarly sagacious note.
“In the life, never say never. Obviously, it’s easy to dream. But, after that, there is 90 minutes, 90 minutes, 90 minutes. After six games, maybe the dream comes true?”
(Ireland are currently over 100/1 on Betfair to win the tournament)
Trapattoni, meanwhile, also got quite sentimental about the number of Irish fans who have travelled… and talked about them in quite an endearing, possessive way.
“I always repeat to the players: you must be proud of our country, our people. They have made a big sacrifice: the money, the travel, the trip. The players know this. I repeated this before training. Obviously football is only 90 minutes, we guarantee our people total 100% attitude.
“I clarified, also, what I want of them [the squad]. I said they have important duty: to give all that’s possible to do to win. For Ireland, for our team, for our people it’s important.
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni with Richard Dunne earlier. Pic: Inpho
If anyone was expecting Trapattoni to be sentimental about his age, though, they could think again. When it was put to the manager that Sunday’s game will make the oldest manager to have ever taken charge of a team at the European Championships, he responded with a quip.
“For me, it’s as if I was 20. I am fresh. Above all, I am always hungry for news, information. I watch every game so I can discover another little situation. I always want to know new things so I can discover another little situation, to know new things that I didn’t know before.
“The general, before the war, said: ‘only the man who is not curious about the next news is old.”
“I feel I can start the game. If I go back 15 years, I can play.”
How’s that for a state of readiness?
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Well he pretty much got hit by a car in the Wales game and was 100% in minutes !! He could get over anything in 48 hours !!
And if I remember correctly, the car is a write-off.
Hopefully if won’t spread through the camp.
I can’t believe they’re out camping in this weather! Mad stuff!
In BOD we trust
Too much partying with Seanie Fitz Bod???
http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/seanie-fitzpatrick-anglo-irish-went-2671143
http://www.contactmusic.com/photo/sean-fitzpatrick-brian-odriscoll-testimonial-dinner_3932733
I’m sure Bod will recover- he’s seen worse. Great to see Donnacha back in camp and driving up the standards. Sounds like Schmidt has everyone playing for the collective.
Can’t remember Ireland ever being able to lose a match and have such an outstanding points difference that the championship was still on.
This, and Cole’s absence makes me quitely confident.
Roll on that flight on friday. Twickers here we come.
Who starts instead of O’Driscoll. Candidates are Marshall (a 12), Henshaw (Inexperienced / better fullback) Cave (untried) McFadden (better for sub role / better winger), Bowe (not fully fit / untried). I assume McFadden as cover last week is the likely call. Not sure if there is any outstanding candidate for this game but Cave as a natural 13 nearly gets my vote. When Payne becomes eligible in autumn he leapfrogs them all. Hopefully O’driscoll recovers because without him an edgy win will become a narrow loss
If BOD out has to be Cave at 13, im a big Henshaw fan but he better suited to FB and his best performances for Connacht has been there
I’d agree with you on Cave. He’s a natural 13 who is in great form. If you can’t get in scoring the way he has been provincially this year, then you’re forever doomed.
That said, I’d also like to see Madigan go in the centre. I continue to believe that might be his way to break in.
Cave is injured.
Cat amongst the pigeons here but I would think there’s a real chance of Darcy to 13 and Marshall at 12.
There’s a few options, joe had used Darcy at 13 before, pushing Marshall to 12.
He could go for any of henshaw, cave or McFadden and of course joe being joe there’s always the option he has up his sleeve.
If we can manage without PoC on the morning if a game then we can do the same without bod with a weeks notice.
Big difference between England and Scotland though Chris. I’d prefer to have BoD there before any one else. Defensive ability if no other reason. I think it would upset the team a bit too.
Who’s Bug?
And this is the start of the mind games.. Latest score = 1-0 to schmidt
Darcy to 13 and Luke Marshall at 12 if BOD isn’t fit? If I remember correctly Darcy made his debut in Paris in 2004 at 13 when BOD was injured
Trimble can cover outside centre, McFadden to the wing Henshaw to the bench.
It will be Henshaw if BO D is out, good game to try him out. If your good enough your old enough as they say
Odriscolls vertigo playing up again me thinks.
Does anyone here know where the Ireland rugby team usually train? I know that Leinster and Munster have their own facilities at the University College grounds and the Ireland football team uses Malahide’s facilities at Ganon Park. Anyone?
Who’s bug?