Euro 2012 Final - Spain v Italy

[sheshnu]

Just to clarify the 'boring' viewpoint. Surely we can all agree that a close, competitive game with the initiative changing hands every few minutes >>>>>>> total domination by a few excellent footballers?

Spain are great to watch at first, but we've seen the same stuff for the last 5 games, there's only so many one-twos I can watch without becoming desperate for a Kebe-esque run that ends with a guy retardedly tripping over his own feet.

In other words, sport should be about the contest, and the adrenaline/excitement that comes with it...those that say the final was boring mean it purely by how the game lacked that buzz that comes from a really good, competitive game.

Not Spain's fault of course, they are just massively better than any other international team around atm.

Thought the Italians did alright in the first half despite the scoreline - they at least looked like they could score a goal or two. The second half was a bit of a let down but some lovely attacking moves from the champs.

Sport is very obviously all about the competition and games are best when they are close, but sometimes it's nice to watch a team at the very top of their game show the rest of us how it should be done.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

Just to clarify the 'boring' viewpoint. Surely we can all agree that a close, competitive game with the initiative changing hands every few minutes >>>>>>> total domination by a few excellent footballers?

Spain are great to watch at first, but we've seen the same stuff for the last 5 games, there's only so many one-twos I can watch without becoming desperate for a Kebe-esque run that ends with a guy retardedly tripping over his own feet.

In other words, sport should be about the contest, and the adrenaline/excitement that comes with it...those that say the final was boring mean it purely by how the game lacked that buzz that comes from a really good, competitive game.

Not Spain's fault of course, they are just massively better than any other international team around atm.

Thought the Italians did alright in the first half despite the scoreline - they at least looked like they could score a goal or two. The second half was a bit of a let down but some lovely attacking moves from the champs.

Sport is very obviously all about the competition and games are best when they are close, but sometimes it's nice to watch a team at the very top of their game show the rest of us how it should be done.

Yours and WR's points spot on tbf

[Ups and Downs]

the BBCs end credit scene with a strange version of MIchael Jacksons Thriller was just bizarre and an extremely shit end to it all.

[sheshnu]

Thought it was quite interesting to be honest - was it a Europe-wide thing? Did anybody watch ITV to confirm it was the same over there? Didn't really watch the pictures but thought it was a fun cover.


Edit: Imogen Heap according to youtube, never heard of her I'm afraid. Turned me on a little bit though.

[Flyingkiwi]

How can you not watch this and marvel at the beauty of the Spanish at their best?

Boring? I feel sorry for you.

So... Are Italy still "excellent" RR?

Yes, Italy were/are superior to England but that does not make them excellent.

Now Spain! There is a team that can, at times, appear to be dire and boring but, when it matters, can turn it on.

Spain have dominated world football for, at least, the last 4 years.

Spain = Excellent

Italy + Good

England = Average

China =

[LUX]

I enjoyed that, massively up for Spain. Privilege to watch.

Now I know what it's like to follow a glory team.

[Nick Shorey my Lord!]

Just a big fat to anyone claiming Spain are boring. Take a good look at a certain team that won promotion this year to the Premiership and think back to a few games...say Watford away for one.

Sure they fuck about with the ball sometimes but when you can rip a team like Italy to sheds, win 3 major tournaments back to back, score the most goals and concede the least, well you don't achieve that with boring football.

I really enjoyed the game last night. As mentioned Italy were quite competitive during the 1st half but the more they pushed Spain, the more space was created and when they are in a mood like they were, they'll ping it about with ease and tire out the opposition.

Did anyone listen to the CBBC commentary?

[soggy biscuit]

when you can rip a team like Italy to sheds, win 3 major tournaments back to back, score the most goals and concede the least, well you don't achieve that with boring football.

Spain were not boring 4 years ago though, they have changed how they play since then

Arsene Wenger put it well yesterday, he said they have betrayed their philosophy and are now negative, where their possession football used to be in order to attack now it is just a way not to lose.

[Bandini]

Arsene Wenger put it well yesterday, he said they have betrayed their philosophy and are now negative, where their possession football used to be in order to attack now it is just a way not to lose.

Although yesterday, of course, they weren't negative in the slightest.

[Nick Shorey my Lord!]

Arsene Wenger put it well yesterday, he said they have betrayed their philosophy and are now negative, where their possession football used to be in order to attack now it is just a way not to lose.

Although yesterday, of course, they weren't negative in the slightest.

Exactly. Arsene is pissed because Spain execute the style he tries to leverage.

[Royal Rother]

Arsene Wenger put it well yesterday, he said they have betrayed their philosophy and are now negative, where their possession football used to be in order to attack now it is just a way not to lose.

Surprisingly stupid comment from Wenger.

I take it it was made before the game?

[southbank1871]

Hold on a second, is NSML seriously comparing Spain’s style of play with Reading’s last season? They couldn’t be more different surely?

[6ft Kerplunk]

when you can rip a team like Italy to sheds, win 3 major tournaments back to back, score the most goals and concede the least, well you don't achieve that with boring football.

Spain were not boring 4 years ago though, they have changed how they play since then

Arsene Wenger put it well yesterday, he said they have betrayed their philosophy and are now negative, where their possession football used to be in order to attack now it is just a way not to lose.

Or four years ago they had Torres and Villa fit and on form. Del Bosque had decided he didn't have an on form centre forward to play and changed their tactics to suit playing without one.

[winchester_royal]

Agreed that anyone who claim that Spain are dull is slightly wrong in the head.

However I think/hope that those who employ the 'b' word are using it in reference to the match itself.

[Uke]

I've never seen four more boring, badly taken, goals in a final in my life

Alba's was particularly boring

My head hurts

[Hoop Blah]

Arsene Wenger put it well yesterday, he said they have betrayed their philosophy and are now negative, where their possession football used to be in order to attack now it is just a way not to lose.

Surprisingly stupid comment from Wenger.

I take it it was made before the game?

It does sum up the way they've played for the rest of the tournament though. Last night was a much more aggressive performance from them, at least until it became the training exercise it did once Italy had blown up.

Because it was only competitive for 30 minutes I certainly wouldn't say it was a classic final, although it was an excellent display by the Spanish.

[southbank1871]

It was by no means a classic final and I’m sure most people would have preferred it to have been much more competitive, but to find that Spanish performance boring is just a bit odd. I can understand people saying that in some of their other games in the tournament, but certainly not last night.

[Vision]

It was by no means a classic final and I’m sure most people would have preferred it to have been much more competitive, but to find that Spanish performance boring is just a bit odd. I can understand people saying that in some of their other games in the tournament, but certainly not last night.

This although I actually thought it was competitive until the 3rd goal/10 men scenario. Spain were clearly the better side but Italy had chances and the game was pretty open for large chunks of the 2nd half. It was only really the the final 20 minutes where Spain understandably started to stroll it.

And yeh, you're unlikely to see 4 more skillfully constructed goals in the same game anywhere. How people can describe it as boring is mental

[Silver Fox]

I will admit that it dropped off a bit for 10 minutes or so after Motta went off (unlucky!) but then torres and Mata came on and stepped it up again late on

[Mr Angry]

Spain did what neither England nor Germany did, and that was to snuff out Pirlo from either getting the ball, or if he did get it, not have the time to do anything constructive with it.

That was the platform that then allowed Spain to totally dominate the game (which they didn't against Portugal, who played the only way you can against Spain, which is to press up on the fullbacks and central defenders to try and prevent the measured build up from midfield that the Spanish love).