Through the Trapp door?

IT surely is the ultimate irony — the Italians cry ‘foul’ before ever a ball is kicked!

Italy's desperate position in Group C of the European Championship is so fraught with danger for football's self-styled aristocrats that they are already propagating the theory that they are the victims of an international conspiracy.

Italy need a combination of results from tonight's fascinating matches to go through to the next round: they must win by at least three clear goals when they play Bulgaria in Guimaraes and hope that Sweden are not involved in a scoring draw in Oporto against Denmark.