Sad but True

Italia no more in Euro Cup 2008.  Italy plays for penalty kicks and get just that.  Penalized.  Spain had the best of the play throughout the match with almost 2/3 of the possession.  Italy’s defense was awesome!   Italian goalie Buffon is amazing and had a couple of great saves. However, Italy got away with at least two penalties in the box, but the official was on the Italian side this match.  Perhaps he was making up for the first two Italian matches?  Italy’s defense held through extra time, but it was Spain’s night.  4-2 in penalty kicks.

Bummer, but the best team did win tonight.  Not sure who I want to win Euro 2008 now.  Spain probably.  Rumor has it that I has a “drop” of Spanish royal blood on my Mom’s side.

Since I’m 1/4 Sicilian, I probably have at least a drop of almost every kind of blood on the planet!

Italia! Italia! Italia!

I’m thinking about getting a DVR after this.  I was able to watch a replay and enjoy it immensely!  I’ve always said I can’t record sports because I’ll find out the score before I get a chance to watch it and that would ruin it.  I guess because it’s soccer the risk of hearing the score is diminished  :-)

The important thing is Italy won!  2-0 (that’s two, nil)  Italy is through to the quarterfinals!  Their next match is against Spain Sunday morning.  I have two choices if I want to watch it.  Go to early service only.  Get a DVR and record it.

Or I can miss the match and watch highlights at some point.  I don’t think so!

Italia Euro 2008

It’s been tragic so far.  Italy getting absolutely schooled by The Netherlands in their first match 3-0.  The first goal the official missed an obvious offside by the Dutch, but the goal was awarded.  It went downhill for the Italians from there.  It was Italy’s worst defeat ever in the European Championships and the first time they ever allowed 3 goals in same.  I mean, they only gave up 2 goals in the entire World Cup in 2006!  Which, in case you hadn’t heard (or don’t care!), Italy WON!

Then in their second match against Romania they were robbed!  It ended in a 1-1 tie, but Italy scored two goals.  One was disallowed for offsides, but he WASN’T!  No respect for the world champs.

Now Italy and France are tied at the bottom of Group C, also known as the “group of death” because of the impossible competition.  Italy and France have a history.  Italy lost to France in the final of the Euro Championship in 2000.  Italy revenged that loss by beating France in the final of the last World Cup!  Both teams are powerhouses of soccer.  Did I mention that Italy is the defending World Cup Champions?  If the official hadn’t messed up in their second game, Italy would be sitting pretty in second place in the group with 4 points.

That brings me to now.  The game has already been played, but I’ve been out of town.  I would have missed it anyway because of work.  ESPN 2 is replaying it at 7pm tonight.  That’s in one minute!  I have successfully avoided the score and now I get to enjoy the reply.  Italy MUST WIN if it hopes to ove to the quarterfinal round.  Same for France.  Should be a great match!  Don’t read this and then call me with the result, or at least wait until the replay is over :-)

Update:  College World Series Game still on.  I had to turn away for fear they would show the score of the match on the “bottom line.”  Now I must wait more.  I’m ready.  The popcorn is already popped!