Ok, so before you call me crazy and mad, even if they are saying the truth couldn’t they link with another channel which was showing the match? Ok maybe not, but do not blame me for thinking they are lying because when I see that the match is working with no problems on other channels and they are not showing it I will have to assume they are just giving excuses. Anyway, just hope these rains and thunders do not show up tomorrow and leave us hanging in the middle of the match.
I was watching the Germany vs Turkey match and on the second half Aljazeera Sports Channel kept cutting off the match and showing people in the stadium and people in Germany watching the match on a big screen, and every time they cut back the match the commentator apologizing saying that it is a problem from the source, and that they have no control in this. From the SOURCE!!??!?!?! Does Aljazeera really thinks we are that stupid ?! A number of European channels showed the match in full and without interruptions. Some even watched in full over the Internet.
I do not want to go in detail, but the thing that made me mad is the lying more than the cutting, why do they need to lie. We missed 3 goals, the match ended 3-2 for Germany, the only goals we were able to watch were the first two goals from both sides.
Aljazeera is still saying that the reason for the interruptions are the rains and thunders in Vienna And they are promising to show the match in full later tonight. How lucky we are to have you Aljazeera Sports Channel you are so special, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this AMAZING coverage for a freakin SEMI FINAL.
This was the final quarter final of the tournament, and Spain went in strong favorites after winning all three of their group games and playing some extremely good football. The current World Cup holders Italy went in to this game after beating France and Romania, but suffering a disappointing defeat to the Dutch, in which they lost by three goals.
In the first few minutes, Spain created some good opportunities, and this was evident in the stats, which said they had nearly three times as many shots as the Italians in the first ninety minutes. Italy’s best chance of the regular ninety minutes fell to substitute Camoranesi, who’s close range volley was dealt with excellently by Iker Casillas, but overall, in the initial ninety minutes, it was Spain who were the better side, and they really should have finished the game off quite quickly, but instead the game went to extra time for the third time in three days.
In the first period of extra time, the game was pretty up in the air, with both teams having good opportunities, but neither of the players showed the drive to score, and it looked highly probable the game was going to penalties. And it turned out this was going to be the case, after another period of extra time was played, neither team had scored.
In the penalty shoot out, Iker Casillas saved two of the Italian’s penalties, but the Spanish kept their nerve, and four out of five spot kick takers scored against Buffon, meaning they go through.
Not a very good game at all, both teams lacked desire and forward momentum. They looked tired the whole way through the game, and it came down to penalties for an outcome. Tonight’s result means that the semi finals are Germany v Turkey and Russia v Spain.
Final Score: Spain 0 – 0 Italy (Italy win 4-2 on penalties)
After the two teams first games were on the complete opposite on the spectrum, both teams were eager to impress. Italy especially wanted to win this game, as anything other than three points would slash their chances of qualifying dramatically.
The game kicked off, and it was extremely intense, Italy looking like they could score any minute for the whole first half, having chance after chance and finding Romania’s weakness which the French couldn’t find: the air. Romania failed on multiple occasions to clear Italy’s crosses, resulting in Luca Toni and his attacking companions missing a couple of good chances. Italy also had other good opportunities including hitting the post and having a header disallowed for offside, although it was a bad decision, and it looked like Friday the 13th was going to be unlucky for Italy.
That isn’t to say Romania didn’t have any chances though, hitting the post, having a one on one and hitting a scorching free kick from a long distance, although their poor attacking record means it was no surprise they didn’t score in the first half.
Out for the second half, and in similar fashion to the first half, the game is end to end football, it is clear fairly soon after the kick off that Romania want to win this game just as much as Italy.
Then, on the fifty fifth minute, a poor header from Zambrotta back to Buffon meant that former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu could run on and take full advantage of the Italian mistake, slotting the ball above a helpless Buffon and in to the roof of the net.
And, before we could even watch the replay of the goal, Italy were pressing and got a corner at the other end, and after a superb cross and a nifty header toward goal, Christian Panucci poked the ball passed the line.
Italy kept pressing, desperate to get a second, although just before the eighty minute mark, a tug in the Italian penalty area resulted in a rather harsh Romanian penalty. After countless Italian protests, Romanian goal scorer Mutu stepped up to take the penalty, knowing a win would knock Italy out the competition. He drove it hard to Buffon’s left, but Buffon re-adjusted his jump and knocked it onto his leg with his right hand, and the ball went out for a corner.
Overall a good game with plenty of action, and Italy were extremely unfortunate not to get the win, but now there is a lot of pressure on both sides, especially Italy, to get through to the next round.
All Arsenal fans already know the story, Flamini takes Gilberto place, Gilberto looks for an out, Gilberto finds destination. The guy wants to go to Juventus, so if he said it so clearly like that, then it is already done. Juventus were expected also to sign a top class midfielder. I like Gilberto’s style but Wenger has my full trust as usual, in addition the player is 31 years of age. So I guess this move will give Diarra the chance he always wanted.
Here what Gilberto had to say today to “La Gazzetta dello Sport” about a move to Turin:
“I would willingly go to Turin, Juve are a prestigious club and they have already overcome their problems following their demotion to Serie B.
I would adapt myself well to the Italian league, however Juve should know that I have no intention of starting a war with Arsenal.”
Gilberto added: “Buffon is the best goalkeeper in the world and it is true that he is a symbol of Juve. Del Piero is a player with large prestige on the international stage. As for me, well I do not have the feet of a Ronaldinho, but I do know how to organise a team”.
I can easily tell you that this is the match most people will be watching, even they are not Italy or Scotland fans. This fixture just has all the excitement a football fan would love. This is the most important match is Scotland’s history of playing the game, thats not only my opinion, it the media around the world. and It’s true.
Scotland has the opportunity today not only to qualify to Euro 2008, but to disqualify Italy. Can you imagine this. It will always be recorded in history that Scotland disqualified Italy. Italy is praying now that history does not repeat itself, back when Italy won the World Cup in 1982, Italy didn’t just disqualify from the Euro 1984, they did not even win any matches for around 18 months since their win in the world cup in Spain.
Analysis & Prediction & Video’s after the Jump.
One more thing that might give even more hope for the Scots, Italy never won a match in Scotland!!, and Scotland has a nice record of upsetting big teams. But on the other hand Italy’s record against Scotland is their side, and the last match which they won 2-0 just last March in this competition.
Of-course no body expect Italy to be pushovers but they will be facing some difficulties today for sure. The only injuries in Italy are the defender Matterazi who picked a thigh injury back in august and Massimo Oddo who got injured while training. Scotland does not have any reported injuries.
Here is how this will work, Scotland will qualify if they win Italy, obviously, and if they got a draw they still have hope, if France lose to Ukraine and/or Italy loses against Faroe Island. Italy qualifies if they win Scotland, and if this draw with the Scots they either win or draw against Faroe Islands, or they lose to Scotland, and Win against Faroe Islands and France loses to Ukraine.
If Italy lose to Scotland, and France win or draw Ukraine, or Italy draw with Scotland and they lose to Faroe Island (highly unexpected), they will not qualify.
Scotland is expected to play 4-5-1 (just being careful), the squad consists of: Craig Gordon, David Marshall, Allan McGregor, Graham Alexander, Gary Caldwell, Christian Dailly, Alan Hutton, Jay McEveley, Stephen McManus, Gary Naysmith, David Weir, Scott Brown, Barry Ferguson, Darren Fletcher, Paul Hartley, Lee McCulloch, Stephen Pearson, Barry Robson, Gary Teale, Craig Beattie, Kris Boyd, James McFadden, Shaun Maloney, Kenny Miller, Garry O’Connor.
Italy on the other hand might mix their formation between 4-1-4-1 to 4-3-3 when they attack, their squad consists of: Amelia, Buffon, Curci, Barzagli, Bonera, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso, Panucci, Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Camoranesi, De Rossi, Gattuso, Perrotta, Pirlo, Di Natale, Gilardino, Iaquinta, Lucarelli, Palladino, Quagliarella, Toni.
I expect the match to go like this, Scotland will score first, by the end of the first half Italy will equalize, and in the second half Italy will score another goal making the scoreline be 1-2 in Full Time. With the slight possibility of the Scots successfully defending to keep the score 1-1.
Here are the goals Italy score on Scotland last March:
As usual Mancini just cant hold a score to the end of the match, this is just him, this isn’t the first time and wont be the last, Inter Milan played well during most of the match but Juventus was a powerful rival, they caused Inter Milan some trouble from time to time, and to be honest they deserved a draw, but that’s because our man here is so eager to keep the score 1-0 he just quickly go to defend where he gives the opposition the chance to slip through the lines and score. Se what he said after the match “We should have been more clinical, with a Juve that will never give up. It will serve as a lesson.” Believe me Mancini this isn’t your first lesson, this is so typical of you and your tactics, please try to learn for once in your life.
Anyway Inter Milan is still top of the table but you know even if we won the league a match between Juve and Inter just has a different taste. Its as if you are playing in a separate cup of something.
I was watching the Germany vs Turkey match and on the second half Aljazeera Sports Channel kept cutting off the match and showing people in the stadium and people in Germany watching the match on a big screen, and every time they cut back the match the commentator apologizing saying that it is a problem from the source, and that they have no control in this. From the SOURCE!!??!?!?! Does Aljazeera really thinks we are that stupid ?! A number of European channels showed the match in full and without interruptions. Some even watched in full over the Internet. 
And they are promising to show the match in full later tonight. How lucky we are to have you Aljazeera Sports Channel you are so special, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this AMAZING coverage for a freakin SEMI FINAL.
After the two teams first games were on the complete opposite on the spectrum, both teams were eager to impress. Italy especially wanted to win this game, as anything other than three points would slash their chances of qualifying dramatically.
All Arsenal fans already know the story, Flamini takes Gilberto place, Gilberto looks for an out, Gilberto finds destination. The guy wants to go to Juventus, so if he said it so clearly like that, then it is already done. Juventus were expected also to sign a top class midfielder. I like Gilberto’s style but Wenger has my full trust as usual, in addition the player is 31 years of age. So I guess this move will give Diarra the chance he always wanted.
I can easily tell you that this is the match most people will be watching, even they are not Italy or Scotland fans. This fixture just has all the excitement a football fan would love. This is the most important match is Scotland’s history of playing the game, thats not only my opinion, it the media around the world. and It’s true.
As usual Mancini just cant hold a score to the end of the match, this is just him, this isn’t the first time and wont be the last, Inter Milan played well during most of the match but Juventus was a powerful rival, they caused Inter Milan some trouble from time to time, and to be honest they deserved a draw, but that’s because our man here is so eager to keep the score 1-0 he just quickly go to defend where he gives the opposition the chance to slip through the lines and score. Se what he said after the match “We should have been more clinical, with a Juve that will never give up. It will serve as a lesson.” Believe me Mancini this isn’t your first lesson, this is so typical of you and your tactics, please try to learn for once in your life.