Spain-Italy Quarterfinal Euro 2008 [R]

[foodbiz]

Sorry about that... still getting used to the forum! Thanks for moving it

[glennaldo_sf]

Erm... is this thread different from ""Spain v Italy"? :rolleyes:

[Alfons0]

Sorry, Spain gets the nod. I can see Italy on their back heels much of this match. History does not dictate the future and Italy has been run ragged from the group stages between injuries, cards, and lack of rest

[VCFan]

Sorry, Spain gets the nod. I can see Italy on their back heels much of this match. History does not dictate the future and Italy has been run ragged from the group stages between injuries, cards, and lack of rest

I would hardly call a thrilling game against France (from the results standpoint, not quality of football played) being run ragged... I would say that momentum is just beginning for Italy and has been disrupted somewhat for Spain, as we have seen in the past two days as the teams that had won their respective groups have bitten the dust.

But judging by your username, I can see why you would think otherwise ;)

P.S. We don't trust our defense nearly enough to sit back on our heels and wait for the counterattack. Italy will look to score goals and Spain will look to score goals --- both defenses are atrocious, though Italy's is perhaps less so. This could be the difference.

[ITALIA1982]

Sorry, Spain gets the nod. I can see Italy on their back heels much of this match. History does not dictate the future and Italy has been run ragged from the group stages between injuries, cards, and lack of rest

History might not dictate the future but it sure does teach a lesson!!!
Italy always struggles in the group stages WC82, 94 etc... and then explode in the KO rounds...totally the opposite of Spain's achievements and this is why we have 4 WC'S to Spains big 0.
I predict an easy win for the Azzurri...

[foodbiz]

Nope... same

[ChicagoAzzuri]

My pred is 3-1 Italy. 2 goals by Toni and 1 by DeRossi (or maybe Cassano ;) ) :cool:

[Alfons0]

Well since we're talking about history :)

In regards to the world cup...'34 and '38 was a different era. 1994 was marred w/ controversy....Luis Enrique anyone? In the box. Broken nose. Lost a pint of blood...And you're not going to call it? It was vicious. 2006 - the dive vs australia comes to mind. Some would argue that those stars above your crest are in fact asteriks :). In the case of the Eurocups Italy is no better both having won once and runners up apiece. In Spain's case while some of of the instances were in fact just now showing up that day, has been a case of super bad luck. I liken us to Boston.

my prediction: Spain wins 3 - 1, Villa brace and a Torres special. :)

[DaveyGorgeous]

2006 - the dive vs australia comes to mind. Some would argue that those stars above your crest are in fact asteriks :).

This story has gotten really, really, really old. Whatever spin you want to put on it, facts are facts. We have 4 stars on our jersey, you have none. Period.

[VCFan]

Well since we're talking about history :)

In regards to the world cup...'34 and '38 was a different era. 1994 was marred w/ controversy....Luis Enrique anyone? In the box. Broken nose. Lost a pint of blood...And you're not going to call it? It was vicious. 2006 - the dive vs australia comes to mind. Some would argue that those stars above your crest are in fact asteriks . In the case of the Eurocups Italy is no better both having won once and runners up apiece. In Spain's case while some of of the instances were in fact just now showing up that day, has been a case of super bad luck. I liken us to Boston.

my prediction: Spain wins 3 - 1, Villa brace and a Torres special.

Nobody objected to you predicting that Spain would win, just that somehow Spain would run Italy ragged... :eek: There's no way that Italy is winning 3 - 1 to Spain, but there's also no way that Spain will put 3 past Italy in the knockout rounds.

Re: Luis Enrique - yes, you guys have had some terrible luck in the past. That still doesn't change anything, now does it? Time to move on, IMO.

Re: Dive vs. Australia - this has been debated ad nauseam but listening to ESPN too much can give people some pretty dangerous opinions, methinks. Lucas Neill was stupid enough to throw his whole body into Fabio Grosso's path. That's called being impeded, and that's grounds for a penalty --- read the rules. Sure, Grosso embellished the fall, but he's only doing what any player with a head on his shoulders would do in that situation, which is to try and make the case for a penalty as convincing as possible (you should know this from watching the Spanish play, actually) That doesn't mean that the case for a penalty didn't exist in the first place.

Re: asterisks on our shirt... hmm, better asterisks than a blank patch of cloth. Only the bitter don't recognize Italy's footballing accomplishments.

We'll just have to see who wins the match on Sunday, but it's pretty pathetic of you to try to downplay Italy's chances by attacking their pedigree. Have intelligent conversation about Italy's weaknesses in defense or midfield or whatever and make your point that way. I'm sorry, but you're just making yourself sound like a sore loser.

[Caesar]

That's called being impeded, and that's grounds for a penalty --- read the rules.
Totally aside from the incident (which I agree, doesn't bear discussing again), as a referee I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that this is incorrect. Impeding is an indirect free kick offence. Only direct free kick offences are penalties in the area.

[VCFan]

OK, poor wording on my part... mea culpa. Can we please get back to the topic on hand? No offense, Caesar, but I'm sick to death of talking about that damn penalty.

[FNU]

I would hardly call a thrilling game against France (from the results standpoint, not quality of football played) being run ragged... I would say that momentum is just beginning for Italy and has been disrupted somewhat for Spain, as we have seen in the past two days as the teams that had won their respective groups have bitten the dust.

But judging by your username, I can see why you would think otherwise ;)

P.S. We don't trust our defense nearly enough to sit back on our heels and wait for the counterattack. Italy will look to score goals and Spain will look to score goals --- both defenses are atrocious, though Italy's is perhaps less so. This could be the difference.
On that note, two of the three teams that secured a place in the 1/4 finals after their second games and playing the bench for their 3rd have been eliminated. Food for thought. :cool:

[FNU]

My pred is 3-1 Italy. 2 goals by Toni and 1 by DeRossi (or maybe Cassano ;) ) :cool:
Well, that's it. Game over. You guys never learn that predictions are bad luck. NEVER LEARN. Especially these ridiculous predictions of 3 goals being scored, where we've only totaled 3 in 3 games. :rolleyes:

[VCFan]

Well, that's it. Game over. You guys never learn that predictions are bad luck. NEVER LEARN. Especially these ridiculous predictions of 3 goals being scored, where we've only totaled 3 in 3 games. :rolleyes:

C'mon FNU, we have to pass the time somehow :p

[FNU]

C'mon FNU, we have to pass the time somehow :p
Remember when I said predictions were bad luck in the Holland thread, then Romania thread? Finally for the France thread no one posted predictions. Maybe I'm crazy, but I think it's more than just a coincidence. When we're humble, this even applies to the national team, we win. When we get arrogant, we lose. :cool:

[VCFan]

Remember when I said predictions were bad luck in the Holland thread, then Romania thread? Finally for the France thread no one posted predictions. Maybe I'm crazy, but I think it's more than just a coincidence. When we're humble, this even applies to the national team, we win. When we get arrogant, we lose. :cool:

I think we were way too convinced that Italy would be out that we didn't bother to make predictions.

In that case, I'll say Viva Espana!

[ITALIA1982]

Yeah changed my prediction to Spain winning 3 - 1

[DaveyGorgeous]

Remember when I said predictions were bad luck in the Holland thread, then Romania thread? Finally for the France thread no one posted predictions. Maybe I'm crazy, but I think it's more than just a coincidence. When we're humble, this even applies to the national team, we win. When we get arrogant, we lose. :cool:

I see your point FNU but dont you think that hundreds of thousands of Italian supporters are going to make predictions about this game no matter what? Good and bad predictions for the game vs. Spain. I honestly doubt that what a few posters here on BigSoccer will have any effect on the outcome of the game.

And if I recall correctly, there definitely were posters predicting victories for Italy in WC 06 and we went on to win the whole tournament.

[ApoJapo]

I say 4-1 to Italy. Spain is going downwards from the first match, Italy is improving every match :cool: