NFT: Euro 2016 Saturday

But the Italians have been discredited all tournament, most notably for their forwards. Instead, Eder and Pelle have been nothing short of terrific. Eder with pace and Pelle playing the big striker. Giaccherini has been dangerous on the wing as well as Florenzi. The back 3 and Buffon have been perfect as well. Italy has been surprisingly good this tourney.

The Germans have ridiculous name brand power however. Forwards and midfielders are surgical. I think in their back end is where I see the weakness until you get to Neuter. I think this plays into the Italian style of defending and then counter attack.

Italy- 3

Germany- 2

Italy is playing like a machine right now. I'm going out on a limb with Motta being out for this one. But The Azzurri are playing so well on the counter while the Germans look a bit formulaic (as always but not as explosive). I think they get 2 by the end of the first, give up one early in the second, add another transition goal from Eder on a break and park a bus, giving up one more.

Forze.

It's been a second home for me since 1988.

I think they'll be fierce today and will surprise Germany with their attack (as they've done to every opponent save one all tournament). But I don't think they'll be able to break through 3 times. I also don't like playing 3 in the back against a team as ferocious as Germany: too many open lanes for them.

I'm going to say Germany 3, Italy 1 and hope I'm wrong.

In comment 13018701 George said:

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It's been a second home for me since 1988. I think they'll be fierce today and will surprise Germany with their attack (as they've done to every opponent save one all tournament). But I don't think they'll be able to break through 3 times. I also don't like playing 3 in the back against a team as ferocious as Germany: too many open lanes for them. I'm going to say Germany 3, Italy 1 and hope I'm wrong.

Funny....the logical side of me has your exact same number. But Italy has a spunk I haven't seen since the World Cup win. 2 early goals off of counters> park the bus> goal by Germany before the half> quick goal by Italy to open the second, with the Italians holding off the Germs for all but one more goal in the second is how both teams have played either way this far.

Italy has an unseen spunk in this tourney. Getting help from unexpected sources like Eder and Giaccherini

yellows for either side?

way to bury my semifinals thread

that should say

.

In comment 13018721 PaulBlakeTSU said:

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yellows for either side?

I'm pretty sure Thiago Motta is out.

In comment 13018776 UConn4523 said:

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way to bury my semifinals thread

Chin up - this has happened through the tournament :) Nobody searches.

Klinsmann is the favorite for the England job.

Don't make me believe...

Some fun links, associated with the disaster their national team had with Iceland:

1) ESPNFC: England has not contacted the US about Jurgen Klinsmann

Despite the title, the article seems to hint about a Jurgen move. He is a legend at Spurs, so he has some history in London. And London bookies having him at 7-2 to take the job is always a hoot!

2) Manchester United legend Eric Cantona wants to be England’s next manager

It's probably tongue in cheek, but this is must watch YouTube. You will laugh, and laugh again! "I will never lose to a frozen island!". How could the English FA resist? CANTO-YES!

3) Men in Blazers review the England/Iceland game

Make sure you are recovered from Cantona, because this is also hysterical (are they drunk doing this??). "Land of Eng vs. the Land of Ice" is just one classic line. A must!

In comment 13018865 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:

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In comment 13018776 UConn4523 said: Quote: way to bury my semifinals thread Chin up - this has happened through the tournament :) Nobody searches.

Haha, I'm just ball busting.

He is legit the best. I love that he will add Schmeichel to the staff. Irony is that he never really played for France (nor did David Ginola I believe) because he despised the FFA coaches.

Bobby, tell us more about that, if you would, seasoned long-time watcher of football that you are

UConn, I did get over to Wagon Wheel Thursday afternoon, but Paul wasn't around. I asked about Maine Beer Company and the young man (SW Asian, I think, not the two college kids) kept drawing a blank, my knees buckled, but then I said the magic letters, MO, and the shock of recognition shot through him, so I have those two bottles in the fridge. Also, 2 Roads, a buck cheaper, picked up some nice Reposado, but no Alpines, no Sip of Sunshine or Happy Birthday...had no idea of that upper parking lot.
Cool, thanks

Klinsmann to England??????
A second (Boston) Tea Party! ha ha

To me it's simple. Whoever scores first will win. I also think if it comes to penalties advantage Germany. Italy is the one and only team I root for and today feels like I'm waiting for a Giants game to start.

Does conte show another wrinkle? Are the Germans a bit tight playing the Italians? Can de Rossi go?

I think winner today wins tourney.

Huge game between 2 of the greatest soccer nations. True power houses doing battle in the pitch.... So much fun to watch. Germany has never, yes never, beat Italy in a major tournament. The way Conte has those boys playing it's going to be a tough match for Germany. Pellé and Eder need to keep playing out of their minds and find the back of the net today. Germany has the experience and the stars to win this game. The back 4 of Italy have to keep doing everything they have been doing and creating that Italian wall for them to win today. I think Germany can break through the wall and score but I feel Italy will win this one 2-1 and I have a feeling De Sciglio at left wing back will be the difference maker today. Going to be great to watch. I am Italian and German and I pull for both sides but today I'll be pulling for Italy. The winner of this game will IMO win the whole damn thing.

Forza Azzurri!!!

Germany is the better team but Italy always beat the German teams in big tournaments and Conte is the best tactician in the game right now and it's really fun to watch him during these games.

In comment 13018926 ColHowPepper said:

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Bobby, tell us more about that, if you would, seasoned long-time watcher of football that you are UConn, I did get over to Wagon Wheel Thursday afternoon, but Paul wasn't around. I asked about Maine Beer Company and the young man (SW Asian, I think, not the two college kids) kept drawing a blank, my knees buckled, but then I said the magic letters, MO, and the shock of recognition shot through him, so I have those two bottles in the fridge. Also, 2 Roads, a buck cheaper, picked up some nice Reposado, but no Alpines, no Sip of Sunshine or Happy Birthday...had no idea of that upper parking lot. Cool, thanks Klinsmann to England?????? A second (Boston) Tea Party! ha ha

Colonel, never a sustained run with the French national team because let's be honest, for all of his genius he's a tad batshit. Up and down career with France, including calling one coach "a bag of shit". I think maybe two tournaments of sustained play.

After the kung-fu kick - if you don't know he jumped into the crowd at a game and kicked a Palace heckler in the chest - he was essentially done with the team, even though he was still in his prime in 1995. The Zidane generation was coming, and that allowed France to say au revior to Ginola as well, since both had huge egos. Worked out in 1998 for them.

used to be on pay per view. It's amazing how things have changed.

it was the best league during my childhood.

Terrible stadiums
lack of funds
betting scandal

ruined the league

Happy to see italy get a shot to be back on top. 06 world cup was a top 10 day of my life

match fixing is rampant everywhere and only the Italians would self destruct themselves over it.

that Italy is playing on the counter? They haven't been playing that way the entire tournament.

regarding soccer commentary is rhetoric and bullshit.

In comment 13019005 giantBCP said:

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used to be on pay per view. It's amazing how things have changed.

I remember buying it on some obscure cable box service in 2000. It didn't kick in immediately and I missed Figo's long distance goal against England.

I'm still bitter at how Italy pissed that tournament away.

In comment 13019007 Joey from GlenCove said:

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it was the best league during my childhood. Terrible stadiums lack of funds betting scandal ruined the league Happy to see italy get a shot to be back on top. 06 world cup was a top 10 day of my life

We had a table of 20 at La Mela on Mulberry Street, what a fun day the 06 final was. This Italy team is not nearly as talented as the 06 team, but Conte is like a 12th man on the field.

In comment 13019043 Go Terps said:

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In comment 13019005 giantBCP said: Quote: used to be on pay per view. It's amazing how things have changed. I remember buying it on some obscure cable box service in 2000. It didn't kick in immediately and I missed Figo's long distance goal against England.

2004 final was watched on PPV. Every other game you had to get on satellite or get an audio stream via the BBC.

good stuff, thanks...I love hearing these anecdotes because I became passionate about football too late to see Cantona, Bergkamp, Cruyff, et. al in the flesh. He sounds like a loose cannon, pair him to play for Mourinho, ha.
We had some French friends as house guests summer of 1998, and an old buddy of mine from school then living in Brasil, so of course we had to take in the final--I was rooting for the underdog les Bleus all the way, a satisfying shocker, Zidane in the lead. Then came 2006...yo mama, yo sister...thank you Materazzi.

Where is your bar?

..... I feel like I'm waiting for a Giants playoff game.

The trauma ends today. Boateng will control the defense. And Müller will finally score.

2-0, but I have rarely been on the right side of a score this entire tourney.

is a huge loss for Germany. One of the most underrated midfielders when he's fit. He's absolutely critical for this Germany team IMO.

watch a tape of Boateng and Chiellini in the first half. They are just so good positionally.

Schweinsteiger coming into Khedira's place might actually benefit Germany. Italy is making a concerted effort to take Kroos out of his game. Offensively, I think Schweinsteiger is more capable of making a critical pass to break open the Italian defense.

maintains patience without pushing to many forward on attack they will be difficult for Italy to score on. But, if they start to push too much they will get hit with a quick counter goal against.

I know you brought him up in one of the Euro threads earlier this week. PSG signed Grzegorz Krychowiak. Which isn't surprising that he followed his coach to a bigger team.

by Germany where Gomez looks boxed in but still gets a pass to Hector streaking in the box.

handball on Boatang - PK for Italy

as the stutter-step goes uncalled in another match

my goodness, with an inexperienced girls' HS move

He does something stupid. Great penalty by Bonucci

by Boateng.

Forza Azzurri!

Bad mistake by the otherwise perfect Boateng. I still believe Germany will pull this one out.

Had a man wide open & provided a terrible pass. That should have been the game winner.

call on Steinschwager.

can't get any better.

Germany has the better scorers. Two great goalkeepers though. Buffon is the GK I fear the most in penalty kicks. If Real Madrid went to PKs I'd much rather fade Neuer then Gigi.

has never been a great penalty stopper.

guys need to practice their penalties. All that stutter stepping isn’t working. This one for the win.