Euro 2012 Sportsday - Monday 18 June

That is it for Sportsday Euro 2012 today. You can join Phil Dawkes right now on the BBC website for his live text of Spain v Croatia and the Republic of Ireland v Italy. Sportsday Euro 2012 will be back with you tomorrow from 0800 BST.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech insists the Czech Republic can beat Portugal despite going into their quarter-final as big underdogs. "We haven't lost yet, of course you can beat anyone on a good day," he said. "We definitely have a chance to advance. It's sport and anything can happen."

Uefa President Michel Platini says he is unhappy that some Croatia fans have tarnished a European Championship he described as "99 per cent great." He said: "I am not happy with the Croatian people. It's a matter of society and education. It's not just in eastern Europe, there is nationalism in all countries. But one case (of racism) is one too many."

Tonight's clash between Spain and Croatia will be on BBC1 starting at 1900 BST while the Republic of Ireland's match against Italy is on BBC3 with coverage from 1930 BST.

David Nalbandian is fined the maximum penalty of £6,400 for kicking an advertising hoarding into a line judge's leg at the Aegon Championships final at Queen's.

England captain Chris Robshaw is ruled out of the third Test against South Africa with a cracked right thumb. Dylan Hartley will replace him as skipper.

The FA confirms the kick-off time for this year's Community Shield between Chelsea and Manchester City will be 1.30pm on Sunday, 12 August.

Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko takes part in a squad training session after fears a knee injury might rule him out of their must-win game against England.

The Scottish Premier League also announces that disciplinary charges will be brought against Rangers when the future of the club is clarified, and before the start of the new season, following an investigation by the SPL into player payments outside of contract.

The Scottish Premier League announces that a vote to decide whether to admit a Rangers 'newco' into the top flight will take place on Wednesday, 4 July.

Coming up at 1615 BST is the England press conference from Donetsk with Roy Hodgson and we will be covering live on Sportsday.

Over on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra from 1930 BST you can listen to the other game in Group C. Reigning European and world champions Spain play Croatia.

Pescara will begin their Serie A campaign with a two-point deduction after authorities in Italy issued the first sentences in the country's wide-ranging match-fixing scandal.

Manchester United's Brazilian defender Rafael is set to sign a new contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2016, according to his agent Cassiano Pereira.

New West Brom manager and former Liverpool first-team coach Steve Clarke says he was disappointed that Kenny Dalglish was sacked as the Reds manager. "I was disappointed for Kenny because that is his club and for him to leave in that way was not very nice for him, so I felt a little bit for Kenny," he said. "But if you don't achieve the standards or the levels of the people who run the club want you to achieve, you have to pay the price."

Winger Theo Walcott joins his 22 England team-mates aboard the bus that leaves the hotel for Krakow airport to fly to Donetsk for their clash with Ukraine despite concerns about a hamstring injury.

British number one Anne Keothavong is knocked out in the first round of the Aegon International in Eastbourne, beaten 6-2 6-3 by eighth seed Daniela Hantuchova.

Speaking after signing for Rangers, Andy Johnson said: "I have spoken to the chairman and Mark [Hughes], who both have great ambition for QPR, and it is something that I wanted to be a part of. Mark told me about the plans for a new training ground and how the club wants to go forward. That really excited me."

QPR are busy in the transfer market. Just minutes after announcing the signing of defender Ryan Nelson they announce a two-year deal for striker Andy Johnson, beginning once his Fulham contract expires at the end of June.

The Czech Republic say the number of Polish fans watching their practice sessions has fallen dramatically since Poland were eliminated from Euro 2012. Defender Michal Kadlec said: "Poland probably won't declare a public holiday when the Czechs have a training session on a weekday. But we're grateful for the applause from this small bunch of fans all the same."

Denmark's Nicklas Bendtner is banned for one match and fined £80,000 after he celebrated a goal by revealing the logo of a betting company on his underpants in the 3-2 defeat to Portugal.

QPR agree a deal to sign defender Ryan Nelsen on a one-year contract when his Tottenham contract expires at the end of June.

Greece midfielder Giannis Maniatis insists they want to keep football out of politics when they play Germany in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals despite the financial crisis and the fall-out's impact on both countries. "The most important thing for us is to give some happiness to the Greek people, that's all. To make them celebrate in the street, given everything that is going on," he said.

QPR assistant manager Mark Bowen expresses his delight that their opening fixture comes at home, against Swansea, but admits their record on the road must improve next season. "Obviously it's great to have a home fixture on the opening weekend," he tells the club's official website. "It's brilliant for the fans, as well as the players, so we'll be looking to get off to a good start.

"I'd most certainly prefer a home game against Swansea than one at the Liberty. The away form is something that the boss, the staff and the players know needs addressing. It has to change and it has to improve and that will be in everyone's mind when the season starts. We know what we and the fans can produce at home, but we need to replicate that away from Loftus Road."

Former Republic of Ireland international Kenny Cunningham on whether the Republic of Ireland should stick with Giovanni Trapattoni: "My gut feeling is no and that's with great respect to the manager. He's a great personality, he bonded the lads and gave them structure but he's taken us as far as we can.

"If we're going to step up to the next level we need to go down a different route. We should shake his hand and move on with another manager."

New West Brom manager Steve Clarke has been speaking to the media about his appointment at The Hawthorns, saying he had hoped to make the step up from coaching sooner.

He says: "Circumstances dictate as and when you get chance to move up. I'd hoped an appointment like this would happen sooner. When I left Chelsea in 2008 it was my ambition to be manager or a head coach. I thought this position and appointment would have come a little bit sooner."

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is looking forward to Wigan kicking off the 2012-13 season at home to Chelsea: "Fixtures Day is always one of the highlights of the calendar and we have been handed a really exciting opening again, with the Champions League winners at the DW. It is going to be a fascinating start."

Former Republic of Ireland international Kenny Cunningham on England's options for the Ukraine game. He tells BBC Radio 5 live: "I'd play Welbeck ahead of Rooney - he's a big talent and will become an even better player.

"His movement is excellent in behind defences and it's better than Carroll's. I'd lean to Oxlade-Chamberlain ahead of Ashley Young. Against Sweden he was left out for tactical reasons but he's powerful, he's got speed and a burst of energy and will really trouble opposition defences."

Tributes are being paid to Danny Fullbrook, the chief football writer of the Daily Star, who died today aged 40.

Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter: "RIP Danny Fullbrook, thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."

Adrian Bevington from Club England has also expressed his sympathy, saying: "On behalf of the FA and everyone in the England set-up, including the players, we would like to express our sadness and deepest sympathy on learning that Danny has passed away.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time. He was a very well-respected individual and a real character around the football media circuit who will be greatly missed by everybody."

Melanie Oudin beats Jelena Jankovic 6-4 6-2 in the rain-delayed Aegon Classic final at Edgbaston.

5 live's Conor McNamara echoes Steve Wilson when it comes to Irish spirits ahead of the game against Italy:

"There is still a very strong contingent of Irish fans in Poznan. Many have told me that they had only booked to come out for the last game anyway. Despite knowing the outcome of the first two games, these fans have made their way to Poland regardless. Many pointing out that the bad weather at home was reason enough to travel!

"Best chant I heard last night from the Irish fans was in regard to their team being bottom of Group C after 2 games: 'The Group Is Upside Down, The Group Is Upside Down... Will Anyone Believe Us? Will Anyone Believe Us? The Group Is Upside Down…'"

BBC Sport commentator Steve Wilson reports from Poland ahead of the Republic of Ireland's last game at Euro 2012: "Irish fans enjoying the craic in Poznan's old town. Many are wondering if this could be Trap's last stand. If they lose by three they will have the worst record of any team in Euro champ finals history - but at least they got here."

Iain Dowie is in no doubt that Wayne Rooney will be back in the starting line-up for England's game against Ukraine, telling BBC Radio 5 live: "He will definitely start the game and Roy has not shied away from big decisions, even back to Walcott. He has gut instinct and made the right change and that's why you have to trust him.

"England had a 20-minute wobble against Sweden and Mellberg shouldn't get a free header on the six-yard line, but Roy's response was a positive one and it totally changed things."

BBC Sport's Richard Conway has been assessing Roy Hodgson's options for when England play Ukraine in Donetsk: "After spending the first two games on the sidelines serving his suspension, Wayne Rooney is ready to be unleashed on this tournament.

"Hodgson took his squad training today in Krakow ahead of their departure for Donetsk, although we watched Theo Walcott leave ahead of the squad and his injury status will play a large part in Hodgson's thinking over his starting XI.

"But with Andy Carroll and Danny Welbeck both finding the net against Sweden, the England boss knows he has options over who will partner Rooney in attack. We may get further clues at the press conference in Donetsk later today."

Jonathan Agnew on the news that Surrey's Tom Maynard has died aged 23: "How desperately sad. Heartfelt condolences to Matthew and family."

There are all sorts of permutations when it comes to the remaining group stage games at Euro 2012 and BBC Sport has put together a handy guide on what various results will mean for the countries battling to make it into the quarter-finals.

BBC Radio London's Mark Church on the news that Surrey's Tom Maynard has died aged 23: "Surrey have lost a real talent, a fantastic cricketer with a huge future ahead and the overriding feeling is numbness that cricket has lost one of the brightest young talents in the game.

"Tom was just so incredibly adaptable, would work a situation out so quickly, had a brilliant cricketing brain and five years down the line I'm convinced he'd have been scoring runs for England in every form of the game. When he went out to bat everyone sat up and took notice."

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill admits his team have been handed a testing start to the new campaign against Arsenal.

"The confirmation of the fixtures galvanises everyone's thoughts towards the new season and the planning and preparation has already begun in earnest," he tells the club's official website.

"Our opening game is certainly a challenging one. There's a lot of hard work to be done between now and then in order to ensure we are ready for the season ahead, but we are certainly looking forward to seeing what we can achieve."

More details have been released regarding the death of Surrey cricketer Tom Maynard. It has been confirmed that the 23-year-old batsman died after being struck by a London Underground train at Wimbledon station on Monday.

Welsh cricketer Tom Maynard has died in an incident, his club confirm. The 23-year-old batsman from Cardiff played for Surrey in the t20 game against Kent on Sunday. He came through the ranks at Glamorgan and joined Surrey at the start of last season.

Over on 5 live sports extra from 1930 BST you can listen to the other game in Group C. Reigning Euro and World Champions, Spain, play Croatia.

Tonight's 5 live Sport with Colin Murray from 1900 BST has full commentary on the Republic of Ireland's final game of Euro 2012 against Italy in Group C, with Giovanni Trapattoni's men looking to end their tournament on a positive note. Joining Colin in the studio for build-up and post-match reaction are Robbie Savage and former Ireland international Steven Reid.

West Brom fans look away now - OPTA informs us that the Baggies have not won any of their six opening-day games in the Premier League.

Carlisle United fans have to put in the miles to follow their side away from home and they may already be planning for the lengthy journey to Bournemouth, which is scheduled for 20 April next year. Where and when are your club's long away trips? #bbcfootball

West Ham chairman David Gold is excited about the Hammers' prospects after the release of the fixtures for 2012-13.

He says: "It's going to be extremely exciting. The last time we played Villa on the first day two years ago they beat us 3-0 so we're looking forward to reversing that score. It's important to get off to a good start - we lost the first four games two years ago against big clubs but home to Villa and away to Swansea are winnable games, or games you would expect to get something from."

If there's one day that embodies football in Britain, then it's Boxing Day and there are a few Christmas crackers to look forward to after you've finished off those turkey sandwiches. Arsenal host West Ham, Aston Villa tackle Tottenham, Manchester United entertain Newcastle, a tricky trip to Stoke awaits Liverpool, while Manchester City visit Sunderland. Juicy.

David Moyes can look forward to an opening-day date with Manchester United and it is a former Red Devil whom the Everton manager and BBC Sport Euro 2012 pundit reveals he would buy if money were no object and he could sign one player from Euro 2012.

Coach Steve Harrison has left Coventry by mutual consent. Chief executive Tim Fisher said: "We thank Steve for all his efforts over the past three years and wish him every success for the future. As we said at the end of last season, it is time to look at all aspects of the club as we prepare for life in League One."

Back to the Championship for another dose of this feast of fixtures. Charlton Athletic will go to St Andrews to play Birmingham City, Derby will host Sheffield Wednesday while Huddersfield Town, who went up via the play-offs, travel to south Wales to play Cardiff City.

Blackpool, who missed out on promotion after losing the play-off final to West Ham, start their season away to Millwall while Steve Bruce's Hull City are at home to Brighton for their opening game. Nottingham Forest and Bristol City, who both finished last season just above the relegation zone, face each other at the City Ground.

Big news from the Ukraine camp where striker Andriy Shevchenko is rated only 50-50 for tomorrow's Euro 2012 game against England. The national team's doctor, Leonid Mironov, says the player will have the last word on whether he plays after picking up a knee problem in the games against Sweden and France.

He said: "Andriy Shevchenko's condition as of 2300 lights-out last night was satisfactory. There is less fluid in his knee joint, but the knee tissue is still swollen and he cannot fully bend his knee joint. Andriy will have the last word as he knows his knee better than anyone else. This morning the chances that Shevchenko will play against England are 50-50. I think that Andriy will do his best to play."

Theo Walcott travels to England's training ground ahead of his team-mates this morning as he battles to get himself fit for tomorrow's crunch Euro 2012 clash against Ukraine after pulling out of training yesterday with a "tightness in his hamstring".

Walcott leaves the team hotel in a car, understood to have been headed for the Hutnik Stadium, while the rest of the squad's outfield players boarded the team bus.

A few more diary dates for you. The first Merseyside derby of the season takes place at Goodison Park on 27 October. Chelsea travel to play Arsenal on 29 September and the north London derby between the Gunners and Tottenham is scheduled for 17 November at the Emirates.

Sunderland and Newcastle go head-to-head on 20 October at the Stadium of Light with the Magpies playing Manchester United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day. Manchester City face Norwich at home on the final day, with neighbours United travelling to West Brom. Chelsea take on Everton at Stamford Bridge with Arsenal finishing their season at Newcastle. Plenty to get the juices flowing...

The phrase 'baptism of fire' looks to have been created for Southampton's start. Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal await in their first four games (the other being a date with Wigan). What would be a reasonable return from that? Tell us via Twitter using the #bbcfootball hashtag.

Fleetwood Town will make their Football League debut at home to Torquay when the new season starts on 18 August. Fellow promoted side York will begin life back in League Two with a home game against Wycombe, newly relegated from League One.

Among the other three relegated clubs, Exeter host Morecambe, Chesterfield travel to AFC Wimbledon and Rochdale entertain Northampton. Play-off finalists Cheltenham begin at home to Dagenham & Redbridge.

Paolo Di Canio's Swindon start life back in League One after promotion with a trip to Hartlepool on 18 August. Newly relegated from the Championship, Portsmouth host fellow south-coast side Bournemouth, Coventry travel to Yeovil, and Doncaster visit Walsall.

Losing play-off finalists Sheffield United begin the season at home to League Two runners-up Shrewsbury. Both the other promoted teams are at home - Crawley host Scunthorpe while Crewe entertain Notts County.

Wow. The footballing gods don't appear to have looked too kindly on Brendan Rodgers as he bids to turn around Liverpool's dismal home form. Their first three league games at Anfield come against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United.

North of the border, 'Club 12' head to Kilmarnock first when the Scottish Premier League gets under way on 4 August. Champions Celtic host Aberdeen, while new boys Ross County start at home with Motherwell.

Scottish Cup winners Hearts take on St Johnstone at Tynecastle, Inverness CT travel to St Mirren and Dundee United host Hibs on 5 August.

A few more gems for you to round off the opening weekend of the new Premier League campaign. Arsenal host Sunderland, Newcastle United entertain Tottenham, new Norwich City manager Chris Hughton starts with a trip to Fulham, Roberto Di Matteo's Chelsea head to Wigan and Michael Laudrup begins his Swansea reign with a visit to QPR.

What a start for new West Bromwich Albion head coach Steve Clarke, who will come up against former club Liverpool in what will also be Brendan Rodgers' first match as Reds manager.

As for the Championship, Blackburn will begin life in the second tier with an away trip to Ipswich Town. All three sides relegated from the Premier League are away for their first games in the 2012-13 Championship.

Blackburn will go to Portman Road, while Bolton manager Owen Coyle will face his former club Burnley in a local derby at Turf Moor. New manager Stale Solbakken's first league game in charge of Wolves will be against Leeds United at Elland Road.

Reading return to the Premier League by hosting Stoke, while promoted West Ham entertain Aston Villa. The Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium takes place on 8 December with the return fixture coming during the run-in on 6 April.

The fixtures are here! Manchester City begin the defence of their Premier League title at home to newly promoted Southampton. Runners-up Manchester United start their campaign at Everton when the top flight kicks off on 18 August.

We are now just one minute away from the release. Fans of new boys Reading, Southampton and West Ham, be sure to get in touch with your thoughts on whether the fixture computer has been kind to your team.

The tension is mounting here. Less than 15 minutes to go now until the Premier League, Football League and Scottish fixtures are released...

It promises to be an especially intriguing, and rather strange, morning in Scotland with Rangers absent from the official Scottish Premier League fixture list for 2012-13 when it is published at 0900. Instead, the soon-to-be liquidated club will be replaced by "Club 12".

Manchester United's defeat to Aston Villa in 1995, which prompted BBC Sport's Alan Hansen to infamously remark "you can't win anything with kids" is surely one of the most memorable opening-day matches. Give us your favourite campaign curtain-raiser memories via Twitter using the #bbcfootball hashtag.

It could be a particularly interesting day for Tottenham fans. BBC Sport's Ben Smith reports they have made contact with representatives of former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas as the club's search for a new manager gathers pace.

Luka Modric is close to moving to Spain, with Real Madrid desperate to sign the Tottenham midfielder (Daily Mail). Free agent Andy Johnson is in talks with QPR about a deal that will see him link up again with old boss Mark Hughes (the Sun). France and Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila, 21, admits he is interested in a move to Arsenal as Gunners manager Arsene Wenger looks to do business early in the transfer window (talkSPORT).

Good morning and welcome to Euro 2012 Sportsday Live. Tonight sees Group C reach a climax as the Republic of Ireland bid to break their tournament duck against Italy, while defending champions Spain face Croatia. It's also a big day in the domestic calendar with the fixtures for the new season set to be announced this morning. As always, we start, however, with three stories from today's gossip column on the BBC website.