Germany vs. Italia

[shawzy]

Great game...Well done Italy and Super Mario.

[Esky]

After that cunt Fabio Grosso diving to knock Australia out in 2006, I can't bring myself to want Italy to win anything.

Balotelli was great in that match, though.

[mr_nool]

I like Vialli as a pundit. But Klinsman? No charisma what so ever,and mix of German and American accent is just horrible.

[Beefymcfc]

Got to be impressed by Italy's performance, they far and away outplayed Germany. Benoucci played really well and Pirlo once again shows that at 33, you can still play every few days (take note Gerrard).

Well played Italy, really enjoyed that game. Just shows how well we did to stay with them for 120 minutes ;-)

[Ted Hughes]

Fmtwf.

Well played Italy. Antother vastly, nay, staggeringly overrated team bites the dust. The best team won imo & probably the best team in the competition so far. Well played Mario; up yours BBC, Talkshite and the rest.

Hope Italy beat those boring fuckers in the final now.

[Alex Sapphire]

I like Vialli as a pundit. But Klinsman? No charisma what so ever,and mix of German and American accent is just horrible.

pick 2 of those four for your pub quiz team.
The english lads don't get in mine

[mr_nool]

Talking about Pirlo, does anyone think that Silva could drop down the pitch and learn that role when he's older, wiser (and a bit slower)?
He does have the feet, the composure and often the vision.

[Beefymcfc]

I like Vialli as a pundit. But Klinsman? No charisma what so ever,and mix of German and American accent is just horrible.

Vialli/Klinsman v Lawro/Hansen. Not really a debate, is it?

[zuricity]

I like Vialli as a pundit. But Klinsman? No charisma what so ever,and mix of German and American accent is just horrible.

talking perfect sense to me, with or without accent

[mr_nool]

I like Vialli as a pundit. But Klinsman? No charisma what so ever,and mix of German and American accent is just horrible.

talking perfect sense to me, with or without accent

He's good, but boring. I agree, though, he makes Hansen look like a drunken fool (or rather, he makes it even more evident).

[Dameerto]

I like Vialli as a pundit. But Klinsman? No charisma what so ever,and mix of German and American accent is just horrible.

Vialli can come up with cleverer analogies in a foreign language than any of those usual MoTD stooges in their native tongue.

[Dameerto]

That game illustrated how well England defended against Mario though - Italy were using the same balls to try and get him through against the last man. Instead of a Terry-esque last ditch recovery Lahm had to try and cover for his central defenders but couldn't quite make it in time. (Ridiculous to even try and blame Lahm for it).

[Chinners]

Shweet

[Swales4ever]

Talking about Pirlo, does anyone think that Silva could drop down the pitch and learn that role when he's older, wiser (and a bit slower)?
He does have the feet, the composure and often the vision.

I like this vision. very much spot on. he maybe should build few lbs of muscles later on his career to play that role.

on match topics: I really cant make my head on how can Prandelli be so blatantly naive not be in the knowledge of that Mario is a stud who can play 2 game in a row... cramps after 65 mins and immediate change, withdrawing from the game the only player which can keep up the squad???
he almost fucked it vs Spain, totally did with Croatia and this time he condamed his players to a 9 vs 11 last minutes fight, being in full knowledge that Derossi have not had anything more and the spastic Chiellini was a dead man walking.

he is a good manager, has the rare quality, for an Italian, to be brave and positive, but he can be so spastic odd.

very good game and well done to Italy: I rarely am arsed of my Country NT, but this is a fresh breath of modern footy after the insipid patterns of Trappattoni and the moron Lippi.

[Swales4ever]

That game illustrated how well England defended against Mario though - Italy were using the same balls to try and get him through against the last man. Instead of a Terry-esque last ditch recovery Lahm had to try and cover for his central defenders but couldn't quite make it in time. (Ridiculous to even try and blame Lahm for it).

very good point, Dameerto.
I was thinking quite the same during the match: this game clearly revalues the England effort (particularly when You consider the difference in quality of the two midfields)

[CityFanFromRome]

What can I say, I was fearing this game before kick-off even if historically Germany seems to always lose to us in big tournaments (Mexico '70, Spain '82, Germany 2006, and now Euro 2012) but Italy played with high concentration for all the game, sucking up the pressure when Germany pushed forward, like at the start of the two halves of the game, and then played nice football in the midfield and up front with a deadly Balo and an inspired Cassano and Montolivo to set him up.

Too bad for the chances missed in the second half, we could have been 4-0 up when the penalty came and not shit it for the last two minutes. Speaking of which, imho that was a huge gift to the kraut munchers from the ref, completely made up from nowhere. Had it been ten minutes earlier it could have seriously messed up our game.

[getdressedmctavish]

Agree with NQDP on Lahm, massively overated. Why did he go forwardwhen Bathstuber, a feckin donkey if ever there was one, was playing Ballo on side.Have to say thats the first time I've seen evidence that Ballo can be a world beater. If the daft fecker hadn't got booked he could have stayed on and would have got five. I noticed his torso is very similar to Rooney's.

[Blue Since 76]

Talking about Pirlo, does anyone think that Silva could drop down the pitch and learn that role when he's older, wiser (and a bit slower)?
He does have the feet, the composure and often the vision.

Exactly what I was thinking watching Pirlo. All about ability to control the ball in tight situations and always find a pass, even of just a simple one. Doesn't require pace, so can go on for years

[Moonchesteri]

Too bad for the chances missed in the second half, we could have been 4-0 up when the penalty came and not shit it for the last two minutes. Speaking of which, imho that was a huge gift to the kraut munchers from the ref, completely made up from nowhere. Had it been ten minutes earlier it could have seriously messed up our game.

I also felt the penalty was given just go give Germans a slight chance or to bring some late drama. Ok that probably wasn't the case but IMO it was very harsh decision which they would not have got if the game had been 1-2 or even...

[DoomMerchant]

wow...just got in and watched the highlights, and both Mario's goals were fantastic. Really delighted with this result. Totally didn't expect it, but really hope Italy can do a number on Spain now. Should be interesting....