Ian Butler wrote:


All right, I'll root for Italy too
After all, Spain got theirs two years ago and four years ago!

lokytrew wrote:
I predict that Italy will win and Pirlo will be player of tournament.

sutty68 wrote:


Totally agree with you

9-Ball wrote:
The anti-Spain tilt of the last couple of weeks is interesting. They play undeniably attractive and creative football that reminds one more of Holland from the late 70's but when teams close up like a clam shell it's hard to maintain. Then people call THEM boring, rather than the 'we-must-not-lose' opposition. And lest we never forget, "If God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, he'd have put grass up there." Brian Clough, on the importance of passing to feet.

Of course, they do lack a cutting edge striker, given Torres long history of both being wildly overrated and then wildly unproductive. It tends to compress their MF and they're not without weaknesses.

From their first game onward, Spain and Italy were clearly the most entertaining to watch and most effective teams in this tournament. I will, as always, be cheering for the beloved Azzurri because I love their mix of stoic defense and incisive attack with the same dose of flair. Regardless, I for one am glad the two most positive teams in a not terribly impressive tournament made it to the final.