Final set and it is to be Spain and Italy who face off. Been very impressed with the Italians who put on another great display in their semi-final match against Germany. A much rated and adored German side, many had them as favourites to win the whole thing before a ball was even kicked. A-lot to admire in the Germans, the way they way play and the talent they have on offer. A young team. They have impressed in the Euro's but haven't quite been as dazzling as they were at the World Cup two years ago. Their unfortunate and poor record against the Italians continues. Mario Balotelli put in a mature performance, scoring two excellent goals and the German defence just couldn't handle him. It is easy to forget how young he is and to sometimes see beyond his bravado, but he definitely looks a player. It all came together for him in this match and was the first time I was really impressed by him in the Euro's.
Going into the tournament the Italian national team was, by in large overlooked. They were poor in the World Cup and their squad, ageing in places looked to lack star quality compared to the present top sides and indeed their own sides of the past. Serie A is a league that has dipped in popularity behind the Premier League, Spanish and German. But it still harbours a number of talented players, speaking to people generally feel that they exaggerate how poor Italian football is. A famously great tournament nation, the failure at the 2010 World Cup was most uncharacteristic. Cesare Prandelli deserves a-lot of credit, he has instilled a new philosophy that was evident in the qualifying matches. He himself has said the object and priority is to entertain. A trait that was evident in the club sides he's managed but more difficult to pull off on the international stage. They carry a momentum and seem to be a very focussed, determined and passionate team. Been quite astonished at their belief and desire. The nature of their win against England appears to have put even more wind in their sails. Germany looked clueless at times and defensive lapses/errors proved costly. Haven't seen them look quite so flustered. At the start of the game the players just didn't look up for it and appeared to not be trying. Many will point to the lack of fitness of key man Bastian Schweinsteiger who has struggled with injury at club level in the past season and doesn't look to be completely over it. The defensive lapses for both goals were inexcusable and it isn't the first time the Germans have looked susceptible on the break. However, from what I could see the game was very much lost in the midfield. Germans weren't themselves and was surprised by Low's team selection. They looked better in the latter stages, after replacing a poor Podolski and Gomez. Would the result have been different if the better all round player in Klose had started? Reus added pace when he came on and offered more/something different to Podolski who has been below par. Low may have a-few questions to answer with regards to the decisions he made. But there is no doubting that the best team won. Annoyed that the ref didn't add on any further time due to the penalty, the final whistle was blown during a German attack. It was a better watch than the other semi. An enjoyable game with both teams playing attacking football. Italy’s offensive play was a joy to watch at times. Andrea Pirlo was again excellent, could watch that man all day long stunning player.
It would be a great accomplishment if Italy were to go all the way and win it. Watch a-lot of Serie A and familiar with many of the players in the Italian team and are players that I enjoy watching. Andrea Pirlo, the delightful bastard is very much one of those. Never really thought I would back the Italian's but a change in style has certainly changed things. Hope that Sundays final is a good one whatever the result. Spain's achievements cannot be overlooked, what a team to have been so dominant in international football- it is something that hasn't been seen since West Germany throughout the seventies. If Spain do go on to win the final it will, for many cement them as the best international side ever assembled. What players they have, half of the outfield players that started against Portugal were all raised within 30 miles of Barcelona. Astonishing generation of footballers. The way they develop and produce players is something that other countries would do well to take note. But taking the UK as an example a whole change of culture is needed, particularly from the ground up with the coaching of children. It is a deep topic and certain rules in controlling the hours children can train etc will continue to hamper progress. Did find them more exciting to watch in 2008 and perhaps missing David Villa has contributed to them being a little less pleasing to watch. Feel that Del Bosque is unnecessarily defensive and that their high posession based style can take the fun out of games from a neutrals perspective. Can admire a great deal the players individual quality, the effort skill and technique needed to play as they do. In some matches they haven't been goal-getters, an approach that has carried on from the World Cup. I suppose that it is down to taste. A survey conducted in Spain revealed that 65% Spaniards found their NT to be boring. They have plenty of talented players but of all of them it would be Andres Iniesta that would be most likely to inspire them to victory. Think he has been Spain's best player this tournament and he is very much one for the big games. Italy will feel encouraged by their draw in the early rounds. Of all the other teams in the Euro's (Spain not included!) Italy have made best use of the ball and looked most assured in posession. They weren't afraid to get in amongst the Spanish and disrupt their play. Italy’s midfield has plenty of energy, vision and links well with their front players- very fluid going forwards. Not terribly convinced by the Spanish defence, Puyol and his directness is a miss and Arbeloa isn't great. Pique has come off the back of a poor season and looked very rusty in the early exchanges of the Portugal match. Ramos though an excellent player and fantastic against the Portuguese is a bit lax defensively when playing at CB as seen for both club and country. Didn't think he was that great in the group games. It is a defence that can be got at, but for many teams the getting to it is the hard part! Presence of Alonso and the twat Busquet's in particular plays a big part in the defensive solidity of their side.
Going into the tournament the Italian national team was, by in large overlooked. They were poor in the World Cup and their squad, ageing in places looked to lack star quality compared to the present top sides and indeed their own sides of the past. Serie A is a league that has dipped in popularity behind the Premier League, Spanish and German. But it still harbours a number of talented players, speaking to people generally feel that they exaggerate how poor Italian football is. A famously great tournament nation, the failure at the 2010 World Cup was most uncharacteristic. Cesare Prandelli deserves a-lot of credit, he has instilled a new philosophy that was evident in the qualifying matches. He himself has said the object and priority is to entertain. A trait that was evident in the club sides he's managed but more difficult to pull off on the international stage. They carry a momentum and seem to be a very focussed, determined and passionate team. Been quite astonished at their belief and desire. The nature of their win against England appears to have put even more wind in their sails. Germany looked clueless at times and defensive lapses/errors proved costly. Haven't seen them look quite so flustered. At the start of the game the players just didn't look up for it and appeared to not be trying. Many will point to the lack of fitness of key man Bastian Schweinsteiger who has struggled with injury at club level in the past season and doesn't look to be completely over it. The defensive lapses for both goals were inexcusable and it isn't the first time the Germans have looked susceptible on the break. However, from what I could see the game was very much lost in the midfield. Germans weren't themselves and was surprised by Low's team selection. They looked better in the latter stages, after replacing a poor Podolski and Gomez. Would the result have been different if the better all round player in Klose had started? Reus added pace when he came on and offered more/something different to Podolski who has been below par. Low may have a-few questions to answer with regards to the decisions he made. But there is no doubting that the best team won. Annoyed that the ref didn't add on any further time due to the penalty, the final whistle was blown during a German attack. It was a better watch than the other semi. An enjoyable game with both teams playing attacking football. Italy’s offensive play was a joy to watch at times. Andrea Pirlo was again excellent, could watch that man all day long stunning player.
It would be a great accomplishment if Italy were to go all the way and win it. Watch a-lot of Serie A and familiar with many of the players in the Italian team and are players that I enjoy watching. Andrea Pirlo, the delightful bastard is very much one of those. Never really thought I would back the Italian's but a change in style has certainly changed things. Hope that Sundays final is a good one whatever the result. Spain's achievements cannot be overlooked, what a team to have been so dominant in international football- it is something that hasn't been seen since West Germany throughout the seventies. If Spain do go on to win the final it will, for many cement them as the best international side ever assembled. What players they have, half of the outfield players that started against Portugal were all raised within 30 miles of Barcelona. Astonishing generation of footballers. The way they develop and produce players is something that other countries would do well to take note. But taking the UK as an example a whole change of culture is needed, particularly from the ground up with the coaching of children. It is a deep topic and certain rules in controlling the hours children can train etc will continue to hamper progress. Did find them more exciting to watch in 2008 and perhaps missing David Villa has contributed to them being a little less pleasing to watch. Feel that Del Bosque is unnecessarily defensive and that their high posession based style can take the fun out of games from a neutrals perspective. Can admire a great deal the players individual quality, the effort skill and technique needed to play as they do. In some matches they haven't been goal-getters, an approach that has carried on from the World Cup. I suppose that it is down to taste. A survey conducted in Spain revealed that 65% Spaniards found their NT to be boring. They have plenty of talented players but of all of them it would be Andres Iniesta that would be most likely to inspire them to victory. Think he has been Spain's best player this tournament and he is very much one for the big games. Italy will feel encouraged by their draw in the early rounds. Of all the other teams in the Euro's (Spain not included!) Italy have made best use of the ball and looked most assured in posession. They weren't afraid to get in amongst the Spanish and disrupt their play. Italy’s midfield has plenty of energy, vision and links well with their front players- very fluid going forwards. Not terribly convinced by the Spanish defence, Puyol and his directness is a miss and Arbeloa isn't great. Pique has come off the back of a poor season and looked very rusty in the early exchanges of the Portugal match. Ramos though an excellent player and fantastic against the Portuguese is a bit lax defensively when playing at CB as seen for both club and country. Didn't think he was that great in the group games. It is a defence that can be got at, but for many teams the getting to it is the hard part! Presence of Alonso and the twat Busquet's in particular plays a big part in the defensive solidity of their side.
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