spain vs. italy
Only one group winner is left. Can Spain turn over Italy or will the Spanish succumb to Italy's awesome tournament mentality?
posted by gooner71 @ 9:12 AM
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Only one group winner is left. Can Spain turn over Italy or will the Spanish succumb to Italy's awesome tournament mentality?
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Contributors
Previous Posts
- Holland vs. Russia
- Croatia vs. Turkey
- Portugal vs. Germany
- Euro 2008 Group Stage Highlights
- Russia vs. Sweden
- Greece vs. Spain
- France vs. Italy
- Holland vs. Romania
- Austria vs. Germany
- Poland vs. Croatia
156 Comments:
Wow, I am first here.
Glad Tom's game got canceled this afternoon so I am not missing a minute of the match.
Who do I want to win?
My name is Nocito!
The Spaniards look good!
Looks like Andy Gray will be the color guy. Phew
Here are the teams.
Spain
01 Casillas
15 Sergio Ramos
04 Marchena
05 Puyol
11 Capdevila
06 Iniesta
19 Senna
08 Xavi
21 Silva
07 Villa
09 Torres
Italy
01 Buffon
19 Zambrotta
02 Panucci
04 Chiellini
03 Grosso
22 Aquilani
10 De Rossi
13 Ambrosini
20 Perrotta
09 Toni
18 Cassano
Hey, mate! I'm here. I'm plugging for the Spanish too. With the Dutch out, they're the last team that I really like in the tournament and the only thing in the way of an inevitable German victory. Viva Espana!
Spain's Subs
Palop, Albiol, Fernando Navarro, Fabregas, Santi Cazorla, Alonso, Sergio Garcia, Guiza, Arbeloa, Juanito, De la Red, Reina.
Subs
Amelia, Gamberini, Del Piero, Di Natale, Borriello, Quagliarella, Camoranesi, Materazzi, De Sanctis.
Hey Mate
Interesting fact there, the Spanish national anthem has no words!
No words to the Spanish anthem? Surely that should be fixed fairly easily.
Both keepers are captains?
That doesn't happen often
You were at that match at Foxboro between Italy and Spain, right?
I am skipping the big screen HD TV in the basement just to blog with you lads.
Go Italy! I am wearing an Italian 3 star jersey, purchased in Italy as WC 2006 was commencing.
Good to see Cassano uptop with Toni again. He's always good for a laugh.
Nope, I was at the game before that.
I was at the Italy Nigeria game
Hey Steve
Welcome, AZ. Good to have you on board!
Why can't people be like me?
Have the HD TV in the same room as the computer!!!!!
The Italians are dropping deep already. I think that's a bad strategy. Without Cannavaro, Materazzi and Barzagli, their defense it weak today. They'll need to go out and score goals against Spain. The Spanish defense is also weak and Casillas flaps at crosses so Toni should have some joy.
We can't all be Nocitos, eh?
He got that card because the ref was still ticked off with Torres
I need a bigger antenna on my router. Maybe this will prompt me to visit an electronics store this week.
The real problem is turning on the AC - the basement stays cool.
Cassano gets hacked by Torres but for once he doesn't retaliate. He had a spectacular melt-down for Sampdoria in Serie A this season when he got yellow carded for retaliation and then mouthed off to the ref. After he was given his marching orders, he whipped off his jersey and challenged to the ref to a wrestling match. Brilliant!
Kinda calm game so far, eh?
Andy thinks they should have a pen there.
I HATE THEY KICK IT OUT OF PLAY
Yeah, very cagey. Still, there could have been two penalties in two minutes there for Spain. That would have opened things up.
Useless by Torres.
Doesn't he have a left foot
Come on, let's have a decent game!!
It has been hopeless so far
MLS in on FSC. It was more exciting.
Nice header by Perotta. Finally a good cross.
The U.S. vs. Barbados match is starting now on ESPN Classic. I've got it set to tape and will watch it later if they don't give away the score here. Sshhhhh, if you're following.
I agree. This is the sort of game that we're accustomed to at this stage, but it had seemed that this tournament was punishing the negativity of teams like France, Greece and Romania.
Decent free kick opportunity here...
Villa to take...and it's well held by Buffon.
They will give it away during this match PLUS what does it matter?
IT'S EIGHT NIL!!!
I just checked,
Barbados is UP 3 nil.
Whoops, sorry, no more updates.
If you mix Panucci with Chiellini, you get a pannini And if you mix Torres and Villa together you get a tortilla
Sorry, the football is a bit boring at the moment."
Well, if it's goals you're looking for, have a look at the U.S. qualifier later. The first leg was 8-0 with even the woeful Brian Ching having a hat-trick, so there's bound to be some net bulging today. But schtum, eh?
I wish that Ambrosini and his girly hairband would pack it in. He's rubbish. He picks up a yellow for serial offenses.
I should open up in the second half.
I'm switching to the US game at half.
Nice, one, Dave.
Xavi made a good move. Should have done better
I stole it from the BBC
And I believe that if you put Senna and Iniesta together you get "siesta," which I'm about to have if this doesn't pick up.
zzzzzzzzzzz
I Toni was in there
Nice one Bob
That was original too!!
Andy thinks that a striker should score every time he has a header in the box.
Nice move from Torres and then Silva with a nice shot. He has had a few today
Go on, Fernando! Have a pop!
2020: Andres Iniesta's shot goes hopelessly high. "This is like Bristol Rovers v Southend," laments the man to my right. Not a lot of goalmouth action, that's for sure.
There is too much grabbing and pulling in today's football.
It has to stop
40 minute summary:
It is starting to pick up. Spain is controlling, but Italy's chances have been more dangerous.
zero - zero at half is apropos.
That was a foul.
This ref likes to call nothings and then not giving a free kick.
ANDY IS ANNOYED!!!
There goes ESPN giving away the US score
Half Time
Useless
Half time: 0-0
zzzzzzzzzz
I guess, transgrsssions in the 18 yard box are forgiven.
Off to Barbados.
Did you see that Ince has officially gone to Ewood Park?
Second half begins.
Please be better
Oh, that was useless from Iniesta.
Nice dummy and then Iniesta plays volleyball
Silva has to get it on goal!!!!
My name is Luca has been pretty awful all tournament!!
Useless by the Italians. At least they didn't kick it out because someone went down
Back from Barbados.
More of the same in Vienna so far.
OH MY GOD!!!
What was Villa doing???
Let's get Fab out there
Luca Toni has been pants.
A plaid bell bottom pair of pants
Spain almost in. Torres should have done better
Torres made a great move (shove) and pissed away the pass.
Time to focus
THESE ARE THE WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!
Spain are starting to get some balls in the box.
Look at the hugs Torres got on that corner
Iniesta off but not Cesc
Here he comes for Xavi
Here comes your Cesc.
What a scramble!!
great save
Is that Casillas' first save?
BTW, please don't say "my Cesc" HE IS A GOONER!!
2106: Least surprising stat of the day... Italy have been involved in more goalless draws at European Championships than any other team, with six from 26 games.
Free kick chance for Spain
Sorry.
Andy doesn't like this ref
Did he make some bad decisions against Scotland some time
Villa has not been very good today
Bob, have you buggered off?
That was a decent hit!
Why did Buffon punch that out?
No, just chatting on the phone with the Gooner.
oooh, Buffon spills it on to the post
Oooh, Buffon's a lucky boy. He spilled that onto the post.
Isn't he at the match?
bloody thunderstorms arriving in Scotia.
I better not lose power
Toni useless in the air
Oh, that was rubbish from Toni.
Torres off!! THEY NEED A GOAL!
So have you got another match tonight to run off too, mate?
Nope, we had our game this morning. It was in the pouring rain. It got called in the second half because of lightning.
I WAS HOPELESS
Get it in the box!!!
Howdy. Literally, I just woke up. Based on mr Gray and you gent's comments, I did not miss much.
Welcome to extra time.
2131: "This match makes you realize how good this tournament has been. Games like this have been commonplace in World Cups and European Champs the last twenty years. We should be thankful we've got this far this time without more matches like this."
crongtong on 606
This is the best thing anyone has said all night
Villa... volley it
That's it.
Useless
DN, I agree. Villa needs to volley the cross. Everyone is playing too tentative.
Good quote. it has been a great tournament. I plan on watching the semi's from a bar with some buddies from my soccer team.
Right, the Gooner's off to a BBQ so I'm back full-time. This one's been by far the worst match of the tournament so far. It's going to take some real fireworks to save it in extra time. I want to see goals, red cards, pitch invasions, the lot!
Oooh, I thought that was in from Silva. I like that little guy. I'd have him at the Elland.
I wold have volleyed that one at the back post.
Looks like Spain wants to win. Good stuff.
I love it - the Italian fans are singing the Banana Splits song - "La la la, la la la la, la la la, la la la la!" That's quality!
Go on, ref! Give us a dodgy penalty. At least that would be interesting.
Villa can't keep on his feet
Andy reckons the Spanish have been better. I think he's right but I have the sneaking suspicion that the Azurri will win. That's their pedigree.
Is Chelskilad watching?
Senna's in trouble here. They've used all of their subs.
I was wondering about Del Piero
How does a player like Guiza score so many in La Liga and look so poor on this stage?
Half way point of extra time. I can't take much more of this. It's sapping my enthusiasm for life.
Free kick chance here for Italy....
Rubbish from Grosso.
Here com ADP
Here's your boy Del Piero. On for the penalties, for sure.
How about not worrying about being the goat and worry about being the hero
Villa blew it again!!!
Yeah, he looked shagged.
That poses the question why was Torres taken off
Totally agree with Andy. Play on and the player will hop up.
Totally
Apparently Torres and Aragones have had an on-going spat during this tournament. That's why he came off early in the first match against Russia and why Villa celebrated his goal by running toward Torres.
When are they going to get rid of Aragones? He is horrible
I forgot about the WC semi.
Italy score two quick ones
He's already said that he'll quit after the Euros.
This has been pathetic
Oh, that was the one. Cazorla. What a miss.
Penalties.
Penalties suck. I say play on, with 10 men per side, then 9 per side, then 8 ...
Looks like David Villa to take the first. He's the top scorer of Euro 2008 with four. Can he do it....?
Yes! 1-0!
Villa to go first.
He better do better than he has all game... he does 1-0
Bloody hell, they're doing the "anthem" after the penalties as well. Ridiculous.
1-1
Grosso....1-1.
2-1
Cazorla steps up...sends Buffon the wrong way.
2-1.
Shut that bloody music up!
This guy hit road z at Old Trafford
He misses again
De Rossi....misses!
SAVVVVVVED
Great save
Buffon can't watch.
Senna... great pen
Senna....sticks it in! 3-1.
Cam to take... has to score.. he does
Cameronese...very cool. 3-2.
Guiza...saved!!!
Guiza....I was thinking he'd miss and so was Andy.
back even.
Can't wait to see the keeps shoot.
back even.
Can't wait to see the keeps shoot.
back even.
Can't wait to see the keeps shoot.
ITALY are major trouble!!
Di Natale....misses! Still 3-2. This next one will seal it.
The Gooner to win it.....HE DOES!!!
Spain are there
Come on, Cesc....yes! Well done, lad!
Spain are through. Finally!
Sorry Tony, do you think Spain deserved it? I do
Spain is in. Who will win it all? Russia?
So, Spain vs. Russia in the semis. That'll be some match on Thursday. Some match.
Nice chatting with you lot. Thanks for the special effort, Steve. I'll look forward to the pleasure of your company for the semis.
Good luck with your envelope Tony!!
Had fun, wish the game was better.
Talk to you Bob on Wednesday.
Talk to you in an hour Tony
Post a Comment
<< Home