So Spain it is, congratulations to the team and to the 6 winners of this poll.

Spain won in a brilliant way, they were the much better team and scored two brilliant goals. Only pity that the match was effectively decided after 60 minutes when Italy lost Motta, wile trailing 0-2.

Regarding goal-line technology according to my newspaper UEFA is still preferring the additional goal referees. I don´t know why, because to me it simply seems to be a waste of valuable human resources for a less reliable answer.

It is a very rare exeption that it´s doubtful wether the ball has passed the goalline or not. In the Euro we had ONE case in 34 games - which might still be above average. This means, it comes down to one second of decisive action against a whole tournament of useless stand-by. Which might explain why the referee got it wrong in the game. It is very hard to keep your senses sharp, when nothing happens most of the time.

Imo this argument rules out the only "Where will it stop-?" question of UEFA. I don´t mind that regular decisions are still decided by human means, especially offside calls, even if they are proved wrong.

Video proof is still useful for things the referee cannot see. Apart from goalline questions it should be used for carding players when they commited serious fouls which could not be seen by the referee in the game (e.g. the Zinedine-foul from WM-final 2006).

Regarding the All-Euro-Euro, I don´t like it. The gathering of the teams and the fans in one country creates the spirit of a tourney. Additional it gives a boost to the host country, setting up stadiums and improving infrastructure. You wouldn´t get this if every country has only 1 or 2 games. Sounds like a good idea to me only as an "Emergency plan", if you see that a Euro cannot take place as planned.

Quote:

Spain certainly doesnt have the most shots on target. That is the weird way in which the stats are built up (apparently Van Persie's has 7 attempts on target ).
If you take eg the semi final against Portugal, it went like this: Spain keeps the ball between penalty box and middle line waiting for a moment that they can play a pass behind the defense. That moment never happens and at some point they lose the ball, then within 5 passes the ball is in the Spanish penalty box, sometimes even dangerous. I believe the Portuguese goalie had to act in the 70th minute for the first time. The difference between Barcelona or Madrid is that they lack a proper center forward as a target man or a midfielder that can decide stuff on his own. The times they played with a striker this tournament, they were far more dangerous.
That being said, they have a very good team and if they are able to find holes in the final they could win easily. On the other hand I think the Italian defense is the best in the tournament and they do have 2 guys that can decide games on their own.

PS it is a bit weird that Balotelli isnt ranked as no1 topscorer, since he also scored in the penalties against England.

PPS any opinions about the tv manipulations? Eg the crying German lady when Italy scored, which apparently was during the anthems.

PPPS and UEFA just mentioned that they are so happy with the extra linesmen that the goal line technology isnt necessary. Makes me wonder in combination with the tv manipulations. In any case it makes it quite clear that Fair Play is what others must do,,,

Mortal Games wrote on 06/29/12 at 16:45:35:


No.Entertaining, because we saw two attacking teams. Germanys setup may not have been the best, I agree. But it was still close as numbers prove:

Germany vs. Italy
Goals: 1-2
Attempts: 20-11

So Germany tried hard (we could have tried harder with some changes in the line-up), but Italy surely had the much better chances and was able to convert with Balotelli.

Portugal vs. Spain
Goals: 0-0
Attempts: 11-14

At least twice as much attempts in the game Germany-Italy, if you consider that Portugal and Spain had 120 minutes to play.

Willempies "I only woke up for the penalties" sum the latter game up well. You may argue that this game was of higher quality, but I´d rather watch the lower quality games.

Similar to Anand vs. Gelfand ... some of the less trying slaw matches are already forgotten but for some theoreticans, but we will remember the 8th game for some time - which was just a tactical blunder, if you sum it up.

Kubas 1-1 in POL vs. RUS  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw1e2SYbhvE

The first minutes of the game were very important for the outcome. The Italians appeared physically & mendally tired and made a couple of blunders that fortunately for them didn't cost. After this opening phase, they were the much better team and managed to pull tons of energy (which was amazing to me considering they only had 3,5 rest days).

..and the 2nd goal was one of the best in the tournament - simply perfect! 

Tiki-taka??

The German Angstgegner, Italy, was simply the much better team, 3-0 wouldn't have been unfair at all. 

I was very surprised when Löw substituted Gomez for Klose, if 0-2 vs Italy doesn't justify using two attackers then what will? And if a Gomez in shape couldn't dent the Italian defence, why should a Klose out of form have a better chance to do it alone...?!