So we're at the semi final stage of Euro 2012 and the drama has been ratcheted up. The last quarter final (England v Italy) and the first semi final both went to dramatic penalty shoot outs. Similarly dramatic as I've said but vastly differing in a few ways.
Firstly the outcome of penalties in the England match seemed slightly unfair given the massive domination of the Italians and the many many chances they had (and squandered) to win. England seemed to shut up shop, park the bus and hope that their defensive strategy would pan out. Somehow, it did. But alas (for them) unlike the Champions League justice was not happy to take a back seat and allow the small matter of footballing principle to be trampled all over. The penalty shootout was an absolute classic, a stone cold stunner in dramatic terms. Mario Balotelli stepped up first and dispatched it very coolly. Steven Gerrard did likewise. Then Ricardo Montolivo missed, put it wide of the post and Wayne Rooney scored. Suddenly it got real. Then up stepped Andrea Pirlo. Surely Italy's man of the tournament so far. Cometh the hour cometh the man. And boy did he. A prduced a chip of such outrageous, stunning audacity that must have taken adamantine nerves. It was one the best penalties I've ever seen, the technique, the timing, everything. And it unsettled the opposition. The very next kick Ashley Young sent cannoning off the crossbar. Antonio Nocerino dispatched his in a classic, no fuss manner and then Cashley came forward and Gigi Buffon stepped up. It was a solid, calm and quality save from Gigi and it sealed it for the Azzurri. Alessandro Diamanti scored the winner but Gigi was the victor (and Andrea too of course.) As for England, well all I can say is that penalties are a lottery and if you play for them you have to accept the outcome. They've only just got a new manager so patience is required and though there has been a slight improvement, there is still a LOT to do. In contrast to this game, there was last night's match beetwen Portugal and Spain. From what I saw, their match was a lot closer and a lot more cagey. A lot of passing and frustration. One team would gain the upper hand, then get pegged back. There was a sense of inevitability about it going to penalties as there didn't seem a lot between them and neither team seemed capable of making the necessary breakthrough. There was an early miss in this shootout too as Xabi Alonso Spain's first volunteer had his penalty saved. Credit to the keeper too because Alonso didn't hold back on the power and really thundered it in so it took a strong save to stop it. Iker Casillas made a save of his own staright afterwards although Joao Moutinho's penalty wasn't as strong annd I think his daft little run up migh have ruined it for him. Iniesta dispatched his simply to make it two one. Then the interesting tactical selections really kicked in. Pepe scored an uncharacteristically cultured shot into the corner followed by Pique just managing to beat Rui Patricio. Then came the decisive moment, Bruno Alves set off to take his penalty and was already almost at the box when Nani suddenly came running up behind him and sent him back to the half way line before lashing in his penalty. It was a curious decision and it got curioser. Enter Sergio Ramos. The entire collective audience gasps a sharp intake of breath. We were all thinking of his balloned penalty in the champion's league final, massively over the bar. But he proves us all wrong, in what may have been one of the best moments of the entire tournament, he chips the ball over the keeper. Sergio Ramos chips a penalty. Successfully. Not just successfully, stylishly even. Allow the enormmity of that to sink in. Then allow the further enormity of Bruno Alves stepping back up after being sent back by Nani to settle upon you. Its no wonder the poor guy hit the bar. His nerve was shot, it was pretty clear. It was a colossal tactical error that settled the shootout and left Ronaldo useless and obsolete, unable to take his penalty, crying 'injustice.' Which is silly, because it wasn't injustice. He should have had the nerve to stand up at the beginning and take one rather than sending defenders first. End of.
TRUEEEEE
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