June 9, 2012

Spain's soccer player Fernando Torres attends a training session during the Euro 2012 at PGE arena stadium in Gdansk June 9, 2012. (Tony Gentile/REUTERS)

LVIV, UKRAINE - 1. Spain 3, Italy 1—Italy will make a better showing than people expect but they just don’t have enough in the midfield to keep Spain under control. Spain holds the ball so long, they’ll create openings.

2. Croatia 2, Ireland 1 –Oh how it would be great for Ireland if they could come up with a win. Don’t discount them but Croatia’s been knocking on the door for a tournament breakthrough for several years and this may be it.