The scenario Italy feared from the start in this tournament was needing a win against Ireland with Spain and Croatia both in a position to qualify with a draw.

CESC FABREGAS has warned stand-in England skipper Steven Gerrard and his team-mates they will be wasting their time trying to “rough up” Spain in tonight’s friendly.

THE GAA could agree to open up Croke Park on a once-off basis to host the 2008 European Soccer championships, but only if it managed to negotiate a financial package with the Government that would be too good to turn down.