Euro 2012 daily: Monday, June 18

• Reports from Italy suggest members of the Italian camp believe that even if they defeat Ireland they will not qualify as group rivals Spain and Croatia will play for a 2 - 2 draw.

• The Netherlands dismal Euro 2012 campaign came to an end last night with a 2 - 1 loss to Portugal leaving the Dutch without a win in the tournament.

• Balotelli is back in training and looks likely to face Ireland tonight in a match the Italians must win if they are to progress beyond the group stages of the competition.

• Wayne Rooney says England are contenders to win the Euro 2012 crown. Roy Hodgeson’s side only need to draw against Ukraine in their next match to progress to the quarter finals.

• Croatia will face formal charges from UEFA after reports were received of their fans making monkey noises to Italian striker Mario Balotelli.

TODAY’S MATCH SCHEDULE

Croatia v Spain

BBC1, 7pm

Italy v Republic of Ireland

BBC3, 7.30pm

ONE TO WATCH - Cristiano Ronaldo

He may have been criticised for not firing all cylinders in the first two games at this tournament but if last night’s 2 - 1 victory over the Dutch is anything to go by, Cristiano Ronaldo seems to have found form at exactly the right time. Ronaldo’s goal in each half saw Portugal finish second behind Germany in what has been widely dubbed the “group of death”.

EURO FACTS

The average price for a ticket at this year’s competition is 100 euro with the tickets for the final expected to officially fetch up to 2900 euro.

MEMORABLE GOAL OF EUROS PAST

Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria 1-0 Romania, Euro 96

Hristo Stoichkov’s solo goal started when he received the ball from team mate Rassimir Balakov 40 yards from goal.

He drew Miodrag Belodedici towards him with a slight pause and then ran straight at the heart the defence.

The trademark ferocious pace caused Romanian defender to slip allowing the then Barcelona striker to tear into the box and fire the ball past Bogdan Stelea.

LATEST ODDS

TOURNAMENT WINNER

Germany 23/10

Spain 12/5

France 7/1

TOP GOALSCORER

Mario Gomez 15/8

Fernando Torres 7/2

Cristiano Ronaldo 4/1