SHAY Given will need to be at his best at Euro 2012 next summer – Ireland face world and European Champions Spain, Italy and Croatia in a tough group.
Giovanni Trapattoni’s side will have their first game against Croatia in Poznań on June 10.
They will then travel to Gdańsk to play favourites Spain on June 14, before going back to Poznań to face Italy on June 18.
Meanwhile after speaking to the family of close friend Gary Speed to pass on his condolences at the start of the week, Given has been back training with Aston Villa and retain the No.1 jersey for Saturday’s visit of Manchester United.
“I think he’s been in touch with Gary Speed’s family and he’s been training as normal,” said manager Alex McLeish.
“I think their families went on holiday together. I can’t confirm that myself, but I saw a picture in a newspaper of their wives together at some sort of awards dinner.
“I’m proud of Shay for Sunday. It was a sad day. He handled it really well.
“I think Shay, James Collins and Jermaine Jenas were all really up for it by the time kick-off came.
“Shay is shell-shocked like a lot of the boys, but he has got on with it.”
The Group’s and Ireland’s fixtures are below:
Group A
1 Poland
2 Greece
3 Russia
4 Czech Republic
Group B
1 Netherlands
2 Denmark
3 Germany
4 Portugal
Group C
1 Spain
2 Italy
3 Republic of Ireland
4 Croatia
Group D
1 Ukraine
2 Sweden
3 France
4 England
Group C Fixtures
10 June 2012
Spain v Italy
Gdansk, Poland
10 June 2012
Rep of Ireland v Croatia
Poznan, Poland
14 June 2012
Italy v Croatia
Poznan, Poland
14 June 2012
Spain v Rep of Ireland
Gdansk, Poland
18 June 2012
Croatia v Spain
Gdansk, Poland
18 June 2012
Italy v Rep of Ireland
Poznan, Poland
