Euro 2008 (include all discussions)

Deserved win for Spain against Italy tonight. Even though I supported Italy, its impossible for me to feel sorry for them now actually. They went out to get penalties from start and lost deservedly on penalties. Di Natale was really annoying to watch, mostly because of his antics. Thought Chiellini was a giant tonight and he is the only Italian player which came out of this match with some dignity left. Like I said, deserved win for the Spanish, but against Russia in semifinal wouldn't be a piece of cake at all !

Originally Posted by Ghost

Fabregas you little magician

Where was he?

I'm half Spanish, half ITalian, so I was split on this whole thing. I thought that was the most boring game i've seen from either side.... and in fact I thought both sides were wasteful. It's probably better Italian players get a rest.

And as far as Spain going any further than the next round... who do they face? The Germans? Or Russians?

Deserved win for Spain BECAUSE they won the penalties NOT 'won' the game.

Yeah, that was a really boring game!

Originally Posted by Siregar

Deserved win for Spain BECAUSE they won the penalties NOT 'won' the game.

Yeah, that was a really boring game!

I ended up watching the discovery channel before the 2nd half of extra time. It was just that lousy.

And Spain seriously, wastes more chances than anyone I have seen. Their strikers are virtually incompetent. But I can say the same for Luca Toni too.

The squad was a little lightweight. The only dependable striker was Toni who was just sloppy. I wish they had Inzaghi in there too. Italy defended ridiculously well however their finishing was not better.

Well, our players can return now and be fit and fresh for the next season. Not a great season for Italian football. Lippi just has to take over again and prepare for 2010 with a completely new team.

I thought both teams were very very bad, I'm even going to say Spain was worse cause they weren't missing their biggest star and were never able to get it, while Italy had a plan that worked fine for the game, but in the end simply failed because those things always fail (and Italy sucks at penalties), maybe if they would have been more offensive minded they would have gotten away with it (defenetly if Pirlo would have played Italy would have won).

Originally Posted by mly

I thought both teams were very very bad, I'm even going to say Spain was worse cause they weren't missing their biggest star and were never able to get it, while Italy had a plan that worked fine for the game, but in the end simply failed because those things always fail (and Italy sucks at penalties), maybe if they would have been more offensive minded they would have gotten away with it (defenetly if Pirlo would have played Italy would have won).

Exactly, and with that I agree.

There is a reason Pirlo was a three time man of the match in the world cup, and was the man of the match of the semi-final and final. It's my opinion he should have been the man of the world cup. His passing is bone crunching and that is something Italy lacked today. We better hope there is another star like Pirlo in the future.

And the performances of Spain was highly unconvincing. My prediction who takes this whole thing? Germany.

Well I'm off...

I am just wondering, if Toni was ever being subtituted in this tournament?

Thanks in advance for the answer.

I feel that had Italy won, and then Pirlo took over things, he might have had a chance at the Golden Ball...damn I still think about that play were Perrotta was injured and the french didn't threw the ball away and Pirlo had to stop the french player with that foul, it should have never happened.

Originally Posted by Siregar

I am just wondering, if Toni was ever being subtituted in this tournament?

Thanks in advance for the answer.

No.

so many ifs and buts, but life moves on .

Originally Posted by Giancarlo

Where was he?

From where I was standing he bossed the midfield but you could say im slightly biased, what was heartbreaking was watching pirlo cry at then end - he probably blames himself after the suspension

Ghost don't bother it'll be difficult to convince many people here how great of a player Cesc is. I actually believe he's at least at Pirlo's level because what he lacks in free kicks he makes up in direct assists, goalscoring and consistency. You just can't go wrong with Fabregas. Great player.

Italy was just poor...never really looked like controlling the game and had a goal-shy striker up front. Don't know why you're gonna bring Borriello if he's not even gonna get 1 minute. I think Spain deserved it because they were actually looking like they were trying to do something while Italy were restricted to a few attacks.

It's not all bad news because Italy can look forward to a great future with those recent/current U-21 players maturing (the likes of Giovinco, Montolivo, Aquilani, Cigarini) plus a few players from the current squad like Cassano, Pirlo, De rossi, CHIELLINI etc. They can look forward to a good WC 2010.

P.S. What a great player Chiellini is...and to think he just left the U-21 team and was stopping Spanish attacks like he's been playing football forever.

Originally Posted by Mystik

Ghost don't bother it'll be difficult to convince many people here how great of a player Cesc is. I actually believe he's at least at Pirlo's level because what he lacks in free kicks he makes up in direct assists, goalscoring and consistency. You just can't go wrong with Fabregas. Great player.

Italy was just poor...never really looked like controlling the game and had a goal-shy striker up front. Don't know why you're gonna bring Borriello if he's not even gonna get 1 minute. I think Spain deserved it because they were actually looking like they were trying to do something while Italy were restricted to a few attacks.

It's not all bad news because Italy can look forward to a great future with those recent/current U-21 players maturing (the likes of Giovinco, Montolivo, Aquilani, Cigarini) plus a few players from the current squad like Cassano, Pirlo, De rossi, CHIELLINI etc. They can look forward to a good WC 2010.

P.S. What a great player Chiellini is...and to think he just left the U-21 team and was stopping Spanish attacks like he's been playing football forever.

I'm biased towards Spain and Italy for that matter too... but this time I was split. I couldn't make a judgment. But I'm going to say this, Fabregas is NOT better than Pirlo in any sense.

Italy was no more poor than Spain. Spain's creativity up front was worse than Italys... and besides that chance by Senna (who is arguably was one of the better Spanish players), Spain looked dry. Spain not at any time looked like they were gonna score.

Frankly, neither side did and both sides should be ashamed of their performances.

None of the Spanish strikers could break through the Italian defense. It's a pity Italy's attack was not better... but hey Inzaghi would have been able to make use of those few chances better than Luca Toni.

Originally Posted by Ghost

From where I was standing he bossed the midfield but you could say im slightly biased, what was heartbreaking was watching pirlo cry at then end - he probably blames himself after the suspension

I can feel that, and boy he is a Milan player... He must be wondering: If only I were on the pitch...

Sheesh Giancarlo before you start raging at least read the post properly. I didn't say he was better (although that is VERY arguable). Just to avoid controversy I said that he's AT LEAST at Pirlo's level. I didn't say he was better at all.