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[John Q.]

To be fair, though (and I really am no supporter of the Spanish) Italy were playing for a draw and penalties. There was no way they were going to beat the Spanish in open play, so they fell back on their usual stifling tactics. Live by the sword, die by the sword...

Yeah, Spain definitely deserved to win, they were the ones actually trying to win from open play.

Which they didn't really get a chance to do, with the Italians and the Ref both stalling the game horribly.

[DeadFett]

To be fair, though (and I really am no supporter of the Spanish) Italy were playing for a draw and penalties. There was no way they were going to beat the Spanish in open play, so they fell back on their usual stifling tactics. Live by the sword, die by the sword...

Despite my love and support of Italy you're totally right. They didn't play to win. They played not to lose. They got what they wanted and it cost them. I did love how Italy cut off the passing lanes and smothered the Spanish attack for the most part. I enjoy their stellar defense but they needed to open it up more on the offensive side, They needed to use Toni's height to their advantage by putting the ball in the air more. Having said all that, I hope Russia beats Spain.

[Zero]

Despite my love and support of Italy you're totally right. They didn't play to win. They played not to lose. They got what they wanted and it cost them. I did love how Italy cut off the passing lanes and smothered the Spanish attack for the most part. I enjoy their stellar defense but they needed to open it up more on the offensive side, They needed to use Toni's height to their advantage by putting the ball in the air more. Having said all that, I hope Russia beats Spain.

Italy have never ever played an attacking line-up in the history of ever. They have always been defensive and always consider diving and manipulating the ref as an integral and honest part of the game. For this they will pay!

Also: Go Spain! I am pleased.

[zombiemichaeljackson]

Italy have never ever played an attacking line-up in the history of ever. They have always been defensive and always consider diving and manipulating the ref as an integral and honest part of the game. For this they will pay!

This reminds me, are the refs always this fucking terrible? I don't really follow club play and I don't recall the refs in the World Cup or any of the U.S./South American games I've watched being *this* bad. I realize they're in a tough spot with players taking dives and that any kind of replay system would just grind the game to a halt, but couldn't they add an extra official or two on the field just so they could get some more eyes?

[nietoperz]

No, the Ref last night was extra-specially bad.

[C20Percent]

This reminds me, are the refs always this fucking terrible? I don't really follow club play and I don't recall the refs in the World Cup or any of the U.S./South American games I've watched being *this* bad. I realize they're in a tough spot with players taking dives and that any kind of replay system would just grind the game to a halt, but couldn't they add an extra official or two on the field just so they could get some more eyes?

The Refs in the EPL are nearly perfect -- they let just the right amount of contact go, but call penalties and fouls when they're deserved.

But, I've never seen an International Tournament refereed very well. The Refs were terrible in the last World Cup, they were terrible last year in the Gold Cup, and they've been hit-or-miss in this Euro Cup.

[Jubilee]

Yeah, what the hell was up with that ref? Apart from that, the refereees have been ok so far.

[nietoperz]

So it's Germany vs Spain in the final on Sunday. I guess I'll be rooting for Spain, then...

[zombiemichaeljackson]

So it's Germany vs Spain in the final on Sunday. I guess I'll be rooting for Spain, then...

Indeed. However, seeing as I've been wrong about just about everything so far I'm going to say that Germany is going to win.

[Allen]

So it's Germany vs Spain in the final on Sunday. I guess I'll be rooting for Spain, then...

Meh. For a while I was hoping for a Turkey-Russia final.

[nietoperz]

Meh. For a while I was hoping for a Turkey-Russia final.

Me too.

[Eli Katz]

Should be a good final. Both Germany and Spain are good teams to watch. Germany with set plays, Spain with passing.

If Spain plays as well on Sunday as they did in the second half against Russia, then Spain will win this, no problem.

But so far, what has made the Euro so fun this year is that all the teams have played very inconsistently. The Netherlands, for example, were outstanding at the beginning. It was as though the hand of God was guiding the ball for them. But then they fell apart, all of a sudden.

So Spain's strong performance today might not be repeated Sunday. It's impossible to know.

Germany has been good, but not remarkable, this year. There have been moments of brilliance --such as Ballack's goal against the Austrians and Lahm's last-minute goal against the Turks -- but the brilliance has never lasted very long. But if Germany is highly disciplined, and guys like Klose and Ballack have good games, then Germany can win this.

I'm okay with either Germany or Spain winning the Euro. I like the way both teams play the game. None of that miserable defensive, fake falls crap that the Italians are famous for. Just good attacks.

[nietoperz]

In the end, though, the Spanish put seven goals past Russia altogether: they kind of deserve to be in the final ahead of them...

[zombiemichaeljackson]

But if Germany is highly disciplined, and guys like Klose and Ballack have good games, then Germany can win this.

One of the guys on sportscenter last night, I think it was John Anderson, kept calling Klose 'coleslaw'. On purpose. Which is not only stupid, but kind of offensive.

[Zero]

Go Spain! I do so love it when the Germans lose.