Euro 2012 Group C Permutations: Italy must avoid the curse of 2-2 as Spain & Croatia do battle

Jun 18, 2012 7:55:00 AM

The holders are in pole position to secure qualification, while Cesare Prandelli's side require a win to stand any chance of progression into the last eight

It's tight for points in Group C, with Spain, Croatia and Italy still in the mix for a quarter-final spot.

The 2008 champions are safe in the knowledge that a win will see them top the group, while a draw will also be enough to qualify for the next round.

A 2-2 draw against Spain would see Slaven Bilic's side through at the expense of the Italians, who have already been reminded of Euro 2004 where they were dumped out of the competition in a similar scenario by Sweden and Denmark, who tied by the same scoreline in their final group game.

With Ireland already eliminated from the competition, it's up to Italy to capitalise and hope either Spain or Croatia lose, or a score draw sits below 2-2.

As we enter the final straight of the group stages, Goal.com presents all the various scenarios and potential outcomes for Group C...

	GROUP C AS IT STANDS	GP	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1	SPAIN	2	1	1	0	4	4
2	CROATIA	2	1	1	0	2	4
3	ITALY	2	0	2	0	0	2
4	IRELAND	2	0	0	2	-6	0

MATCHDAY THREE - JUNE 18:

Croatia v Spain (20.45 CET)

Italy v Ireland (20.45 CET)

If...	Italy win	Ita & Ire draw	Ireland win
Croatia win	Croatia through as group winners. Italy through in second place.	Croatia through as group winners. Spain through in second place.	Croatia through as group winners. Spain through in second place.
Cro & Spa draw	Spain progress as group winners. or Italy or Croatia through in second place. (1)	Spain through as group winners. Croatia through in second place.	Spain through as group winners. Croatia through in second place.
Spain win	Spain through as group winners. Italy through in second place.	Spain through as group winners. Croatia through in second place.	Spain through as group winners. Croatia through in second place.

(1) Positions determined by outcome of matches...

Italy win, Croatia 0-0 Spain - Italy first, Spain second

Italy win 1-0 or 2-0, Croatia 1-1 Spain - Spain first, Croatia second

Italy win by two clear goals and score at least three, Croatia 1-1 Spain - Spain first, Italy second

Italy win by four or more and score at least five, Croatia 1-1 Spain - Italy first, Spain second

Italy win, Croatia 2-2 Spain - Spain first, Croatia second

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