Group C

[Luka]

And the stats also prove it, as it is mentioned in belows article.

Heck. Even their own nation has doubts of progressing.

The Spanish press, and the Spanish nation in general, believe that the country have no chance of defeating Italy in this Sunday’s Euro 2008 quarter final.

The two European giants will meet in the last eight after Italy sneaked through last night on the back of a 2-0 win over France.

While Spain are certainly in better form going into the game, Italy have an outstanding record against them, having not lost a competitive game against La Seleccion since 1920.

"Oh Mamma Mia!", was the headline of the newspaper El Mundo.

"They are an invincible enemy," wrote Publico.

ABC meanwhile are worried that the notorious slow-starters Italy are building up speed just at the right time.

The Spanish population as a whole are also not to confident of their nation’s chances of success, and 60 per cent, according to an Internet poll published by the newspaper El Pais, believe that Italy will win the game.

The match will be played on June 22, which is considered as something of a “cursed” day in Spain, as it was on this exact day that they were eliminated in three penalty shootouts, against Belgium in the 1986 World cup, against England at EURO 1996 and against South Korea at the 2002 World Cup.

 

[Azzkikr]

I know, and they should, since they always choke, just like Holland.

But this year is different.

Italy is hardly the class squad they were a few years ago. Totti most importantly is gone, and now Pirlo and Gattuso are suspended from this game. Toni has missed 250 good chances as well, and their defense is hardly worldclass anymore. Its not Nesta - canna(or matrix in form) anymore, its Panucci/barzagli - Chiellini, hardly a defense that scares an in-form Villa in any way thats for sure. On top of that, Donadoni is hardly a tactician that can make the difference either.

Italy simply doesnt have worldclass players all over anymore, and their team doesnt gell like it used to either.

They are deffinetly huge underdogs for this game, they will most likely be sendt packing and Donadoni get his dismissal after this game.

 

[rockball]

I would prefer to have reports saying Spain are confident this time and Italy are not good. They haven't got the players and the important ones are out suspended.

Hate to say it, but this could be the time when Spain do beat Italy.

 

[Luka]

Italy is hardly the class squad they were a few years ago. Totti most importantly is gone, and now Pirlo and Gattuso are suspended from this game. Toni has missed 250 good chances as well, and their defense is hardly worldclass anymore. Its not Nesta - canna(or matrix in form) anymore, its Panucci/barzagli - Chiellini, hardly a defense that scares an in-form Villa in any way thats for sure. On top of that, Donadoni is hardly a tactician that can make the difference either.

I can easily agree with all of that.

As the rest of your post, I can't say the same, but it's not like I'm completely disagreeing, or don't know what are you pointing at.

Italy simply doesnt have worldclass players all over anymore, and their team doesnt gell like it used to either.

They don't have as many world class players as they used to, but that's where the teamplay comes in place. Spain had on most of the tournaments one of the bests, and still flop each and mostly everytime.

They didn't gell well up to now, agreed. But I said already, Italy and Germany is the type of a team, that's playing better and better over the games. That's their strength, because with everygame, their teamplay improves, and it is on top in the final stages.

I think they will be at their best in the game against Spain, and if they will get past them, they will be better in semi-final, and reach their peak in the final.

But I must agree, Spain looks very impressive this year.

They are deffinetly huge underdogs for this game[...]

They do? I think that article points out at the other direction. (?)

 

[Azzkikr]

That article means jackshit.

Every bookmaker in the world will agree that spain are comfortable favourites.

 

[Luka]

Well maybe Spain will be favourites. But that will make Italy slight underdogs, not huge underdogs.

But I don't think it will happen. Spain was monstrous in group stages, but that's not the first time, they've done that, and bookies knows this well. Also group stages will be over after today, and won't matter anymore, now it is a knockout games, and Italy has HUGE, huge, experience in those, and bookies knows this also.

You make me wonder, and probably check the bookies before that game, because I'm curious to see, if I'm just a little right :>

 

[Hammoudi]

Spain will beat themselves it seems, I agree with Luka that their confidence is low the second they knew they will face Italy. Technically speaking, Spain should win, but Italy has the pedigree to beat anyone even if Gli Azzurri are playing with 5 men.

If Italy beat Spain, then I think they will make it all the way to the final. Like I mentioned after their first game, they start slowly but make it somehow.

 

[Alex de Large]

Spain don't have no one like De Rossi or Toni, we will lose.

 

[rockball]

All this talk that is underplaying Spain will do them a lot of good. They themselves don't believe they can beat Italy. But this time it just might happen.