Ahead of tomorrow evening’s match with Spain, GreenScene looks at the possible was that the Republic of Ireland can qualify from Group C at Euro 2012.

Ireland beat Spain and…

• Croatia beat Italy
  That would put Croatia well ahead with 6 points, Ireland in second with 3, and leave Spain and Italy with one point each. Croatia would be guaranteed to top the table thanks to their 3-1 win over Ireland, but a draw with Italy would see Ireland come second, regardless of the result in the Croatia-Spain game.
  Croatia 6
  Ireland 3
  Italy 1
  Spain 1
• Croatia and Italy draw
  This result would leave the group wide open, meaning anyone could feasibly qualify. Croatia would still be top with 4 points, Ireland 3, and Spain and Italy level on 2. A loss in our final game with Italy would send us home, but a draw could see Ireland finish second if Croatia get at least a point from the world champions.
  Croatia 4
  Ireland 3
  Spain 2
  Italy 2
• Italy beat Croatia
  Giovanni Trapattoni knows he needs a result against Italy either way, so an Italian win could be the preferred option tomorrow night. It leaves the possibility of Ireland topping the group, if we win in the last game that is. But the best thing about an Italy win scenario is that it means we’re not dependant on Croatia snatching something against Spain. A draw against Italy then could be enough to see us take second place if Spain beat Croatia.
  Italy 4
  Croatia 3
  Ireland 3
  Spain 0

Ireland draw with Spain and…

• Croatia beat Italy
  This result would also see Croatia guaranteed top spot, but leave the group wide open for second place. A win against Italy on Monday might not be enough for Ireland in this scenario, as a Spain win would see them finish runners-up.
  Croatia 6
  Spain 2
  Italy 1
  Ireland 1
• Croatia and Italy draw
  Another scenario where anyone could qualify, but it’s impossible for Ireland to top the group. A win over Italy might not be enough once again if Spain beat Croatia in the final game. That would see Croatia edge us out due to the result in our opener.
  Croatia 4
  Italy 2
  Spain 2
  Ireland 1
• Italy beat Croatia
  If we draw on Thursday, this is definitely our ideal outcome. A win over Italy in our last game would see us through if Spain beat Croatia, but would throw up the surprising scenario where three teams finish on four points. In that case, we would come out top of the table due to having the best head-to-head against the other two sides – 4 points from a possible 6, while Spain would have 2, and Italy 1 from a mini-group. A win over Italy and a draw in the other game would see us probably knocked out on goal difference, as it would mean all three sides taking 3 points from each other. That’s unless we knock a few past Italy on Monday, or even if Italy record a big win tonight.
  Italy 4
  Croatia 3
  Spain 2
  Ireland 1

Ireland lose to Spain and…

• Croatia beat Italy
  If we lose to Spain, we’re out plain and simple. It doesn’t matter what happens in the other match. We’re four points behind and can’t catch second-placed Spain.
  Croatia 6
  Spain 4
  Italy 1
  Ireland 0
• Croatia and Italy draw
  Same scenario here, Ireland are out because we can’t overtake second-place Spain.
  Croatia 4
  Spain 4
  Italy 2
  Ireland 0
• Italy beat Croatia
  This means any of the three teams could come first, but Ireland are guaranteed to come last in this scenario.
  Italy 4
  Spain 4
  Croatia 3
  Ireland 0

Related posts:

1. Euro 2012 Group B Qualifying Permutations
2. Euro 2012 Group C Injury Updates
3. Ireland to meet Spain, Italy, Croatia at Euro 2012
4. Republic of Ireland drawn in U19 Euro 2011 Group A
5. Possible Euro 2012 Group B Outcomes