Spain-Italy Quarterfinal Euro 2008 [R]

[Todorov]

I think Spain might win this one, if everything goes their way. They have one of the best squads in years and one of the best in this tournament, as far as I'm concerned. Italy's a big test for them, let's see if they can deliver.

On one hand, I believe they theoretically can beat the Italians, however I have that eerie feeling that Italy will eventually win in the end with their legendary mix of luck, clinical finishing, catenaccio and friendly referees.

[Crimen y Castigo]

Spain is going downwards from the first match, Italy is improving every match :cool:

Or, as Shirley Bassey would say...

"Just a little bit of History Repeating...."

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s311/mayvid/Shirley-Bassey-01.jpg

sTUIHK7gHRE

[VCFan]

I think Spain might win this one, if everything goes their way. They have one of the best squads in years and one of the best in this tournament, as far as I'm concerned. Italy's a big test for them, let's see if they can deliver.

On one hand, I believe they theoretically can beat the Italians, however I have that eerie feeling that Italy will eventually win in the end with their legendary mix of luck, clinical finishing, catenaccio and friendly referees.

Well, any team can theoretically beat another team... that's why they don't give out trophies based on the number of "superstars" a country can call up.

Italians are just starting to get their legendary luck back and we've had some really vital decisions go against us, so I'm not sure why you're implying that we'll be on the receiving end of any favors this time around. What I conclude from your post is that you probably haven't watched any game that Italy has played this Euro.

1) Clinical finishing - Did you know that Luca Toni has the most shots on goal for any striker that hasn't yet scored in the Euros? We needed goals from a defender and two midfielders. Not very clinical, IMO.

2) Catenaccio - Where to start with this one... we don't do that anymore. Even if we had the defense to do it (which we don't), Donadoni's Italy is fundamentally an attacking one.

[Martininho]

The on-form teams in the group stage have been Portugal, Spain, and Netherlands (in no particular order). If history is a teacher:

(1) the slow starts from both Italy and Germany suggest that they are following true to form, and will continue to improve throughout the elimination rounds (Germany has already achieved this v. Portugal);

(2) the only side to have had a perfect record in the group stages and go on to win the championship is France, '84 (according to ESPN coverage yesterday, so take that for what it's worth);

(3) Italy, no matter how decimated, sees players rise up - Toni has been pretty ineffective so far...but just ask Brazil if they remember the name of another forward to did little in group play...I believe his name was Rossi :eek:).

My heart tells me Spain today, they've played so well and have endured so many heartbreaks, and Italy is missing Cannavaro, Pirlo, and Gattuso!!! My head, on the other hand, says Italy. The way this is playing out just looks so familiar...

[shalom82]

On one hand, I believe they theoretically can beat the Italians, however I have that eerie feeling that Italy will eventually win in the end with their legendary mix of luck, clinical finishing, catenaccio and friendly referees.

C'mon now, the last time Italy played catenaccio-style was in 2002 with Trapattoni. Lippi's Italy had only one full-on defensive midfielder, and Donadoni's ideal Italy plays with a ridiculously offensive 4-3-3.

The thing with the friendly referees though...I don't think this is the case. Italy was certainly favoured at times (as are other teams) but I can also recall many times where Italy was penalised by bad decisions (world cup 2002, or euro 2008 with romania).

The friendly referee thing is a myth. Italy is neither particularly lucky or unlucky with referees. The only difference is that Italy has such potential, that when the referee's decisions (right or wrong) go in their favour, they go on to win the tournament. That's why it's so noticeable.
Austria would do jack with friendly referees.

[Todorov]

Well, any team can theoretically beat another team... that's why they don't give out trophies based on the number of "superstars" a country can call up.

You are correct. I went a bit over the top while affirming the obvious. :rolleyes:

Italians are just starting to get their legendary luck back and we've had some really vital decisions go against us, so I'm not sure why you're implying that we'll be on the receiving end of any favors this time around. What I conclude from your post is that you probably haven't watched any game that Italy has played this Euro.

On the contrary, I have watched all of them. You were a bit unlucky against Holland, besides being robbed in the first goal. You were again robbed against Romania and a bit unlucky in failing to score with some of the chances you've got during the game. I guess that against France things were a bit more even and you got lucky with Ribery's injury and De Rossi's goal but that's football.

Although you had at least two major referee's mistakes against you in the tournament, I'm sure things will turn around in the knock-out stage. I'm not saying you win tournaments because you have friendly referees. All I'm saying is that it's most likely they will become "friendlier" as you progress in the competition. Having said that, I agree that in this Euro you haven't behaved as Italy usually behaves but having reached the knock-out stage, who knows what can happen?

1) Clinical finishing - Did you know that Luca Toni has the most shots on goal for any striker that hasn't yet scored in the Euros? We needed goals from a defender and two midfielders. Not very clinical, IMO.

Very, very true. Toni's a bit overrated, IMHO. Inzaghi would've scored some of those chances even blindfolded.

2) Catenaccio - Where to start with this one... we don't do that anymore. Even if we had the defense to do it (which we don't), Donadoni's Italy is fundamentally an attacking one.

I wouldn't say "fundamentally an attacking one", not if we compare its style to Brazil, Holland and others. Granted, perhaps Catenaccio was a bad choice of words since it is often misused. What I meant was that Italy usually knows how to play a defensive game and plays it. In the game against France when victory was fundamental, they've got it while still playing a defensive style. They know how to wait for the opponent and don't rush into things. Usually they get rewarded, with that "legendary luck" we've been talking about.

I'm sure we'll see it all over again against Spain, probably with good results.

[VCFan]

You are correct. I went a bit over the top while affirming the obvious. :rolleyes:



On the contrary, I have watched all of them. You were a bit unlucky against Holland, besides being robbed in the first goal. You were again robbed against Romania and a bit unlucky in failing to score with some of the chances you've got during the game. I guess that against France things were a bit more even and you got lucky with Ribery's injury and De Rossi's goal but that's football.

Although you had at least two major referee's mistakes against you in the tournament, I'm sure things will turn around in the knock-out stage. I'm not saying you win tournaments because you have friendly referees. All I'm saying is that it's most likely they will become "friendlier" as you progress in the competition. Having said that, I agree that in this Euro you haven't behaved as Italy usually behaves but having reached the knock-out stage, who knows what can happen?



Very, very true. Toni's a bit overrated, IMHO. Inzaghi would've scored some of those chances even blindfolded.



I wouldn't say "fundamentally an attacking one", not if we compare its style to Brazil, Holland and others. Granted, perhaps Catenaccio was a bad choice of words since it is often misused. What I meant was that Italy usually knows how to play a defensive game and plays it. In the game against France when victory was fundamental, they've got it while still playing a defensive style. They know how to wait for the opponent and don't rush into things. Usually they get rewarded, with that "legendary luck" we've been talking about.

I'm sure we'll see it all over again against Spain, probably with good results.

Fundamentally an attacking side is perhaps a poor choice of words... let's just say more of an attacking side than usual :D

Thanks for your clarifications. I agree with everything you've said, and sorry if I seemed rude.

[Todorov]

Fundamentally an attacking side is perhaps a poor choice of words... let's just say more of an attacking side than usual :D

Thanks for your clarifications. I agree with everything you've said, and sorry if I seemed rude.

Va bene, va bene. :cool:

Non avete bisogno (perchè già avete tanta!) mà buona fortuna per la prossima sfida. Italia o Spagna, è tutto uguale per me. Vinca il migliore.

[Pit-182]

Va bene, va bene. :cool:

Non avete bisogno (perchè già avete tanta!) mà buona fortuna per la prossima sfida. Italia o Spagna, è tutto uguale per me. Vinca il migliore.
Nice italian man

[Todorov]

Nice italian man

We share the same Latin roots. Thanks anyway. :cool:

[Juanele]

So all of the signs point to an Italian victory...

Going to buck the trend and say Spain wins.

[canzano55]

Spain has the better players while Italy will be without Pirlo which is a huge blow.

However its just a matter of time until Toni gets a goal and once that happens he won't stop scoring.

This one is too close to predict but I like our chances.

[canzano55]

So all of the signs point to an Italian victory...
.On the contrary I keep hearing a Spain victory from practically every medium available.

Going by averages I'd say the world is convinced of a Spain victory.

[Juanele]

Loook at it though, look at who has won all of the quarterfinals so far. None of the group winners have advanced, advantage = Italy.

The history between the two teams, advantage = Italy.

The history of the teams in tournaments in general, advantage = Italy.

All of those signs are saying Italy will win tomorrow.

[FNU]

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:
You guys thinking about this yet or what? :cool:

[DaveyGorgeous]

So all of the signs point to an Italian victory...

What relevant signs are you referring to? History not being a relevant sign IMO. I'd say Spain are favorites, and I believe they are widely regarded as such.

[JeremyEritrea]

Oh how I wish Mr. Cannavaro was in.

And Totti.

[DaveyGorgeous]

You guys thinking about this yet or what? :cool:

A more apparent realization is that every group winner has been eliminated in the quarterfinals so far.

[Todorov]

What relevant signs are you referring to? History not being a relevant sign IMO. I'd say Spain are favorites, and I believe they are widely regarded as such.

History counts because it reveals a trend. And the trend, unfortunately for the Spaniards, is Italian.

That doesn't mean Spain can't beat Italy. They sure can but Aragonés will have to work that mental side quite well.

[Juanele]

They sure can but Aragonés will have to work that mental side quite well.

This more than anything will determine who wins tomorrow.