Tune in at 2:45 PM ET as Croatia takes on Spain. Rob Sturney will be liveblogging for your enjoyment.
I'm Rob Sturney here with one of the final group stage games of Group C: Croatia versus Spain. Spain is in first place in the stage based on goal difference, since the two teams have no head to head record. La Roja has 4 points, and the Vatreni has 4 as well.
Meanwhile in Poznan, the Italians host the Irish. There's a lot at stake in these two games.
The most pressing team news is that Torres is starting up front instead of Cesc Fabregas.
Bilic has brought Srna up to the midfield and drops Jelavic to the bench.
Lineups: Croatia: Pletikosa, Schildenfield, Corluka, Strinic, Vida; Srna, Rakitic, Vukojevic, Pranjic; Modric, Mandzukic
Spain: Casillas, Ramos, Pique, Alba, Arbeloa; Xavi, Busquets, Xabi Alonso; Iniesta, Silva, Torres
So Vida from Dinamo Zagreb will play as right back with Srna in the midfield. Modric will play more forward behind Mandzukic.
Busquets has overcome a foot problem to anchor that talented midfield.
Players on yellow cards: Croatia: Modric and Schildenfield.
Spain: Alba, Arbeloa, Alonso and Torres.
Mandzukic is leading his team with three goals. Torres has a Spanish brace, while David Villa has a goal and two assists. Both keepers have made seven saves.
Let's remind ourselves that the quarters go as such:
Thursday, June 21 Czech R v Portugal in Warsaw
Friday, June 22 Germany v Greece in Gdansk
Saturday, June 23 1C v 2D in Donetsk
Sunday, June 24 1D v 2C in Kiev
The Croatian will be wearing their red and white checkerboard jerseys while the Spanish have occasion to wear their light blue change kit.
I'm hoping that we'll get to see Juan Mata today.
Nope, someone down below feels the same.
We're about eleven minutes from the kickoff.
One gets the feeling that Modric is due a goal, but his teammate Mandzukic is the goal hawk of the Vatreni
Ooh, I hear The XX over one of the two stadiums' tannoys.
So again, the Croats are in their red and white checkered jersey with white shorts. The Spanish are clad in light blue jerseys and socks with black shorts. Pletikosa is in all green.
The national anthems begin with the Spanish "Marcha Real" or Royal March
Next is Croatia's "Lijepa Nasa Domovino", "Our Beautiful Homeland."
Casillas looks to be in gold.
The officiating crew is German.
I'm hoping for a smashing game; Euro 2012 hasn't been short on them.
Del Bosque, having just signed a two year contract, looks pretty relaxed.
Spain will kick us off and will be attacking from right to left in this half. Right to left.
1 min: Iniesta is straightaway on the left flank attack. Then Busquets is bundled over by Mandzukic for a Spanish free kick from 40 yards.
2 min: The delivery was repelled but Spain will try the right flank now. Silva can't get his angles right and Croatia counters via Modric.
3 min: Vida's cross from the right doesn't make it into the box. Srna is fouled just inside the Spanish end.
3 min: Alba will throw in now. It's ably chested by Torres to a teammate. Iniesta slips it into Alba's path as he rampages down the touchline. His cross must be set out the back by Schildenfield. The corner gets to Torres but he can only head it off target.
