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The Final: Spain v Italy

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    The Final: Spain v Italy

    Great, I can go for my walk now. See ya.
    Turn off your computer and don't let the door hit your arse on the way out.

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      The Final: Spain v Italy

      Did that half seem to go by really quickly?

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        The Final: Spain v Italy

        So, Spain's tactic of looking shit all tournament has worked.

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          The Final: Spain v Italy

          Italy is lucky to hit the halftime break here, they really have been on the ropes.

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            The Final: Spain v Italy

            Pirlo's got experience of a major final looking all over at half-time then turning round in the second half. Maybe tonight is his personal retribution for Istanbul.

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              The Final: Spain v Italy

              Italy have had a good share of possession, but Spain have shown them how to make it count.

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                The Final: Spain v Italy

                Jimmy Bignutz wrote:
                Originally posted by dalliance
                Who does performance appraisals on this cock Lawrenson? Surely this bleak, tired sneering negativity is not what any audience demographic wants?
                Well quite, dalliance
                Tournament defining moment.

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                  The Final: Spain v Italy

                  Vialli's really good, isn't he

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                    The Final: Spain v Italy

                    Beltrano Carpinteiro wrote: Balotelli giving us the other side of his semi-final performance.
                    Well, you could say the same about Pirlo. Italy are just being outplayed.

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                      The Final: Spain v Italy

                      Super finish by Alba, clear on the slo-mo that he was telegraphing far post then a quick low finish to the near post, had Buffon completely fooled. That was Xavi that set him up, wasn't it?

                      If Torres comes on in the second, he's going to have some chances, the Italian central defenders are looking very slow.

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                        The Final: Spain v Italy

                        Outstanding football, and Spain have been as entertaining as they have been effective - perhaps because they don't have to play at this level against everyone, but can turn it on when they need.

                        I thought they had a deliberate tactic to put in some long range shots at the start, this pulled the Italians out from their penalty box line later on and the Spanish love to pass in to a runner behind the defensive line.

                        When they play like this, you can also understand why they play without a striker - because the whole team has to defend and press and pass and do everything, and they have no room for dead wood, or to lose 10% of their outfield efficiency. I bet if they had a 2009 era Torres they would play him and adapt their tactics accordingly, but why play someone who is out of form or not up to scratch anyway?

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                          The Final: Spain v Italy

                          Tony C wrote:
                          Originally posted by Beltrano Carpinteiro
                          Balotelli giving us the other side of his semi-final performance.
                          Well, you could say the same about Pirlo. Italy are just being outplayed.
                          Spain are doing a number on Pirlo, I don't think the same is happening to Balotelli.

                          I'm a big fan of his and he's by no means alone in failing to get in the game of course, you're right.

                          Abate has looked totally at sea.

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                            The Final: Spain v Italy

                            Balotelli is just getting in the way, he's fantastic at counters with a bit of space or with the ball near the goal, but not all that good at building up attacks in front of the defense.

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                              The Final: Spain v Italy

                              Can everybody agree to make Alba player of the tournament? Please? (Obviously, Spain does play with a forward, he just plays at left back.)

                              On the other hand, he's quite possibly the only Spanish player with any pace (maybe, Iniesta, fair enough), and the Italian defenders never even got into second gear to keep up with him.

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                                The Final: Spain v Italy

                                This "no international team has ever won three tournaments on the spin" stuff still pisses me off; have the achievements of Uruguay been airbrushed from history or something?

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                                  The Final: Spain v Italy

                                  Italy were given a lot more space and time by England and Germany than Spain are giving them and, as yet, cannot adjust.

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                                    The Final: Spain v Italy

                                    Tony, Uruguay's "problem" is that they lost a few Copa Americas during that period. Same with Brazil later on.

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                                      The Final: Spain v Italy

                                      Tony C wrote: This "no international team has ever won three tournaments on the spin" stuff still pisses me off; have the achievements of Uruguay been airbrushed from history or something?
                                      Uru-who?

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                                        The Final: Spain v Italy

                                        Di Natale could have changed the whole game there.

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                                          The Final: Spain v Italy

                                          Sean of the Shed wrote:
                                          Originally posted by Tony C
                                          This "no international team has ever won three tournaments on the spin" stuff still pisses me off; have the achievements of Uruguay been airbrushed from history or something?
                                          Uru-who?
                                          Uru 1930

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                                            The Final: Spain v Italy

                                            I wonder if this Spanish performance backs up the tiredness theory for their lack of spark in the rest of the tournament?

                                            In that, with at least six weeks or so before their next game, the players are finally giving everything they had been holding in reserve in the games up until now knowing they will get some kind of rest after their exertions.

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                                              The Final: Spain v Italy

                                              They pace themselves well as good tournament teams do.

                                              What a reverse pass that was by Pirlo for Di Natale.

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                                                The Final: Spain v Italy

                                                Terrible Di Natale, you were looking along the line.

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                                                  The Final: Spain v Italy

                                                  This is is the best played tournament final in many years. Both skilful and exciting.

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                                                    The Final: Spain v Italy

                                                    credit to prandelli there.

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