Euro Cup 2012

[Tornado F2]

It's harsh to claim that Italy were "hammered". Up to the point they went down to 10 men through injury they were definitely being beaten, but were still in the game. Stats-wise they remained surprisingly close, and a goal could have turned the game. The two late goals threw the final scoreline completely off. A deserved win for Spain, but hardly a true thrashing or embarrassment. In fact this is probably the first Italian side in recent memory that wasn't an embarrassment. The WC-winning side needed Materazzi's verbal abuse of Zidane (and his resulting red card), plus PKs, to win the final, and a late, late dive in the penalty box spared that WC squad from elimination at the hands of a much-fitter Australia. The current squad played the game right, possibly to compensate for the latest corruption scandal back home.

[Tornado F2]

As for Spain, fortunately they played the final the right way too. All the whistling and "wave" performances by the spectators in the SF made it clear to them that neutral audiences weren't interested in watching them pass the ball around for 90 boring minutes.

Spain really are ruthless though. They've just named their Olympic squad. While Britain's manager named two aging Welsh wingers (Giggs and Bellamy) to their squad (who'd never had the chance to play in a major international tournament with their national team), and had been under pressure to take Beckham too, the Spanish manager has gone with two 24-year olds and a 23-year old as his "overage" players - two of them (Mata and Alba) straight from the full Euro squad. Tellingly, there are NO Real Madrid players in the squad. (No talented Spanish youngsters there apparently).

[kennyhohoho]

It's harsh to claim that Italy were "hammered". Up to the point they went down to 10 men through injury they were definitely being beaten, but were still in the game. Stats-wise they remained surprisingly close, and a goal could have turned the game. The two late goals threw the final scoreline completely off. A deserved win for Spain, but hardly a true thrashing or embarrassment. In fact this is probably the first Italian side in recent memory that wasn't an embarrassment. The WC-winning side needed Materazzi's verbal abuse of Zidane (and his resulting red card), plus PKs, to win the final, and a late, late dive in the penalty box spared that WC squad from elimination at the hands of a much-fitter Australia. The current squad played the game right, possibly to compensate for the latest corruption scandal back home.

+1.

I am always predisposed to hate Italy before any international tournament even begins, but I found very little to hate about how this squad played. Not as much diving, time wasting, and flopping around the floor this time around. Probably because most of the old guards from the Italain squad are gone. Still don't like De Rossi though.

[xlash]

+1.

I am always predisposed to hate Italy before any international tournament even begins, but I found very little to hate about how this squad played. Not as much diving, time wasting, and flopping around the floor this time around. Probably because most of the old guards from the Italain squad are gone. Still don't like De Rossi though.

Hehe maybe it's a Roma thing. I can't stand Totti. He is racist and very unsportsmanlike.

[Tornado F2]

The most overrated and useless footballing nation in the world goes home.

CIAO

Such a long way to go FOUR NOTHING!

[blzn]

Such a long way to go FOUR NOTHING!

.. Why bump this?

[hyperactiveme]

.. Why bump this?

Out of ignorance