June 28, 201214 yr Writing "Bye Ronaldo!" or "He was saying 'injustica', hehe" does not warrant the term "hatred", and going "Wow you guys really hate Ronaldo" from that is a huge over-reaction. Ok, different perceptions. If you don't see that people seemed to focus only on Ronaldo when Portugal lost there's nothing new I can argue here. When I said "most of the hate" that was an incorrect term to get across a point, that most people were negative about the decision to have him as 5th penalty taker, not about Ronaldo himself. The people who made these 'hateful' comments as you view them, were mocking, not being horrifically offensive. I never used the term "horrifically offensive". I respect you politely requested that I don't call you ridiculous, just stop being ridiculous then. Huum...I'm not seeing the respect :rolleyes:. However looking at it again, it was wrong for me to imply you were 'whining' as in going on and on about it, when I did ask you to explain what you meant by the 'hate' comments, which yes, I still deem those not hateful whatsoever, and you're being over-sensitive towards anything to do with your country. Nothing new to argue here either. Yeah, just to clarify, I don't 'hate' him either. He's a very good player. Yes, I think he's arrogant as hell, but so are half the English side,lol. I have an old World Cupp grudge against him from '06, but that takes nothing from his talent. And my gripe,like most, was that he should have been earlier in line to take a penalty shot.:) Now don't make me start booking people!:lol: Ok, I respect your opinion of course. And I do think he is a bit arrogant too. Is Ronaldo forgiven though now that Portugal lost over penalties? ;)
June 28, 201214 yr Major disappointment concerning Germany :( som weird calls there, but in the end they just never got into it.
June 28, 201214 yr Ok, different perceptions. If you don't see that people seemed to focus only on Ronaldo when Portugal lost there's nothing new I can argue here. I never used the term "horrifically offensive". Huum...I'm not seeing the respect :rolleyes:. Nothing new to argue here either. Ok, I respect your opinion of course. And I do think he is a bit arrogant too. Is Ronaldo forgiven though now that Portugal lost over penalties? ;) As long as they're not playing England,lol. And admittedly a six year old grudge is pretty silly!
June 28, 201214 yr Anyone else glad with the final matchup? Spain vs. Italy! Who's psyched? Who are you rooting for? : )
June 29, 201214 yr Full report & stats: Balotelli fires Italy into Euro 2012 final Balotelli fires Italy into Euro 2012 final Mario Balotelli secured Italy a place in the Euro 2012 final against Spain as his goals downed Germany in Warsaw. Manchester City's enigmatic striker provided Italy with the cutting edge and two first-half goals as Joachim Loew's Germany failed to produce the impressive form that had seen them touted as potential tournament winners. Balotelli put Italy on the way when he directed Antonio Cassano's cross past Germany keeper Manuel Neuer then added a thunderous second from Riccardo Montolivo's pass. Mesut Ozil's injury-time penalty provided the briefest anxiety for Italy, whose victory was confirmed moments later, and Balotelli fell into the warm embrace of his mother as he made his way down the tunnel. The 21-year-old limped off with cramp late on - but his work was done and Italy can now look forward to a meeting with world and European champions Spain in Kiev on Sunday. Italy's victory maintained their stranglehold on Germany - they are undefeated in eight competitive encounters that take in five matches at the World Cup and three in the European Championship. And the scale of Italy's achievement is the greater for the fact that Germany had an additional 48 hours to prepare while Cesare Prandelli's side were going through after extra-time and penalties against England. Balotelli, along with the pass master Andrea Pirlo, was the inspiration but Italy's defenders and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon provided defiance and quality as Germany threatened in the first half then attempted to mount a recovery after the break. Germany coach Loew responded to Pirlo's master class against England by detailing the recalled Toni Kroos to monitor the veteran. The ploy was not a success. Buffon and his German counterpart Neuer had greeted each other warmly in the tunnel before kick-off in a prelude to a busy first 45 minutes for the pair. Buffon was grateful Pirlo was well placed to clear Mats Hummels' effort off the line and also needed to be alert to deal with Jerome Boateng's dangerous cross, which almost deflected in off Andrea Barzagli, as well as a shot from Kroos. Italy edged their way into the game as Neuer saved from Montolivo and they capitalised on the spell of pressure when Balotelli headed them in front after 20 minutes. Cassano was the creator as he escaped Hummels and crossed perfectly for Balotelli, who lost Holger Badstuber to head past Neuer. Germany's slack defending was in sharp contrast to their attacking and Buffon was again called into action to save from Ozil and Sami Khedira before Balotelli provided another demonstration of the talent that makes him such a compelling footballer and personality. Montolivo's pass exposed Germany, leaving Balotelli to take a touch before drilling a magnificent finish high past the helpless Neuer - although by stripping off his shirt in celebration he received a needless booking from French referee Stephane Lannoy. Germany required emergency action and Loew took it at the start of the second half when he replaced the anonymous Lukas Podolski - watched by his new club manager at Arsenal Arsene Wenger - and Mario Gomez with Miroslav Klose and Marco Reus. A German response was to be expected and captain Philipp Lahm almost provided it, only to waste a presentable opportunity by firing off target - bringing a reaction from Prandelli as he removed Cassano and sent on Alessandro Diamanti. Reus almost provided what Loew was looking for just after the hour but once again Buffon showed great athleticism to turn his free-kick on to the bar. Claudio Marchisio was guilty of squandering the chance to wrap things up for Italy before Balotelli's night ended prematurely with 20 minutes left, making way for Antonio di Natale. Another spell of slick passing, inevitably, involving Pirlo, played Marchisio in again but he flashed a low, angled effort beyond Neuer but also the far post. Germany, backed by magnificent vocal support, thought they had a late lifeline when Ozil scored from the spot after Federico Balzaretti's handball - but nothing could stop Italy and Balotelli's night of triumph. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18355490
June 29, 201214 yr Germany were favourites to reach the Euro 2012 final based on four straight wins during their march to the semi-finals against Italy. But like so many of Italy's opponents in Poland and Ukraine, Joachim Loew's team encountered midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo and a wily backline. This time, too, the Azzurri had Mario Balotelli in clinical form as his two first-half goals created a base for Italy to defend and they ran out 2-1 winners and clinched a place against Spain in the final on Sunday. As good as Balotelli's goals were, both came as Italy sliced through a vulnerable German defence and Cesare Prandelli's team could easily have made the victory more comfortable as Claudio Marchisio and Antonio Di Natale wasted superb second-half chances. It showed that even though Germany were the tournament's top scorers, they had not been truly tested in defence as previous opponents Portugal and Netherlands failed to fire in the group stages. Italy's victory also maintained an unbeaten run of eight games against the Germans in major finals. Italy's victory in numbers •Mario Balotelli is the tournament's joint-top scorer with three goals •Following Balotelli's first strike, there have now been 21 headed goals at Euro 2012, 30% of total goals scored compared with 19% in 2008 •Balotelli has become the first Italian player to score three goals in a single European Championship tournament •Mesut Ozil had a pass completion rate of 91% before the semi-final but it was 79% against Italy •Ozil's goal means Germany have broken a European Championship record by having eight different scorers •Germany scored 10 goals at Euro 2012, equalling their tournament record set in 1996 and 2008 •Despite only scoring from the penalty spot, the Germans managed eight shots on target against Italy, their second best total at Euro 2012 behind the quarter-final win over Greece •Italy have not lost to Germany in eight major tournament games (four wins and four draws) http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18637062
June 29, 201214 yr this fucking first goal came out of nowhere. and the referee was simply a joke. how can one end the game while a cross ball comes into the penalty area?? well, germany didn't lose cause of the referee but that was in-acceptable. they should have scored earlier in the game. this is just frustrating. losing against italy during such a tournament is maximum punishment for a german supporter. but great to see manuel neuer doing diving headers at the halfway line.
June 30, 201214 yr Michel Platini says Euro 2020 could be spread across continent Uefa president Michel Platini says the 2020 European Championship could be spread across various cities in Europe, rather than having a single host. Traditionally one or two countries have hosted the tournament, which is being held in Poland and Ukraine this summer. The next competition in 2016 will be hosted by France. "The Euros in 2020 could be held all over Europe," said Platini. "It could be either one country and 12 stadiums, or one stadium in 12 or 13 cities." Turkey had been favourite to host the event in 2020, but their bid has hit difficulties due to a desire to host the Olympic Games in Istanbul in the same year. Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have also formally declared an interest in hosting Euro 2020. Platini confirmed a final decision would be taken in January or February next year. "This matter will be discussed very seriously," he added. "We will have a great debate about 2020 and discuss the pros and cons. It's an idea I feel really passionate about, it will be a lot easier from a financial perspective. We are not going to wait until we know whether Turkey are going to get the Olympics. It creates a problem for us. We do have other candidates. Everyone has the possibility to host it. It is easier to go from London to Paris or Berlin than Cardiff to Gdansk. It would be four games per venue. It is a great debate." Platini added: "We are just thinking about it. I have said 12 or 13 host cities, it could be 24 or 32. In these days of cheap air travel anything is possible. "It is the political decision that needs to be made. We wouldn't have to build stadiums or airports. That could be important in an economic crisis." In January 2011, Platini called for the 2022 World Cup to be played across the whole of the Gulf after Qatar won the right to host the tournament. Meanwhile, Platini has repeated his opposition to goal-line technology. Platini has previously stated he believes its introduction would lead to "Playstation football". "I am against technology," he said at Saturday's press conference in Kiev. "Where do we stop? There was a mistake in the Ukraine-England game. But there was an offside before that." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18657633
June 30, 201214 yr Oh, I didn't know we host the next Euro :surprised: 2016...I'll most likely be in Paris. Damn it :sick:
July 1, 201214 yr Would like to see Italy win this. They've shown tactical fluency unlike any other nation this tournament. But if Spain win so be it. They've shown that the best form of defence is simply not allowing the opposition to have the ball. If Italy won it, this would go alongside their other domestic scandal years of 1982 and 2006 in prevailing on the international stage while their game at home was mired in corruption!
July 1, 201214 yr sooo tonight's the night and the big question is........ BBC or ITV? The BBC beat ITV by about 5 times for the last one, ITV is a tacky broadcaster for sports. I try to focus elsewhere when I see Chiles' gloomy 'no nonsense' attitude on screen, and Roy Keane's unprofessional 'no nonsense' banter about telling us why Karim Benzema is shit for the 50th time.
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