All things Football (soccer) related

[RFalvo69]

So, Spain finally managed to overcome Italy at her own game and show more stamina and ball control than the Azzurri. Italy falled back to her classic defensive game with rapid counterattacks but this was not the Italy of old, usually built up to do just like that, and so they were forced to play their B game.

But something wasn't working in the Spanish team too. They apparently had a technical and stamina superiority across the game but were unable to finalise it in serious perils for Italy's net. Then Chiesa goal arrived - one of the best in the whole tournament. I still wasn't convinced that it was the beginning of the end and I was right: Spain equaliser was not as spectacular, but it was the deserving result of all the work the Spanish had done up to that moment.

Extra time showed two tired teams. Spain still had a reserve of stamina and tried to do something, whereas it was clear that Italy was aiming for the penalty shootout. At the end they held fast and got it.

Anyway, it was a great evening of soccer. Both teams gave everything they had (more physically than technically). The overall match was not as spectacular as other games in this Euro but it was still a worthy semi-final.

I didn't watch the penalties. As I said, I don't like them and I only feel sad for those who miss. We went through and what I can say is that to me being among the first four was already an unexpected result. Now it is either England or Denmark, and may the best win. [:)]

P.S. Some pundits are now wondering if Italy could really be the "dark horse" of this tournament. Time will tell...

[gamer78]

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Euro 2020

Spain 1 Italy 1: Italy go through to the final on the penalty shootout.

The Spaniards put the Italians under a lot of pressure but, in the end, for all their possession, passing, technique, and control - they struggle to score. Goals win games. Everything else is irrelevant. Great semi-final to watch with both teams giving it everything they have. The Italians not quite as good as the hype surrounding them but make no mistake, this is still a good Italian team. But they are getatable. And both Denmark and England will have been watching.

Best wishes,
Steve

Well thanks for the score and the date for the competition. It seems -at least in general discussion native English language forum members very common- Therefore very subjective comments are very common. Final is in Wembley again not wrong for England as they've improved their finance&League and they should have the honour.

[warspite1]

On balance I wanted Italy yesterday. Essentially because of the way they had played football in the tournament so far (the last 10 minutes against Belgium - and Mr Immobille's(?) antics aside).

But ultimately I felt really sorry for the Spanish who played brilliantly and largely played Italy off the park (no mean feat).

What is clear is that this was a match worthy of the final.


I won't say too much about the match later. Sadly, experience and history tells us which way it will go. The Danes are a very, very useful side and England can't afford to continue with the football they've served up for the majority of the time so far if they are to progress.

Whatever happens tonight, I just hope that Christian Eriksen isn't mentioned every 5 bleedin' minutes. He doesn't need to be, Denmark aren't in the semi because of his heart attack - they are there on merit because they are a very good footballing team.

Let's hope the game is as skill laden as last night (there are enough excellent players on both sides) - but regardless, there is one thing for sure, England will not make it easy on their fans... they never have and probably never will. At least that should make it exciting though - no match where one has a team they support playing can EVER be not exciting (unless of course they are being roundly trashed...and England are capable of that too [:(]).

[shunwick]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

On balance I wanted Italy yesterday. Essentially because of the way they had played football in the tournament so far (the last 10 minutes against Belgium - and Mr Immobille's(?) antics aside).

But ultimately I felt really sorry for the Spanish who played brilliantly and largely played Italy off the park (no mean feat).

What is clear is that this was a match worthy of the final.


I won't say too much about the match later. Sadly, experience and history tells us which way it will go. The Danes are a very, very useful side and England can't afford to continue with the football they've served up for the majority of the time so far if they are to progress.

Whatever happens tonight, I just hope that Christian Eriksen isn't mentioned every 5 bleedin' minutes. He doesn't need to be, Denmark aren't in the semi because of his heart attack - they are there on merit because they are a very good footballing team.

Let's hope the game is as skill laden as last night (there are enough excellent players on both sides) - but regardless, there is one thing for sure, England will not make it easy on their fans... they never have and probably never will. At least that should make it exciting though - no match where one has a team they support playing can EVER be not exciting (unless of course they are being roundly trashed...and England are capable of that too [:(]).

Agreed.

I still keep waiting for the nervous nelliedom to arrive. So far that shadow has been absent. But have the England team finally laid that ghost to rest? It has plagued the England team since Poland broke English hearts at Wembley in 1973.

Denamrk are a good solid footballing team. And they are on a mission from God.

Denmark v England will be an fascinating game to watch.

Copa America 2021

Argentina 1 Colombia 1 Argentina go through on the penalty shoot.

3rd and 4th place match is Peru v Colombia

The final is Brazil v Argentina

Messi is a great player. He was roughly handled by Colombia in this game and probably roughly handled in every game he plays.

Best wishes,
Steve

[Piteas]

Good luck to England!
The game will not be easy. Denmark is playing very well.
I am happy with the Spanish performance. It is a young team and can give joy in the next decade.
Italy, for me, is still the favorite team. But the final is at Wembley and if against England then... All is possible.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Piteas

Good luck to England!
The game will not be easy. Denmark is playing very well.
I am happy with the Spanish performance. It is a young team and can give joy in the next decade.
Italy, for me, is still the favorite team. But the final is at Wembley and if against England then... All is possible.

warspite1

Just how good is Olmo? Such a shame he missed his penalty - he was absolutely brilliant yesterday - and so was Pedri.

Spain are back!!

[ernieschwitz]

Time to shock the world, again. Go Denmark!

[ernieschwitz]

English fans already showing how they are without manners, booing the Danish National Anthem... Classless.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: ernieschwitz

English fans already showing how they are without manners, booing the Danish National Anthem... Classless.

warspite1

Yep, they are total rubbish..... a bit like the way we're playing... sideways.... backwards.... slow.....[>:]

Once again there is a rumour that Mount is playing, and I think Maguire is playing out a scene from the film Speed. If he breaks into a jog (a run is out of the question) then he will implode.

Pathetic.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

.....but regardless, there is one thing for sure, England will not make it easy on their fans... they never have and probably never will.

warspite1

....yep, that was a prediction that was never going to be wrong.... [:(]

[ernieschwitz]

Not bad of the Danes... considering we were only 10 men in the whole overtime.

[shunwick]

Euro 2021

Denmark 1 England 2

A dodgy penalty separated the two teams. Denmark paid the price for trying to keep a high press for 90 minutes. They were running out of steam after about the 75 minute mark. They had to use all 5 of their substitutes as players were dropping like flies. Seriously, a tactical mistake trying to run a high press for 120 minutes. They ended up with only 10 men left on the pitch for extra time. England were what England are. The only true nervous nelly for England was Pickford whose distribution throughout the game was pitiful.

So England are through to the final against Italy. And Denmark go home.

Best wishes,
Steve

[warspite1]

Well.....

So England finally win a semi-final!!

One could argue they got a soft penalty (and I wouldn't argue that) but on the other hand, Sir Harry should have been given a penalty earlier. I am also unclear why the Danish free kick, that led to the goal, was given. That stupid man-handling happens all the time and is very rarely penalised as half the time its just 6 of 1 and half a dozen of the other.

That said Damsgaard's goal was an absolute peach. Well played Denmark, they just ran out of steam at the end.

England managed to keep Mahle quiet - and that was really important as he's been so good this tournament. Dohlberg just didn't have his shooting boots with him tonight. But the biggest difference was Schmeichel who, according to one stat, saved 2.9 goals tonight - the most by any keeper at a European Championships since 1980....

Overall England deserved it but it was a game that could have gone either way. And although its hard luck on the Danes, if England did benefit from some luck tonight then its about time we got the breaks. We threw it away against Croatia (nothing unlucky about that) but we were as good as, or better, than Germany in 1990 and 1996.

[IslandInland]

I am oldish and I have never seen England win a semi-final in a major football tournament.

YESSSS COME ONNNNNNN !!!! [;)]

[ernieschwitz]

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/08/foot ... index.html

Seems there was some cheating involved (by the England Fans) during the penalty kick...

[warspite1]

My my, what a lot of classless individuals appear to be making themselves heard from all over. I don't know the Danish publications and whether they are mainstream or what, but wow.....

England actually get the rub of the green for once and people seem to coming over all unnecessary [8|]

Denmark get beaten with a dodgy penalty that VAR didn't overrule (how many times does that happen in football?) and all hell breaks loose. Let's hope Denmark never lose to a goal which is, in full view of everyone, punched into the goal eh?.....

I think certain people need to calm down:

a) The Danish free kick that led to their goal was debateable at best
b) The Danish players were standing too close to the English wall when the Danish free kick was taken
c) Harry Kane had a very good shout for a penalty before the disputed one

Wow.... sorry we actually won a game of football for a change [8|]

[ernieschwitz]

How different the tune is, when you are the one benefitting from the unfairness, than when you have the unfairness happen to you. I thought that you were a guy I could respect Warspite. I guess I am going to have to be disappointed.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: ernieschwitz

How different the tune is, when you are the one benefitting from the unfairness, than when you have the unfairness happen to you. I thought that you were a guy I could respect Warspite. I guess I am going to have to be disappointed.

warspite1

I beg your pardon?

You as well? So come of the commentary coming out of Denmark about Covid and the English is acceptable?

Yes, as has been admitted by at least two Englishmen on this forum, the penalty was lucky. But let's have some perspective. The match didn't hinge just on one dodgy decision did it? Or are you saying the Danish free kick was legal? Are you ignoring the rules of the game when it suits you?

And if you want to talk about respect, then how about the fact that at least two English on this forum have been full of praise for the Danes (and various other nationalities) during this tournament. I'm still waiting for you to say well done England on reaching the final. But it seems that is beyond you. Classless - seems you are not the only one disappointed.

[Frido1207]

Congratulations England. A well deserved final participation after 55 long years.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: ernieschwitz

How different the tune is, when you are the one benefitting from the unfairness, than when you have the unfairness happen to you. I thought that you were a guy I could respect Warspite. I guess I am going to have to be disappointed.

I totally think that this was uncalled for. If just one play in an entire game makes it or breaks it for one team, then that TEAM has a problem. Warspite1 has been a gentleman from what I have read on this thread and has never been rooting just for England.