The world and European football champions Spain are blaming a pitch that was too dry after being held to a 1-all draw by Italy in their opening group at Euro 2012 in Gdansk.
Against a well-organised Italian side, the Spanish struggled to get their zippy passing game going on a surface that appeared heavy, and officials were out mowing it immediately after the match.
Spain needed a 64th-minute Cesc Fabregas equaliser to rescue a point after substitute Antonio Di Natale had fired Italy ahead four minutes earlier.