Final: Spain vs Italy

JespSwe wrote:English media fawning over Pirlo like they've just discovered him.

That's not strange. Any time a player delivers an outstanding performance against an English team especially in a very important match there is a lot of fawning over him. I was immediately reminded of Iniesta after the UCL 2009 final.

2-1 Italy, Balo and Cassano to play the games of their lives

Yuri Yukuv wrote:2-1 Italy, Balo and Cassano to play the games of their lives

I have made the very same prediction. I think Balotelli will definitely score but I cannot say who the other two scorers will be.

messixaviesta wrote:

paxtonpale wrote:At the 'boring' football...
Successful football systems and styles of play have 3 stages of evolution.
1. Revolutionary and totally dominating
2. Benchmark for others to emulate
3. Weakness understood, become less dominating and considered boring
For Spain this has been a 6 year process that has moved well into stage 3. For Italy Stage 1 has commenced...

Interesting thoughts. Maybe tonight the shift in power in international football will finally happen.

Its what Craig Foster thought of boring football, an Australia analyst. Im talked to him about it and that's what he replied with. I tend to agree with him. Italy at points have sometimes played entertaining football though at times. I loved watch the passing game of Spain. Yes, it may not be as good as Barca though I still love watching it. Anaylsts find it entertaining. Fans don't because they don't get the significance of the beautiful game... I tend to agree

paxton, nice reply.

I believe a lot in psychological edge due to history. It's not a major factor of course but it's a factor. Spain reversed the trend against France but we must not forget that the latter had given up even before the match started. That's the last thing Italy will do. Hence I won't completely ignore the fact that Spain have not beaten Italy in a competitive match since 1920.

Then again Spain stand on the threshold of being called the greatest international team of all time. Only two teams have reached three consecutive major international finals - Germany in the 70s and Brazil in the 90s. However neither won all. Will Spain's reign end in a manner similar to Germany's in 1976? However this team does not lack anything in determination and fighting spirit and if they do win the trophy in spite of everything they would have created football history.

Now at AC Milan, Cassano is eager to show Spaniards what they have been missing after they failed to “appreciate” him.

"It would be great to beat the Spanish. My spell at Real Madrid didn't exactly go well. They called me fat and didn't appreciate me, so I am ready to put things in their place,” Cassano told ESPN.

Poor Cassano, i noticed he had a belly versus Russia........

Italy will win....It's their time ..theirs chance....anddd their Super Mario

Italy XI vs Spain: Buffon, Abate, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Rossi, Montolivo, Cassano, Balotelli

Spain XI: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Xabi Alonso; Iniesta, Silva, Fábregas.

Del Bosque said 3 forwards.

mtfootball wrote:Del Bosque said 3 forwards.

VDB has said Iniesta is a forward on numerous times. Don't be deceived

mtfootball wrote:Del Bosque said 3 forwards.

Was 100% deceived by this aswell

No forwards means it's probably not worth watching till the 60th minute or something when they make subs...

lszanto wrote:

mtfootball wrote:Del Bosque said 3 forwards.

Was 100% deceived by this aswell

No forwards means it's probably not worth watching till the 60th minute or something when they make subs...

Yeh after Pedro's performance, I think he deserved to start the final.

mtfootball wrote:

lszanto wrote:

mtfootball wrote:Del Bosque said 3 forwards.

Was 100% deceived by this aswell

No forwards means it's probably not worth watching till the 60th minute or something when they make subs...

Yeh after Pedro's performance, I think he deserved to start the final.

Yeah wouldn't really care who it was just a real forward, even somebody like Navas would be awesome to see.

The issue is if they put a real forward on they might do something horrific like try and shoot.

lszanto wrote:

mtfootball wrote:Del Bosque said 3 forwards.

Was 100% deceived by this aswell

No forwards means it's probably not worth watching till the 60th minute or something when they make subs...

Euro final not worth watching? Okay then.


Well, a great tournament is coming to an end. Hopefully we shall get a good and fair game. Spain to make history with a 2 - 0 win, Iniesta and Xavi to score.

lszanto wrote:

mtfootball wrote:Del Bosque said 3 forwards.

Was 100% deceived by this aswell

No forwards means it's probably not worth watching till the 60th minute or something when they make subs...

I suppose Chelsea vs. Bayern final wasn't worth watching either becouse Chelsea wasn't even attacking that game? I mean did Chelsea even create 1 open play chance?

so nervous

Espn is down............

Pirlo utterly owned by Xavi so far. Just out classed him.

Chielleni was utterly destroyed in the first goal if anything.

Always said the guy is overrated. Inb4 "but he has PHD in economics"

According to UEFA Italy had more possession than Spain in first half.

Coincidence that Spain actually played good football for once this tournament? I think not

possession-hording = Anti Football

Se7en wrote:Chielleni was utterly destroyed in the first goal if anything.

Always said the guy is overrated. Inb4 "but he has PHD in economics"

bu bu but hes playing as a lb

better than silva

BhritanniaBhlue wrote:According to UEFA Italy had more possession than Spain in first half.

Coincidence that Spain actually played good football for once this tournament? I think not

possession-hording = Anti Football

of course.This is one of those rare matches in which Xavi decides to pass forward.Spain playing great football atm

According to Goal.com at first half possession Italy 47%,Spain 53%.while La Roja have also only completed 32 more passes than their opponents.

Dr Chiellini should get a PHD in defending

Xavi has been peerless. Officially the best dictating cm in history for me