Well done Italy, and well played too.

From a neutral persepective, they are a lot more entertaining that Spain. Spains tippy tappy, no striker appoach has been boring.

JoeTyler said:

Italy has done it again

they truly know how to play football, since the 30s... flawless defense, deadly strikers...Germany wasn't bad though, but the italian defense was pitch-perfect...the german goal during the last minutes was irrelevant...

right now I'm betting on a tense Spain 1 - 0 Italy...or penalties...

Agree. Italy deserved the win.

One of the post-match commentators said German was over-coached. I don't know if that's right, but they did look out of sorts. I don't think Gomez touched the ball a half-dozen times.

RodeoSchro said:

JoeTyler said:

Italy has done it again

they truly know how to play football, since the 30s... flawless defense, deadly strikers...Germany wasn't bad though, but the italian defense was pitch-perfect...the german goal during the last minutes was irrelevant...

right now I'm betting on a tense Spain 1 - 0 Italy...or penalties...

Agree. Italy deserved the win.

One of the post-match commentators said German was over-coached. I don't know if that's right, but they did look out of sorts. I don't think Gomez touched the ball a half-dozen times.

I think that's more or less the opinion here. All of Löw's decisions before worked - this time, they didn't. Of course one can't know, but everyone thinks that the team from the game against Greece would have performed better. Just look at the energy Reus brought when he joined in the second half. Also, they said before the game, that they wouldn't adapt to the opponent too much instead playing their own style. But the changes in the team clearly showed they didn't. Still, I like our team so much, they're just great.

Yesterday wasn't my favorite day, though.

Phishanga said:

RodeoSchro said:

Agree. Italy deserved the win.

One of the post-match commentators said German was over-coached. I don't know if that's right, but they did look out of sorts. I don't think Gomez touched the ball a half-dozen times.

I think that's more or less the opinion here. All of Löw's decisions before worked - this time, they didn't. Of course one can't know, but everyone thinks that the team from the game against Greece would have performed better. Just look at the energy Reus brought when he joined in the second half. Also, they said before the game, that they wouldn't adapt to the opponent too much instead playing their own style. But the changes in the team clearly showed they didn't. Still, I like our team so much, they're just great.

Yesterday wasn't my favorite day, though.

Yesterday was one of the few times that I actually enjoyed watching Italy, I dont favor tactic teams such as Italy. Super Mario did a great job yesterday tho, but on the second half Germany dominated and could have easily taken the game to extra time, because Hummels missed a clear goal. It will be a hard game on sunday, it could go both ways. But since I'm going for spain, I hope they will win despite them playing awful this year lol. It's like spain has changed to Italys 2006 world cup team /very tactic and boring. If Torres plays there's a big chance Spain wins this or perhaps they'll go to penalties. However it all depends if Spain has the will to win the game, because they look kinda tired and uninterested but we shall see.

Italy clearly outplayed Germany. The 'squadra azurra' have played the most attractive game and have grown the most in the tournament of all, as a team and in quality. It's almost as if the Italians need bribery scandals in order to prove that they are really good...

Pirlo, in my opinion has to be crowned best player of the tournament. So far he has played near flawless, controlling the midfield and throwing terrific passes anywhere, with such a magnificent technique, flair and oversight. His 'panenka' penalty against the English was a testimony of his superior class and self assurance. He oversees everything and can seemingly do anything. Amazing!

I really liked the German team too tho'. I really thought they had the best team, mentality, talent and tactics. But I guess they and everybody else were too assured of their chances of succes too soon already. Arrogance and assumption is a bitch.

Portugal by the way deserved to win against Spain, but since I am Dutch I do not feel sorry for them at all...

In the finals I will be supporting ...

ITALY

Tremolina said:

Italy clearly outplayed Germany. The 'squadra azurra' have played the most attractive game and have grown the most in the tournament of all, as a team and in quality. It's almost as if the Italians need bribery scandals in order to prove that they are really good...

Pirlo, in my opinion has to be crowned best player of the tournament. So far he has played near flawless, controlling the midfield and throwing terrific passes anywhere, with such a magnificent technique, flair and oversight. His 'panenka' penalty against the English was a testimony of his superior class and self assurance. He oversees everything and can seemingly do anything. Amazing!

I really liked the German team too tho'. I really thought they had the best team, mentality, talent and tactics. But I guess they and everybody else were too assured of their chances of succes too soon already. Arrogance and assumption is a bitch.

Portugal by the way deserved to win against Spain, but since I am Dutch I do not feel sorry for them at all...

In the finals I will be supporting ...

ITALY

They overplayed them in the first half, Germany controlled the second half. I agree with you, they have played pretty good this tournament which is a BIG surprise. They usually play so boring. Pirlo has played exceptional.

I wish the Germans could have won, it's time they win something big lol. They got a good team but the problem with germans is that they rarely play good in semi-finals & finals, just look at what happened to Bayern Munchen.

I hope Spain wins even tho I'm swedish .... Viva Espana

GoldDolphin said:

Tremolina said:

Italy clearly outplayed Germany. The 'squadra azurra' have played the most attractive game and have grown the most in the tournament of all, as a team and in quality. It's almost as if the Italians need bribery scandals in order to prove that they are really good...

Pirlo, in my opinion has to be crowned best player of the tournament. So far he has played near flawless, controlling the midfield and throwing terrific passes anywhere, with such a magnificent technique, flair and oversight. His 'panenka' penalty against the English was a testimony of his superior class and self assurance. He oversees everything and can seemingly do anything. Amazing!

I really liked the German team too tho'. I really thought they had the best team, mentality, talent and tactics. But I guess they and everybody else were too assured of their chances of succes too soon already. Arrogance and assumption is a bitch.

Portugal by the way deserved to win against Spain, but since I am Dutch I do not feel sorry for them at all...

In the finals I will be supporting ...

ITALY

They overplayed them in the first half, Germany controlled the second half. I agree with you, they have played pretty good this tournament which is a BIG surprise. They usually play so boring. Pirlo has played exceptional.

I wish the Germans could have won, it's time they win something big lol. They got a good team but the problem with germans is that they rarely play good in semi-finals & finals, just look at what happened to Bayern Munchen.

I hope Spain wins even tho I'm swedish .... Viva Espana

They hardly created any real chances, but they did fight untill the very last bitter seconds. Like the Germans always do. And which is admirable, tho' I could not help but also think of the place where it all happened.

The Germans, Italians and Brazilians, if I am not mistaken, are the best tournament players in the world. However, in 8 world and euro cup encounters, the Germans have NEVER been able to beat Italy...

I love Spain, but this team... no lo quiero... They play a boring game and aren't as strong as they used to be.

Italy on the other hand...

GoldDolphin said:

Phishanga said:

I think that's more or less the opinion here. All of Löw's decisions before worked - this time, they didn't. Of course one can't know, but everyone thinks that the team from the game against Greece would have performed better. Just look at the energy Reus brought when he joined in the second half. Also, they said before the game, that they wouldn't adapt to the opponent too much instead playing their own style. But the changes in the team clearly showed they didn't. Still, I like our team so much, they're just great.

Yesterday wasn't my favorite day, though.

Yesterday was one of the few times that I actually enjoyed watching Italy, I dont favor tactic teams such as Italy. Super Mario did a great job yesterday tho, but on the second half Germany dominated and could have easily taken the game to extra time, because Hummels missed a clear goal. It will be a hard game on sunday, it could go both ways. But since I'm going for spain, I hope they will win despite them playing awful this year lol. It's like spain has changed to Italys 2006 world cup team /very tactic and boring. If Torres plays there's a big chance Spain wins this or perhaps they'll go to penalties. However it all depends if Spain has the will to win the game, because they look kinda tired and uninterested but we shall see.

I don't know if it's overconfidence, excellence, fatigue, or the "tired of winning" syndrome, but Spain truly plays like a bunch of old friends who could win any match even if they didn't want to they play with that attitude, as if they were thinking "nah, we'll play seriously in the final, let's rest for now"...

can't wait for Sunday, it will be an epic game I'm sure, Italy will give it all and Spain will be forced to act accordingly...

[Edited 6/29/12 14:22pm]

Come on Italy!

EvilAngel said:

Germany will win and Spain won't make it past the quarter finals. That's all you need to know.

Holy crap! 4:0...

Well-deserved win for Spain!

Good to know I was right lol, Spain wanted to play today and gave their all today! I'm so happy, campeones!!!! They played beautifully like we are used to see Spain playing. It was fast, very skilled and enjoyable moments. It would had probably been 5-0 if that dumb referee would have seen that clear hands lol. Over all you can't compete with Spain when they want to play and win, first team in history to win 3 championships in 4 years. European winners 08, world cup winners 10, and now winners again 12!!! Gracias Espana

PANDURITO said:

EvilAngel said:

Germany will win and Spain won't make it past the quarter finals. That's all you need to know.

I laughed already when I read that a month ago

GoldDolphin said:

Good to know I was right lol, Spain wanted to play today and gave their all today! I'm so happy, campeones!!!! They played beautifully like we are used to see Spain playing. It was fast, very skilled and enjoyable moments. It would had probably been 5-0 if that dumb referee would have seen that clear hands lol. Over all you can't compete with Spain when they want to play and win, first team in history to win 3 championships in 4 years. European winners 08, world cup winners 10, and now winners again 12!!! Gracias Espana

yep, as I predicted, the 08-10 Spain reappeared tonight; the quarter/semifinals were just the "warm-up"...

best team I've seen since France'98...

the italian defense was pretty weak anyway...perhaps they were tired...

PANDURITO said:

well done Spain

JoeTyler said:

GoldDolphin said:

Good to know I was right lol, Spain wanted to play today and gave their all today! I'm so happy, campeones!!!! They played beautifully like we are used to see Spain playing. It was fast, very skilled and enjoyable moments. It would had probably been 5-0 if that dumb referee would have seen that clear hands lol. Over all you can't compete with Spain when they want to play and win, first team in history to win 3 championships in 4 years. European winners 08, world cup winners 10, and now winners again 12!!! Gracias Espana

yep, as I predicted, the 08-10 Spain reappeared tonight; the quarter/semifinals were just the "warm-up"...

best team I've seen since France'98...

the italian defense was pretty weak anyway...perhaps they were tired...

Exactly, that's what I kept telling everyone. Theyre amazing, this team is unstoppable becuase they have so many players.

I dont know, but I personally think that the spaniards are faster and more skilled which eventually made the italians extremly tired. Very few teams in Europe can deal with a high tempo and skilled players, had it been Argentina or Brazil - the game would not have been the same because brazilians & argentineans are more technicallly skilled and faster.

GoldDolphin said:

JoeTyler said:

yep, as I predicted, the 08-10 Spain reappeared tonight; the quarter/semifinals were just the "warm-up"...

best team I've seen since France'98...

the italian defense was pretty weak anyway...perhaps they were tired...

Exactly, that's what I kept telling everyone. Theyre amazing, this team is unstoppable becuase they have so many players.

I dont know, but I personally think that the spaniards are faster and more skilled which eventually made the italians extremly tired. Very few teams in Europe can deal with a high tempo and skilled players, had it been Argentina or Brazil - the game would not have been the same because brazilians & argentineans are more technicallly skilled and faster.

Well, every game is different anyway.

I haven't been impressed by an Argentinian team for a long ass time.

I think Italy was very naive to play that offensive, especially when in recent matches Spain had a hard time playing against defensive teams. If you're going to ask yourself why Spain played so much better in the finals than they'd done in previous weeks, you have to look at what the difference was. Well, IMO, the biggest difference was that they were facing an offensive team which gave them the space they needed.

Anyway, very impressive streak by Spain. I doubt I'll ever witness a country win three major titles in 4 years again.

EvilAngel said:

GoldDolphin said:

Exactly, that's what I kept telling everyone. Theyre amazing, this team is unstoppable becuase they have so many players.

I dont know, but I personally think that the spaniards are faster and more skilled which eventually made the italians extremly tired. Very few teams in Europe can deal with a high tempo and skilled players, had it been Argentina or Brazil - the game would not have been the same because brazilians & argentineans are more technicallly skilled and faster.

Well, every game is different anyway.

I haven't been impressed by an Argentinian team for a long ass time.

I think Italy was very naive to play that offensive, especially when in recent matches Spain had a hard time playing against defensive teams. If you're going to ask yourself why Spain played so much better in the finals than they'd done in previous weeks, you have to look at what the difference was. Well, IMO, the biggest difference was that they were facing an offensive team which gave them the space they needed.

Anyway, very impressive streak by Spain. I doubt I'll ever witness a country win three major titles in 4 years again.

and the World Cup of Brazil'14 is just around the corner...

Brazil, Germany, Italy, or the argentinian team of Leo Messi will have to give it all to dethrone Spain, considering that players like Torres, Mata, Silva, Busquets, Iniesta, Cesc, Pique, Alba, Ramos, etc. are still young, and Casillas, Xavi and Del Bosque will be there as well, as the "can do no wrong" veterans/leaders...

can't wait for 2014...