Euro 2008 Spain 0 Italy 0 (Spain Win 4-2 On Penalties)
Sunday, 22 June 08, 11:51 PM · Comments (25)
I have to confess I thought this game had Italy scrape a lucky win written all over it. So many tournaments in the past have seen Spain perform well in the early stages only to get knocked out at the quarter-final stage, usually with some sort of controversy involved, while the Italians have made an art of getting through to finals after receiving criticism during the group stage.
Today's game had all the signs that Italy would triumph. Spain had more possession, they played the more attractive football, but the Italians when they did break forward looked more likely to score. To be honest neither team had many good chances and the game must have seemed pretty dull for the neutral.
As the game went into extra time there was a brief spell when it seemed as if the game was going to open up, but it didn't last long and neither goalkeeper had more than one or two difficult saves to make in the entire game. When it arrived to penalties I was convinced that the Italians would win, but Casillas saved twice from De Rossi and Di Natali to send Spain through.
Of the Barça players I thought Xavi had a good game but Iniesta was a bit below par before both players were substituted after 59 minutes. At the back Puyol was as good as ever despite a few mistakes from the other defenders around him. Spain now face Russia in the semi final in Vienna on Thursday.
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Well done to Spain!!
How many times have I said it, we need a good keeper. Real Madrid have a good keeper. How many points did Casillas save for Madrid this year. Valdes is mediocre and we need a top goalie in my opinion.
Anyway back to Spain. I thought Iniesta was poor and I was glad he come off. Xavi was ok but to be honest, Xavi is good at bossing the midfeild but Italy were so cowardly there was no point him being on the feild as Italy kept hitting and running so I could understand why he came off.
Guiza for Torres. Sometimes Aragones is a nutter. Guiza is not world class and he is not better then Torres and thankfully Barca are not going to sign him. Everytime Cesc, who I thought played very well when he got the ball, gave the ball to Guiza he didnt do anything with it.
Im sooooooooooooooooooooooo happy those bullying, defensive, annoying Italians are out. They stole the last world cup and thanks to Spain they aint gonna take it this time :)
ps Nic any more news on the supposed signing of Adebayor ??
@ Nic - I am very happy that you would even consider letting me come stay with you lol :) I was only joking btw but when I do come over to watch a game or two I could do with a bit of help around the city as when I went last time I was literally stuck between the hotel and the stadium eating mcdonalds 3 times in a day *yuk* :)
Got to give it up for Iker..... He was, as usual, immense..... For me, despite where he plays his club football, it is impossible not to like the guy..... The best player in La Liga (I wish we had him), Outshined Buffon today and made his case for best keeper in the World, the two penalty stops were immense, but his leg save earlier in the game was even bigger..... Full props for Casillas... Saint Iker, indeed.......
Wish he played for Barca too. Saint Iker save the day for Spain today.
The Best thing about Iker is, he is a gentlemen. He has never said a bad word about Barca. A great guy and (no question) a fantastic keeper...he has been around for so long yet he still has such a huge future ahead of him.
As for Spain, I'm glad they got through. Some of the Aragones moves were surprising but in the end it all worked out ok. Lets hope Spain go on and win it all now.
hey, congratulations!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy, at last their have broken this curse :) I hope we will treat russians more seriously, theirs coach is very tricky!! Silva and Senna played brilliantly!! Iker was fantastic!!!
25 Comments · Add yours
omg, see thats why CASILLAS is the best!!!!!!!! What a way to silence his critics in this euro… amazing stuff…. brilliant………..
Italy deserved to lose, they play shit shit shit football, they play the cheapest tactics in the book. Every time Spain countered, some Italian would fall down and hence throwing the ball out of play. Every time Spain attacked, it was 9 italians defending, they deserved to lose big big big time….
Finally we actually see something good come out of Madrid. Casillas was brilliant. Why take Xavi out of the game thou. Why take Tours out of the game. I hate the dumb old couch for the begging dumb moves all the time