Euro 2012 Schedule: Thursday's Games Will Decide Outcome of Group C

Although Thursday brings just set second set of games in Group C, the two matches will be the most consequential of the tournament for Spain, Italy, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland.

Italy and Croatia will meet in Poznan at 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Croatia is looking to for its second win, as well as a stranglehold on the group. The Italians are trying to notch their first win and remain relevant after playing to a well-deserved draw against Spain in the opening match.

Spain and Ireland square off in Gdansk at 2:45 p.m. ET on the same channel. As the defending champion, Spain is looking to reassert its dominance over the field following a disappointing tie to the Italians. The Irish hope to salvage their tournament and redeem themselves from their 3-1 loss at the hands of Croatia.

Croatia is in the best position of any team in the group after thoroughly dominating Ireland on June 10. The Blazers held the ball for 55 percent of the time, surrendering just one corner kick that came in stoppage time when the game was all but decided. 

A pair of goals from Mario Mandzukic bookended Nikica Jelvic's strike in the 43d minute to give Croatia a lead that it would not relinquish. As a whole, every player who entered the match looked on the top of his game against the lackluster Irish.

If Croatia can get a win, it will be in prime position to advance to the quarterfinals.

Italy isn't in as beneficial of a position as Croatia, but it is in better shape than most expected it to be after being able to play to an even result with the Spanish. Mario Balotelli played very uninspired football, and it's just short of a miracle that the Azzurri were able to avoid a loss.

They even grabbed the lead when Balotelli's substitution, Antonio Di Natale, found the back of the net, but conceded the equalizer just four minutes later thanks to a fantastic effort by Cesc Fabregas.

If the Italians can get a win against Croatia, they'd put themselves in second place in Group C, and would be able to watch Spain and Ireland without worrying about the possibility of facing an uphill climb to advance.

The Irish chances to advance are looking very bleak. They were pummeled by Croatia and face the Spanish machine on Thursday. If they can't manage at least a draw against Vincente Del Bosque's crew, they will all but surely be on the outside looking in heading into the third and final game of the group stage.

Spain has the most weight on their shoulders of any team in action on Thursday. La Roja have won the last two major tournaments, but many are saying that they are not the same juggernaut they were in the 2008 European Championship and the 2010 World Cup.

The tie against Italy was a disappointment no matter how you look at it. Spain is lucky to face Ireland next, though, as it will be hard-pressed to lose to the Irish. 

Here's how it all could pan out: Spain wins and it has four points. Italy wins and it also has four points. If Italy loses to Croatia and Spain beats Ireland, Croatia has control of the group and Spain has come that much closer to locking down a spot to advance. If Ireland somehow wins and Croatia loses, we're going to have a wild pair of matches on June 18.

Yes, it's confusing, but the results at the end of the day on Thursday will give us a better picture as to how Group C will shake out when all is sad and done.

Here's a link to Thursday's full schedule.