The Funny Football

I remember saying that the Czech Republic was probably the weakest side at the Euros, in a previous post.

But now a new contender emerges: The Republic of Ireland.
What a team of almost-amateurish players! You can't help but laugh at their antics in the game against Croatia.

Of course, this Ireland squad also had a tremendous amount of bad luck in this particular game. But they really, really had to do better against the team that was supposedly the weakest of their three upcoming opponents. They didn't, and I think it's safe to say Ireland will not advance past the group stage at this competition.

Three minutes into the game, and Croatia was already 1-0 up. Irish goalkeeper Shay Given should have done better against Mandzukic's header.
Ireland ties the game before the 20th minute, but do they manage to hold onto that result till half-time?
No.
With two minutes left in the first half, Ward forgets how to properly clear a ball in his penalty area and manages a perfect sliced pass backwards, exactly to Jelavic (who ordinarily would have been in an offside position, but is not judged as such because of Ward's tremendously uninspired clearance), and the Everton striker puts Croatia ahead again.
Wow! (Blame the stupid rule, not the referee!)

And the worst was not over for the Irish.
Three minutes (- Again, 3 minutes, and again Mandzukic with the Croatian effort! -) after the break, a Croatian header hits the post, comes back out, but ricochets into the goal off of the head of the unfortunate Given. Pinball stuff! And this goal can surely make some viewers have a nice laugh.

After that, Ireland had a few chances that could have put them back into contention, but those did not go their way, either.
Even though Irish fans could invoke the lack of good luck, I don't think any other teams making it at a final tournament like this one could play in such a bumbling fashion. So, a very large part of the blame belongs to their own players.

Highlights:

Ireland Republic v Croatia by shmooot