Sunday, June 22, 2008
LIVE-BLOG: EURO '08 - QUARTERFINALS - ITALY V SPAIN
[Looks like Luca's trying to growing out some sort of pornstache as well. Definitely do not want.]Italy will take on Spain in today's quarterfinal.
Spain:
- David Villa is running on four goals in three games going into this one. He and Torres up front have spelled death for several sides so far - today may be no different.
- Size could be factor. Villa, Xavi, Cesc: all relatively pocket-sized dudes.
- Right back Sergio Ramos has pulled out a bit of spastic, sit-down defending lately (Spain/Sweden) and could be a liability.
- The Spanish are notorious for crapping the bed when it counts BUT if current form is any indication, they may be able overcome their chockers' repuation today.
Italy:
- Campioni del mondo. Harp on them all you like--Missed-Chances Luca Toni--but if there's a psychological edge to be found here, the Italians have got it.
- They're running a seriously disjointed defence with Cannavaro out and have yet to settle into a backline that really works.
- Their strikers haven't really managed to, er, strike all that much so far. However, they do have Buffon in goal and the self-confidence and persistence--again, Missed-Chances Luca Toni--to pull it out when it matters.
Amanda of You'll Never Blog Alone and Sarah of Goalscoring Robot will be co-hosting the blog this afternoon. We'll get rolling at 2:30PM ET. Do join us.
A few important ground rules before we kick off:
- We're fans not a fangirls so please respect the space. Ex. 'XYZ iz so hottttt!!111!!' -- you go on moderate.
- Stay on topic and stick to the match. This is not a chatroom so strictly footie unless it's HT. -- Fail to do so and you go on moderate.
- Save basic footie questions for HT or FT. We're happy to answer your q's but probably won't get around to doing so while we're busy trying to blog the play.
- Respect the opinions of others. A given but still needs to be said.
