prateek Posted June 28, 2012 Posted June 28, 2012 Um...did you not see the match stats? Germany did a lot better than Italy. To me it was all up to the first team to score and that was Italy. Before that Germany were the better team. After that, Germany continued to dominate, but were somewhat forced to open up in the back giving Italy greater chance to score. With the amount of space Germany afforded them after they scored, Italy should have done a lot better. Still, I think something was missing from Germany and Buffon and his back four were superb tonight. Buffon for man of the match, totally. Balloteli's two goals would have been worthless if Buffon had not made some of the tremendous saves that he made. I'll be supporting Italy for the finals, but I'm not exactly expecting it to be an exciting match. I may not even watch. Those two teams playing against each other has the potential to be very, very boring. I don't see what's so shocking about Italy beating Germany. Italy are a far more experienced team and just won the World Cup six years ago. Germany have the youngest team in the Euro Cup. It took Spain penalties to get past Italy last Euro Cup, and a tremendous Slovakian team to beat them in the World Cup. Um... did you watch the match? Italy played the counter attack well, and defended amazingly. It helped that Buffon got a couple good bounces, but other than that, Italy was the better team. Germany's defence was in shambles for the goals and their attack was foiled too easily. And I don't see why Italy beating Germany is an upset either. As you said Italy is way more experienced. Germany has the youngest squad in the whole tournament! It'll be interesting to see what Germany does in 2014 Quote
DarthNick Posted June 29, 2012 Posted June 29, 2012 I didn't find Balotelli tremendously impressive throughout the game, although I'll admit that the goals were pretty good. Um...did you not see the match stats? Germany did a lot better than Italy. To me it was all up to the first team to score and that was Italy. Before that Germany were the better team. After that, Germany continued to dominate, but were somewhat forced to open up in the back giving Italy greater chance to score. With the amount of space Germany afforded them after they scored, Italy should have done a lot better. Still, I think something was missing from Germany and Buffon and his back four were superb tonight. Buffon for man of the match, totally. Balloteli's two goals would have been worthless if Buffon had not made some of the tremendous saves that he made. I'll be supporting Italy for the finals, but I'm not exactly expecting it to be an exciting match. I may not even watch. Those two teams playing against each other has the potential to be very, very boring. I don't see what's so shocking about Italy beating Germany. Italy are a far more experienced team and just won the World Cup six years ago. Germany have the youngest team in the Euro Cup. It took Spain penalties to get past Italy last Euro Cup, and a tremendous Slovakian team to beat them in the World Cup. Agreed on Balotelli... I still don't get what people see in him. Pirlo on the other hand is amazing to watch. As for how Germany played, I think you're giving them a little too much credit. The overall possession was at like 54% Germany, 46% Italy, so I don't see how they dominated. Yes, they did have more shots than Italy, but that was actually part of the teams plan. I remember hearing the commentators say that Italy wouldn't mind giving up opportunities for German counter attacks, as long on they played strong offensively (which they did more at the beginning, especially in terms of domination at midfield). Towards the end of the game, Germany started playing more like I expected them too, but by that time it was just too late. Either way I'm super stoked for Sunday! Quote
prateek Posted June 29, 2012 Posted June 29, 2012 It bothers me that they abolished the 3rd place game. Germany vs. Portugal would've been an amazing match! Quote
Ceroknight Posted June 29, 2012 Posted June 29, 2012 It bothers me that they abolished the 3rd place game. Germany vs. Portugal would've been an amazing match! I agree I didn't know about this topic! I was cheering for England at first than Portugal and now my money's on Spain Quote
Palathadric Posted June 29, 2012 Posted June 29, 2012 Um... did you watch the match? Italy played the counter attack well, and defended amazingly. It helped that Buffon got a couple good bounces, but other than that, Italy was the better team. Germany's defence was in shambles for the goals and their attack was foiled too easily. Buffon was Italy's Saviour quite a number of times. The Reus freekick being just one of them. I agree that the German attack wasn't as good as they should've been, but I was actually surprised the number of times they got through considering the quality of defenders and how many Italian bodies there constantly was around the penalty box. Germany definitely improved when they put on Reus and Klose and Muller too. Podolski was not himself, Gomez was rather lazy, and Boateng took too long to do anything. I loved how Neuer was coming up at the end and playing almost as a solitary defender. Agreed on Balotelli... I still don't get what people see in him. Pirlo on the other hand is amazing to watch. As for how Germany played, I think you're giving them a little too much credit. The overall possession was at like 54% Germany, 46% Italy, so I don't see how they dominated. Yes, they did have more shots than Italy, but that was actually part of the teams plan. I remember hearing the commentators say that Italy wouldn't mind giving up opportunities for German counter attacks, as long on they played strong offensively (which they did more at the beginning, especially in terms of domination at midfield). Towards the end of the game, Germany started playing more like I expected them too, but by that time it was just too late. Either way I'm super stoked for Sunday! Agreed, Pirlo has been incredible in every game he has played. I don't see how I gave Germany too much credit. I did say more or less exactly what you said, but the fact is that in the first 20 minutes Germany looked by far the more likely team to score, in my opinion. If they had scored first, the Italian defense would have probably fallen apart much like the German one did, although perhaps not to the same degree. Germany defense did horribly in the action that led up to the first goal, it's true, but the Italian defense and Buffon were definitely pressed a lot more in the game than the German one. Also, I wouldn't say Italy dominated the midfield, the ball was far more on the Italian side than the German. It'll always be easier to defend with 8 men than it is to defend with 4. Quote
jedi1984 Posted June 29, 2012 Posted June 29, 2012 It's been an equilibrated match, with nice shots from both parts, but as Buffon said yesterday after the match, when you score you never know how a match changes, so probably if Balotelli would have made a mistake on the first goal the whole match would have been really different... One thing is clear: without Buffon it would have been REALLY harder than this. (Side note in which no one will be interested: for me as a F.C. Milan supporter is a pain to see how Pirlo is playing right now - They sold him last year because they thought he was finished, he won a Championship with Juventus and now is one of the best players in Euro 2012... :cry_sad: Quote
Rijkvv Posted June 29, 2012 Posted June 29, 2012 It bothers me that they abolished the 3rd place game. Germany vs. Portugal would've been an amazing match! Actually, I think it's better this way. Although I would have seen Germany vs. Portugal, as a team you come to a tournament like this to win it, or with the best result possible. If you don't reach the final, what is the point to put your efforts for a match where's not much to win? I hope Italy will win this tournament. They are much more entertaining to watch. The game Spain vs. Portugal was horrible, both teams were diving and making fouls. The Dutch team was a disappointment this tournament, but Spain as well. Although they reached the finals (and possibly will win it) I don't think they deserve to win. Quote
prateek Posted June 29, 2012 Posted June 29, 2012 Actually, I think it's better this way. Although I would have seen Germany vs. Portugal, as a team you come to a tournament like this to win it, or with the best result possible. If you don't reach the final, what is the point to put your efforts for a match where's not much to win? How about the 3rd place game in the 2010 World Cup? It was better than the actual final! Quote
DarthNick Posted June 29, 2012 Posted June 29, 2012 1. I did say more or less exactly what you said, but the fact is that in the first 20 minutes Germany looked by far the more likely team to score, in my opinion. 2. If they had scored first, the Italian defense would have probably fallen apart much like the German one did, although perhaps not to the same degree. 3. Germany defense did horribly in the action that led up to the first goal, it's true, but the Italian defense and Buffon were definitely pressed a lot more in the game than the German one. 4. Also, I wouldn't say Italy dominated the midfield, the ball was far more on the Italian side than the German. It'll always be easier to defend with 8 men than it is to defend with 4. 1. You're probably right, it's most likely my poor memory throwing me off. 2. That's always true. Though I feel with world class teams like these, no team should 'fall apart' when scored on. 3. Ya, the more I think about it, maybe they were... 4. LOL, well I guess that was a good move on Italy's part then. Quote
Bilbo Baggins Posted June 30, 2012 Posted June 30, 2012 It bothers me that they abolished the 3rd place game. Germany vs. Portugal would've been an amazing match! Well, when they played on the first round it was actually boring. Quote
Bilbo Baggins Posted June 30, 2012 Posted June 30, 2012 It bothers me that they abolished the 3rd place game. Germany vs. Portugal would've been an amazing match! Well, when they played on the first round it was actually boring. Quote
Brickadeer Posted June 30, 2012 Posted June 30, 2012 (edited) What I find quite annoying is that the UEFA has continued to manipulate the broadcasting, making me wonder to what degree scenes from other occasions were mixed with games. This picture, for example, was made before the match. It was broadcasted, however, after Balotelli scored, this way giving the scene a different meaning. It's pretty much the same how was shown during a match, implying that it was "live", while it was recorded before the match. Edited June 30, 2012 by Brickadeer Quote
Palathadric Posted June 30, 2012 Posted June 30, 2012 Well, when they played on the first round it was actually boring. But that was both team's first game and they were both desperate to get the competition to a winning start. A battle for third place, almost as a rule, is always an exciting encounter. The defense is usually not particularly strong as neither team are clinging desperately to get third place, but at the same time both sides want to go out with a bang so usually the attack is strong. This is also, often, a chance for younger players to get chances on the pitch. Besides, third place game, again almost as a rule, have more goals than the finals. Quote
Palathadric Posted June 30, 2012 Posted June 30, 2012 So ahead of tomorrow, who are you supporting to win the cup? Italy or Spain. I have to say, I'm for Italy, but I don't think I'll be particularly disappointed if they lose. I only really started enjoying the Italians' style of play this Euro Cup as even in the matches leading up to it they did somewhat poorly (thinking of their 3-0 lose to Russia here ). Quote
jedi1984 Posted June 30, 2012 Posted June 30, 2012 So ahead of tomorrow, who are you supporting to win the cup? ITALY ALL THE WAY! Quote
prateek Posted June 30, 2012 Posted June 30, 2012 So ahead of tomorrow, who are you supporting to win the cup? Italy or Spain. I have to say, I'm for Italy, but I don't think I'll be particularly disappointed if they lose. I only really started enjoying the Italians' style of play this Euro Cup as even in the matches leading up to it they did somewhat poorly (thinking of their 3-0 lose to Russia here ). I'm on the same boat as you. I'm for Italy, but I won't be bothered if Spain wins. Quote
Sisco Posted June 30, 2012 Posted June 30, 2012 So ahead of tomorrow, who are you supporting to win the cup? Italy or Spain. I have to say, I'm for Italy, but I don't think I'll be particularly disappointed if they lose. I only really started enjoying the Italians' style of play this Euro Cup as even in the matches leading up to it they did somewhat poorly (thinking of their 3-0 lose to Russia here ). I'm on the same boat as you. I'm for Italy, but I won't be bothered if Spain wins. I feel the same way you two do. It'd be nice to watch Spain be defeated (even though I expect them to beat Italy at least 2-0), but I wouldn't care much if Spain won. I was rooting for Germany, but that's obviously not going to happen now. Quote
jedi1984 Posted July 1, 2012 Posted July 1, 2012 Well, it's been really heavy... Congratulations to spain... Quote
LEGOman273 Posted July 1, 2012 Posted July 1, 2012 Missed the game due to lack of power, and just found out that Italy lost. (even though I expect them to beat Italy at least 2-0) :look: Quote
LEGOman273 Posted July 1, 2012 Posted July 1, 2012 (edited) Yeah, I totally called that. 4-0? Yeah... I heard 2-0. Now I feel worse. Edited July 1, 2012 by LEGOman273 Quote
1980-Something-Space-Guy Posted July 1, 2012 Posted July 1, 2012 ¡Viva España! Congratulations to the Champions! :thumbup: Awesome team. Quote
Alasdair Ryan Posted July 1, 2012 Posted July 1, 2012 Well done to Spain,a far better team than England will ever be. Quote
Palathadric Posted July 1, 2012 Posted July 1, 2012 Well done to Spain,a far better team than England will ever be. Oh, would the English get that thought out of their heads. Man, that was not at all what I expected today, although I have to say that I was expecting Spain to win. Italy did some good things, but were actually quite poor. It was a real disappointment to see them go a man down due to the coach having made all his substitutions already. In this particular game though, Spain deserved to win. So Viva to them...I guess. Now that it is over, which game was your favourite of the cup? I have to say that my favourite was France-Spain. Spain practically handed the game to France on a silver platter and begged them to take it doing so tremendously bad. And France, offended by it, just had to pull off an even worse performance. Actually, really thinking about it, I don't know which game I would consider my favourite. Quote
prateek Posted July 1, 2012 Posted July 1, 2012 Great game from Spain. Bad luck for Italy. Oh well, the best team won Quote
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