Italy’s Chances Looking Up?

Injuries in sport absolutely suck. There’s really nothing to like when a terrific player, regardless of who he plays for, suffers a setback and has to go on to miss a big game.

That said, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t breath a little sigh of relief to discover that both Carlos Puyol and David Villa will likely miss out on Spain’s Euro 2012 campaign in June. I’m not particularly fond of Spanish football, but add the fact they’re drawn in Group C with my beloved Italians, and I’m having a hard time not being at least a tiny bit okay with this injury news.

Puyol’s probably not as big a concern, but La Roja will no doubt miss Villa’s finishing, which was so instrumental to their World Cup win in 2010.

Final squads will be announced by May 29. First match begins at noon eastern time on Friday, June 8, when host country Poland meets Greece.

Italy v Spain is the first match in Group C, June 10 at noon eastern. That match has a good chance of setting the tone of the group.