Euro 2008 — Running Thread

I think that was for Sergio Ramos' kick in the back on Toni right outside the area.

 

Even in that game, Russia had its chances to make it a lot closer than 4-1. I think the second time around is going to be a lot closer, but I hope it has as many or more goals. I think Spain will win 3-2. I wouldn't bet on it though considering I went 0-4 in my quarterfinal predictions.

 

I was so frickin' happy when Spain won. And that the little prick De Rossi missed a PK was poetic, the fucker.

I was flipping among Spain/Italy, USA/Barbardos and Royals/Giants, so I didn't get a great feel for the Euro game. Was Italy as bad as Andy Gray said? Playing for penalties from the start?

 

I said this after the first Spain/Russia game - I was impressed with Russia even though the score was lopsided.

I'm taking Russia 2-1. What a wonderful team this has been to watch, a serious threat for South Africa 2010.

 

It was pretty evident Italy was playing for penalty kicks. They had one quality chance to score all game. They played nine defenders all game and just had Luca Toni as the lone one trying to score. It was pretty frustrating to watch a Spain had all the possession and chances and couldn't score.

 

As everyone mentioned after the France-Italy game, the absence of Pirlo through suspension really hurt the Italians. It also hurt that Toni looked woefully out of form this entire tournament.

 

Those are good points. Italy had no playmakers in the midfield against Spain and Toni was horrible the entire tournament. I posted earlier in the tournament that I was surprised that Toni is mentioned as one of the top forwards in the world considering he was playing horrible. He had a lot of good chances and couldn't score a goal.

 

The thing is, I don't think with the way Italy plays naturally, Toni is a complete fit with them up front. Italy, for the most part, has always been about creativity through the middle and breaking runs from midfield.

Toni is the kind of player that needs consistent service from the flanks. While there was some of that, there wasn't nearly enough that gave him a chance to attack headers from 6-12 yards out. Not enough width from Grosso et al., too much of him playing with his back to goal with no runners coming quickly enough from midfield.

Yes, he missed some good chances, but too much of the time, especially today, he looked completely isolated from the rest of the team, in part because of the defensive stance the Italians took in their own half. Give him someone else to provide knock-downs to, or two wingers who will provide him service, and I think he has a far better tournament.

 

Yes. Bunkered in from the opening kick. As much as I want to credit that to Spain's better ball movement and more imaginative and skilled offensive weapons, most of us know better.

By comparison, it made the New Jersey Devils' left-wing lock in ice hockey look positively stimulating.

 

The Romania game is the one that stood out for me. That's the game Toni had a lot og good opportunities and just missed them. He should have had about two or three goals in that game. He had a lot of good service in that game. But you're right. Other than that game, Toni did not get very many quality services from his teammates. Italy had Cattoosso (sp?) up front with Toni many of the games and I think he is a natural midfielder, not a striker. Italy just lacked the creativity to score goals in this tournament, from their forwards and midfielders.

 

Hey, even the Devils manage a shot on goal now and then.

 

Precisely. At least Jersey does go on the offensive on occasion. And the Devils don't whine and act like they've been shot every time there's physical contact.