Three thoughts after Spain eliminated Italy on penalty kicks (after a scoreless tie) to set up a semifinal date against Russia:
• After so much heartbreak over the decades, Spain deserved this. It wasn’t memorable soccer, but the result will be unforgettable for Spanish fans. Spain attacked more, created more chances and simply outplayed the Italians, who executed their defensive gameplan but sent almost nobody forward and generated only one really good scoring chance (when Mauro Camoranesi’s screamer was stopped by Iker Casillas in the 61st minute). Bottom line: the penalty-kick shootout gave the Spaniards yet another chance to cement their rep as chokers, but with the exception of Dani Güiza (see below) they showed no case of nerves and took their spot-kicks with a stunning sense of calm. Casillas earns my Man of the Match honors for his two diving saves on Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale. You can breathe now, Spain. Italy’s out.
• Italy was a major disappointment today. Anytime a world champion decides that its primary strategy is to mass players behind the ball is a discouraging day for the sport. There’s no doubt that Italy was effective doing so, but I wish the Azzurri would have thrown outside backs Fabio Grosso and Gianluca Zambrotta forward more often. We know they’re capable of that (just look at the Romania game) and we know that Luca Toni is essentially worthless if they don’t, but it was clear that Roberto Donadoni was going conservative on us without Andrea Pirlo in the lineup and the Italians would let Spain bring the game to them. Then there’s Toni: the big target-man finishes Euro 2008 with zero goals in four games—and a serious question mark over whether he’s good enough to be a consistent scorer at this level on this team.
• Dani Güiza should never come on for Fernando Torres again unless Torres needs to have his leg amputated. What was Luis Aragonés thinking when he took off Torres for Güiza in the 85th minute? Torres was still active and dangerous, and Güiza (as we learned in extra-time) was out of his depth. Just before penalties I told my pals Joel and Jon-Claud: I don’t know who’ll win, but I guarantee you Güiza will screw up—and Torres’s head will explode on the bench. Sure enough, Güiza botched his kick. (Unfortunately, we didn’t get a replay of Torres’s reaction, which would have been priceless.)
Through-balls: Now Spain will get a rematch against Russia in the semifinals (nice job setting up the brackets, UEFA). But don’t draw too many lessons from Spain’s 4-1 opening-game blowout. Russia is a completely different team with Andrei Arshavin (who didn’t play in the first game), and Arshavin makes his teammates better, too. Spain will have to protect against overconfidence ... Spain’s David Silva is starting to grow on me. He was inches wide on two occasions today, and he has a boundless source of energy ... I know Donadoni has a contract beyond Euro 2008, but does anyone think his job will be in trouble over the Azzurri’s performance? It’s not like they set the world on fire in these four games ... I know soccer isn’t entertainment for most Italians, but it is for us neutrals. That’s why I’m a heck of a lot more excited for a Spain-Russia semi than I would have been for Russia-Italy ... Given the quick hooks for Xavi and Andrés Iniesta today, I’m wondering if either of their starting spots might be in jeopardy for the Russia game. Cesc in particular deserves consideration, if you ask me ... After 16 straight glorious days of soccer we’re finally getting a couple days off before the semifinals start on Wednesday. I don’t think I’ll know what to do with myself ... Just wondering: does anyone else see the shots of Aragonés gesticulating on the sidelines and think he’s just another old man saying: Get the !@#$ out of my yard!
Do you think the monkey is finally off Spain’s back? Or will it only get worse if the Spaniards can’t knock off a Russian team that it beat 4-1 already? Who’s your favorite to win Euro 2008 now that we’re down to four teams: Germany, Spain, Turkey, Russia. Please post your comments below and make sure to come back on Wednesday for the next edition of the Euro 2008 Blog ...
Jarah Mariano
DeLeah Caro
Men's Grand Slam All-Time Leaders
Roger Federer's Grand Slam Titles
Comments (125) Add A Comment
Yeah boyeee! Well I'm glad to say I saw Italy get booted, not to say I'm a Spain fan, but anytime a team squeaks through the qualifying round and then squeaks through the first round of the tournament and still has a ton of bandwagon fans, its time for them to go. And Italy sure showed us what they were made of today. What was up with that "all defense, barely any offense" strategy? Spain desreved to win, as it seemed like they were in attack mode all game, coming up short or wide on a number of occasions, and having Italy on their heels for most of the match. Now that Portugal and Italy are out of the tournament, it looks like we'll be seeing more techincal football, and less theatrics. ;) Germany would be a great winner because Ballack needs to get his monkey off his back, Spain equally would be a great winner because they haven't won Jack in the past 40 years, Russia has shown to be the real cinderella of the tournament, and Turkey... well, they always find a way to win eh? Here's hoping for a Germany v. Russia final! Arrivederci Italy!!!!
jessumm
Seattle , WA
Total Comments (9)
I'm glad I got this game wrong. I know Italy wins with this type of negative startegy, but I'm glad they didn't today.
Anyone else have problems with Spain tactiacally today? Aside from the aweful Guiza experiment.
This game really reminded me of Barcalona v. Man U. The Spainish team gets into the final third of the field and then a bunch of pretty passing triangles just can't penetrate a tight organized and defensive back line. Without a brilliant playmaker like Messi its really hard to generate anything going forward.
Also why do these spanish teams refuse to take the ball down the wing and cross into the middle. I know Torres and Villa aren't the best in the air, but you have to get the ball in the box somehow.
Expect Hiddnick to emply a similar strategy as he used against the Dutch the Spanish, so Spaiards better watch out.
SES84
Washington , DC
Total Comments (4)
I was off in my 1-0 prediction for Italy, but just because they didn't get the early goal I expected them to. They were far too tentaive offensively early on. But I was right about Torres getting frustrated and pushing an Italian player, so somebody give me credit for that...
I'm happy to see Spain win because like Grant said, Russia-Spain will be an extremely entertaining match. It could be along the lines of 3-2 or even a 4-3 finish. The Germany-Turkey game is going to be a disaster, though. Turkey has almost its entire first team out due to injury or suspension. I will be shocked if Germany doesn't win by at least 3.
knick4life
Total Comments (147)
Was Fandel auditioning for a job in MLS?
Marshall G.
Newton , MA
Total Comments (5)
This Italian fan can admit that Spain desreved to win.
Toni was useless this tourney and having him on the field today was like playing with 10 men. Cassano is not ready to take the full-time mantle of creative mid (think they missed Pirlo?). Aquilani gave something defensively, but nothing coming forward.
The story of this team was not the backline which I thought played GREAT in-the-box defense, it is how the forwards generated NO goals. Without Totti, without Pirlo, no one is there to organize the attack. Del Piero checked in at one point I think...another bum tourney for Il Pinturichio.
pfunk
Total Comments (72)
Fandel did a good job. And he was the only one of the 23 people on the field who did.
Spain? It looked like 80% of all passes landed with the opposite team. Chances? One and a half or maybe two and a half over 120 minutes. Wit? Fighting? Technical skills? Zeros on all three scales.
And Italy was even worse.
Both teams deserved to loose. This was even worse then the greek games - because Greece played up to their level. This two teams just stopped performing and dropped to Kindergarten level. Except kindergarden kids show more enthusiasm and will to win.
This game was a disgrace. Worst game of the tournament. I hope that all involved apologize to the fans they tortured with this crapfest.
Oh, the better team won today. But 'better' is not 'good'. I hope Spain is beaten by Russia and for a Russia-Germany final.
no_trolling_please
Total Comments (206)
In response to Grant's question about Donadoni, I think he has to go. His atrocious line-up decisions the first game put Italy in a HUGE hole, and it was only good fortune against France and Buffon's save against Mutu that saw them through.
Today, I think Donadoni once again blew it. He obviously came into the match thinking "defend-first". If you do this, then you need speedy forwards/wingers to counter-attack. Toni is anything but speedy, and the fullbacks rarely went on runs to give him crosses (not that it would have mattered as he was totally out of form). Despite this, he stayed with him all game. It was like Italy had 10 men...
pfunk
Total Comments (72)
Grant Wahl, I love your comment about Torres. Guiza was horrible, and hopefully Aragones will heed your advice in the future.
tbearup3
Chicago , IL
Total Comments (21)
I didn't see so much of a dominating Spain. They should have smashed and crushed Italy, buy they didn't. Maybe that is because Italy is not such a fourth-class squad as everyone says! By the way, the clearest chance in the game was on the foot of Camoranesi. However, there were some disappointing players, like Aquilani, who looked too frightened to play like he does in A.S. Roma, and Perrotta. But I didn't expect much more, knowing that Pirlo was out. Who disappointed me the most, however, was Toni. Like I said in a previous comment, he is in an awful form. I think a bad Toni's clone played this championship, and the real one was left in Germany drinking beer! The biggest mistake by Donadoni, in my humble opinion, was leaving Inzaghi home. At the moment, Inzaghi is the only italian striker who could have made the difference, considering that Borriello is a good player but has no international experience and would have failed exactly the same way as the scared Aquilani did.
And now let's talk about Spain. Aragones said he had prepared his goalkeeper for penalty shoot-outs by showing him videos of the italian kickers. That's a really smart move! I wonder why Donadoni didn't do the same. Yet, I still can't understand why he took out Fernando Torres! What was on his mind to take out such a tremendous striker?
However, kudos to Spain! I hope they get into the final and win the whole prize beating Germany!
Go Furia Roja! :-)
Peppe il portiere
Caserta, IT
Total Comments (23)
I got 3 out of the 4 semifinalists correct (Portugal my mistake). Happy for Spain!
Casillas is truly the world's best goalkeeper. I hope that gets into everybody's head!
Big Chaco
Los Angeles , CA
Total Comments (1474)
Yeah, Donadoni brings that defensive know-how, and as we saw today, they were superbly coached in that respect. Offside traps, positioning were immaculate. But he brings nothing to the table offensively. And why did he wait until the middle of OT to put in Del Piero?
Aragones also. Despite Torres' penchant for frustration, why take him out in the 85th minute? He's your best player. He was still trying to make things happen. He wasn't tired, and he had no cards. And what did his replacement Guiza do? If Spain wins the tournament it will certainly be in spite of their coach, not because of him.
knick4life
Total Comments (147)
Absolutely a deserved victory for Spain in this one. Italy parked the bus for this match and Donadoni's strategy seemed to be getting the game to penalties and having Buffon win if for them. And will someone please explain to me how come when the Greeks play "defensive" football they get ridiculed for it. Yet when the Italians do the same thing it's considered a brilliant strategy?
Barca4Life
Milwaukee , WI
Total Comments (180)
Fandel did a good job.
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That has to be one of the most ridiculous comments I've heard so far on here. He missed at least two penalty opportunities for Spain and was handing out yellow cards for love taps. Spain won IN SPITE of his atrocious refereeing.
Barca4Life
Milwaukee , WI
Total Comments (180)
Big Chaco you can't judge Casillas the best goalkeeper in the world just because he stopped 2 penalties which his coach told him how to stop! Buffon has been on top of the world for years and years, and I'm talking about italian Serie A, Champions League, World Cup, and also Euro 2008. Remember he was twice appointed best UEFA player (PLAYER, not goalkeeper!)
Peppe il portiere
Caserta, IT
Total Comments (23)
I don't think I ever want to watch Italy play another game of soccer....what a bunch of ****!!! Toni leading the charge..obscene flopping and fake injuries as a delay tactic...and what was the ref looking at when he missed that blatant foul on Silva in the first period...reminded me why soccer has had such a touch time catching on over here(and why my dad hates it)
Really happy to see Spain win(although they weren't completely innocent in this game either), Their second game with Russia should be very exciting..that Russian kid can play.
KingRey
Greenbrae , CA
Total Comments (3)
I'm going to have to agree with Barca4Life. Fandel was absolutely pathetic. The mark of a good ref is that nobody notices him in the game. I think the prominent sound in this game was Fandel's whistle for some ticky-tack foul while not having the cojones to step up and make the really big decisions...i.e any one of 3 penalties for Spain. And his pathetic attempts to cover his rear and yellow card the Spain strikers for diving was both uncalled for as well as unbelievable.
Spain dominated but I think the whole mentality of holding the ball and pretty passes is not the way to do it (the Arsenal or Barca mindset if you will). The way they tore the Russians apart was with a quick counter, one-two-three touches to the other box at pace. Today Xavi and Iniesta when faced with a quick break turned around and passed backwards and sideways. For all talk of a defensive Italy, this was also a very very reined in Spain.
Guppy72
New York, NY
Total Comments (1)
Casillas has led Real Madrid w/ a porous defense the last few years, he won the Champions League as a teenager, and La Liga. Buffon has the luxury of strong defenders in front of him whether its for Juve or Italy.
Big Chaco
Los Angeles , CA
Total Comments (1474)
I too am a long time fan of the Azzuri, but by the end of the first half I wanted Spain to win. Trying to win by boring the other team (and the spectators) to death is unsporting, to say the least.
This should be curtains for Donadoni, he wasn't up to the task.
Dick Durata
Forestville , CA
Total Comments (1)
Italy V Spain was atrocious. Spain had at least 3 cases of legless syndrome near the Italian net with Torres' flop being the worst example. I just hate that kind of play and i wish there could be some kind of punishment for it, even if it had to be handed out post-game. The same goes for the "injury" to the Italian player near the end of time, goodness that freeze spray should be used on amputees to grow limbs back as it appears to have magical powers. I have really enjoyed this tourney but this game reminded me of all the things that still bother me about soccer.
scotto80
East Haven , CT
Total Comments (9)
I agree. They shouldn't have taken off Torres in a big situation like that. Who knows? Maybe he could've scored before PKs. Hopefully, they won't make changes like that in the semifinals.
tarheelblue50
Somewhere, :D
Total Comments (3)
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