Remember the hubris that swept Ireland in the weeks before Euro 2012? In a relapse of Celtic Tiger arrogance, Ireland fans were predicting 4 points (at least) from the group we now call the Group of Death. There was immediate dismay to the news we'll be playing Belgium, Italy and Sweden, but give it a few months, and we'll be talking ourselves into top third place qualifier, in the very least.
Building off a tweet sent earlier today, we have the following delusional reasons why Ireland will be winning Group E.
1. We have the best coach in the group. Conte never did it outside of Italy with Juve and the Guardian goes as far as to describe Marc Wilmots as Belgium's 'main doubt'. As for Lars Lagerback...
2. The 0-0 draw with Kilbane in midfield. The Henry handball game. Ireland always play well in Stade de France. We play Sweden in the first and very critical fixture in Stade de France.
3. Ireland have always been good against Italy. Giants Stadium. The Euro 2012 qualifier in Bari. The hammering in Liege. We own Italy really.
3. Sweden are ranked 35th in the world. They are in steep decline. Kim Kallstrom still gets a game.
4. For all the outstanding talent in their team, Belgium have yet to really light up an international tournament under Wilmots. America almost beat them in the World Cup. We hammered America.
5. Italy may have won their group but they only beat Malta by a score of 1-0 in both fixtures. They clearly underestimate minnows.
6.Zlatan will nearly be 35 by the time the Euros roll around. He's ancient.
7. Antonio Conte doesn't even know the difference between Ireland and Northern Ireland. That bodes well.
Antonio Conte's reaction interview mentions Nortgern Ireland twice. Not sure if it was him or the translation.
— emmet malone (@emmetmalone) December 12, 2015
8. Belgium haven't played in the Euros since Euro 2000, when they qualified automatically as hosts. Experience counts in these tournaments.
9. Lukaku will be spent from all the goalscoring he is doing this year by the time June rolls around.
10. Trapattonni the spy --- who knows Italy better than our old friend Trap?
