The family have been passed on to my parents, ans the house is now nice and quiet again!! So, I am now taking the taking the opportunity to catch up on my Euro 2012 review. We now know the Semi Final line up. We had already discussed Portugal progressing, and they are due to meet Spain.
Spain beat France 2-0 in a game that didn't really meet up to expectations! I was looking forward to this one, but with the news that the French squad were arguing with themselves (no shock there!!), you wondered which France would turn up! It was the defensive, lets sit back for 90mins France, as with Spain again ignoring their attackers in preference for 86 midfielders, the game was destined to be slow paced! At one point, I even forgot Franck Ribery was playing he was that anonymous! Xabi Alonso helped himselves to 2 goals to help set up a tie with neighbours Portugal and one mr attitude Cristiano Ronaldo, who is just finding his form!
Germany progressed easily, as expected to the Semi Final, with an exhibition of football as they beat Greece 4-2. Lahm scored a cracker to give the Germans the lead, but Greece somehow fought back to 1-1. Still, it never seemed like Germany would lose, and it wasn't a case of when they were going to score, but how many. Greece couldn't have complained if it has finished 6 or 7-1. I was impressed with Reus up front, who took the 4th goal well, after a good save from the Greek Keeper.
And onto last night!!! I knew it would be difficult, and have to say, barring an outrageous strike from De Rossi which hit the post after just 3 mins, I was pleased with how England started the game. At times the Italian defence looked on edge, however, as we all expected, Italy played themselves into the game, and once they took control, it seemed only a matter of time before they would score. You can't argue with out defending, it was stubborn and we refused to give in, but our attacking play and poor passing was just so poor.
The game went into extra time, and we were just hoping, we could shock the Italians, as we all knew in our heart of heart we were out if it went to pens. With just mins to go, the Italians, who had missed a number of sitters, finally scored, but it was rightly ruled out for offside!
And, so onto pens!! Italy missed their first one, and yes I got excited, but I still knew there was a twist!! Penalties for England have now became a psychological problem!! 2-1 down on pens, up stepped Mr Pirlo, to score probably the best penalty I have seen! Not just because it was cheeky and outrageous, but because of the pressure involved, score at the time etc!! Ashley Young was the first to miss, and fair play, he put his foot through the ball, as you would hope players do, he just just didn't keep it down! Next to miss was Ashley Cole! Buffon had done his homework, and easily side Cole's side-footed effort. You knew the Italians wouldn't miss their final effort, and they didn't as they went through 4-2.
I know the players are gutted, and I wasn't happy, but I was prepared to go out!! Also, some of the players reactions led me to believe that it is a psychological problem now! I don't expect players to be angry or burst into tears, but there was a sense of resignation with some of them, almost like they expected it to go that way!
So, Italy go on to play Germany, and Germany will be pleased as this was the only tie to go into extra time, and Germany have had 2 days extra rest!
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