Euro 2012 Sportsday - Wednesday 6 June as it happened

That's your lot for Sportsday today, and our in-depth look at preparations and build-up for Euro 2012. Thank you for all your contributions. For many, Friday's football can't come soon enough it seems.

Netherlands defender Joris Mathijsen is almost certain to miss the team's Euro 2012 opener against Denmark and might be ruled out of the tournament altogether.

Coach Bert van Marwijk says the chances that Mathijsen will miss Saturday's game "are 80%" adding he is considering to call up a late replacement for the central defender.

Polish football fans turn out in big numbers to welcome the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of Euro 2012.

Over 10,000 people have attended a Republic open training session at the stadium in Sopot.

"It was a big surprise for me," confesses Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

Following in the inktrail of Paul the psychic octopus, Citta the Indian elephant from a zoo in Krakow has "predicted" that Poland will beat Greece in the opening match of Euro 2012.

With a melon for her crystal ball, 33-year-old Citta chooses the fruit that points to Poland as the winning team, but she also scoffs the fruit that signifies a draw.

The female elephant successfully predicted that Chelsea would win the Champions League final in May.

Germany coach Joachim Loew appears ready to risk Per Mertesacker in the group stages, despite the defender's lack of recent match experience.

But the Arsenal centre-back insists he will be fit and ready: "I've had good rehabilitation. I've had good feedback from my body."

Vaclav Pilar, 23, is Czech Republic's creative, mercurial midfield force, and plenty is expected from him.

"I'm really looking forward to it," admits Pilar.

"We're among the best 16 teams in Europe and my dream is to advance in the tournament."

The Polish city of Krakow is England's base for Euro 2012. But what kind of a metropolis is it?

"During the night, Krakow is a noisy city," deputy mayor Magdalena Sroka tells the Associated Press. "This is a city full of energy and full of life.

"The players can only have problems with the girl fans, I believe. They are handsome.

"For sure, a lot of girls will like [to] watch them and look out for them at the city at the main market square... I am sure no one will be like very aggressive - just to touch [the players] and have an autograph."

Germany striker Thomas Mueller, 22, says he will think about his future at Bayern Munich only after his team have contested Euro 2012.

"I've got a Euro to play, and I want to concentrate 100% on it," he maintains.

Top Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini says recent accusations of match fixing that have rocked the Italian game have only served to motivate the Azzurri to excel in Poland and Ukraine.

"There has been an attempt to destabilise us," he says.

"But we're used to this, because we've been trained to cope with that type of pressure. Our only response should come on the pitch."

Will block defence and lack of width count against Spain?

It's a theory explored by BBC Sport's football tactics blogger, Alistair Magowan.

"In the aftermath of that defeat by Chelsea, when even Barca coach Pep Guardiola questioned whether high pressing and all-out attack was the best way to win matches, there was a sense that, perhaps, some of the aura surrounding his players had disappeared," he writes.

Bradley Wiggins, riding for Team Sky, maintains his overall lead at the top of the Criterium du Dauphine standings.

Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen won stage three today.

Portugal have been criticised in some quarters for lacking a cutting edge up front.

But defender Bruno Alves expects his team to have no such problems in during Euro 2012.

"We've got quality players and I expect us to hit the net," he insists.

Ronnie O'Sullivan announces he will not enter any tournaments for the foreseeable future.

"I have not signed the player's contract as I feel the contract is too onerous and am in a stage of my career where I don't wish to make this commitment," he says.

"I still want to play snooker and visit those places around the world such as China where snooker is enthusiastically received and adored.

"I hope to remain involved in the sport in some way in the future."

Ukraine's manager says an act of "sabotage" might have caused the outbreak of food poisoning affecting 10 members of his Euro 2012 squad.

The players suffered the illness prior to the friendly against Turkey in Germany, which they lost 2-0.

"It happened in Germany, but it is impossible to establish the causes - all ate different food," Oleg Blokhin told Ukraine television.

"It may have been sabotage, I do not know. It cannot be accidental."

Poland captain Kuba Blaszczykowski says his side must focus on their opening Euro 2012 match against Greece and keep the hyped clash against arch-rivals Russia at the back of their minds.

"It's the first match, and right now, the most important," said the Borussia Dortmund player.

"Before the Greece match, we can't be thinking about Russia."

Former England striker and captain Alan Shearer says he can't imagine his country triumphing in the tournament.

"I can't see us winning it," he says. "I think it's the first time I can remember when we've gone into a tournament without huge expectations.

"We didn't even have a manager or a coach a month ago and we've had a lot of injuries," he added.

What's the best Three Lions fans can hope for? "I think maybe a semi-final position."

Surrey wicketkeeper Steve Davies has been called into the England squad for the third and final Test against West Indies, which starts on Thursday at 11:00 BST.

He replaces Matt Prior, who has an eye infection.

Hull City have offered Steve Bruce a job as the club's new manager, BBC Radio Humberside reports.

The Tigers have been managerless since sacking Nick Barmby last month.

Uefa President Michel Platini says referees will stop matches if players suffer racial abuse from fans.

Platini says he has empowered referees to "temporarily stop the game and finally cancel the game if this racism keeps rearing its head."

However, he adds that Italy forward Mario Balotelli will get a yellow card if he fulfills his threat to walk off in protest at abuse.

Platini clarifies Uefa "always" supports referees and it is "not the player, Mr Balotelli, who is in charge of the situation."

There's a buzz around the Poland camp, and a real belief that they can achieve something on home soil.

The Poles are in Group A alongside Russia, Greece and Czech Republic, and midfielder Maciej Rybus says: "There hasn't been this sort of atmosphere and optimism around the national team in a long time.

"I can't wait for this match against Greece. I'd play it today if I could because I just can't wait to get on the field."

The Italy squad take time out of their footballing preparations to visit the site of Auschwitz.

"It was an emotional experience, especially hearing the direct testimony," midfielder Riccardo Montolivo says. "It made me reflect a lot."

England midfield battler Scott Parker says he cannot remember the last time he played in an international competition of significance.

"I can't remember my last tournament," he admits. "It is probably the European Under-21 Championships but they are so long ago I can't even remember how we did.

"This tournament will be a very fulfilling experience in my career.

"It means everything really. It is all I ever wanted as a player and something I am really looking forward to."

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has this observation from Krakow: "The arrival of England, no matter what condition the team is in, always creates great interest and the FA have adopted a very central hotel base here so there will be plenty of opportunity for the people of Krakow to see England.

"England are always big news - the love of the Premier League here only makes them even bigger as they are scheduled to arrive here later today."

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic says Nikica Jelavic will spearhead his attack, particularly considering his successful spell with Everton in the second half of the Premier League season.

"[His impact has been] so strong and so sudden that he was quite unbelievable," says Bilic.

Now the West Indies squad for that third and final Test of the series:

DJG Sammy (capt), AB Barath, KOA Powell, DM Bravo, S Chanderpaul, MN Samuels, N Deonarine, D Ramdin (wkt), SP Narine, FH Edwards, R Rampaul, TL Best, S Shillingford, KA Edwards, AB Fudadin.

The England squad for the third Test against West Indies at Edgbaston, starting 11:00 BST on Thursday:

AJ Strauss (capt), AN Cook, IJL Trott, KP Pietersen, IR Bell, JM Bairstow, MJ Prior (wkt), TT Bresnan, GP Swann, ST Finn, G Onions, SCJ Broad.

Poland's passionate coach Franciszek Smuda is so excited by the prospect of Euro 2012 that, according to assistant Jacek Zielinski, he's behaving like a feral animal.

"Smuda? He's like a wild fox in a cage," champions Zielinski. "He just wants to waste them all. He can't wait."

France football legend and influential Uefa president Michel Platini tips Les Bleus for success at this summer's tournament, but jokes it will depend entirely on whether or not the squad decide to strike again.

"I think they're a team that people will have to watch - if they get off the bus!"

Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer says his side are better now than the team that finished third in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"We are better than in 2010 because we can fill each position twice and that was not the case at the World Cup," he explained.

"We are now more mature in our automatic processes and we know each other much better."

More on striker Milan Baros' injury for Czech Republic.

The former Liverpool, Aston Villa and Portsmouth striker has a muscle strain, and team doctor Petr Krejci says: "I can't say if he will be ready to fully train tomorrow, but if he's to play he has to train fully."

The Czechs' first game is against Russia on Friday.

Defending champions Spain can cope without their injured duo: talismanic defender Carles Puyol and all-time record scorer David Villa at Euro 2012.

That's according to Athletic Bilbao defender Javi Martinez, who maintains: "Those who have been selected can do as well as they did - why not better?

"With the help of everybody, I think that their absence will not be noticed."

England coach Roy Hodgson tells BBC Sport presenter and former England striker Gary Lineker that his players must "enjoy the journey" of Euro 2012.

"We all want to win, and the nation wants us to win," he says. "Any team can win it. We saw Denmark in '92... we saw Greece win in against all the odds when no-one gave them a prayer."

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez insists he has no desire to leave England but would like to end his career at former club Boca Juniors.

"My biggest wish is to finish my career in the Boca shirt," he told FoxSports.

"But the truth is that I finished the season very happy in England. I am feeling good, I have no desire to be thinking that I want to leave, my family are happy."

BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson, who was capped 39 times by the Republic of Ireland, says Giovanni Trapattoni's side's crucial Group C clash is against Italy.

"Trapattoni has done a fantastic job," he says. "As it's both teams' last game in the group I bet one of those two will have to win to go through."

Interesting insight from Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye in an interview with BBC Sport's Saj Chowdhury on how coach Laurent Blanc has reunited France since their awful showing at the 2010 World Cup. You can read the article here.

Germany defender Per Mertesacker says they must be on their guard against Portugal's "master of football trickery" Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday in their opening Euro 2012 match.

"I think we have managed to nip in the bud any of Ronaldo's efforts in past matches against Portugal," the Arsenal centre-back says. "We must try at all costs to avoid one-on-one situations with him, because Ronaldo is fast as lightning and he is the master of football trickery."

BBC Sport presenter Dan Walker, in Poland, says: "I was here a fortnight ago and the difference between then and now is huge. There are billboards up, flags everywhere and it feels like the circus has arrived.

"Things are bubbling away nicely and there is huge anticipation about the opening game on Friday. UEFA are giving away Euro 2012 rucksacks at the International Broadcast Centre and I've already been asked by about 20 locals if they can have mine after the tournament."

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty, based in Krakow where the England squad are due to touch down this afternoon, says: "Spoke to some locals at the airport and in Krakow and they were keen to discuss the BBC Panorama programme that revealed cases of racism and anti-semitism in football grounds in host nations Poland and Ukraine.

"This is a very proud country and the locals are confident that their hospitality, already shown, and the welcome the teams will get here will show Poland off in its best light."

We all remember Paul the amazing clairvoyant octopus, now meet Polish-based Indian elephant Citta who, according to zookeeper Jerzy Pirog, correctly predicted the outcome of the Champions League final last month and has now been put to the test to predict the results of Poland's group matches.

Citta had to come through an X-Factor style competition to earn her chance, having beaten off competition from a parrot called Kuba and Black Mary, the donkey, and has predicted a Poland win in their opener against Greece.

Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner says Lambert fitted their managerial blueprint. "Paul's track record speaks for itself, we were very clear from the start the type of manager we wanted," he says.

"We wanted somebody young to bring the vibrancy back to the club. When we were able to meet with Paul, it was totally clear he was the right man for Aston Villa."

Lambert vows to do his best to reinvigorate Villa's support following Alex McLeish's ill-fated spell in charge. "We have to give the fans something," he says. "We need them. They will come in their thousands to watch us and we have to give them something back.

"There is a lot of expectancy that is not something I am going to shy away from. It is something I am going to thrive on. We have to get results. We have to play football the right way for this football club."

Lambert reveals he spoke with mentor and former Villa manager Martin O'Neill, who left the Midlands club in controversial circumstances two years ago, about taking charge.

"I spoke to Martin O'Neil and he was brilliant about it," he says. "I know what he did here and took the club into the top six and that is something I have to live with. He was very complimentary about it."

Lambert responds to questions about the circumstances in which he left Norwich. "I had three unbelievable years and said before I loved my time there," he says.

"I had a great rapport with people and great times. I will always be proud of what we done as a group in the three years we have been there."

Paul Lambert's official unveiling as Aston Villa manager is imminent...reaction from the press conference to follow shortly.

Ukraine expect all of their players struck down by a mystery stomach bug to be fit for Monday's opening game against Sweden.

The illness, which swept through the squad on Tuesday, almost led to the cancellation of last night's 2-0 friendly defeat against Turkey, but team spokesman Oleksander Glyvinsky says: "They were out running this morning, so we would expect that they will all be fine for the opening game against Sweden."

Irish eyes will be smiling at the news BBC football commentator Conor McNamara brings from today's press conference with Republic goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly, who confirms Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given will be fit for Sunday's clash with Croatia despite calf and knee worries.

"I don't think wild horses could keep Shay Given out of the game on Sunday," says Kelly. "Even if the game was on tonight, Shay would be able to play".

England captain Andrew Strauss at Edgbaston on the decision to leave James Anderson out of the final Test against West Indies, which begins tomorow: "The last thing you want is to have someone dead on their feet, and by missing the odd game here and there hopefully that won't happen."

Italy summon defender Davide Astori to their Euro 2012 base in Poland today amid continuing doubts over the fitness of Andrea Barzagli.

Azzurri coach Cesare Prandelli says he will wait until Friday's deadline for replacements to decide whether to keep Barzagli in the squad after the centre-back was all but ruled out of the group stage with a calf problem.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit the national team at their base in Gdansk, where she will hold a brief address and dine with the players.

"She will visit this evening, she will arrive and we will greet her," said manager Oliver Bierhoff. "She will address the team, dine with us and then depart again."

If you think Denmark's bonus package is good then think again...Ukraine's players could earn up to £457,000 each if the co-hosts lift the trophy in Poland and Ukraine.

Jessica Ennis confirms she will step up her London 2012 heptathlon preparations by competing in the 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump and 200m at the Olympic trials in Birmingham next month.

BBC pundit Alan Shearer plays down England's Euro 2012 chances but believes they are capable of reaching the last four.

"I can't see us winning it," he says. "I think it's the first time I can remember when we've gone into a tournament without huge expectations. I think maybe a semi-final position for England."

Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer, says: "Here in Krakow there is genuine excitement about Euro 2012 although the biggest poster boy in these parts is former world heavyweight boxing champions Mike Tyson - clad in a white suit and smiling while pointing at a soft drink he appears most happy to endorse. A fearsome sight at 40 feet high. The anticipation is building and is, inevitably, the subject on the lips of most when they hear an English accent."

The official England football supporters' club criticises media coverage of racism in Ukraine ahead of Euro 2012.

Mark Perryman, the convener of the London England Fans' group, says: "If there is racist abuse of our players or fans we'll be the first to complain, but we refuse to believe that Ukrainians are all racist. The coverage is being unhelpful."

Czech Republic striker Milan Baros will undergo a hospital check on a thigh problem on Wednesday. Baros, who would be a likely starter in coach Michal Bilek's side if fit, had to cut short Tuesday's training ahead of the team's Euro 2012 opener against Russia.

Denmark's players will receive a bonus of £326,000 each if they win the European Championship. That's a fair chunk more than Germany, whose players are on £242,000 a man.

Richard Conway, BBC Sport, says: "It's just one sign of how people here are embracing what is the biggest sporting event the country has ever staged. Here in Krakow the excitement from local people is building ahead of Poland's opening game on Friday."

Richard Conway, BBC Sport, says: "Last night Italy, who are based in the city alongside England and the Netherlands, held an open training session at the Cracowia stadium. Thousands turned out to welcome the Azzuri and every goal in practice was cheered and clapped."

Maciej Nakielski from Warsaw asks the BBC Sport team of their impressions of Poland. BBC football commentator Conor McNamara says: "First impressions of Gdansk are very good. The Old Town looks great at night with almost every grand old building lit up. Ireland play Spain here next week, and Irish fans will have good fun hopping from bar to bar through the narrow medieval streets."

Russia manager Dick Advocaat plays down the significance of their recent friendly victory over Italy ahead of their Euro 2012 opener with the Czech Republic. "One friendly victory, even if it was a thrashing of Italy, doesn't make us the Euro favourites," he says.

Drogba has been linked to Shanghai Shenhua, where his former Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka is currently playing.

The chairman of Al Wasl says the United Arab Emirates club has made a bid for Didier Drogba but that he expects the former Chelsea star to sign with a Chinese club.

Birmingham acting chairman Peter Pannu said: "Chris is a great manager and deserves the opportunity to speak to Norwich which is why we have granted him permission to speak to them."

Birmingham have confirmed they have "reluctantly" granted permission for Norwich to talk to Chris Hughton after the Blues manager expressed a wish to speak to the Canaries.

BBC football commentator Conor McNamara reports 12,000 Polish fans turned out to welcome Republic of Ireland players in their first training session in Gydnia last night.

Brazil are up to fifth, Argentina are seventh and Denmark are ninth but Portugal have fallen five places to 10th. The Republic of Ireland are still in 18th spot. But do you believe the rankings are realistic? Tell us via Twitter with the hashtag #bbcfootball.

Back to those Fifa world rankings, where England get a Euro 2012 confidence boost by climbing one place to sixth. Spain are top and Uruguay surprisingly knock Germany out of second spot.

What is the group game you simply have to watch apart from England? Germany's clash with Portugal on Saturday night on BBC One looks tasty. Tell us via Twitter with the hashtag #bbcsportsday.

Niko Kranjcar claims he is leaving Tottenham Hotspur and joining Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev after Euro 2012.

Ahead of Thursday's third Test between England and West Indies, BBC Sport columnist Alec Stewart wonders whether rested paceman James Anderson may retire from limited-overs cricket to prolong his Test career.

Andy Murray says he is unfazed by David Ferrer's record on clay against him as he attempts to beat the Spaniard to win a spot in the French Open semi-final.

BBC Formula One presenter Jake Humphrey, also a big Norwich fan, has his say about the club's managerial search via Twitter: "Chris Hughton. If it happens I like that."

So Norwich want Chris Hughton to be their new boss. What are your views? Tell us on Twitter using the hashtag #bbcsportsday.

"England arrive at Kracow base today - with manager Roy Hodgson under scrutiny about the 'footballing reasons' behind Ferdinand's absence."

We have put together a Euro 2012 sweepstake kit to help you gear up for the big kick-off on Friday. Why not give it a go? Tell us via Twitter at #bbcsportsday which team you have drawn out - are you delighted or distraught?

We are looking for more questions to put to our team of commentators, presenters and correspondents out in Poland and Ukraine. Want to know who they think will win Euro 2012? Get involved by asking via Twitter at #bbcsportsday.

Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson defends Roy Hodgson, saying the criticism of his failure to select Rio Ferdinand is a "smear" campaign.

Our team of commentators, presenters and correspondents are already out in Poland and Ukraine and are poised to answer your questions about the tournament through Sportsday Live. We will send out the first batch of questions by 0900 BST, so get involved on Twitter at #bbcsportsday.