Italia

[mattteo]

a) I didn't bring up Toulon. You guys did.

b) 10 players from the u21 squad in 2007 plays at the Olympics... so... essentially your incorrect.

Italy's starting line-up at U-21 Euro 2007:

Curci
Raggi-Andreolli-Chiellini-Criscito
Aquilani-Nocerino-Montolivo
Rosina-Palladino
Pazzini

Only 3 players are starters in the Olympics. So every comparison is pointless.

And evidently winning a bronze isn't being "anonymous" like you said.

[Maruti]

Italy's starting line-up at U-21 Euro 2007:

Curci
Raggi-Andreolli-Chiellini-Criscito
Aquilani-Nocerino-Montolivo
Rosina-Palladino
Pazzini

Only 3 players are starters in the Olympics. So every comparison is pointless.

And evidently winning a bronze isn't being "anonymous" like you said.

starting lineup of which match?

[FNU]

JLDK4jf4MMc

SCARSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

[sardus_pater]

More like an extension of the previous year's U-19 squad.

with all the best u20's being part of the u21 NT.

http://www.figc.it/nazionali/GareSquadra?squadra=11&mode=GARE_SQUADRA

[ks vllaznia]

italy-brazil gold medal game from the looks of it .italy has the easier road .that argentina-brazil semi is gonna b great

[Maruti]

Italy the easier? Definitely.
But I would be surprised to see Italy in the final... Both Belgium and either of the African teams will be very tough opposition for the Italians. I wouldn't be surprised by a 'shock' Belgium win. Haven't seen such a good Belgium squad... ever.

[FNU]

Italy the easier? Definitely.
But I would be surprised to see Italy in the final... Both Belgium and either of the African teams will be very tough opposition for the Italians. I wouldn't be surprised by a 'shock' Belgium win. Haven't seen such a good Belgium squad... ever.
Anything is possible, but let's be honest, this Italian team is prob. the 3rd or 4th best team among the rest remaining.

[ks vllaznia]

hey maruti the italians havent allowed a goal all olympics like fnu said 3rd best team but since argentina and brazil play each other 2nd best team by default. belgium and african teams no competion at all. rossi, giovinco and rocci too mush for them

[Maruti]

ks vlaznia
hehe...
Italy had two weak opponents and a game with Cameroon, where the only reason they didn't lose a goal is because the Cameronians didn't convert a penatly.

i actually have nothing against the Italians, but when i see the absurd Italian fanboys I have no choice but to back the Belgiums to destroy

the funniest thing is downgrading African opponents, which played like equals with tournament favourits Holland and Argentina.

p.s. Rocchi is injured,

FNU
Ok. But Nigeria and Ivory Coast have a shout for being the 2nd or 3rd best teams of the tournament... only one of the two will advance, but they will be at least equals with whoever advances from the Belgium / Italy match. I think overconfidence might be the Italians downfall as soon as the quarters. Belgium has had enough bad luck this whole tournament and Italy has had nothing but good luck. All in all the tide has to change in favour of the Belgiums...

[Leopejo]

Italy had two, not one PK against, so we were lucky to have zero allowed goals until now. I don't think Belgium will easily get a goal, but at least PK shootout is a definite possibility.

Maruti: you don't see this overconfidence in the team or coach or press. Belgium is taken seriously, they arrived before Italy in the U-21 EC. And everybody aknowledges that any African team can win the Olympic tournament. You see otherwise only here in Bigsoccer

Now you seem to me to be a fanboy too. All three African teams advanced, this is true, and deserved it too. But let's see them one by one:

You said that Italy only beat two weak opponents. Guess what, Cameroon didn't beat both of them. And as you aknowledged, the Italy - Cameroon game can't be used for these evaluations.

Nigeria tied against Netherlands, but winning against Japan or a down to 10 men USA is not so big a feat. And the USA match was open to another result as well (according to Bigsoccer threads though, I didn't see the match).

Ivory Coast is perhaps more impressive. Still they lost against Argentina. Their victory over Serbia was good (what Serbia was here?) but Australia isn't that strong an opponent.

All eight teams have a shot for the medals. Argentina and Brazil more so, but other than that all are about equal NOW. Certainly the African teams haven't showed anything more than Italy.

Pity that you cheer for the Belgians. I support Cameroon instead. If Italy advances I won't support its African opponent, but otherwise I'll cheer for Nigeria and Ivory Coast as well.

[Maruti]

You see otherwise only here in Bigsoccer

sorry. i just hate cockiness.

Now you seem to me to be a fanboy too.

yes. i back african sides. but i've been very distanced to cameroon, which has not impressed and i haven't been running around saying that other teams will be thrashed by Nigeria or Ivory Coast.

Guess what, Cameroon didn't beat both of them. And as you aknowledged, the Italy - Cameroon game can't be used for these evaluations.

Please read my posts. i have been very unimpressed by Cameroon so far and I definitely place Italy ahead of them. that said Cameroon has the best defense from Africa and possibly apart from Italy at the whole tournament. Cameroon have been totally shite up front.

Nigeria tied against Netherlands, but winning against Japan or a down to 10 men USA is not so big a feat. And the USA match was open to another result as well (according to Bigsoccer threads though, I didn't see the match).

Nigeria tied with Holland but had the upper hand in the game. Both sides were very well built in the middle of the park, where most of the gameplay took place.

Nigeria was the only side to convincingly win with Japan, unlike both Holland and USA. Japan may not have gained a single point but they were actually a good side.

The USA: Hard to say anything. Nigeria totally domintaed till the USA penalty kick. Hard to say how much due to the red card, but the 2:0 scoreline at the time was minimum punishment. Nigeria fell apart after the PK, so for 5-10 minutes they jeoperdaized the whole game. Not too positive an outlook for tough games - but Nigeria has always been from brilliant to plain bad... remember i.e. France 1998? Winning win Spain and then being thrashed by Denmark?

Ivory Coast is perhaps more impressive. Still they lost against Argentina. Their victory over Serbia was good (what Serbia was here?) but Australia isn't that strong an opponent.

The Ivory Coast loss to Italy was a 'you win some, you lose some' type of loss. Both teams were evenly matched. ANd Argentina is the tournament favourite. Australia miught not be very tough, but even Argentina could only put one goal through their defence at the end of the game.

Certainly the African teams haven't showed anything more than Italy.

On group play I would state:
Argentina and Brasil on top
Nigeria / Ivory Coast and Italy as potential world beaters
Holland as tournament underachievers or very slow starters
Belgium and Cameroon with an outside chance if they get there game together

Because you have been so nice (thanks for that, cuz despite what some people might think I don't want to fight) I take back the Belgium thing. Let the best team win. I really like Acquafresca and hope he plays tomorrow. But I will be watching the other game :)

[ks vllaznia]

ivory c have the best team out that bunch but as a italy fan myself i feel like brazil/ argentina are in a whole nuther level so therfore one of those is the biggest threat.

[FNU]

Is there any possibility of watching this game online?

[Maruti]

So, ks vlaznia: How is thrashing easy Belgian opoosition going?

[ks vllaznia]

whos showing the game telemundo and msnbc have brazil on i cant find italy iknow they loosing 2-3 but no game

[Maruti]

Italy - Belgium 2:3 with both teams now playing 10 on 10

Try watching here:
http://www.itvp.pl/player/maxsize.html?mode=2&channel=452&video_id=38383

[ks vllaznia]

its over football is a funny game

[Leopejo]

Italy probably didn't deserve to go out, but they would not deserve a medal. This was their first tough game and they blew it.

Go Cameroon!

[mattteo]

Belgium clearly paid the ref and thus undeservingly advance (their first goal was invented by the linesman as the ball clearly didn't cross the line, perfectly legitimate Rossi goal denied to us for nonexistent offside, clear penalty kick denied).

We played like shit, especially in defense against their counterattacks.

[Leopejo]

Belgium clearly paid the ref and thus undeservingly advance (their first goal was invented by the linesman as the ball clearly didn't cross the line, perfectly legitimate Rossi goal denied to us for nonexistent offside, clear penalty kick denied).

We played like shit, especially in defense against their counterattacks.
Belgium didn't pay the ref. But Blatter may have had a word with him after Italy's ridiculous game against Cameroon... ;)