What a victory it was last night as Italy surprised many (not me, by the way) by beating Germany 2-1 in the semi-finals of the Euro 2012 football championships.
It was a superlative performance by the Azzuri - superb defending, two excellent goals by Mario Bonatelli and, most intelligently of all, simply not allowing the dangerous and very able German simply not to play their game.
Buffon in goal was out of this world, Pirlo was peerless, and the rest of the team provided just the touch and just the commitment required. Even the penalty awarded to Germany in the 92nd minute seemed like an after thought.
Simple as that - unlike any other team that Germany encountered on their march to the semi-finals, Italy simply didn't allow them to get into their groove or to play their powerful, strident type of play.
Sometimes that's all it requires - intelligent, tactical thinking and not allowing your opponent to play the game their own way.
The fact that Italy, so downtrodden and 'bankrupt' in the face of the so-called 'euro crisis', was able to triumph against Germany, the arrogant, patronizing purveyors of the said monetary crisis in the EU, just made the victory even sweeter - oh, so very sweet. It was cosmic justice.
I've been telling people for days now whenever Italy came up in discussion about this Euro 2012:
"never underestimate Italy"
Simple as that.
So now the Azzuri face Spain in the final in Kiev on Sunday. Do Italy have a chance against the reigning world champions and the most fancied team since the tournament in Poland-Ukraine? Yes, I believe they do. Italy always start slow, and sometimes go nowhere, it is true. But sometimes they build momentum and, on a given day, can beat any team on the planet.
For now I am thrilled that Italy are in the Finals. They deserve it.
Forza Italia!
And, no, I am not referring to the centre-right, pathetic Italian political party that was Silvio Berlusconi's personal vehicle. Va bene? :-)
No comments:
Post a Comment