Posted on 06/28/2012 7:48:50 PM PDT by aquila48
Italy took advantage of some woeful German defending to book a date with Spain in the final of Euro 2012, winning 2-1 in Warsaw Thursday.
The Italians went into the game as the underdogs but Mario Balotelli’s clinical finishing in a stunning first half was enough to secure Italy a place in Sunday’s final.
Only ineptitude by Italy’s attackers in the second half stopped the game from being a total rout as Germany’s defenders put in a horrible performance.
Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Sports/Football/2012/Jun-29/178663-super-mario-downs-inept-germany-sends-italy-to-final.ashx#ixzz1z99bh7hi (The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)
"Anyone who predicted the first half’s events is either a rampant Italy fan or a liar."
Who cares? Soccer isn’t a real sport.
Should have know, whenever there is a scandal back home involving the Italian team, they usually win.
Balotelli is an absolute beast....when his head is in the game, he is the best striker in the world.
Soccer is certainly more of a sport than Mixed Martial Arts.
Not even close to Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. They are clearly the two best players in the world and there is a huge gap to number three.
I said best striker, which is a guy who knows how to bury the shot when he gets the opportunities......that’s what he does....yes I agree that Messi and Ronaldo are better all-around players....but I think Balotelli is the most deadly when he gets the opportunity to score.
Balotelli’s two goals today came on terrible defensive breakdowns. He’s good Ronaldo and Messi are better strikers. It isn’t even close.
I also qualified my statement by saying when his head is in the game, which if you followed Manchester City this past season, wasn’t nearly all of the time.
How the hell is a Gomez playing for Germany, hee hee.
And, in keeping with that accurate observation, I'm going to go ahead and predict Italy to beat Spain in the final. I like the positive way that the Italian coach has them playing (was especially pleasantly surprised by his use of 2 strikers yesterday), I don't think they are at all scared of Spain, and Balotelli looks like he's "in the zone" (mentally and physically). I also think Spain really miss David Villa, and it's finally going to catch up with them on Sunday. That style of play REALLY needs a dominant striker - Torres in 2008, Villa in 2010. They don't have that this year.
Just one man's opinion...
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