Euro 2012 - Knockout Stages

[6ft Kerplunk]

How much do you think UEFA will try and fine Balotelli for having unofficial adidas branding taped to his lower back?

[Zaretsky]

I also loved the fact that the BBC commentators were talking about Balotelli as though he's the only wildcard/maverick and didn't make any mention of Cassano's antics. Dismiss those two at your peril.

I don't think it's too early to bring this back. Wouldn't be surprised to see one of them get sent off now, mind...

[Zaretsky]

And there's the old myth that 'we don't do well in tournaments because we play too many club games' blown right out of the water.

The fact that Ashley Young only played 32 games this season, doesn't appear to have helped his tournament performance.

Oh Hi, winter break!

[Royal With Cheese]

Penalty!


(missing the game threads)

[Royal With Cheese]

GOAL!

[Royal With Cheese]

2-1 Italy with 3 mins to go

[sandman]

Oh great, now we can look forward to another week of the BBC oxf*rd themselves stupid over Spain.

until germany win it at a canter.

Oh dear.

[superreadingfan]

italy look like the only team to beat spain.

Except Germany, who look more likely to beat Spain.

lol maybe 10 years ago. germany would get hammered by spain

[Pseud O'Nym]

So glad I kept my mouth shut after we played Italy, was going to give the "Mark my words Germany will slaughter that lot". Now I just can't help thinking that, if we'd played just a bit more adventurously...

[tulip]

Goodbye Germany.

[AthleticoSpizz]

two steps further than Holland lol

Feel a bit cheated...only 96 minutes footy instead of the regulation 120 + penalties

[Man Friday]

So glad I kept my mouth shut after we played Italy, was going to give the "Mark my words Germany will slaughter that lot". Now I just can't help thinking that, if we'd played just a bit more adventurously...

...then we might have been up against Germany who would.....................have had no problem against us.

[tulip]

two steps further than Holland lol

Feel a bit cheated...only 96 minutes footy instead of the regulation 120 + penalties

As a long term Dutch resident I am never going to want the Germans to win, whoever they are playing.

The extra 30 minutes is often dull anyway when the teams just play it out for the penalties.

[AthleticoSpizz]

as an ex German resident, I have a bit of sympathy for them..even if they are Polish (go on Ian, you know you want to " " )

[Ian Royal]

Except Germany, who look more likely to beat Spain.

lol maybe 10 years ago. germany would get hammered by spain

didn't say Germany would beat Italy though.

Very poor showing from the Germans tonight. No attempt to stop Pirlo... Misfiring attack and crucially Schweinsteiger not at his usual excellent form.

[Simon's Church]

Bit disappointed, would have liked to see Germany up against Spain. Hopefully the final will be as good as the group game between the teams though.

[tulip]

Also thrilled the pundits got it so wrong. They thought Germany had it in bag, you could tell they were less than pleased with the result.

Will be supporting Spain in the final as my household is half Spanish, but won't be too devastated if Italy win.

[winchester_royal]

BBC's coverage SOOOOOOOOO much better tonight with two knowledgeable foreigners in the punditry team. Learn your lessons BBC, Seedorf + Vialli + Klinsmann >>> Dixon >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Hansen>Shearer.

Decent game too, Cassano is absolute class, unsung hero in that team.

[Hoop Blah]

The fact also remains that most players coming into the English leagues from abroad struggle with the physical demands so I don't think there's any weight in the idea that our players aren't in good enough condition.

Doesn't that lend extra credence to the idea that we are knackering our players out because of the physical demands compared to other leagues?

To an extent it does yeah, and I think I've said this week how our style and culture may need to change to help us in tournament football, but I don't think the effect of a season is that great once they've had the few weeks off before the tournament. I still think the tiredness is a bit of a red herring (although maybe less so when the tournament is in Africa or South America).

[winchester_royal]

Doesn't that seem a little ridiculous though given the 2-goal hero tonight plays in...yes you guessed it...England.

We're not very good at keeping the ball so get tired chasing the ball around all the time. It's as simple as that, no need for conspiracy theories about a winter break.