***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (11 Viewers)

[jonessed]

Spain is relatively dull, Barcelona is anything but. They both have a lot of possession, but they do very different things with it. I think people have a tendency to lump them together.

It's less an indictment of Spain and more a demonstration of just how good Messi is.

Spain certainly isn't as bad as England, but I would rather watch Germany, Italy, Russia, Portugal, etc.

 

[Sebowski]

Italy - 2

England - 0

 

[NewlyRetired]

Dug deep in my draw of t-shirts for this wonderfully cheap knock off I got in Italy in the 90's

Italia, Italia, Italia!!

 

[LHUCKS]

Italy - 2England - 0

I'll go 2-1, Italy.Rooting for England, my second favorite international side.(as painful as it may be)

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Spain is relatively dull, Barcelona is anything but. They both have a lot of possession, but they do very different things with it. I think people have a tendency to lump them together.It's less an indictment of Spain and more a demonstration of just how good Messi is.Spain certainly isn't as bad as England, but I would rather watch Germany, Italy, Russia, Portugal, etc.

Spain is missing an in-form striker in 2012. When they won Euro 2008, Torres was excellent. When they won the World Cup, David Villa was outstanding. This year, they lack such a threat up top, which has dulled their cutting edge, to an extent.

 

[Ursa M]

I bet none of us are this dedicated.

A soccer fan in China has died after staying up for 11 straight nights to watch every game of Euro 2012, according to a report in Chinese newspaper Sanxiang Metropolis.

http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1114008/reportfatigued-chinese-fan-dies.html

Well, if one of us is, he ain't posting any more.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I like the decision to insert Montolivo into the lineup. Underrated player IMO.

 

[Mjolnirs]

I love watching Portugal personally. Italy has been quite entertaining as well, although they are my second most hated side.

Mine as well. Which means I will be pulling for them today since they are playing England.

 

[TLEF316]

Rough first clearance by woz

 

[Christo]

Milner sucks.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Degree of difficulty about 12,000 on that incredible De Rossi volley

 

[LHUCKS]

Entertaining first five minutes here.

 

[Steve Tasker]

What a save by Buffon....whoa.

Both teams with great chances early on.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Awesome save. Great start to this game.

 

[NMYMND]

2 near goals in the first 5 minutes has already exceeded my expectations. Hope this keeps up.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Italy enjoying a lot of possession so far, but looking pretty shaky in the back. Welbeck and Rooney could cause some problems as the game wears on.

 

[LHUCKS]

England looks stronger than expected here IMHO.

 

[LHUCKS]

Great action and display of skill thus far...love it.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Genius pass to give Balotelli that chance. What a first touch.

 

[ffldrew]

Does anyone give the ball up more easily than Milner?

 

[Christo]

Does anyone give the ball up more easily than Milner?

Complete waste of a roster spot. I can't believe Walcott or Ox aren't getting that spot.

 

[Ursa M]

Does anyone give the ball up more easily than Milner?

Complete waste of a roster spot. I can't believe Walcott or Ox aren't getting that spot.

Couldn't agree more. He's like a carthorse.Generally, England have retreated into that damn shell again. Every time they gain possession, someone tries to pass it through an Italian. They will regret missing their three opportunities.

 

[Steve Tasker]

The bounces just aren't falling the Italians' way...I've got a bad feeling about this second half.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Italy creating a bunch of chances there...and wasting them terribly

 

[ffldrew]

Going to be some tough night's sleep in the Italian camp tonight

 

[NewlyRetired]

With this much space, Italy should get more skill on the field in Giovinco.

 

[ffldrew]

Scene should be entertaining when they sub Balotelli

 

[ffldrew]

Rooney not carrying his weight today

 

[Premier]

A lot of empty seats there.

Not a great game to watch. Kind of disappointing.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Only once in Euro history have all the QF's been played with out at least one game going into extra time.

See what you did?

 

[Steve Tasker]

Italy need a goal poacher, someone who can just get it done, someone like Klose in his prime. Maybe Balotellican be that guy someday, but he isn't there right now.

 

[Steve Tasker]

No width and no off-ball movement from the Italians. They look gassed.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Can't see either team beating Germany

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Can't see either team beating Germany

Especially since Germany have two more days of rest. Nice scheduling there UEFA

 

[ffldrew]

Can't see either team beating Germany

Especially with the rest UEFA is giving them

 

[Mjolnirs]

Italy need a goal poacher, someone who can just get it done, someone like Klose in his prime. Maybe Balotellican be that guy someday, but he isn't there right now.

Luca Toni comes to mind. He sure poached his share at Bayern.

 

[ffldrew]

15 minutes to the horror show that is England in PK's

 

[ffldrew]

Great call

 

[Steve Tasker]

Diamanti has been Italy's best player today...damn.

 

[Slapdash]

It's all up to Woz now.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Gut says England wins PKs 4-2

 

[Steve Tasker]

Gut says England wins PKs 4-2

Probably something like that. Italian players looking disheartened and frustrated, doesn't bode well.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Well deserved by Italy

 

[Sinn Fein]

Gut says England wins PKs 4-2

Did I say England?I was thinking the same thing as Tasker -Italy looked a little more worn out

 

[ffldrew]

 

[NewlyRetired]

Pirlo's confidence was disgustingly cool

 

[Sinn Fein]

Pirlo's confidence was disgustingly cool

 

[Steve Tasker]

:exhale:

 

[GoFishTN]

Things England might want to avoid: penalty kicks.

 

[Ursa M]

Can't argue or whine. England were outplayed, outpassed and out-everythinged. It was tenacious but that's really about it.