Euro 2012

[Chet]

here's an interesting little graphic to show pirlo's dominance over parker and gerrard

[edison]

I'm pretty sure Pirlo has been the best player of the tournament, and for that alone it would have been a shame to see Italy go.

[Nick Ink]

Of course Italy deserved to win, it was very one-sided in the second hlaf in particular. I'm relieved really. It's always hugely conflicting trying to get behind an England team. Roll on August when the proper stuff starts - Villa at home first day, what can possibly go wrong!

[Chet]

wow, spain are starting with a striker. strangely it's not torres or lorente, but negredo.

[Chet]

wow, it's fair to say portugal are up for this

[Chet]

wow, first 15 minutes of this game had germany attacking in waves and italy looking very nervous. then italy have a few chances before scoring.

looks like it's going to turn out better than last nights disappointing semi final.

[Chet]

wow 2-0 to italy. second for balotelli.

[edison]

I wish this were the final. Good game so far, I'm hoping Klose appears soon and it ends up being 3-4 (or 4-3) or something... Balotelli and Pirlo are very, very impressive.

[Good Intentions]

What a cracker of a game.

[Chet]

i've been very suprised with italy, not only in that they are like a completely different team  to the one that failed so miserably in south africa, but that they have been one of the most progressive teams in this tournament, which has probably never been said of italy in any tournament ever.

and for all the praise pirlo is rightfully getting, de rossi has been brilliant as well and does a lot of the dog work that allows pirlo to get on the ball and do his thing. very handsome beard too.

i really fancy italy to beat spain now. wonder what odds i can get on italy -1?

[Nick Ink]

Italy are 6/4 to win, but the problem with this kind of match is that that only includes 90 minutes.

[edison]

I trust them to give significant trouble to Spain's defense, but they're really going to have to perform finishing-wise; they've wasted tons of good chances in all their games, especially the last two. If at least Balotelli shows up as he did last night, they'll be fine, I think.

[Good Intentions]

Man, can you imagine how different the game would have been if Hummels's shot went in at that first corner, when the Italian defence imploded uselessly? Instead Balotelli scored a brace of great, classic striker goals, and Germany were behind the eight-ball all the way till the end.

[Nick Ink]

I'm running this teacher training course at the moment, and all the trainees' students are Spanish and Italian! Monday morning could be interesting.

[Good Intentions]

I imagine there will be a lot of blurry eyes or empty seats.

[Chet]

just put two silly bets on,


cassano for first goal scorer at 10/1

and spain to win first half, italy second half at 40/1

a fiver on each.


if both bets win it will be a very dramatic game and i'll be £260 up haha.

[Chet]

say what you will about spain, but they have been excellent tonight and go down as the greatest international football team of all time.

[Chet]

and that post was made when it was still 2-0 btw.

absolutely outstanding stuff.

[Black Amnesia of Heaven]

say what you will about spain, but they have been excellent tonight and go down as the greatest international football team of all time.

agreed, much as i was rooting for italy, spain had like some sort of leg poetry on their side