Euro 2012 Talk: Bilic blames ref, Ireland's lament, a malevolent boot

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The Bilic tammy over-heated as the Croatia manager seethed over the referee's performance©SNS Group

So long, then, to the Republic of Ireland. We hardly knew ye.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s team, a side drilled in organisation and stoic defence, became the first side to book their plane home from Euro 2012 after another display riddled with disorganisation and charitable defending.

The result moved Spain back in to their comfy ‘tournament favourites’ chair, with Fernando Torres ordering a double from Ireland’s happy hour menu.

Meanwhile Italy continued to answer those match-fixing allegations by arranging, err…contesting a second consecutive 1-1 draw.

Slaven Bilic felt the referee was on Italy’s side during the match, but the official flatly denied the claims as he spoke to the press from the window of his brand new Lamborghini after the game.

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Spain were showing off before a whistle had even been blown in the match against Ireland.

His problems with bibs are well documented, but a new foe arrived to torment Mario Balotelli in training this week. A malevolent football boot troubled the maverick striker.

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