Czech Republic 0 Portugal 1

Czech Republic captain Tomas Rosicky’s latest injury concern threatens to derail a team that finally came up with a potent attacking display against Greece.

The Russian Football Association have appealed to their fans to behave better after UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings over their behaviour during the national team’s Euro 2012 victory over Czech Republic.

The Czech Republic joined Ireland in the Euro 2012 finals tonight after negotiating a potentially tricky night in Montenegro, Petr Jiracek's 81st-minute goal enough to give the Czechs a 1-0 win on the night and 3-0 on aggregate.

Czech Republic 2 Montenegro 0

ITALY have qualified for Euro 2012 as Giampaolo Pazzini’s late goal saw them past Slovenia 1-0 last night.

GARY CALDWELL admits he is aware that time is running out for him to play for Scotland in the finals of a major tournament.

UNLIKELY scoring hero Anthony O’Connor admitted last night that the enormity of his contribution to Ireland’s Under-19s’ European Championship win over Greece 24 hours previous was still sinking in.

HE SPEAKS with a soft English accent but, make no mistake, Kevin Foley’s roots are deep in Kingdom soil.

AFTER TALKING to Liam Brady about Wednesday’s game in Prague on the radio yesterday, Pat Kenny read out a listener’s text which, on the basis of its selection for airing, one can only presume to have been representative of the national mood.

Steve Staunton has backed midfielder Andy Reid to bounce back from the disappointment of being dropped and help steer his nation towards Euro 2008 qualification.

Ireland defender Richard Dunne insists his side still have every chance of qualifying for Euro 2008 despite their injury-time heartbreak against Slovakia on Saturday.

Ireland 1 England 1

WHEN people aren’t feeling sorry for them, they’re saying they shouldn’t even be admitted to the top table, but today your frank and fearless columnist asks: who wouldn’t want to play for San Marino?

Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given will exorcise his frustrations on Wednesday after an agonising eight weeks on the sidelines.

THE GOOD news for Steve Staunton is that Ireland’s next game is against San Marino. The bad news for Steve Staunton is that Ireland’s next game is against San Marino.

FAI chief executive John Delaney has revealed the “hurt” over the past week fired up Steve Staunton.

JOHN TOSHACK has dismissed suggestions he should look to the Wales old guard to bolster his young squad.

Football Association of Ireland president David Blood has insisted Steve Staunton’s position as manager is not under threat – even if the team lose to the Czech Republic tomorrow.

Former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat has resigned as coach of Holland, the KNVB confirmed today.

PITY the Euro 2004 managers whose loyalty to some tired old warriors was misplaced. How it cost them.

Rudi Voller has resigned as Germany coach after his side’s meek exit from Euro 2004, according to reports in the German media.

Germany midfielder Michael Ballack insists he and his team-mates are under no extra pressure as they attempt to book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004.

Dick Advocaat today summed up Holland’s daunting Euro 2004 dilemma with a huge understatement: “It’s a tricky situation.”

The showdown between giant Czech striker Jan Koller and Holland’s Jaap Stam could well be the key to tonight’s crunch Euro 2004 Group D clash in Aveiro.

Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs may freshen up his side for the match with Germany after a gruelling 2-1 defeat by the Czech Republic in their opener at Aveiro’s Estadio Municipal.

Kenny Cunningham believes the Republic of Ireland will face a tougher test against the Czech Republic tomorrow night than they did in last month’s friendly against Brazil.