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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 6/29/2021 9:41:38 PM   
warspite1


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Sweden 1-2 Ukraine

Footbal is nuts. Ukraine were toilet in the group stage. They qualifed with 3 points and a minus goal difference and........

Sweden will see that as an opportunity lost. Easily the better team, but a couple of players weren’t firing on all cylinders.... oh and they hit the woodwork many times. Small margins.

Brutal last half hour.......

< Message edited by warspite1 -- 6/29/2021 9:57:04 PM >


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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 6/29/2021 9:54:54 PM   
warspite1


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quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

I did say I wouldn't comment but........... England fans moan (rightly) because invariably they have no star players that can unlock a defence. And in the old days of Hoddle or Le Tissier, we never played them when we actually did have them once in a blue moon....

We now have Mount, Foden and Grealish. Apparently none of these will start tonight. Right.

Can't wait for balls in behind the German defence, the incisive passes that carve up the German midfield etc etc..... Well I'll have to wait. Indeed I'll be waiting a long time with this team....
warspite1

And Grealish was involved in both goals....... just sayin’


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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 6/29/2021 10:04:56 PM   
shunwick


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And so England and Ukraine go through to the quarter finals.

Germany and Sweden go home.

Best wishes,
Steve

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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 6/29/2021 10:15:05 PM   
shunwick


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quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1


quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

I did say I wouldn't comment but........... England fans moan (rightly) because invariably they have no star players that can unlock a defence. And in the old days of Hoddle or Le Tissier, we never played them when we actually did have them once in a blue moon....

We now have Mount, Foden and Grealish. Apparently none of these will start tonight. Right.

Can't wait for balls in behind the German defence, the incisive passes that carve up the German midfield etc etc..... Well I'll have to wait. Indeed I'll be waiting a long time with this team....
warspite1

And Grealish was involved in both goals....... just sayin’


One of England's strengths. When you can bring the likes of Foden, Mount, Grealish, Henderson, Rashford and Sancho off the bench....

Southgate's is making the most of his squad. He knows the games come thick and fast. He knows that extra-time is brutal in international tournament play. I don't always agree with his safety-first strategy. He has got away with it so far but it is strategy that can bite your bum in the end. I hope it works out for him but I worry about it.

Best wishes,
Steve

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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 6/29/2021 10:29:57 PM   
IslandInland


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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkRjxIUpNsA

Hopefully.



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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 6/30/2021 12:10:25 PM   
shunwick


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Grr Argh...

No football today...

... or tomorrow...

Is this what the end of civilization feels like?

Best wishes,
Steve

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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 6/30/2021 6:42:43 PM   
RangerJoe


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quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Grr Argh...

No football today...

... or tomorrow...

Is this what the end of civilization feels like?

Best wishes,
Steve


Go unplugged and in the woods for a week or two, you will find out just how liberating that is.

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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 6/30/2021 11:18:06 PM   
Piteas


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Well, the America Cup is football too.
10 teams, 2 groups. Tomorrow the most interesting... Peru-Paraguay!

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Post #: 4688
RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/1/2021 6:27:29 AM   
warspite1


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Piteas

Well, the America Cup is football too.
10 teams, 2 groups. Tomorrow the most interesting... Peru-Paraguay!
warspite1

So they have two groups of five and all play each other once so that.... one team can be eliminated from each group.

I thought the Euro groups was bad enough where only 6 of the 24 teams were eliminated at the group stage.....


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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/1/2021 11:23:11 AM   
shunwick


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quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1


quote:

ORIGINAL: Piteas

Well, the America Cup is football too.
10 teams, 2 groups. Tomorrow the most interesting... Peru-Paraguay!
warspite1

So they have two groups of five and all play each other once so that.... one team can be eliminated from each group.

I thought the Euro groups was bad enough where only 6 of the 24 teams were eliminated at the group stage.....

[/quoteThe big problem for CONMEBOL (apart from being as corrupt, useless, and ineffective as UEFA, and FIFA)) is that there are only ten nations in South America. To organize and pay for international tournaments one needs TV interest and people putting bums on seats. That means as many matches as possible in the brief window of opportunity that exists. Football and money... whodaguessd.

Best wishes,
Steve


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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/1/2021 12:13:15 PM   
shunwick


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Piteas

Well, the America Cup is football too.
10 teams, 2 groups. Tomorrow the most interesting... Peru-Paraguay!

Interesting game certainly.

Peruvian Ceviche takes on the Paraguyan Sopa Paraguaya (which despite its name is not a soup.)

I fancy the Paraguayans in this quarter final. The Peruvians can mix it up but I still think the Paraguayans will prevail.

Best wishes,
Steve

< Message edited by shunwick -- 7/1/2021 12:17:05 PM >


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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/1/2021 12:16:06 PM   
shunwick


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Oops.

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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/1/2021 3:32:50 PM   
warspite1


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quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

The big problem for CONMEBOL (apart from being as corrupt, useless, and ineffective as UEFA, and FIFA)) is that there are only ten nations in South America. To organize and pay for international tournaments one needs TV interest and people putting bums on seats. That means as many matches as possible in the brief window of opportunity that exists. Football and money... whodaguessd.

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

They invited a couple of North/Central Americans to play in the tournament to build out the numbers - I guess Covid stopped that this time around?


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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/1/2021 4:05:00 PM   
Orm


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quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1


quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

The big problem for CONMEBOL (apart from being as corrupt, useless, and ineffective as UEFA, and FIFA)) is that there are only ten nations in South America. To organize and pay for international tournaments one needs TV interest and people putting bums on seats. That means as many matches as possible in the brief window of opportunity that exists. Football and money... whodaguessd.

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

They invited a couple of North/Central Americans to play in the tournament to build out the numbers - I guess Covid stopped that this time around?


Well, I suppose you could say that Australia, and Qatar, is a couple of North/Central Americans that were invited to play. And while you might be right that they were invited, I claim that you are wrong in that they are from North/Central America.

Australia, and Qatar, were invited, and had accepted. But they had to withdraw when the delay in this tournament, and the delay in their own qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, made the events clash.

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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/1/2021 7:50:51 PM   
warspite1


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Orm

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1


quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

The big problem for CONMEBOL (apart from being as corrupt, useless, and ineffective as UEFA, and FIFA)) is that there are only ten nations in South America. To organize and pay for international tournaments one needs TV interest and people putting bums on seats. That means as many matches as possible in the brief window of opportunity that exists. Football and money... whodaguessd.

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

They invited a couple of North/Central Americans to play in the tournament to build out the numbers - I guess Covid stopped that this time around?


Well, I suppose you could say that Australia, and Qatar, is a couple of North/Central Americans that were invited to play. And while you might be right that they were invited, I claim that you are wrong in that they are from North/Central America.

Australia, and Qatar, were invited, and had accepted. But they had to withdraw when the delay in this tournament, and the delay in their own qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, made the events clash.
warspite1

I was talking about previous Copa Americas. I had no idea anyone would be invited with Covid around, but it seems the net was trawled further afield this time.... and not surprisingly the invitation was not taken up.


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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/1/2021 8:17:21 PM   
Orm


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quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1


quote:

ORIGINAL: Orm

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1


quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

The big problem for CONMEBOL (apart from being as corrupt, useless, and ineffective as UEFA, and FIFA)) is that there are only ten nations in South America. To organize and pay for international tournaments one needs TV interest and people putting bums on seats. That means as many matches as possible in the brief window of opportunity that exists. Football and money... whodaguessd.

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

They invited a couple of North/Central Americans to play in the tournament to build out the numbers - I guess Covid stopped that this time around?


Well, I suppose you could say that Australia, and Qatar, is a couple of North/Central Americans that were invited to play. And while you might be right that they were invited, I claim that you are wrong in that they are from North/Central America.

Australia, and Qatar, were invited, and had accepted. But they had to withdraw when the delay in this tournament, and the delay in their own qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, made the events clash.
warspite1

I was talking about previous Copa Americas. I had no idea anyone would be invited with Covid around, but it seems the net was trawled further afield this time.... and not surprisingly the invitation was not taken up.


It is my understanding that the tournament was planned pre-covid, and then delayed one year because of covid. Qatar has appeared before, I think, in Copa America. Anyway. Both teams had accepted. But the one year delay made their own world cup qualifications clash with the Copa America so they had to withdraw. So, in my understanding, the reason for Australia, and Qatar, to withdraw was rather indirectly cause by covid.

A lot of sporting events were delayed last year, so now there is a lot. And some of it simultaneously.

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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/2/2021 3:16:04 AM   
warspite1


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Orm


quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1


quote:

ORIGINAL: Orm

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1


quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

The big problem for CONMEBOL (apart from being as corrupt, useless, and ineffective as UEFA, and FIFA)) is that there are only ten nations in South America. To organize and pay for international tournaments one needs TV interest and people putting bums on seats. That means as many matches as possible in the brief window of opportunity that exists. Football and money... whodaguessd.

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

They invited a couple of North/Central Americans to play in the tournament to build out the numbers - I guess Covid stopped that this time around?


Well, I suppose you could say that Australia, and Qatar, is a couple of North/Central Americans that were invited to play. And while you might be right that they were invited, I claim that you are wrong in that they are from North/Central America.

Australia, and Qatar, were invited, and had accepted. But they had to withdraw when the delay in this tournament, and the delay in their own qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, made the events clash.
warspite1

I was talking about previous Copa Americas. I had no idea anyone would be invited with Covid around, but it seems the net was trawled further afield this time.... and not surprisingly the invitation was not taken up.


It is my understanding that the tournament was planned pre-covid, and then delayed one year because of covid. Qatar has appeared before, I think, in Copa America. Anyway. Both teams had accepted. But the one year delay made their own world cup qualifications clash with the Copa America so they had to withdraw. So, in my understanding, the reason for Australia, and Qatar, to withdraw was rather indirectly cause by covid.

A lot of sporting events were delayed last year, so now there is a lot. And some of it simultaneously.
warspite1

You are right. According to Wiki Qatar and Japan were invited in 2019.

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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/2/2021 11:05:35 AM   
shunwick


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Now that we have established that Australia and Qatar are not in North/Central America...

The quarter finals start today.

Euro 2020

Switzerland v Spain
Belgium v Italy

Copa America 2021

Peru v Paraguay

Three intriguing games. I would love to see Switzerland, Italy, and Paraguay victorious. Tough games for all of them.

Best wishes,
Steve

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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/2/2021 12:21:39 PM   
warspite1


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quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Now that we have established that Australia and Qatar are not in North/Central America...

Best wishes,
Steve
warspite1

That is so typical of you shunwick. How very dare you assume Australia's geographic position vis a vis the imperialist notion of what is or isn't a continent.

If Australia wants to be South American then that is their right.


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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/2/2021 12:25:44 PM   
warspite1


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quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

The quarter finals start today.

Euro 2020

Switzerland v Spain
Belgium v Italy

Copa America 2021

Peru v Paraguay

Three intriguing games. I would love to see Switzerland, Italy, and Paraguay victorious. Tough games for all of them.

Best wishes,
Steve
warspite1

We are in agreement. Although in some ways I wouldn't mind Belgium getting through because if, by some miracle, we do get to play them, then I still believe their Spurs and ex-spurs central defence is suspect - not to mention that the right back Meunier is the worst player to play for Dortmund in the history of German football.

But best not to worry about that. Yes, Forza Italy.

Got to be honest about Peru vs Paraguay. I am sort of in couldn't care less corner on this one..... in fact no. I am going for darkest Peru on the basis that that is who Paddington Bear supports.


< Message edited by warspite1 -- 7/2/2021 12:27:39 PM >


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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/2/2021 6:52:07 PM   
shunwick


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quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1


quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Now that we have established that Australia and Qatar are not in North/Central America...

Best wishes,
Steve
warspite1

That is so typical of you shunwick. How very dare you assume Australia's geographic position vis a vis the imperialist notion of what is or isn't a continent.

If Australia wants to be South American then that is their right.


Imperialist notion? Is that some SJW indoctrination or have you been hitting the bottle again?

Best wishes,
Steve

< Message edited by shunwick -- 7/2/2021 6:54:59 PM >


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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/2/2021 6:54:37 PM   
shunwick


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So... the Swiss did so well and then lost their nerve in the penalty shootout.

They are going to be distraught tonight. Despite that, however, they can return home with their heads held high. Cracking tournament for the Swiss.

Best wishes,
Steve

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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/2/2021 6:57:29 PM   
RFalvo69


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Yesterday I got my second shot of the Moderna vaccine so today I'm bedded with a fever and sore bones - which means that I'll be able to watch a Italy match live from start to finish, yay!

Lot's of customers in the restaurant. My brother in-law is helping my wife. I hope they will not forget the First Directive: NEVER put yourself between the tables and the GIGASCREEN. Experience shows that if you do something very important will happen in that very moment. Well, go Azzurri!

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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/2/2021 9:07:14 PM   
loki100


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quote:

ORIGINAL: RFalvo69

Yesterday I got my second shot of the Moderna vaccine so today I'm bedded with a fever and sore bones - which means that I'll be able to watch a Italy match live from start to finish, yay!

Lot's of customers in the restaurant. My brother in-law is helping my wife. I hope they will not forget the First Directive: NEVER put yourself between the tables and the GIGASCREEN. Experience shows that if you do something very important will happen in that very moment. Well, go Azzurri!


hope the win left you feeling better

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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/2/2021 9:16:35 PM   
warspite1


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Bad luck to the Swiss - they were more than a little unfortunate.

‘The Golden Generation’..... where have we heard that before? Definitely Italy were the better team - Spinazolla is a bad loss for them, but Belgium were disappointing. Lukaku disappears in a big game again.

Cracking semi-final with Spain ahead.

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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/2/2021 9:20:56 PM   
warspite1


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As for tomorrow, once again no comment on the second q/f, but Denmark - provided they haven’t lost any more key players - should be too much for Czech Republic.

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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/2/2021 9:57:13 PM   
gamer78

 

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Switzerland did play well but how unnecessary was red card. Swiss coach was ex Samsunspor coach, Vladamir Petkoviç. Our president wouldn't hire as Fenerbahçe coach but was very successfull. Italy going to final.

I won't comment much about how South Africa and Quatar are football countries -with huge fan base with their domestics clubs- and they make organizaitons. Luckly FIFA or UEFA is not corrupted as CONMEBOL someone mentioned. really.



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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/2/2021 10:57:25 PM   
shunwick


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Belgium 1 Italy 2 was most watchable.

So, the Italians go though to a semi-final meeting with Spain. And the Belgians go home. It's nearly again for Belgium and fine margins at this level of football. The Italians will be well happy with their performance and they are on a roll.

Spain v Italy should be a cracker.

In the Copa America:

Peru 3 Paraguay 3 with Peru winning on the penalty shootout. So close for Paraguayans. So close.

Best wishes,
Steve

< Message edited by shunwick -- 7/2/2021 11:29:52 PM >


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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/3/2021 9:41:25 AM   
shunwick


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Copa America 2021

Quarter Finals

In the early hours of the morning (UK time) Brazil Faijoada edged passed Chile Cazuela 1-0 to go through to the semi-final.

Todays game: Uruguay Chivito v Colombia Bandeja Paisa

Euro 2020

Quarter Finals

Czech Republic v Denmark
Ukraine v England.

In their 1992 Euros campaign, Denmark became European Champions and they didn't even qualify for the tournament. Yugoslavia (who had a impressive crop of players in the late 80's early 90) won their qualifying group ahead of a good though youngish Denmark and was breaking up into it's component parts after the death of Tito. It was not an orderly process. UEFA kicked Yugoslavia out of Euro 92 and Denmark took their place. The Danes were sitting on beach catching them rays when they were told the were playing in the Tournament. It was an almighty scramble to the Danish squad together and prepared.

I relate all this because it seems to me that when you have a bunch of Danes with their backs against the wall.... it takes a brave man to bet against them.

Luiz Suarez and Edison Cavani have for a few years now been one of the most potent strike partnerships in international football. But they are getting on a bit. So, last swansong or a tournament too far?

Uruguay, Denmark, and England are the teams I would like to see to see prevail.

Best wishes,
Steve





< Message edited by shunwick -- 7/3/2021 9:44:17 AM >


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RE: All things Football (soccer) related - 7/3/2021 10:06:37 AM   
RFalvo69


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quote:

ORIGINAL: loki100


quote:

ORIGINAL: RFalvo69

Yesterday I got my second shot of the Moderna vaccine so today I'm bedded with a fever and sore bones - which means that I'll be able to watch a Italy match live from start to finish, yay!

Lot's of customers in the restaurant. My brother in-law is helping my wife. I hope they will not forget the First Directive: NEVER put yourself between the tables and the GIGASCREEN. Experience shows that if you do something very important will happen in that very moment. Well, go Azzurri!


hope the win left you feeling better


I could have done without the extra fever in the second half, but today I'm actually fine and back on my feet

It seems that Italy always needs to score a goal before firing with all cylinders. Belgium was a very solid team and the Azzurri weren't able to play their fast, dominating soccer until well into the first half. The first goal was justly disallowed but Italy grew from there and was able to pull one of their one-two punches (with two very beautiful goals BTW).

I disagreed with the penalty at the end of the first half. It was a very generous gesture from the referee for Belgium. This led to a second half where Italy switched to defensive play and played like the Italy(es?) of old. A key tactic was ball control, with long stretches where Belgium was denied the possibility to play. Still, Belgium came this close to scoring at least a couple of times, with Spinazzola's last inch save on Lukaku bordering on a miracle and Donnarumma denying some more opportunities.

Talking of Spinazzola, not only his injury was a sad moment, but it deprives Italy of what has been, up to that very moment, our best player. Luckily we do seem to have a good bench with not really a "A" and a "B" team.

[And, sorry Belgium, but your supporters whistling and booing while Spinazzola was crying on the ground was a big no-no. There is the extra time for when something like this happens.]

Anyway, this was the kind of match I like to watch, no matter if Italy is or isn't involved. It was sparkling, tense and full of gasping moments (I'm still bleeding from the nose for the boredom of Germany - England). Mancini most famously said that his first rule is that a team must have fun. For sure I had.

_____________________________

"Yes darling, I served in the Navy for eight years. I was a cook..."
"Oh dad... so you were a God-damned cook?"

(My 10 years old daughter after watching "The Hunt for Red October")

(in reply to loki100)
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