Following the Republic of Ireland's win against Italy in Euro 2016, we wondered if there was anything interesting to be found in the history of Italian losses in international tournaments - FIFA World Cup, FIFA Confederations Cup and UEFA European Championship. Note that these results are over 90 minutes only, losses on penalties and losses in extra time (e.g. the 2-1 loss to France in 2000 European Championships) were not taken into account.
Only 17 teams hold tournament victories over the Azzuri - Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Ireland, Netherlands, North Korea, Poland, Slovakia, Soviet Union, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Uruguay.
Of these, Netherlands, Soviet Union, Switzerland and now Ireland have beaten Italy twice in international competitions. Brazil have a record four tournament wins (Two World Cup, two Confederations Cup) victories over Italy.
Both of Switerland's wins have come in World Cup games. Only Netherlands, Soviet Union and Ireland have beaten Italy in both the World Cup and the European Championships.
Both of Ireland's wins have come in the group stages of tournaments (1994 and 2016), a record we share with Brazil's two group stage victories in the 2009 and 2013 Confederations Cup. The Netherlands' wins came in the group stages of Euro 2008, and in the second group stage of the 1978 World Cup - there was no "knock out" stage in that tournament, the eight winners and runners up of the first group stage were grouped into two groups of four for the second round, with the winners of each group facing off in the final.
The official blog of the Irish Abroad stats site. Appearance and performance information on Irish footballers around the world
Monday, 4 July 2016
Friday, 1 July 2016
Irish Player Transfers - May/June 2016
With the 2016 summer transfer window opening today, we've compiled a list of the Irish players who have already transferred, signed loan deals and signed new contract
Permanent Deals
22nd May 2016
Following his release from Southend, Cian Bolger signed a three year deal with Fleetwood Town: http://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/article/fleetwood-town-cian-bolger-transfer-3121628.aspx
25th May 2016
Following the expiration of his contract with Bradford City, Alan Sheehan signed a two year deal with Luton Town: http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/alan-sheehan-joins-luton-3125200.aspx
Southend midfielder Gary Deegan signed a two year deal with Shrewsbury Town: http://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/article/shrewsbury-town-gary-deegan-sky-bet-league-1-3125294.aspx
After being released by Wolverhampton Wanderers, former Monaghan United goalkeeper Aaron McCarey signed a two year contract with Ross County: http://www.rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk/news/archive/four-new-signings-for-201617-season/
31st May 2016
Folllowing a loan at Rochdale at the end of the 15/16 season, Niall Canavan has signed a two year deal with the Dale: http://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/news/article/canavan-agrees-two-year-deal-3130195.aspx
Following loan spells at Shrewsbury and Crawley in 2015/16, Liam McAlinden signed for Exeter City: http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/article/grecians-complete-third-signing-of-the-summer-3130226.asp
6th June 2016
After making almost 100 appearances for Morecambe, winger Jamie Devitt signed a two year deal with Carlisle United: http://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/article/winger-jamie-devitt-joins-on-....-year-deal-3131660.aspx
After impressing on trial, U18 midfielder Leo Donnellan signed a one year deal with for Dagenham and Redbridge, with an option for a further year: http://www.daggers.co.uk/news/article/leo-donnellan-signs-dagenham-and-redbridge-3136218.aspx
10th June 2016
Paddy Kenny signed with Northampton Town as their goalkeeping coach, and is registered as a player, if required: http://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/article/paddy-kenny-northampton-town-3139886.aspx
15th June 2016
Midfielder Mark Byrne has rejoined Justin Edinburgh, his former manager from Rushden & Diamonds and Newport County, at Gillingham FC on a two year deal: http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/article/mark-byrne-joins-the-gills-3143289.aspx
17th June 2016
Following his release by Celtic, striker Anthony Stokes has signed a three year deal with Blackburn Rovers: http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/anthony-stokes-3145787.aspx
After loans at Dagenham & Redbridge and Stevenage in 2015/16, Jake Mulraney signed a two year deal with Inverness Caledonian Thistle: http://ictfc.com/news/team-news/1780-2-year-deal-for-jake
20th June 2016
Following a record breaking season with Grimsby in non league football, Padraig Amond has signed for Hartlepool United: http://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/article/hartlepool-united-sign-grimsby-town-striker-padraig-amond-3146931.aspx
21th June 2016
After playing against them in the League Two play off final just a few weeks ago, Connor Smith signed for Plymouth Argyle: http://www.pafc.co.uk/news/article/connor-rolls-in-3147167.aspx
23rd June 2016
Striker Pat Hoban signed for Mansfield Town following his release from Oxford: http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/-stags-capture-striker-3151559.aspx
25th June 2016
Defender Anthony O’Connor left newly promoted Championship side Burton Albion to sign for Aberdeen: http://www.afc.co.uk/news/8045.php
27th June 2016
After ten appearances for Luton Town on loan in 2015/16, Glen Rea signed for the Haters on a two year deal deal: http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/glen-rea-luton-town-brighton-republic-of-ireland-nathan-jones-3158276.aspx
29th June 2016
After making 29 appearances on loan at Preston North End in 2015/16, striker Eoin Doyle signed a three year deal with the Lilywhites: http://www.pnefc.net/news/article/2016-17/eoin-doyle-completes-permanent-move-to-preston-north-end-3161236.aspx
30th June 2016
Former U21 winger Anthony Forde signed with Rotherham United: http://www.themillers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/rotherham-united-anthony-forde-3162249.aspx
James Berrett left York City to sign for Grimsby Town on a two year deal: http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/mariners-sign-berrett-3162278.aspx
Loans
29th June 2016
After spending 2015/16 on loan with Dutch side SC Cambuur, promising U21 midfielder Jack Byrne signed a one year loan with Blackburn Rovers, joining Shane Duffy, Darragh Lenihan, John O’Sullivan and Anthony Stokes: http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/rovers-jack-byrne-manchester-city-3160876.aspx
New Contracts
9th June 2016
Despite having his career with Everton disrupted by injury, Darron Gibson signed a two year extension: http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2016/06/09/gibson-pens-new-deal
10th June 2016
A one year extension was triggered in Wes Hoolahan’s Norwich City contract: http://www.canaries.co.uk/news/article/norwich-city-contracts-3139779.aspx
29th June 2016
West Ham’s Declan Rice signed a three year deal with the club: http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2016/June/29-June/Rice-signs-new-contract
30th June 2016
Defender Stephen Kelly signed a one year extension to his contract with Rotherham: http://www.themillers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/stephen-kelly-rotherham-united-3161698.aspx