Why is everyone supporting England? I don't mind or anything, just wondering.

Originally for me it was an anglo-phile thing. But I was them play when I was there a few years back and became a genuine fan of the game.

And Liverpool have had to fork out stupid sums for players since they f*&cked up their academy. The number of players they've brought through the system has dwindled.

 

Liverpool's academy isn't anywhere as prolific as it once was but it's still far greater than most. I have high hopes for some of our young players. Raheem Sterling, Conor Coady and Jack Robinson especially. Certainly our academy is in a much better state than it was 5 years back. This is in no large part down to the work of Rodolfo Borrell who was brought in by Benitez from Barcelona during his work on reforming the youth level. And that's the problem. England doesn't have enough top level coaches like Spain, Germany and Italy. The number of UEFA Pro Grade licensed coaches in Germany is over 30,000. In England it's pitiful at just over 2000. That is sad and is entirely the fault of the English FA and until they sort that out it will be the same old story.

Full report: England 0-0 Italy (2-4 pens)

 

 

England 0-0 Italy (2-4 pens)

 

England suffered penalty agony once more as Italy won a shoot-out after the Euro 2012 quarter-final finished goalless in Kiev.

 

Italy were vastly superior to England over the course of 120 minutes - but the resilience and organisation that have swiftly become the trademark under new manager Roy Hodgson took an enthralling game to penalties.

 

And, as on five of the previous six occasions England have entered this sudden-death environment, they were left heartbroken, with Italy confirming a semi-final meeting with Germany in Warsaw on Thursday.

 

England captain Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney were successful from the spot, but Ashley Young struck the bar and Ashley Cole's effort was saved by Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon. Mario Balotelli scored Italy's first spot-kick but Riccardo Montolivo's miss gave England hope that was cruelly snatched away as Andrea Pirlo audaciously chipped in his spot-kick and Antonio Nocerino coolly slotted home before former West Ham midfielder Alessandro Diamanti scored the decisive penalty.

 

England cannot complain that the better team did not emerge as winners - but even in the face of a constant wave of Italian attacks Hodgson's men still showed enough heart and durability to make their Euro 2012 exit with pride.

 

 

As Italy subjected them to what was almost torture by possession, England's back four and goalkeeper Joe Hart responded magnificently by erecting a wall of defiance, with John Terry outstanding.

 

England will head for home on Monday after a campaign they can reflect on with a measure of satisfaction despite the disappointment. Hodgson - at short notice - marshalled his forces effectively but the gulf in class with Italy was clear and his team looked jaded long before the end.

 

Hodgson will now take stock of events in Ukraine, where England drew with France and won against Sweden and Ukraine to top Group D, as he plots the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

 

Hodgson picked England's first unchanged team since the miserable last-16 encounter with Germany at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa - a show of faith in the side that beat Ukraine in Donetsk.

 

England were almost given the worst possible start when, after a prolonged period of possession, De Rossi's swerving left-foot volley hit the post with Hart stretching in vain to make contact.

 

If this was an ominous start for England, they responded with an opportunity of their own when Glen Johnson found space in the area but could not get sufficient power in his shot and Buffon was able to claw the ball away.

 

England's opening spell had been their best of Euro 2012. It was almost capped with a goal in the 13th minute when the dangerous Johnson crossed for Rooney but he could only glance a header over the top.

 

Balotelli had been his usual combination of threat mixed with moments of infuriating slackness. He was slow to react to the peerless Pirlo's pass and allowed Terry to make a fine recovering tackle, then forced his Manchester City team-mate Hart into a save from a low effort.

 

England had lost the measure of control they had exerted for a spell, but there was still much to encourage Hodgson, particularly when Rooney opened up Italy's defence and Danny Welbeck should have done better than sidefoot wide from the edge of the area.

 

Balotelli was again involved as he closed in on Antonio Cassano's header six yards out but was left hacking at the post in frustration as Terry and Joleon Lescott combined to clear.

 

Italy continued to control possession after the break and England were fortunate to survive a chaotic incident in which Hart saved from De Rossi and Balotelli before Montolivo diverted the rebound over the bar.

 

Hodgson knew he needed to shift the momentum away from Italy and he chose to try to do it with a double substitution on the hour, replacing Welbeck and James Milner with Andy Carroll and Theo Walcott.

 

Both were involved as England managed to unsettle Italy, only for Young's close-range effort to be deflected following muscular work from Carroll.

 

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli introduced Diamanti in an attempt to pierce England's stubborn resistance and he swiftly forced Hart into a smart save.

 

The game continued to absorb into the closing seconds of normal time as Johnson produced a crucial block to stop Italian substitute Nocerino, while Rooney almost stole the win for England with an overhead kick at the other end.

 

England made a quick change in extra time as Jordan Henderson replaced Scott Parker but Italy still held the initiative, with Diamanti's attempted cross bouncing of the upright to safety.

 

Nocerino then had the ball in the net with a header as penalties loomed, but it was rightly ruled out for offside.

 

So it went to penalties - and a familiar tale of woe as England were again the victims of this cruellest form of defeat.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18355305

I would not be surprised if ITALY ends up winning the European championship.

 

When you think that Italy's exit is imminent, then Italy is suddenly able to make the necessary goals to win.

 

I see similarities between the current situation for Italy and the situation in 1982 when the won the World Championship.

 

Also back then, some Italian players were suspected of MATCH-FIXING, and Italy was not expected to make it far. In 1982, Italy having done very poorly in the first 3 matches met a very popular Brazilian team consisting of i.a. captain Socrates and Zico - Brazil had won their first 3 matches playing that kind of football that all genuine football audiences love to watch. Italy had problems in their first 3 games playing very poorly. Paolo Rossi (their later hero) didn't play well in the first 3 matches after having been released from prison immediately before the start of the championship due to MATCH-FIXING.

 

Italy advanced due to a better goal difference than Cameroun. And Italy went on to beat Brazil 3:2. Suddenly Paolo Rossi could make goals on that "black Monday" for the football game as I call it. And a Brazil player got Italy started. It was so sad - one of the best Brazilian teams beaten by an Italian team that could suddenly make goals. Brazil's trainer Santana including his family received threats. Italy went on to win the tournament. I rooted for Italy after the match against Brazil in the hope that losing to the later champions would make the criticism of/threats against Brazil's trainer Santana stop.

 

I have a bad feeling that Italy will end up in the final and win this tournament - I would rather see one of the 3 other teams (Spain, Portugal and my favourites GERMANY as champions).

I would not be surprised if ITALY ends up winning the European championship.

 

When you think that Italy's exit is imminent, then Italy is suddenly able to make the necessary goals to win.

 

I see similarities between the current situation for Italy and the situation in 1982 when the won the World Championship.

 

Also back then, some Italian players were suspected of MATCH-FIXING, and Italy was not expected to make it far. In 1982, Italy having done very poorly in the first 3 matches met a very popular Brazilian team consisting of i.a. captain Socrates and Zico - Brazil had won their first 3 matches playing that kind of football that all genuine football audiences love to watch. Italy had problems in their first 3 games playing very poorly. Paolo Rossi (their later hero) didn't play well in the first 3 matches after having been released from prison immediately before the start of the championship due to MATCH-FIXING.

 

Italy advanced due to a better goal difference than Cameroun. And Italy went on to beat Brazil 3:2. Suddenly Paolo Rossi could make goals on that "black Monday" for the football game as I call it. And a Brazil player got Italy started. It was so sad - one of the best Brazilian teams beaten by an Italian team that could suddenly make goals. Brazil's trainer Santana including his family received threats. Italy went on to win the tournament. I rooted for Italy after the match against Brazil in the hope that losing to the later champions would make the criticism of/threats against Brazil's trainer Santana stop.

 

I have a bad feeling that Italy will end up in the final and win this tournament - I would rather see one of the 3 other teams (Spain, Portugal and my favourites GERMANY as champions).

 

Can't see past a Spain-Germany final. Hopefully with plenty of goals.

Did you know that Germany has never won against Italy at a World Cup or an EURO Cup? They either lost or if in the group stage their games ended with a drawn result.

Did you know that Germany has never won against Italy at a World Cup or an EURO Cup? They either lost or if in the group stage their games ended with a drawn result.

 

Some other stats that have been proved wrong recently:

• Before 2010, no European country had won a World Cup on non-European soil.
  
• Before this tournament, France had never won a tournament match without Platini or Zidane.
  
• Before Euro 2012, every Olympic-hosting country had won the tournament.
  

 

World football is changing. Clubs are becoming bigger, more important, and the way managers prepare their countries is evolving. Spain and Germany are serious contenders for the 2014 World Cup; ten years ago, Brazil would have walked a major tournament they hosted.

World football is changing.

 

:thumbsup:

 

yes. that means germany will win against italy, right?! :wacko:

I hope tomorrow Ronaldo play like he knows :D

If he does that and with the help of the rest of the team, we will be on the second final in our history and we will win this time, no matter if it is Germany or Italy :vuvuzela:

 

LET'S GO PORTUGALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :vuvuzela: :dance::dance::dance:

hope dies last :p but good luck ;)

Thank you ;) :D

I really looking forward to tonight's game!

Go Spain!

They were just playing Fix You in the background of the ESPN online stream

 

Edit: They also use Charlie Brown

Spain looking vincible in the first half. Portugal moving and pressuring pretty well in the midfield, and a bunch of atypical passing mistakes for Spain. I've been particularly unimpressed by Arbeloa. That said, Portugal haven't done a lot with their possession. Pretty generic movement, and a couple half-decent crosses. atm, I see Spain winning in extra-time.

Portugal is looking very sharp. Lets see if they can keep it up for 45 more minutes.

Well, I was right about extratime. Chips in. Pedro scores in the 102nd minute.

 

They were just playing Fix You in the background of the ESPN online stream

 

Edit: They also use Charlie Brown

 

If you haven't noticed, Coldplay is the soundtrack for all of ESPN's euro 2012 coverage.

If you haven't noticed, Coldplay is the soundtrack for all of ESPN's euro 2012 coverage.

 

I actually hadn't even noticed until recentally. I've been watching most of the games in loud bars so I usually can barely hear a thing over all the yelling:lol:

 

In other news, where the heck is Torres? I think they should bring him out. I know he's been injured but they need goals...

Portugal after penalties. Just a guess though.

Well, was worth a try. Wow, iniesta with a great chance. Getting intense.

Ramos with a better FK than any of Ronaldo's.

This is gonna go to shoot out....

Portugal are looking very tired. Wouldn't doubt Spain getting one in.

Penalties!