Euro 2012 Schedule: Matches That Will Determine Who Advances from Group C

Spain will easily cruise out of Group C, but two teams will advance from this group, and the battle for that second spot is going to be fierce. 

The Spaniards are the clear class of this group. They are the defending champs in this tournament, and they are currently the No. 1 ranked team in the FIFA World Rankings.

They are loaded with talent. It would be an absolute shock, requiring a team-wide failure, if they did not advance from the group. 

That leaves fellow Group C participants, Croatia, Ireland and Italy, to battle it out for the pivotal second spot.

With that in mind, let's pinpoint the three biggest matches in determining who will claim that second spot. 

Ireland vs. Croatia on Sunday, June 10 

Ranked 18th by FIFA, Ireland is the lowest rated team in the group. This is their first qualification to a major tournament since 2002.

If they want to make a serious run at advancing, they are going to have to get off to a good start. They will look to do that against Croatia on the first day of Group C play. 

Things aren't going to get any easier for them after this match. It is vital to their confidence that they get off to a good start. 

Ireland is going to want to keep this a low-scoring affair. Their strength is clearly with their defense. 

Spain vs. Italy on Sunday, June 10

Italy needs to see this daunting opening draw as an opportunity, not an obstacle. If they can muster even a draw in this match, they will have the inside track on claiming the second spot. 

Italy is 12th in the FIFA rankings—that is four spots behind Croatia. 

If they can salvage any points in this match, it will put the pressure squarely on Croatia to keep pace. 

This is also a hugely important match for Italy. They have struggled recently in major tournaments and finished at the bottom of their group at the World Cup. If they can earn a draw, or even better a victory, their confidence will be soaring. 

Italy vs. Croatia on Thursday, June 14

This is the second game for both teams, and for my money, this is the one that will determine who advances. 

Croatia cannot afford a loss here. No matter what happens in the first games, it will leave them in an unfavorable position as they will finish off group play against Spain, and Italy will do so against the much weaker Irish side. 

Conversely, there is a chance that Croatia could have that second spot almost wrapped up with a win. If they take down Ireland in the opener, and Italy falls to Spain, a win by Croatia would eliminate Italy from contention. 

2012 Euro Cup schedule

Date	Match	Time	Stage
6/8/2012	Poland vs. Greece	12:00 p.m. ET	Group A
6/8/2012	Russia vs. Czech Republic	2:45 p.m. ET	Group A
6/9/2012	Netherlands vs. Denmark	12:00 p.m. ET	Group B
6/9/2012	Germany vs. Portugal	2:45 p.m. ET	Group B
6/10/2012	Spain vs. Italy	12:00 p.m. ET	Group C
6/10/2012	Ireland vs. Croatia	2:45 p.m. ET	Group C
6/11/2012	France vs. England	12:00 p.m. ET	Group D
6/11/2012	Ukraine vs. Sweden	2:45 p.m. ET	Group D
6/12/2012	Greece vs. Czech Republic	12:00 p.m. ET	Group A
6/12/2012	Poland vs. Russia	2:45 p.m. ET	Group A
6/13/2012	Denmark vs. Portugal	12:00 p.m. ET	Group B
6/13/2012	Netherlands vs. Germany	2:45 p.m. ET	Group B
6/14/2012	Italy vs. Croatia	12:00 p.m. ET	Group C
6/14/2012	Spain vs. Ireland	2:45 p.m. ET	Group C
6/15/2012	Sweden vs. England	12:00 p.m. ET	Group D
6/15/2012	Ukraine vs. France	2:45 p.m. ET	Group D
6/16/2012	Czech Republic vs. Poland	2:45 p.m. ET	Group A
6/16/2012	Greece vs. Russia	2:45 p.m. ET	Group A
6/17/2012	Denmark vs. Germany	2:45 p.m. ET	Group B
6/17/2012	Netherlands vs. Portugal	2:45 p.m. ET	Group B
6/18/2012	Croatia vs. Spain	2:45 p.m. ET	Group C
6/18/2012	Italy vs. Ireland	2:45 p.m. ET	Group C
6/19/2012	England vs. Ukraine	2:45 p.m. ET	Group D
6/19/2012	Sweden vs. France	2:45 p.m. ET	Group D
6/21/2012	Group A winner vs. Group B runner-up	2:45 p.m. ET	Quarterfinals
6/22/2012	Group B winner vs. Group A runner-up	2:45 p.m. ET	Quarterfinals
6/23/2012	Group C winner vs. Group D runner-up	2:45 p.m. ET	Quarterfinals
6/24/2012	Group D winner vs. Group C runner-up	2:45 p.m. ET	Quarterfinals
6/27/2012	Quarterfinal 1 winner vs. Quarterfinal 3 winner	2:45 p.m. ET	Semifinals
6/28/2012	Quarterfinal 2 winner vs. Quarterfinal 4 winner	2:45 p.m. ET	Semifinals
7/1/2012	Semifinal 1 winner vs. Semifinal 2 winner	2:45 p.m. ET	Finals