Steven Gerrard has challenged England to overcome the loss of several key players when they launch their Euro 2012 campaign against France in Donetsk.

France coach Laurent Blanc says Yann M’Vila has returned to fitness following his ankle injury, but said he was unlikely to start tonight’s opener against England.

When you are the favourites, you play with pressure.

You could sense before the game that there was concern in the Dutch camp.

The Olympic Council of Ireland chief executive Stephen Martin is counting down the days to the London Games. Want a flavour of his July?

Last week, work took me to the German capital Berlin, where I spent four days in the company of cement kiln refractory specialists from around the globe.

It’s the eve of match day and there’s a sense from Giovanni Trapattoni that there’s not a lot more he can do now to prepare his players for one of the biggest games of their lives.

Glenn Whelan has seen the pictures of canines painted green, white and gold.

0 — Croatia have never conceded a goal in their opening match at a Euro finals (1-0 v Turkey, 1996; 0-0 v Switzerland, 2004; 1-0 v Austria, 2008).

Fourteen-match unbeaten run: It hasn’t all been plain sailing — remember Moscow? — but Ireland return to Europe’s top table tomorrow night on the back of an impressive unbeaten streak stretching back to 3-2 friendly defeat against Uruguay in March of last year.

When you really stop and think about it, Giovanni Trapattoni’s comments on Monday night were pretty startling.

Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi revealed he will play in defence against Spain in tomorrow’s Group C opener.

Premier League followers might be surprised, but Chelsea misfit Fernando Torres looks set for a more central role than Manchester City’s title winner David Silva for Spain this month.

Where once under-achieving Spanish players were more virility and machismo than style and substance, now they go in search of a hat-trick of major tournament titles.

You think you know Bill O’Herlihy. He’s like that inoffensive ornament on the living room mantel that blends in against a beige wall. The background noise you’ve got used to.

Times are hard but football’s gravy train rolls on.

Anything but a victory over Denmark would be a minor disaster for the Netherlands tomorrow.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who from a young age made no secret of his desire to be regarded as the best in the world, has been dogged for years now by a football snobbery that says no player can ever be regarded as ‘a true great’ until he has underlined his talent by weaving his magic on the World Cup or European Championship stage.

Ireland

Samir Nasri has admitted France are relieved they don’t have to face Wayne Rooney in their opening Euro 2012 clash on Monday but has singled out goalkeeper Joe Hart as the man who could prove to be an alternative hero for England if Roy Hodgson’s side are to upset the odds in Donetsk.