Euro 2012 - Day 3!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 8:41 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 10, 2012
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
- Euro 2012 - Day 2!
- U.S. v. Antigua
- Euro 2012 - Day 1!
- How much are you prepared to watch?
- Euro 2012 Preview - Ukraine
- No-nonsense Polish Cops
- Euro 2012 Preview - Sweden
- Let's Be Havin' Ya!
- Euro 2012 Preview - France
- The Guardian Euro 2012 Animated Series
447 Comments:
Sportscenter was full of shocking video last night featuring Russian fans assaulting stewards after their opening match with the Czechs on Friday. Apparently some stewards had had temerity to confiscate some offensive banners on the way into the match. It's high time for UEFA to do something about these thugs.
Here are the wild and wooly team choices for today's opener:
Spain: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba; Alonso, Busquets; Silva, Xavi, Iniesta; Fabregas.
Italy: Buffon; Bonucci, De Rossi, Chiellini; Maggio, Motta, Giaccherini, Pirlo, Marchisio; Cassano, Balotelli.
Referee: V Kassai (Hungary).
Good morning BD.I agree. Also,German fans were throwing debris on the pitch when the Portugese players were taking corners in the first half. IS it appropriate to call them fans?
That's got to be the strangest Spanish line-up I've ever seen, with about eight midfielders and no out and out striker. WTF?!
Morning, MUR - great to have you on board.
I'm delighted to see Mario Balotelli starting today - that should be good entertainment.
I expect a low scoring chess type match as the Italians should play defensively . They did this four years ago in the quarters when they lost to Spain in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.I would expect more of the same from the Italians.
Great to be chatting with you. I see what you say, but I would guess Fab will be the striker and two of the wide midfield players will be fullbacks, so it must be modified 4-5-1. So it probably won't be the most entertaining match, but rather a tactical battle.
So far in the Golden Boot stakes, Red Devil and Thomas are at least on the board with that Mario Gomez goal from yesterday. Most everyone else has picked RVP; West Ham picked Ronaldo.
I've picked Llorente who isn't even starting today - bloody Norah!
I think you're right but Fabregas isn't a proper striker really. In effect, you have four attacking middies with Xavi, Iniesta, Fab and Silva.
I think Arsene used him in that role from time to time. We have African and CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying too.
Prandelli going with a 3-5-2. Kudos to him unless he is deceiving everyone.
Ian and Steve should be sacked . Our Bob mentioned no recognized striker for Spain almost an hour ago.
Ian and Steve should be sacked . Our Bob mentioned no recognized striker for Spain almost an hour ago.
I agree - at least the Italians are giving us some attacking options. Spain are going to tippy-tappy us into a coma today.
Thank you, MUR - I agree.
Cheers BD. BTW, I think we have an upset in African World Cup qualifying. It's early days and only two of six matches have been played, But South Africa is third in the group behind Ethiopia and the Central African Reublic. Only one team goes through to the final round.
That should be fascinating to watch today. The balance of power in Africa is certainly shifting toward sides like Zambia.
Also in CONMEBOL, six out of sixteen matches have been played and Paraguay is second from bottom, one point above the dreaded wooden spoon position.
It's weird to see CONMEBOL qualifying without Brazil.
I agree, but it allows an extra decent team or two to participate.
COME ON YOU WOPS!!!..... I am one!
With the Italian wizard Menditto
And Dahlgren is the king
And Phil MIlton in the net
And Woppo on the wing
Nice one, UWS - welcome!
Spain about to kick-off. Way hay!
And we're off from Gdansk, Poland
Away we go
Welcome, UWS! If we didn't know who you were rooting for , we sure do now.
Italy look more like Leicester City today rather than the Azurri of old.
The interesting match will be Ireland vs Italy as my wife is part both as are my daughters.
Rubbish early corner from Spain. I hope that Italy will get after the Spanish.
Great point,BD.
Me too. I am expecting a tactical battle, but hope I am mistaken
Too late Ian; I already mentioned that. I agree with the Leicester City description.
I hope so too. I'm personally offended that Del Bosque hasn't started with Llorente, my GBB.
Actually Bob mentioned that.
Shocking behavior from Del Bosque!
Nice free kick opportunity for Italy now. Italy should have advantages at set pieces.
It didn't seem a foul by Alba, but I can see where a European ref would.
Pirlo with a rubbish free kick that didn't beat the first man.
BEAT THE FIRST MAN WITH THE KICK
The weak free kick is easily headed away
A long Italian ball is off of Arbeloa for a corner.
Bloody useless corner!!!
I hate that corner from Pirlo. It may have worked in training, but not today.
They should have tried that in A friendly rather than today. That's the purpose of friendlies.
Bit of a mad scramble in the Italian box now. The pitch looks really dodgy with lots of players slipping about.
Was that Spain or the Gunners with tons of passing in the box. A Spain cornmer
Silva well over the top there.
The corner from Xavi is headed into the air and cleared then breaks to Silva who shoots well over from about twenty five yards out,.
Balo tries one from distance and wins a corner.
A shot from Balo is deflected for a corner. Nice idea.
Pirlo has been rubbish so far with these deliveries.
Crap corner from Pirlo that fails to beat the first man yet again.
STRUTH!!!!! ANOTHER PISS POOR DELIVER BY Del STINKO
Spain break and Silva shoots straight at Buffoon as he was under pressure from an Italian defender.
Free kick chance... DON'T LET PIRLO TAKE IT
Cassano wins a free kick in the D off of Sergio Ramos as Spain failed to clear under pressure.
Dangerous free kick area now for Italy. Come on - pop this one in!
Decent effort and save
Better from Pirlo as he forces a good save from Casillas
Tricky free kick routine there and Pirlo rifles one to the left of Casillas - well saved.
I have a question. If the set pieces are poor , shouldn't a different player take them . Surely there are several Azzurri players that can take them.
Decent move there from the Spanish. Their first.
De Rossi blocks from Silva as Several defenders converged.
I agree - unfortunately, all Italian roads go through Pirlo, who's been off his game so far today.
I hope this match doesn't fizzle like Germany vs Portugal.
It's been fairly lively so far.
Xavi tried to chip to Iniesta , but the Italians were wise to that.
Great defending by Arbeloa from an Italian chip. Nothing wrong with that challenge.
Thiago Motta is down. He must be a little on the fragile side.
I fancy the Italians here - they've got more dynamism than the tippy tappy Spaniards.
It seems that way early on.
They're dominating the midfield so far with De Rossi winning a lot of 50/50 challenges.
Fab is offside and he can wag his finger till the cows come home, but he was off.Superb run and passing from Iniesta.
I don't think they shows the right pass for the offside... it was the next one
Oh - great move there through Cassano who hit a great shot just wide of the post and just too long for Balo to slide in on.
Just wide by Cassano from a great through ball.
I don't know how the Italians are dominating the midfield.. they have 84 players in there!
As we have stated on LOB, teams are wise to the Spanish tactics and know how to play against Spain.
I agree - their reign is just about over.
great run and great block by De Rossi. He's been everywhere.
That offside call was very marginal against Cassano - he was nearly off to the races.
Rosky by Pique. Cassano was flagged offside , but that was really close.
Which one? The Belmont?
Italy have been the better team , but Spain have had their moments. Don't count them out as they score about 75% of their goals in the second half.
Free kick chance for Spain now - rubbish!
Was that the one from yesterday. That's near NYC I believe
Useless pass from Silva
Yes it was and yes it is
Spain lost their opening match in South Africa, yet won the tournament.I would not count them out just yet.
Ta UWS!
I agree but their group was crap
Dangerous there from Iniesta. Most of the good stuff has been going through him. Just nodded behind by Chiellini.
Great run by Iniesta and his cross is headed out for a corner.
Long corner from Xavi and Buffoon saves at the near post from Iniesta.
This group has Croatia and Ireland. Is it really any better?Surely Spain should advance.A draw would be a great result for both teams.
Very congested around the Italian box.
Risky Italian defending, but they get away with it as this ref is letting the game flow.
Cassano with a cheeky foul there on Casillas. Should have got a yellow. The Hungarian ref has been lenient so far.
Yes, Cassano tripped Cassillas, but he needs to shut it and let the ref do his job.
I think the ref has done a decent job.
The Spanish are allergic to having a shot on goal.
Great through ball from Pirlo to Cassano and Cassillas fumbles a shot from him. Balo commits a foul on the rebound and beats the turf in frustration.
They do look dangerous when Iniesta makes his runs; they just need to get some shots off.
This has been the most competitive match of the tournament . Marchisio shoots at Cassillas.
Great effort from Marchessio there! Collected well by Casillas.
Oh dear - Balo is into the book early doors. Not a good sign.
Libya take the lead vs Cameroon and Group I should be wide open as Tog lost 2-0 to the Congo D.R. earlier today
Balo is booked for typical reasons. Will he last the full 90. That may decide the result of this match
Shut it Ian. Twenty minutes too late about that opening loss two years ago.
They may have to pull Mario off at some point in the second half if he doesn't calm down.
Cameroon tie it up almost immediately in Libya. A draw should put the Indomitable Lions in control of the group.
Nice movement now from Spain. But Fabregas isn't an effective target man.
Again too may passes and nary a shot from the Spanish that ends with a foul from Fab.
Five minutes till halftime and still 0-0
Biscuits goes through on Chiellini there. Nasty.
Biscuits fouls Chiallini and could have been booked. I think he was going for the ball.
Great block there by Bonucci - he's been immense so far.
Fab has a shot deflected for a corner that Buffoon just fails to prevent.
The corner is headed away.
Most of Spain's World Cup matches were 0-0 at the half and ended in 1-0 victories. More of the same today?
Oh - Iniesta just stretching pops it over the top.
Great pass from Xavi and over from Iniesta under pressure from an Italian defender.
Oh - great save by Casillas after Cassano's header. Balo should have been following in.
Great cross from Cassano and superb save by Casillas from a Motta header. One minute of stoppage time.
Halftime and 0-0 from Gdansk in a finely balanced match.
Half-time - Very lively, competitive first half there. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 0-0.
ESPN reported that not only were Russian fans violent, but they also directed racist abuse towards Selassie of the Czech Republic. What would be reasonable punishments as UEFA said there would be possible sanctions.What exactly does that mean?
The second half is underway from Gdansk.
Italy get us going again. Come on, the Azurri!
I don't think Del Bosque will be in a rush to bring on Bob's GBB as the supposed experts in the ESPN studio suggested.
Hello Bob. What is your opinion on my comment posted at 12:59
I certainly hope so - he's a much better option to Torres.
I did not expect a change from Spain.Ian suggested otherwise.
I think either they have to ban the fans or the team - or both. It should be a harsh punishment.
I agree. Is UEFA just making an idle threat or will they actually follow through. A small fine is bloody useless.
Oh - good strike by Fab but Buffoon did well with it.
Great save by Buffoon from Fab. Better from Spain as the corner is cleared.
Now Spain have a free kick. It is easily cleared, then Xavi shoots wide from long range.
Oh - Iniesta broke through there but his shot was from an acute angle.
Spain look more dangerous this half already
Fab sends Iniesta through, but he was never going to score from that angle.
I guess it was a finger tip save from Buffoon.I agree that Spain is better this half . They usually are.
The Italians aren't playing the Spanish midfielders as tightly in this second half. They're playing it about for fun now.
WHy was Balo JOGGING!!!
Oh - that was comical from Balo. He broke free but then took an age to get in toward goal and allowed Ramos to get back.
An excellent Italian counter with Balo through. He took far too long and Sergio Ramos tackled with a risky challenge. Was it a penalty?
Now it's Cassano wasting one over the top. Come on!
High and wide by Cassano.
I wonder if the Italians are looking at a change. They seem to be tiring and are working very hard. The Spaniards are masters of taking advantage of tired opponents in the second half.
The Italians have seen enough - Balo gets the hook and just as well.
Di Natale on.
I agree with that change from Prandelli as Di Natalie is on for Balo. He offers something different with his direct style and Balo is off before he can pick up a second yellow.
Arbeloa was fortunate not to be booked for that challenge on Cassano.
Oh - Biscuits should surely have got a yellow for that cynical pull-back.
Di Natalie will run at the Spanish defense as the Italians go with two small forwards.I guess they figure that long aerial balls won't work.
I think England could beat either of these sides in this kind of form. They've been rubbish.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ONR NIL ITALIA!!!
GOAL! YES! DiNatale opens the scoring for Italy.
GOAL !!! 1-0 ITALY AS DI NATALIE FINISHES SUPERBLY FROM A SUPERB THROUGH BALL FROM PIRLO.
Great ball through from DeRossi there and a super finish from DiNatale past Casillas. Loved the celebration as well.
I don't want to say I told you so, but I stated that Di Natalie would run at the Spanish defense and cause problems with his direct style.
Is it Llorente time.
My apologies to Pirlo - that was his super through ball.
I couldn't agree more, MUR - my sympathies would switch immediately.
What is the purpose of bringing on another winger. This plays into Italy's hands despite the lack of Spanish width.
Good hit from Iniesta but he's going to need to have a one in a million to beat Buffoon.
BUGGER... AN EX GOONER SCORES!
GOAL ! 1-1 AS FAB TIES IT UP
GOAL! An immediate response from Spain there. Lovely move and Fab finishes it.
Game on!
Lovely little dinked pass into Fab and he finishes it with aplomb.
That's odd - Navas has replaced Silva. Why?
And Giovinci has replaced Cassano. Don't get that either.
a SUPERB , WORLD CLASS THROUGH BALL FROM SILVA after passes from the two Barca midfielders. Not only did an ex Gunner score, but a current Citeh player assisted.
Iniesta is hacked by Bonucci and gets a yellow. Alba also got a yellow for the reaction.
I agree. I don't understand those changes. Spain just scored, then Del Bosque replaces the player that made it happen with plenty of time remaining.
Twenty five minutes left to see if someone will break this deadlock again.
I agree with the ref. Fab went down far too easily.
Weird decision by Del Bosque, unless Silva was injured in that attack.
Three out of four players involved in the goal play for Barca.
I think Del Bosque planned that substitution for a while. To understand him is to understand a chess player.He plans several moves ahead regardless of what happens now.
The cross from Navas is deflected on to the roof of the net.
Ramos with a spectacular overhead effort.
Clever corner routine as Pique headed on and Sergio Ramos was called for a foul while attempting an overhead kick.
Bob Bradley's Egypt lost 1-0 to Guinea , who are in sole control of Group G.
Actually they are losing 1-0 in the first half.
Wow - I had no idea Bradley was in Egypt now.
Now Torres is on for Fab. I completely disagree with that one.
Bloody hell - it's Torres. No Llorente. I am gutted. Come on, the Azurri!
I believe Navas has been a good change as the Spanish now have width they were lacking.
Well done, Buffoon - he makes a monkey out of Torres.
Torres was onside with just Buffoon, but the keeper did superbly to clear even though Torres should have done much better.
Biscuits glances a header well wide form the free kick by Xavi.
Oh - Di Natale was nearly in again for his brace. On the volley, just wide.
OH! Di Natalie volleys wide from a great cross, but he had stretch to connect.
Chiellini finally picks up a yellow for repeated assassination attempts.
Great run by Torres and Chiellini is booked by Navas after losing possession in the D.
Xavi over the free kick...into the wall. Rubbish.
Into the wall by Xavi.
Into the final ten minutes plus stoppage time. will we see a winner?
Xabi Alonso is called for a foul after the Italians did well to end a Spanish attack.
Useless from Torres as the ball broke kindly for him.
Now Arbeloa is booked for foul on young Giovinco.
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