TV verdict: ‘It’s Stuttgart, it’s New Jersey, all rolled into one’, says George Hamilton

Italy in Lille. Them again, after the Stadio Olimpico, Giants Stadium and whatever accursed Poland region of hell it was that we’ve tried so hard for the past four years to forget about. Ireland have a new centre-half pairing and a new strike force. The RTÉ panel are dubious.

John Giles declares himself to be ‘disappointed’ with the selection. Liam Brady, on the other hand, reckons Ireland have a “really good chance”. The fan in Eamon Dunphy is hoping for victory, the football man is ‘indifferent’. Of course.

For their part, Italy have made eight changes, among them the introduction of Simone Zaza - such an asset in Scrabble if nothing else – and the world’s most unfortunately named centre-forward, Ciro Immobile. (Brother of La’Donna, the well-known opera singer and reputedly far more agile on a football field.)