Simple poll ... make your pick. I didn't include Ukraine because I figured they would be the easy pick, plus I think the probability of them passing is just too low. So let's have it France or England?
To be honest, neither France nor England are scary teams. Italy got a great warm up by playing Spain and a tough team like Croatia. Italy's poised to go deep into this tournament now. I say bring either of them on
This is a no brainer. It has to England. They are weak mentally, they can not retain the ball for long and their defence is weak.
Of the two, England. As France typically match up better against us or, at least, in recent years (WC 86, EURO 2000, WC 94, etc.). Officially, FIFA states we've faced off with France 34 times. 17 times we've won, 7 times we've lost, 10 times it's ended in a draw (total goals scored 74 to 42 in our favor). Against England, we've played 22 times, 9 times we've won, 7 times we've lost, 6 times it's ended in a draw (goals scored 28-26 in England's favor). So, maybe disregard what I said lol
I'm torn about this, I feel the Azzurri would do great against England so that's my pick, but you never know. England is my 2nd most hated team (after Brazil), so I'd be mad salty if we lost to them. I think I read in one of the interviews that some of the Azzurri seem to prefer going up against France. Whether we win or not, I want to see some good football and spirit from the Azzurri.
I went with France. Have a bad feeling about England this time around. They came into with low expectations and think they could shock us. So I say France and then god willing the Germans in the semis.
Chiellini out of quarter-finals By Football Italia staff Italy will have to make do without Giorgio Chiellini for their Euro 2012 quarter-final, after the defender’s thigh strain was confirmed. The Juventus man suffered the injury during the Azzurri’s final Group C game against Republic of Ireland on Monday night, with initial fears that he had suffered a thigh strain in his left leg. Unfortunately for the defender and for Cesare Prandelli, those fears have been confirmed after tests carried out today. “Unfortunately they confirmed the feelings from yesterday,” chief medic Enrico Castellacci explained to reporters today. “We tested the player with an ultrasound that showed a stretch of the first degree in the left bicep, which is a previous injury. “The defender has already started treatment but won’t be there for France [or whichever team Italy face in the last eight]. “It is hard to forecast his recovery, we will see. It is clear though, we are in no hurry with his recovery, the player must return well.” The player is likely to be unavailable for the duration of the tournament, as this type of injury generally takes up to 20 days to fully recover from.
Ukraine has been robbed...they scored but the referee and the two added assistants behind the goals didn't see that the ball went over the goal line.
That is understandable in my opinion. Spain are the current World and European Champions as well favourites to win the competition. I do not think any team would want to face them.
let the media frenzy begin in England. The media alone will wear out that English squad. And people wonder why they have never won a tournament outside a fixed 66 WC final !!!
im happy its italy - england.....hopefully england will lose something like 2-0 or 3-0 so english can STFU about italy. IM excited, yet nervous too...if england win, u will never hear the end of it. I want england to lose more than anything...i dont care what happens next, as long as they beat england.
Bad match up! France would have been better. The French have very good squad on paper but they lack ideas going forward nor do they have the leadership. Who is their Zidane or Viera or Henry or Desailly or Thuram or Deschamps who can pick up the team? Ribery, Benzema, Nasri, Mexes are all very good players but not one can lead a team when things aren't going their way. It would have been tough but I think we edge them. With that being said being the underdog might help them vs Spain. England are confident and their style of play will give us problems. They have leadership in Terry, Gerrard, Cole and Rooney. They also finally have a decent keeper. Lets not let their past futilities fool us.
Can't wait to hear the English excuses if and when we beat them. I can almost bet my life you will not hear, "Italy are simply better than us."
England is not a joke like they've been in the past, but Italy has already faced tougher opponents in Euro 2012.
Spain is better, Croatia and Ireland definitely are not. However in sports it's all about matchups and IMO we matchup better with Spain, France and anyone not named Germany than with England.