Spain-Italy Quarterfinal Euro 2008 [R]

[Gandalf The Red]

I had a terrible nightmare last night... I dreamed that it was Germany and Spain in the final and Podolski scored the winner in extra time. Also Toni was crying because he couldn't score in the comp, while Ribery and Domenech were there and laughing like cartoon villains. :eek:

I suggest u clean your crack pipe

[Martininho]

Oh, same. I'm as over it as you are. Just as a referee I get a little anal about clarifing rules. :p

Actually, I was wondering at the time why the "obstruction" law seems to have disappeared. That indeed would have been the correct (notice the lack of the word "compromised", or "weak", or "unfair", so douse your flames, folks) call, with a resulting indirect kick to Italy. Had Italy scored (and I would have favored them on penalties even if they hadn't), a messy ending could have been avoided.

Oh well, the Aussies gave a good showing and will doubtless be back again many times with chances to salve the memory. Moving right along...

[guyarthur]

Actually, I was wondering at the time why the "obstruction" law seems to have disappeared. That indeed would have been the correct (notice the lack of the word "compromised", or "weak", or "unfair", so douse your flames, folks) call, with a resulting indirect kick to Italy. Had Italy scored (and I would have favored them on penalties even if they hadn't), a messy ending could have been avoided.

Oh well, the Aussies gave a good showing and will doubtless be back again many times with chances to salve the memory. Moving right along...

Omfg! Are you guys still talking about that?

[Martininho]

Omfg! Are you guys still talking about that?

...moving right along...

[benztown]

I had a terrible nightmare last night... I dreamed that it was Germany and Spain in the final and Podolski scored the winner in extra time. Also Toni was crying because he couldn't score in the comp, while Ribery and Domenech were there and laughing like cartoon villains. :eek:

I had a wonderful dream last night and it was a lot like the one you had :D

But I'd put my money on Italy. Spain hasn't won against Italy in what...80 years? 90 years? In any case, it's been a while.

Also, so far, all the group winners lost their quarter final...maybe it isn't such a good idea to rest your players?

Thirdly, the 22nd of June is not the best date in Spanish football history...World Cup 1986, June 22 , Spain loses against Belgium on penalties. Euro 1996, June 22, Spain loses against England on penalties (that's correct, England!) World Cup 2002, June 22, Spain loses to South Korea on penalties.

Today, Euro 2008, June 22, Spain...

[KumarsS]

Maybe Aragones will start Xabi Alonso and Fabregas in an effort to minimize the players on the field that may have lost momentum.

[Martininho]

Maybe Aragones will start Xabi Alonso and Fabregas in an effort to minimize the players on the field that may have lost momentum.

Hunger vs. continuity? Given the knockout results of the other group winners, it's an intriguing thought.

And, yes, I want Spain to win and am worried sick...isn't football wonderful? :D

[unclesox]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080622/capt.3e9f55d9f84844ebbe6f6616c01e2a08.soccer_euro_2008_fans_mjs102.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080622/capt.133f44567d8e42d3b9657d56b850bf58.soccer_euro_2008_fans_zmme103.jpg


http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/imgml/kits/match/301702.gif

Casillas
Sergio Ramos -- Marchena -- Puyol -- Capdevila
Senna
Iniesta -- Xavi -- Silva
Villa -- Torres

Buffon
Zambrotta -- Panucci -- Chiellini -- Grosso
Ambrosini -- De Rossi -- Aquilani
Perrotta
Toni -- Cassano

[unclesox]

Players carrying bookings into this match:
starters in bold
suspended for tonight's match

SPAIN: Arbeloa, Güiza, Marchena

ITALY: Chiellini, De Rossi, Gattuso, Pirlo, Toni, Zambrotta

[Oscar]

Hunger vs. continuity? Given the knockout results of the other group winners, it's an intriguing thought.

And, yes, I want Spain to win and am worried sick...isn't football wonderful? :D

Wanna bet that at the next world cup the team who is already qualified after their first 2 matches will field a B team in the 3rd? That a team who missed a regular starter in one match due to suspension will field him again in the next game even though he missed some 'continuity'?

If we lose tonight, which we won't since it would be 'good' for me if Italy win the EC and that clearly means Spain will finally defeat them in official competition again, it won't be because we played a B team in the last game.

If all those teams had lost the quarters after playing their starting team in their 3rd match, then suddenly the reason would have been the extra match played that caused unnecesary fatigue. Basically 'the reason' a team played badly is always what didn't happen.

[Txtriathlete]

Our time has come.
Spain shall prevail!

[JeremyEritrea]

fantastic atmosphere in Vienna

Forza gli'Azzurri!!!

[Kazuma]

Forza Azzurri

[unclesox]

David Villa on defence! :cool:

[JeremyEritrea]

Italy seems to have had the better of the match so far.

[VCFan]

David Villa on defence! :cool:

Made a very good tackle that a defender could appreciate, I might say :D

[jfcule]

Vamos España, A Por Ellos!

[JeremyEritrea]

Iniesta carded.

[VCFan]

Cassano being contained pretty well.

[Oscar]

Italians know how to fall down, one of the easiest yellow cards of the tournament for Iniesta.