UEFA EURO 2012 – JUNE 24th ROUND UP

After languishing in front of a screen watching Farouk Sultan ramble on and on, then declare Mohamed Morsi the new President of Egypt… The last thing I wanted to do was sit in front of the TV… AGAIN…..
But I decided to watch the game…and I desperately needed Italy to win.. so that today would not go down in history as the absolute worst day EVER.

As if Farouk Sultan’s speech was not long enough, the game played into full time with a 0-0 score, then right through to extra time and finally it ended in penalties. Of the two squads, I believe that the Italians were on top of their game for the full 120 minutes, not because I am slightly biased towards Gli Azzurri but because they spent the majority of the time devising ways to send the ball passed Joe Hart. Both teams could have scored almost immediately after the opening whistle, bad tempered Daniel De Rossi and Glen Johnson had opportunities within the first five minutes. Pirlo seemed to be the mastermind behind tonight’s match, as he worked with De Rossi and Cassano to relentlessly pick at England’s defense. Most of the Italian’s efforts were close calls with Hart or the woodwork of England’s goal, and as the 90 minute mark rolled around, the score was still level at 0-0, extra time only saw more of the same, with the Azzurri frantically trying to find away passed England’s wall of a defense. (Diamanti and Nocerino almost succeeded). 

A penalty shootout was imminent. (I hate penalty shootouts, to me they are just a cheap win. I mean, I’d rather the teams play till they can’t physically run anymore than have the game to go penalties, but… its not about what I’d prefer… and with that… the penalties began). My heart sank, because although Gianluigi Buffon is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, some of the players shooting for England were guaranteed penalty-scorers (Wayne ‘Shrek’ Rooney and Ashley ‘Ugh’ Cole), also the English Goalkeeper, Joe Hart, has made the most saves in this UEFA EURO 2012 tournament.

Up first, (Super)Mario Balotelli….. He shoots, He scores.
Next for England, Steven Gerrard shoots the ball low and it goes in
Montolivo misses the next penalty for Italy. (I contemplated turning the TV off at this point)
Wayne ‘Shrek’ Rooney …….   Advantage England.
Andrea Pirlo casually chips it into the goal. (Phewf)
(It is at this point that England’s downfall began)
Ashley Young misses.
Nocerino scores. (HOORAY)
Ashley Cole misses. (Double HOORAY)
Diamanti scores and sends Italy through! 

England fought hard to keep the Italian’s away from their goal, they played down to the last minute of extra time, but it unfortunately came down to penalties and luck, which were both in Italy’s favor (thankfully). With England out, Italy will now face Germany, hopefully they’ll have some leftover luck from this game, because they sure as hell are going to need it.

FORZA.