Euro 2012 day three: what we've learned

And so the first weekend of Euro 2012 is over and thankfully, we're not bemoaning the lack of attacking football from the opening games as we were in South Africa two years ago. But apart from the fact that international teams have remembered how to attack again, what have we learned from the opening day of Group C?

Spain are beatable
There, I said it. Sorry to broadcasters across the world, but this Spanish team can be got at and Italy probably should have taken all three points today. The Italians are not fancied by many but today they were excellent both technically and tactically, and for long periods, Spain struggled to handle them. That difficulty was caused by Spain's tactical arrogance of playing six midfielders and no centre forward, which played into the Italians' hands. 

What was Del Bosque thinking? Call me paranoid, but I genuinely believe it was a move of bravura to demonstrate the fluidity of his Spanish team; to show they can easily do without such conventions as strikers, and will punish anyone that crosses their path with a blitz of short passing and rapid movement; 'we're Spain, come and have a go if you think you're hard enough'. It didn't work. Instead, it afforded Daniele de Rossi all the time in the world to spray the ball left and right, and to feed the imperious Andrea Pirlo. It will be interesting to see if we see the 4-6 formation again. I suspect not....

Andrea Pirlo is still class
Last summer Andrea Pirlo was seen as surplus to requirements at Milan. A club legend maybe, but everyone's time comes to an end and it was felt Pirlo's star was on the wane. But after winning Serie A with Juventus last season and today's brilliant performance, it's clear that there is still life in those twinkled toes of the Italian playmaker. 

Today's display of passing, pressing and maturity - his decision making nearly always spot on - was as good as I've seen from a central midfielder so far in this tournament, and we're in for a treat if we see a better one. The man oozes class and is exactly the calming influence that England don't have, nor have they ever had. He was a joy to watch against a fantastically talented Spanish midfield, and could be the key to Italy going further in this tournament than most of us imagined.

Ireland are out of their depth
As in, completely out of their depth. No pace, no subtlety and on the evidence of today's game against Croatia, absolutely no chance of going through to the knockout stages. 

Perhaps I'm being harsh on a team that draws most of its players from the lower reaches of the Premier League and the Championship, but their approach to today's game - knocking it long and hoping to win enough set pieces to nick a goal - seemed like something from another age. They struggled to keep the ball throughout the game and never really looked like getting much out of the game - bar a few corners. Simon Cox and Shane Long injected a bit of pace late on, and have to start in their next game if they are to improve on today's showing.

Peter Drury should not be allowed to commentate ever again
"Ireland's sheet has been stained". We all heard it, but let's close our eyes and remember the days when Brian Moore commentated on ITV and forget it ever happened eh? Please? Thank you.