Spain v. Italy Live!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 1:25 PM
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!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
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!
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119 Comments:
We're back to Court TV once again this afternoon on ESPN (sigh)...
As we're watching this non-soccer blather on ESPN, here is the team news for this afternoon's semi final:
Spain: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Piqué, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Silva, Torres, Pedro
Italy: Buffon; Bonucci, Chiellini, Barzagli; Maggio, Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchiso, Giaccherin; Candreva; Gilardino
As you can see, Torres and Silva have come in for Spain to show their Real Madrid and Barcelona-based team-mates a bit of proper Premier League manliness. Italy, meanwhile, have made six changes to the line-up that flopped against Brazil and look set to deploy a 3-5-1-1 formation, for all the good it'll do. Prandelli has dropped Balo from the line-up.
And without any fanfare on ESPN, we're off in this second semi final from Fortaleza. The crowd is distinctly anti-Spain.
After a quick start from Spain, this one has settled into the usual cagey European pattern.
A couple of decent chances for the Italians there, well saved by Casillas.
Webby's got his hands full today with the load of nonsense going on out there.
Oh - brilliant move there by the Italians. Maggio met a lovely cross by Giaccharini with a diving header. Well saved by Casillas.
Oh - now it's Torres who goes close at the other end. Shot was just wide.
The crowd urging the Azurri on now with a round or two of "Oles." Spain have been flat so far today.
Oh - nice ball from Iniesta that nearly found Xavi in the box.
And we've away in the second half. Spain were really disappointing in the first half, but they've got a break, in that the immense De Rossi has come off to be replaced by Montolivo.
Good afternoon, Bob. I am here to join you for the second half. I read an article on soccernet about indiscipline and late nights partying with prostitutes by the Spanish squad. Your thoughts?
Pardon me, it's Barzagli who's gone off - not nearly the same situation.
Meanwhile, Del Bosque has to consider some changes. He's got plenty of firepower on the bench with Villa, Fab, and Mata.
Interesting - they have seemed a bit ponderous as if they'd had a big night on the town. Makes sense then.
I have a link loading
Afternoon, MUR, btw - great to have you around.
I see that I did not miss any goals. A decent first half.?
Jesus Nava is coming on - didn't take Del Bosque long to recognize the need for a change.
Thanks, Bob. How have you been?
Not really - although the Italians had the better chances. Very cagey with lot of niggly things for Webby to deal with.
It's David Silva who will be sacrificed. I'm surprised. I would have taken off one of the defensive middies, maybe Busquets.
It also stated that some players have threatened to quit the squad because they are unhappy with Del Bosque's tactics. Particularly Xavi, who wants one less defensive middie and to do less running and be used like he is at Barca.He wants Xabi Alonso dropped.
AT least it will add more width. I concur that I would have taken off a defensive middie instead of Silva.Part of Xavi's complaints.
Perhaps it can be a case of the Italian job. Michael Caine will be pleased.
Free kick to Spain.Xavi takes and a poor header from Sergio Ramos
Comfortable save by Buffon.
AN Italian corner taken short. The Italians keep possession until the offside flag goes up.
It looks like we could see ET in Fortelaza.
Another offside by the Italians/.In fact, the sixth of the match
Unless the first half was different, then this must be the worst match of the tournament.
De Rossi is booked for a foul on David Villa.
Better from Spain with a great move down the left , but a cross is easily caught by Buffon. Then a naughty foul by Biscuits on Marchissio.
Spanish fans seem happy. I sure wouldn't with this dreadful, dull display
An Italian shot is blocked by Piquet for a corner that was easily cleared.
Italy playing Tikki Taka.Jordi Alba called for a foul on Maggio
Pique heads out the free kick from Pirlo for a corner.The corner from Pirlo is headed inches over by Chiellini. Nearly the lead for Italy.Then a nice block by Buffon from Cesc that leads to a Spain corner as he got behind the Italian defense.It must have gone wide as a goal kick was given
Candreva wins an Italian corner that is cleared. Spain counter through Navas, but the Italians come back to stop the threat
Another Italian corner.Cleared, but Italy maintain possession.
Finally some signs of life to this match as there are just under fifteen minutes plus stoppage time remaining
Spain have 54% of the possession. Far below normal by their standards.
Juan Mata is on for Pedro, who missed a great chance. Like for like/.Alberto Aquilani is on for Claudio Marchissio as the Italians appear top be going for the win.Fair play to them.
A great Spanish counter lead by Torres and a cross from Navas is shot well over by Piquet of all people.
Three minutes of stoppage time as we appear to be set for thirty more minutes of dreadful stuff.
OH! Nearly an an Italian winner as a volleyed pass from Aquilani was shot just wide by Gilardino past the on rushing Cassillas
A late Spain free kick as the three minutes have been played. A late winner?
The answer is no as Sergio Ramos heads a free kick from Xavi wide and Webbie blows for the end of regulation. We are headed for ET as it is 0-0
I wonder what happened to Bob. Hope everything is okay.
Spain players players look shagged during the intermission probably due to the late night out.
Sergio Ramos appears to have a case of cramp as ET is about to start. Webbie sees the funny side of things.
Giovinco is on for Gilardino as it's one striker for another.
ET is underway from Forteleza
Navas immediately wins a corner.
The corner is easily cleared.
OH! An Immediate impact by Giovinco as he has a shot come off the post.
Javi Martinez is on for Torres. Why another defensive middie as a striker comes off? Spain going for pens?
Martinez wins a Spain corner
Piquet nods on a corner from Xavi that is cleared for another then the next corner is not cleared and Sergio Ramos blasts over from close range.
Finally some nice Spanish inter passing and Jordi Aba volleys just over from a great move.
Chiellini fouls Mata just outside the box. Typical of the hatchet man.
The free kick from Xavi is headed wide by Piquet
Iniesta is tripped by Pirlo about a foot outside the box.
Back for extra time after a lengthy phone call with my dad. This one is grinding down to the inevitable penalties, don't you think?
More like five yards outside the box. and a poor free kick from Xavi is curled over.
Pique with an attempted Mano a Dios. Yellow card.
Welcome back. It appears that we are headed for pens.How is your dad?
Webby blows for half time of extra time.
Halftime of ET and still 0-0
The second half of ET is underway
Both sides have had several decent chances.The closest was the one by Giovinco that came off the post.
Oh - I thought that would be the game winner. Mata with the left side of the goal gaping. Misses.
Dad's doing just fine - he's like a teenager these days.
Chiellini is down and it appears to be a dead leg. That would be a massive loss for Italy as Juan Mata shot just wide.
Great to hear. Glad he's doing well and enjoying life.
A free kick from Pirlo is headed out for a throw.
Oh - Xavi with a rocket that Buffon just about saves off the post! And the rebound shot goes wide.
Thanks, mate!
Oh - Navas with a shot again saved by Buffon!
Spain win a corner after winning the ball in midfield.
And again Chiellini puts it behind for a corner. Finally, Buffon has it and can calm things down.
The corner from Xavi leads to another.Biscuits is called for a foul on the next one.
One minute plus stoppage time of ET remaining before a penalty shootout.
One minute of stoppage time.
That's it - it's penalties, then.
The end of ET and this semi will need to be settled by pens.
So who will face Brazil in the final?
I reckon penalties might just favor Italy. Who knows?
Definitely the main winner today is the host side - Brazil.
Buffon organizing the huddle - that's a good sign for them.
Definitely favors Brazil as the winner of the shootout has played 120 minutes plus Brazil has an extra day's rest
Italy to take first then....it's the right back Candreva.
A Panenka! Wow!
Xavi now....
Great penalty. Slotted it home professionally, no messing.
1-1
1-0 Italy . Cardena sends Casillas the wrong way
1-1 Xavi sends Buffon the wrong way
Aquilani next...scores! Great one in the left corner.
2-1 Italy
Cooly put away by Aquilani 2-1 Italy.
Iniesta now.. Spain going with the masters....
Super penalty, slotted in the same spot Xavi hit.
2-2
Slotted in the corner by Iniesta. Desmond!
De Rossi - hits the top left corner.
3-2 Italy.
Blasted by De Rossi. 3-2 Italy.
PIque?
Nice penalty - slotted left side. All Barca players.
Put away by Piquet 3-3
Giovinco - great penalty - this could go on all night!
4-3.
4-3 Italy as Casillas didn;t even move . put in the corner Giovinco
Ramos now....
Similar pen to that of Pique.
4-4
Sergio Ramos scores and it's 4-4. A perspriring Del Bosque.
Now it's sudden death. Pirlo...can he do a Panenka again?
Wow - what a pen - bottom left corner.
5-4.
5-4 Italy. WHY is Casillas not moving?
Pirlo dispatched that one as if it was a nuisance.
Mata - left footed into the left corner.
5-5! Goalkeepers haven't come close.
5-5 as Juan Mata sends Buffon the wrong way. A clinic on taking pens.
Montolivo - scores easily, down left.
6-5.
Are you watching at home, Roy Hodgson?!
6-5 Italy as Montolivo sends Casillas the wrong way
Busquets - another brilliant pen down low to the right.
6-6
Bonucci - the Liverpool man - misses!
It's all down to this one now. Jesus Navas....
Scores! Spain are through to the Final!
So Spain are in the final as they win 7-6 on pens as Chiuellini missed and Jesus Navas scored the winning pen.
Sorry it was Bonnucci. SO, it is the final that we all expected as it will be Brazil vs Spain. Hope it's interesting.
It was great chatting with you. I look forward to doing the same on Sunday. Time to head home and see the family.
CHEERS MATE!
Cheerio, mate!
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