ijjysmith
Calm
Oh no, it's not Christmas, it's the 2012 European Championships Final. This time round we have Spain, obviously, against the not so obvious Italy. Both teams came from Ireland's group, so i really feel a bit sorry for them now, whereas I didn't earlier on. Who wins this though? It's almost hard to tell.....ah who am I kidding, Spain will win.
Don't know about you, but for me, that Torres goal against Germany in the last final feels like a long long time ago. A lot has happened to Torres in that time. Mainly he's gone utter utter crap. Now i'm not sure if i'm in the minority here but I still want to see him come good. Surely it will happen? Won't it? Thinking about it, he probably isn't even going to start the final. Spain seem to have taken Alf Ramsey's 'Wingless Wonders' to a new level by inventing 'The No Need for a Striker Because We Are Arrogant Swines and Don't Need One' style. To me it's just led to them playing boring football with no cutting edge and Fabregas has been labelled the 'Phantom Striker' which sounds well gay. But hey, they are in the final so if it works it works. Take note Moyes, I expect no strikers up front for Everton next season....especially at home to Wigan.
And onto another striker. Bloody Mario Balotelli. What a guy. Yes he's a massive tard, but by god I love him. I can totally understand people who don't though! For me we need weirdos like him in the game. Not enough characters in football nowadays. Ha, Joey Barton Vs. Mario Balotelli in a steel cage match. I think we know who would win.
Anyway, Italy have really impressed me. I used to know all about Italian football when it was on Channel 4, but in recent years I've given it not much notice. Spanish and German football has used up all my continental needs, so I hardly knew any of the Italian squad, but the fact is they are a really talented bunch. At the back Chiellini has been a rock as they all have really, in the middle De Rossi does the dirty work and Pirlo all the fancy stuff, and they have options a plenty up top. Very decent side. Obviously, they're in the final FFS. Shut up Smithy.
Anyway, enough of penos. I'm struggling to think of a decent European Championship final. Euro '92, when Denmark shocked Germany rings a bell but I don't remember it very well, Euro '96 was an ace tournament but the final was a bit crappy, Golden Goal and that. Fingers crossed this one will be great. A lot depends on how Spain set up. I really hope they play with a striker, but i'm just not sure they will. As a (sort of) neutral, I want Italy to win. Not only will it be better for football, it will prove that when I joked about Italy match fixing all the games they may bloody well have!! Which would be funny.
Weird trophy that.
I've enjoyed these finals. The group stages were very good. Lot's of good games and goals all over the show. The knock out games havn't been as exciting but they have been full of tension, which will do when the goals aren't flying in. Some decent players made an impact when they may not have been well known, that Russian lad that I can't spell, the Czech long distance runner right back, the never gonna join us Mandzukic and a few others. It's been an alright tournament this.
Anyway, he's some chicks. Hopefully better than last time:
I know, same Spanish girl as last time, but she's hot so I don't care.
Let's hope for an early goal for Italy in this. For me it's the only hope of decent game.
