Euro 2008 Quarter-Finals Day Four

[Newshound]

22 June 2008<br>
<br>
SPAIN 0<br>
ITALY 0<br>
<br>
As expected, and if you expected anything else you're an idiot, this match was constipated in midfield. The tedium was briefly lifted late in the half. With 'chances' for either side. Cassano, who spent the match playing for himself, managed to beat Ramos before curling a left foot cross to the centre circle but Toni's header bounced off Marchena to safety. Silva's long range shot, one of many by the Spanish, flew a couple of feet wide of Buffon's left post. Italy finally got a break from a referee when Silva theatrically dived into the box following a mistimed tackle by Grosso outside it.<br>
<br>
We had to wait an hour for the first genuine chance. De Rossi lobbed a delightful pass over the Spanish defence after he had a shot charged down, Camoranesi flicked the ball towards Toni, his shot was blocked by Casillas, Puyol and Marchena challenged the striker for the rebound but they all missed, Camoranesi shot on the turn but Casillas made a fantastic save with his feet. Buffon almost literally handed Spain the lead. Senna latched onto a loose ball and let rip from 30 yards, Buffon caught the ball then let it slip from his grasp, it bounced against the inside of the right post and he safely recovered. The useless Luca Toni attempted an overhead kick with Grosso better placed.<br>
<br>
In extra time Silva rifled a loose ball just wide of Buffon's right post. Zambrotta put in a cross from the right and fortunately for Italy this time Toni didn't connect, Di Natale did, Casillas made a fantastic one handed save. Cazorla should have won it in the last minute. Running on fellow substitute Guiza's reverse pass he dragged a shot/cross wide with Villa just failing to connect.<br>
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Penalty Shoot-Out<br>
<br>
Villa - Driven into the bottom left corner<br>
Grosso - Whipped inside the left post<br>
Cazorla - Another low penalty inside the left post<br>
De Rossi - The fourth straight penalty to the left, incredible save by Casillas<br>
Senna - Down the middle into the roof of the net<br>
Camoranesi - The first penalty to find the right corner<br>
Guiza - Low and right of centre, Buffon saves<br>
Di Natale - Almost a carbon copy of Guiza's penalty with the same result<br>
Fabregas - Bottom right, Buffon goes the wrong way. Goodnight Vienna<br>
<br>
Donadoni is going to get the sack for this long ball crap. Toni was pathetic, constantly diving and looking for fouls. The BBC's commentary was an absolute disgrace, using all the cliches about how Italy were playing defensive. Italy in fact had the better chances and only marginally less possession. Spain did what they always do i.e. aimlessly pass the ball around in midfield and create little. At some point during the match Di Natale, who came on for Cassano midway through the second half, was tackled, rolled off the pitch and when the ref didn't blow his whistle to stop play rolled back. Tosser. Karma is a bitch.<br>
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Spain win 4-2 on penalties.<br>
<br>
Attendance : 48,000<br>
Assists : n/a<br>

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