OT: Euro 2012

[CalamityX11]

and Spain squeeks by... wowww

 

[trancemeister]

Thanks for the link!! I got to see the last bit of the PKs. So, why the hell did Ronaldo not take a PK? From the lineups on the UEFA site, he seemed to be on the field at the end of extra time. So what was Bento thinking? Or did Ronaldo decline? Craziness!!

 

[spacedoodoopistol]

Trance, it looked like CR was lined up to take the 5th kick, but it never got that far, which is why you don't put him 5th. Almost impossible to believe....they had both centerbacks take one before him.

Only thing I could figure is that Casillas might just know him too well, maybe he's taken 100s of PKs in practice against him......still wouldn't really explain it though.

 

[trancemeister]

Trance, it looked like CR was lined up to take the 5th kick, but it never got that far, which is why you don't put him 5th. Almost impossible to believe....they had both centerbacks take one before him.

Only thing I could figure is that Casillas might just know him too well, maybe he's taken 100s of PKs in practice against him......still wouldn't really explain it though.

Ah! That makes sense! I must have missed that trying to sneak a peak at the game during work. But I agree, even though Casillas might know his tendencies, as an international players, you HAVE to have more than one go-to kick. The goal is pretty wide and there are so many ways to take a PK. You never leave your best player to the end, cos for one it might add too much pressure on him, and the flip side is that he may not get to take one at all like today.

On a similar note, this is one quality in Italian football that I absolutely loathe. You see so many teams, my beloved Juventus one of them, and also the national team get one goal in and then totally go into a defensive shell, only to see the other team strike back. When you have the talent and a lead, you go for the throat!! Never play to lose, cos more often than not, it ends up in a loss. We see the same stuff happen in the NFL too, with our Niners in several instances as well.

 

[spacedoodoopistol]

Regarding Spain.....I wouldn't pretend to know 1% of what del Bosque or his coaching staff know, but I didn't understand their lineups today. I can see starting with Negredo, fine, that's a fair option - but if you do that its preferable to team him up with actual wingers that can send a cross he can finish.....almost like their plan B.

Instead they had their usual Plan A compact, short-passing along with Negredo.......but then, as soon as they replaced him with Fabregas, they also brought on their best winger in Navas. Seems like that was all backwards, because with Fabregas in they have no one to finish the crosses well, and his "false nine" role isn't as effective with the wide attack. I didn't get that, but again I'm sure they are considering 100 things I'm not.

 

[trancemeister]

SUPER MARIO!!!!! Booyah bitches!

 

[CalamityX11]

got you trance...

 

[CalamityX11]

Wished i saw the header... my bad... this would be 2004 all over for me lol

 

[trancemeister]

Thanks! Though, has it been working for you? It just won't load for me here. Following the game on UEFA game center :/

 

[trancemeister]

Holy crap! I'm about to cream my pants! Mario strikes again! He finally shows up!

EDIT: The feed is working now Much appreciated.

 

[CalamityX11]

2-0????!?!?!

 

[CalamityX11]

yeah feed for me is good.

 

[trancemeister]

2-0????!?!?!

Yup, and I am totally stunned! I have been following Italy football for a long time and I have never seen them show up with as offensive a game plan as they have these past two games. Pirlo is having yet another solid game!

There's still a whole entire half to go though and Germany sure has the firepower to fight back. If Italy can continue to control the ball like they have, I'd say it is looking good for Gli Azzurri!

BTW - did you see the second goal? My goodness what a strike that was!

 

[CalamityX11]

Nah i'm missing everything!!! lol... Mario is freakin killin it... I'm surprised Germany is getting handed like this.

 

[spacedoodoopistol]

Missed both goals - I've gotta get my priorities straight. I was off at lunch, when I should have been here at work....watching the game.

 

[trancemeister]

Here's the second goal ... hope you get to see it before it gets taken down ...

UERO 2012 Germany - Italy 0-2 Balotelli second goal euro 2012 semifinal HD - YouTube

And the first goal ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLihDCYFeGE&feature=relmfu

Videos prolly won't last long on youtube

 

[CalamityX11]

good move trance....

 

[CalamityX11]

Here's the second goal ... hope you get to see it before it gets taken down ...

UERO 2012 Germany - Italy 0-2 Balotelli second goal euro 2012 semifinal HD - YouTube

And the first goal ...

Germany - Italy 0-1 Balotelli first goal euro 2012 - YouTube

Videos prolly won't last long on youtube

1st goal, a strong header from Mario. I like that.

2nd goal, WHAT A FUCKING STRIKE... strikes like those melt my kneesyo..Balotelli strong fucking game...

 

[trancemeister]

2nd goal, WHAT A FUCKING STRIKE... strikes like those melt my kneesyo..Balotelli strong fucking game...

The keeper had absolutely zero chance to even react to it. I guess the keeper thought he would take it further down into the area and then Mario just unleashed!

 

[CalamityX11]

Balo is dancing and making things scary for Germany.... finally playing like everyone expected of him.

Has Italy ever had a player that can shake like Mario before? I know the many greats of Italy but not necessarily the dynamic Mario presents... not annointing him the greatest or even close but its different seeing that from Italy IMHO