EURO 2012: Spain wins third titel in a row!

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Spain is winner of UEFA EURO 2012 after a 4-0 win against Italy.

Spain completed a fantastic hattrick with their EURO 2012 final win, this evening.  Italy was underdogs in this match but started out fine. However, after five minutes Spain started dominating the match. Their passing-play began to work out for the Spaniards, and after seven minutes Sergio Ramos had the first big chance after a corner. After fifteen minutes of play came the first goal. Xavi played a deep pass to Fabregas who found David Silva in front of the goal, heading Spain in front. Even though they were behind, Italy managed to put pressure on Spain, and they actually had the ball most after thirty minutes. However, at the end of the first half Jordi Alba rushed into the box and scored to 2-0 for Spain. This was also the result at the break.

Di Natale was sent on the pitch in the break, and it should turn out to be a great decision. The Udinese-striker dangerous on several occasions, but always ended up as the loser against Casillias. After an hour of play, Thiago Motta had to go out with an injury. Unfortunately, for Italy all substitutions were used.  Del Bosque decided to bring Fernando Torres into the match, and he brought Spain in front by 3-0 with five minutes left. The same player has the chance of making himself top scorer of the EURO 2012, but he decided to pass the ball to Mata who scored to 4-0. A humiliation of Italy from the EURO 2012 winners, Spain!
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EURO 2012 - The Road to the Final

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Spain and Italy is meeting up in the EURO 2012 final. Great Dane Football Blog takes a look on their way to the important match.
 
Italy was not seen, as a favorite to play in the final, but the team has surprised and at times played some great football. The veteran midfielder, Andrea Pirlo, has with his passings and controlling the center of the pitch been one of the best at the EURO and will be important in the final match. Another player who has been impressing for Italy is Mario Balotelli. The striker has proved that he is more than a trouble maker with his, so far, three goals.

Italy’s first match was against Spain. Both teams had their share of chances, but the match ended in a 1-1 draw. The second match in the group stages was against Croatia, where Andrea Pirlo scored his first goal in the competition. Unfortunately, for Italy they once again played a draw. Ireland was the last opponent in the last group match. Here, Ireland had nothing to play for, but they were the best team in the match even though they lost with 0-2 to Italy. However, the Italians was ready for the Quarter finals as number two in Group C.

The Quarter Final turned out to be dramatic for Italy. The match against England ended in a 0-0 draw, and so did the extra time even though Italy hit the wood work twice and had a goal cancelled for offside. This meant that the match had to be settled in a penalty shootout. Italy and Pirlo won this with the score 4-2.

Most football fans had seen Italy out of the EURO after the Semi Final against Germany. However, the Azzuri wanted it different, and was overall the best team on the day, sending Germany out with a 2-0 victory. Both goals scored by Balotelli, who is finally living up to his potential.

As one of Europe’s best football nations, Spain has been favorites for the title from the first day. The half Barcelona – half Real Madrid team has lived up to the expectations. The Spaniards has almost played every match without attackers, but the strong midfield has scored the goals needed and with players as Cesc Fabregas, and Iniesta is not a surprise.


As mentioned before, Spain and Italy met in the first match. The second match for the Spanish team was against Ireland, who was left, with no chance in the 4-0 victory. In the third match, Spain did not play their best against Croatia but still managed to pull a 1-0 victory, making them the winner of Group C.

 
In the Quarter final, the clash between Spain and France ended in a 2-0 win by goals from Xabi Alonso. Overall Spain was way better than France in the match and showed why they are so highly rated.  The Semi Final the neighbors from Portugal waited. Portugal was best in the first 90 minutes, but did not manage to score a goal and the match went on to extra time. Here, Spain was the best, but they did not score as well and the match went on the penalty shootout. Here, Spain was best and won 4-2 sending them to the final.

The two best national teams in Europe will meet in Kiev tomorrow night, and we can expect a great match!




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What's Worth Watching this Week? Week 26

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This week features matches between the best national teams in Europe, as well as a Norwegian clash and a South American final. It is all Worth Watching!












Portugal - Spain
EURO 2012 Semi Final
Arena Donbass, Donetsk
27-06-2012 at 19.45 BST

Head-to-head (last 5 matches):

Portugal: 2 victories / 5 goals

   Draws: 1

   Spain: 2 victories / 6 goals

The meeting between the two neighbours is worth watching. Last time the two teams met, Portugal won 4-0. That was in 2010, and the times have changed. Spain is favorites for this match, and should be able to win this. Portugal's on-man-army Ronaldo is facing Barcelona's starting line in this match. However, you should keep an eye on the Portuguese. Spain are favorites, but Ronaldo has shown that he can win a match by himself.

Boca Juniors - Corinthians
Copa Libertadores Final First Leg
28-06-2012 at 01.50 BST

Head-to-head (last 2 matches):

Boca Juniors: 1 vicory / 4 goals

       Draws: 1

 Corinthians: 1 victory / 2 goals

Boca Juniors and Corinthians are meeting in this year's Copa Libertadores Final. Boca Juniors are favorites against a surprising Corinthians. The team has never qualified for the final. We can expect a match with a high level of technique and some great goals. Keep an eye on Corinthians Danilo. The brazilian left winger has so far scored four goals for his club and will be an important player in the final.

Germany -  Italy
EURO 2012 Semi Final
National Stadium, Warsaw
28-06-2012 at 19.45 BST

Head-to-head (last 4 matches):


Germany: 0 victories / 2 goals

  Draws: 2

  Italy: 2 victories / 6 goals

Italy has a great history against Germany as they have won two of the last four meetings. The other two has ended in a draw. However, at this EURO Germany has so far been the best team. This should set your expectations high before the Semi final as we can expect a match full of attacking football. Keep an eye on Andrea Pirlo in this match. The playmaker has been in top form and the best on the Italian team. His passings will be crucial for Italy.


Viking - Rosenborg
Tippeligaen Round 13
Viking Stadion, Stavanger
30-06-2012 at 19.00 BST

Head-to-head (last 10 matches):

   Viking: 2 victories / 12 goals

    Draws: 3

Rosenborg: 5 victories / 15 goals

Both Viking and Rosenborg has so far been disappointing in the Tippeligaen. Both teams will go into the match with the hope for a win, and especially Rosenborg has something to prove. The two teams met in a friendly in the pre-season. Here, Viking won 4-0. Keep an eye on Steffen Iversen. The veteran striker has so far scored four goals in the league and is the top scorer for Rosenborg.

Semi final #1 - Semi Final #2
EURO 2012 Final
Olympic Stadium, Kiev
01-07-2012 at 19.45 BST

At this time, we don’t know who will be in the EURO 2012 final. However, with the four teams left in the competition we can expect an amazing match. The favorites for this match are Spain and Germany, but with an international tournament, you never know who will win or lose. No matter what, we will see a match with some of Europe’s finest players. Well worth watching!






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