Euro 2012 - The Climax

I paid for it! I confessed and even though I paid for it I am still paying the price. I am now thinking about the future. Should I quit? It's not about sex scandals that you read about everyday! It is more serious than that. It's soccer and the Euro 2012. I did not really think I could survive this ordeal and on a few days took leave and even played some golf. There was a 26 year-old guy in China who watched the Euro every night and then went to work. He probably didn't sleep at all. He died unfortunately. 

It is not about life and death, it is more serious than that! That was what Shankly once said and Brian Clough once said that if football was meant to be played in the sky and the clouds than God would have put grass there. England must reinvent using the wisdom of Shankly and Clough.

1st Semi-Final - Spain v Portugal

The match promised much but delivered little. If you just think of the skills of the players and most people were thinking it would be end to end stuffs. Spain unfortunately is no Barcelona. Barcelona takes possession of the ball to launch attack and try for goals. Spain holds possession to prevent you from playing and try to pass you to death. It ended 0-0 even after extra-time. Portugal missed their penalty kicks which were identical to England's misses. This is why I wanted Germany to win the Euro because they have the best attacking team. I wanted the winner to get validated and to showcase exciting, attacking soccer. To think that Spain like to play without a striker troubled me. Strikers play to get the goals. They are your marketing and sales team. Play them.

2nd Semi-Final - Germany v Italy

You would think that it could get quite tactical. Well, this young German team is different. There was two things that I said and it came so true. (1) Germany's defence is suspect. I gave it mention three times at least and this time it became glaring because Italy knew h ow to exploit it. (2) Italy gets stronger as a tournament progressed. Germany handle the fort from the whistle but the Italians were patient. They clearly had a plan. A goal-bound shot was blocked by a defender. Pirlo cleared one off the line and Buffon saved a handful of possible German goals.

When the Italians overcame these, they hit the Germans on the counter. Cassano played vital role with a wonderful cross which caught the German rear guards napping. Mario Balotelli, yes, Balotelli rose and nod in the opener. The second came when Balotelli was put through and he confidently converted with a powerful shot. I felt the German defence was static and a let down. Germany came back in the second half with all guns blazing. Reus came in for Podolski and Klose for Gomez. Germany had possession but the Italians looked dangerous. The penalty that Ozil scored was merely a consolation. Germany has to build up their defence in preparation for their next conquest. 

Final - Spain v Italy

I wonder how things would be like if we have extra time to play in golf? Let's say we finished 18 holes and are still level, we go into extra-time and the golf rules and clubs allowed that? If it still ended level, we do the penalties. We putt till death.

Spain met Italy in their group match and trailed the Italians before they managed to level. They have a good run  up against each other early on. Spanish manager Vincente Del Bosque (who looks like an aged former English player Frank Worthington who was a swashbuckling, delightful and colourful striker who has been through more clubs than Nick Faldo. He was one of my favourite players a the time. I remembered him more at Leceister City. http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-701&va=frank+worthington+footballer), obviously found teams parking the bus against Spain and resorted to greater possession and Spain will not score many goals especially against top teams like Italy but this is the time to play to win. Spain certainly has the ability to beat Italy or anyone and win the Euro but they will need to be bolder. 

Meanwhile, Italian coach Prandelli clearly knew what he was doing. His defensive play was different from that of England. Italy when required was an attacking formation. In fact, quite many times I found them exciting. This is a pleasant surprise and I like this refreshing approach of Prandelli. He dares and who dares wins!

Italy remains a difficult team to beat. They have good tactical discipline and are technically strong. They have a fearsome attack when the service is right. Balotelli will be looking to increase his tally but it depends on his antics and tantrums of the day. He got an yellow card for removing his jersey to pose for cameras after scoring against Germany. 

This will be an entirely different game. Spain must play differently and boldly to win hopefully within regulation time. It will be close and may mirror their opening game. Remember, the Italians gets stronger the longer the game progresses and they can hit you and close shop. I feel that the match may go into extra-time and maybe extended to penalty kicks. So I shall be on vacation leave. If you have been following the Euro 2012, you cannot help but notice that Spain has been winning without really showing their best. Xavi has not been really himself. Maybe this is the quality of a champion team or they will peak in the final.


Meantime, Italy has been peaking nicely. Buffon and his back four are at their best. Solid and impregnable. Pirlo has been peerless and a master of the midfield game. Balotelli minus his tantrums was unstoppable. His second goal in the semi-final was so solidly and yet precisely struck, so good that German goalie Neuer actually applauded  the goal. Italy has already scored against Spain and taken down the high-flying Germans. Their defence is looking like a rock, Pirlo can damage any opponent. Cassano can make that final cross and Balotelli is ready. 


Only a Spain at the top of their game can stop Italy. Before the tournament I have picked Spain and Germany to meet in this final. I have to admit that I'm more impressed with Italy than Spain. When they first met, Italy scored first. Will Spain be crowned champions and be the first team to win back to back titles in the Euro, World Cup and Euro? Or will Italy shatter their dreams? This Italian team is different from those of the past I have seen. Prandelli has built Italy into an attacking outfit that can defend - that is the difference. They are bold. Boldness is a dare and who dares wins. The winner could be Blue than Red this time. Is it "si Senor" or "si Signore"? I think si Signore.

Spain 1 Italy 1

I wonder if I will do this again come World Cup 2014. Sometimes, I watch a game at ungodly hours and were left disappointed. The suffering is real but like Rambo, I was trained to ignore the weather,  pain and sleep. Good night! Yawn. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.