Euro 2012

[Feanor]

Ronaldo not even taking a penalty was pretty funny.

Terrible strategic mistake, too.

As for England, I think its biggest weakness is the lack of a ball-controlling central midfielder with great passing skill. Who is England's Pirlo? Who is its Schweinsteiger? Who is its Iniesta? There's NO ONE in the England central midfield with anywhere near the quality of those players, who can dominate possession and dictate a game.

If England could somehow swap a carthorse like Mliner for a skilled distributor like Modric it would transform their team.

[pk500]

Ronaldo not even taking a penalty was pretty funny.

Terrible strategic mistake, too.

As for England, I think its biggest weakness is the lack of a ball-controlling central midfielder with great passing skill. Who is England's Pirlo? Who is its Schweinsteiger? Who is its Iniesta? There's NO ONE in the England central midfield with anywhere near the quality of those players, who can dominate possession and dictate a game.

If England could somehow swap a carthorse like Mliner for a skilled distributor like Modric it would transform their team.

Yep. A carthorse should be the official animal of the English national team because its squad is filled with them.

[JRod]

First 20 minutes of the Ger-Italy match is a real cracker.

More action than 75% of the games so far this Euro.

[toonarmy]

Nice goal by Italy. Balotelli is something else.

[fsquid]

Balotelli is getting it done.

[JRod]

Germany is getting sliced open.

Still think England would have gone to penalties if they didn't put everyone back?

[toonarmy]

Second goal was a beauty!

[rhymes450]

Two outstanding goals. Germany started brightly and were unlucky not to score but Italy turned things around without ever resorting to hoofing under pressure, relying on their...eh..."technique"???

[toonarmy]

Italy's failure to convert on several goals in the last 20 mins almost came back to haunt them. Fun finish to the match. Italy played a great match in unseating the favorites.

[Macca00]

I've always been a fan of crazy Mario so I'm super made up that he's got two goals today. That second was a beauty.

Italy were fantastic!

[rhymes450]

Balotelli looks to have the potential to join Etoo and Drogba in the elite group of outstanding strikers of African origin. Pirlo is at the top of his game, definitely a candidate for player of the tournament. Maybe the Italian victory tonight does put England's performance into perspective. Played 4, won 2, drew 2 is not a bad record by any means in a tournament of this calibre. The Spain v Italy final also puts the Croatian performance into perspective. To say the least, they were very competitive against both finalists in the group stages.

[Naples39]

A complete performance for Italy today. The final should be interesting.

[RobVarak]

Fun match. The Germans were a bit unlucky not to score earlier in the second, especially that peach of a chance that fell to Lahm, but OTOH were a bit lucky with the handball call. Italy were excellent and a bit lucky down the stretch.

I think the commentary calling this an enormous upset is indicative of the willful ignorance of football punditry. This is not the NBA with 7 game series and re-seeding. In a one-off tournament (especially one which has seen Greece and Denmark win it all), can we not accept the fact that teams will have bad days (and others particularly good ones)?

[10spro]

Balotelli looks to have the potential to join Etoo and Drogba in the elite group of outstanding strikers of African origin. Pirlo is at the top of his game, definitely a candidate for player of the tournament. Maybe the Italian victory tonight does put England's performance into perspective. Played 4, won 2, drew 2 is not a bad record by any means in a tournament of this calibre. The Spain v Italy final also puts the Croatian performance into perspective. To say the least, they were very competitive against both finalists in the group stages.

At 33, he's definitely my pick for MVP if they win it all on Sunday. Super Mario certainly didn't waste his chances as he did against England. Germany unlucky to score early in both first and second halves and for some reason the Azurti just have their number in International competition.

I'll be rooting for the Italians on Canada day, they've just got the right mix of veterans and youth that can play good footie unlike their ultra defensive style of year's past. I still think that Spain would be more dangerous if they insert Torres from the start, playing with all those midfielders may help them to control the ball but their gameplay has been lacksaidal without much depth up front.

Based on what I watched so far and eliminating ther flips and flops of the early rounds, I am surprised that I will be rooting for them instead of the Spaniards. Pique will be Balotelli's dancing partner the entire match.

[XXXIV]

Sorry I missed it. Sounds like much fun.

Never count out those Italians.

Hoping both teams have their attack on in the final. The only time I can stand negative football is when my boys are playing it.

[F308GTB]

I've always been a fan of crazy Mario so I'm super made up that he's got two goals today. That second was a beauty.

Italy were fantastic!

Seeing Mario smile for once was refreshing. Stressful year at City, due in large part to himself, but seeing him enjoy himself out there against the Germans was great.

Watching Pirlo all season at Juventus, he would be my go-to guy on set pieces. He is a master at ball placement on free kicks and corners.

[10spro]

Quick prediction. Spain will have the ball for sure but their insistence to crowd the opposition's field with midfielders will bite them in the end. Negredo/Fabregas as fake forwards are not as lethal as having a true scorer like Torres.

Pirlo's precision free kick in the 2nd half will give Italy a 1-0 win. Buffon will have a few heartbreaking saves. And after the win, little Italy in Vancouver will go on a riot on Canada's day.

[miget33]

game will be boring 0-0 match through 105 minutes, then some lame ass goal by Pedro or Xavi will lead Spain to victory

[Jimmydeicide]

Hopefully Italy will go out and play like they did against Germany, if they do that i think we will have a great match.
Italy score first which will make the Spanish more direct and Italy score the winner on the break. Super Mario 2-1 Italy.

[rhymes450]

I guess Spain will play their usual game, with long periods of possession, whilst waiting for the killer pass and then when they lose the ball, pressuring Italy in the Italian half. Be interesting to see if Italy adopt similar tactics, as they did against England, or if they let Spain come at them and try to catch them on the counter, a bit like the second half against the Germans. I think they've got the players to be able to withstand the Spanish pressing and have a reasonable amount of the ball themselves, but we'll see if they can do it. Hoping Spain can do it and make history but if they lose, it'll be to a pretty good Italian team. Should be a good battle.

[XXXIV]

Got my beer on and Im ready for some football!!!

[XXXIV]

Beautiful!

Spain looking VERY good so far.

[XXXIV]

Beautiful!

Spain looking VERY good so far.

beautiful again!

WOW!

[dougb]

Beautiful!

Spain looking VERY good so far.

beautiful again!

WOW!

Fantastic run forward on the second goal - what a pass by Xavi! But I guess Spain are too boring

Doug

[XXXIV]

Beautiful!

Spain looking VERY good so far.

beautiful again!

WOW!

Fantastic run forward on the second goal - what a pass by Xavi! But I guess Spain are too boring

Doug

Im bored to death

Spain are some bad mofos!