Spain never thumps Italy. If anything Italy are Spain's bogey team more than any other. I don't see more than one goal (if that) in it, and that goal can go either way. But I do hope you're right.
If the Italian defence looks anything like what we saw against Russia, then i fear Italy might be in for a serious trashing
spain and italy each setting records with this current generation, but at different ends of the spectrum. but i would never be so stupid as to bet against italy in a big match, no matter how obvious the outcome looks in advance.
The match will be shown live here in the US on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and streaming on ESPN3, beginning at 1130 EDT 0830 PDT with KO at 1200 hrs. EDT, 0900 hrs PDT. Aupa Espanha y La Furia Roja!
I'd take it anyday because it doesn't affect goal difference. Moreover if we beat Croatia and Ireland we're through, losing vs Spain won't be a disaster.
Croatia and Ireland will be test for Italy.... Italy are sour and play trying to put to much empahize on each player skill.... Itlay after the first match agaisnt spain will be carrying bruises around.....
It is most likely that Spain will win, but Italy usually shows up big in any tournament and especially against the powerhouse teams, more so when everyone writes them off !! I would actually fear the 2nd tier teams like Croatia.
I hope it's a great match. At the very least, I expect Italy to be entertaining and perhaps surprising to some who haven't watched them play recently. Amy Lawrence in the Guardian posted an amusing article about "Italy's Odd Couple," Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano. Worth a read: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jun/09/euro-2012-italy-mario-balotelli-cassano
Here's hoping for a great match; however, I'm not betting my house on it... this game imo comes a little early in the schedule for me. As we saw from last nights games (but not so much from the group of life) first games can be cagey affairs, especially when it's two heavyweights trying not to lost. Last time these two met @ a major competition, it was Euro 2008 and it was 0-0 after 120 mins... I'm predicting a similar outcome today. Hope I'm wrong though, and both teams go for it - but that usually happens in the later rounds of the round robin...
I've been nervous all weekend. Only an hour and a half till kick-off! Not the worst kind of nerves, though. Before the 2010 World Cup, I was full of dread, and the cold certainty that Italy would flame out disastrously in the tournament. Before Euro 2008, I had an uneasy feeling, but there was a certain hope, too: I didn't rate Donadoni highly, but I liked some of his selections, at least. This time around, I'm not exactly confident, but I am hopeful. For the first time in a long time, we have a good, positive coach, and some talented young players in the mix. I just hope Italy play to their ability and make a great impression in Poland and Ukraine. Forza Azzurri!
I really just want Spain to go home Plus I've always had a little soft-spot for the Azurri, and I think when nobody expects anything from Italy, they'll surprise us all. I have them go to the semi-final at least. So my prediction is Spain 0 - Italy 2
wow interesting Spain lines up without a bonafide strike and a front 3 of Iniesta-Fabregas-Silva... no Lorente, Torres, Pedro, or Negredo in the starting 11. Brave move by Del Bosque. Italy line up with Cassano & Balotelli up front. I hope my prediction of nil-nil doesn't come true...
Even braver move by Prandelli who, by fielding Giaccherini, Bonucci and Marchisio, has opted to start with 8 men instead of 11
This could end up being the craziest match of Euro2012. Standard line ups, formations, and tactics have all been thrown out. Plus Italy starting the most mental striking partnership of any team in history.
This is the borest game ever... Poor euro so far... Best competitive game I've seen so far this weekend is by far morocco - cote d'ivoire...
Yes, people talked about the 4-6-0 formation. We might be seeing this right now. Italy seemed to bring back the sweeper. I cannot figure italy's formation.
don't say that just yet... things will get better as the compeition goes on, opening round matches are always kind of like this, it will start to liven up when the second group games come around... Spain have been disappointing so far...