i need to know the answer to this or I'll never slep again!

[mariner2]

Can anybody explain to me (because I've only been watching football since 1966 and so don't know all that much about it) how Italy were top of their group until those late goals went in and clarified it all. At the time Italy, Croatia and Spain were all on 5 points, but Italy had scored the least number of goals, had the worst goal difference and hadn't won head to head against either of the other two. . . . . yet they were top of the group, when by my reckoning they hadn't even qualified??

[factor-fiction]

Did you see my answers to your other two posts on this?
Basically Italy beat Croatia whereas neither Spain nor Croatia beat any of the top 3 sides

[sir.prize]

factor - when did Italy beat Croatia?

[mariner2]

Italy drew 1-1 with Croatia

[mariner2]

Yeah, I saw the other answers and am just beginning to see a glimmer of logic there. Spain's 4 goals and Croatia's 3 goals against Ireland didn't happen so don't count in the mini league of the three teams on 5 points, and as at the time in question Spain and Croatia were 0-0, while Italy had drawn both their games against those twp 1-1, they were top. Confused? So am I. Just to make it even better, apparently if Croatia had got a late equaliser vs Spain, Italy would have gone out . . . . even though they'd just gone 2-0 up!!!

[sunny-dave]

When three teams are level the results against the fourth team are disregarded. So at that point Italy were top because they had scored 2 goals and spain and croatia only 1 each.

[mariner2]

In a nutshell, thanks!
Not sure I agree with it but at least I can sleep.

[Fibonacci]

whilst the Croatia v Spain match remained at 0-0 and Italy led 1-0. Three teams were tied on 5 points. In the matches between the three teams concerned (ie ignore Republic of Ireland games)
Italy P2 W0 D2 L0 F2 A2 GD 0
Spain P2 W0 D2 L0 F1 A 1 GD 0
Croatia P2 W0 D2 L0 F1 A1 GD 0
so Italy led this mini-group by virtue of scoring one more goal at that stage but Spain's goal changed this.
full details can be found in Euro 2012 regulations
http://www.uefa.com/M...6/914836_DOWNLOAD.pdf

[factor-fiction]

Sorry, yes Italy only drew with Croatia, but the point I made on my other answers is still valid- Italy were at that time top of the mini-group of three (Italy, Spain, Croatia). Fibonacci sums it up well