Prediction of Spain vs Italy

Euro 2012 has reached its crescendo. Spain and Italy are the last teams standing, and on Sunday they will come together in a clash of footballing cultures that will have a global audience in the hundreds of millions hanging on their every pass.

Spain are the defending European champions and reigning World Cup winners. Vicente del Bosque's revered pass masters can make history by winning a third successive major title in Kiev, Ukraine, and will be favorites to make it happen.

But Cesare Prandelli's Italy have already done for England and Germany in the knockout stages of Euro 2012, and inspired by midfielder Andrea Pirlo—arguably the player of the tournament so far—deservedly earned a shot to knock Spain off their throne.

Routes to the Final

Spain and Italy both came through Group C. The two teams drew 1-1 in their opening game of Euro 2012, with Antonio Di Natale's opener for the Italians—set up by an inspired play from Pirlo—cancelled out by an equalizer from Cesc Fabregas.

The Spanish enjoyed a 4-0 win against a weak Republic of Ireland side in the second round of group games. Fernando Torres helped himself to a brace, with the other goals coming from David Silva and Fabregas. Meanwhile, Italy were held 1-1 by Croatia after going ahead through a curling free kick from Pirlo.

It was all to play for in the final round of group matches. Spain's nerve was tested by Croatia, but eventually they prevailed thanks to a late winner from substitute Jesus Navas and won the group. Italy came through in the second spot thanks to a 2-0 win against Ireland, with goals from Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli.

Despite outplaying England and creating a host of chances, Italy failed to score and needed penalties to see them off in the quarterfinals. Spain were relatively untroubled in a 2-0 win against France—with Xabi Alonso scoring both goals, the second from the penalty spot.

In the semifinals, Spain triumphed in a penalty shootout against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal after a 0-0 draw. Italy beat much-fancied Germany 2-1, with an inspired Balotelli scoring both goals to send his team through to the final.

What to Expect

Spain's game is all about possession and fluid movement. With imperious Barcelona duo Andres Iniesta and Xavi at their hub, the Spanish have built a dynasty of success on their tiki-taka passing style. The approach calls on all 10 outfield players to keep the ball moving until spaces appear in the final third. When they do, Spain go for the kill.

Italy's game plan relies heavily on Pirlo, who operates as a deep-lying playmaker and performs a quarterback-style role the Italians call "regista." The Italians are hard to break down, with Daniele De Rossi tasked with shielding their back four, and very dangerous on the counterattack. We can expect Balotelli and Cassano to start up front in the final.

Possible Starting Lineups

SPAIN: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba, Busquets, Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Silva, Fabregas

ITALY: Buffon, Chiellini, Balzaretti, Barzagli, Bonucci, Marchisio, De Rossi, Pirlo, Montolivo, Balotelli, Cassano

Head-to-Head Record

Spain and Italy have played 26 competitive matches in total (as per FIFA), with eight wins for Italy, seven for Spain and 11 draws.

Recent Major Tournament Meetings
- Spain 1-1 Italy, Euro 2012 Group C
- Spain 0-0 Italy (Spain won on pens), Euro 2008 quarterfinal
- Italy 2-1 Spain, World Cup 1994 quarterfinal

Prediction

Everything points to the final being extremely tight. Both sides are well organized defensively and unlikely to concede much space in midfield—where I expect the match to be decided.

In a game of small margins, I'm picking Italy to cause an upset. Spain haven't been at their best at Euro 2012, and based on Italy's performance against Germany I think they come into the game with the greater momentum.

Unsurprisingly, I think Pirlo will be key to their success. Spain are unlikely to assign a man to mark him, and that will leave the 33-year-old with time and space to plot their downfall. If Italy can catch Spain on the break, they have a strike pair in Balotelli and Cassano who can punish them.

I see Italy winning it 1-0.

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Luka Modric Looking to Leave

Croatian midfielder Luka Modric has confirmed he wants to leave Tottenham Hotspur, according to reports out of Spain cited byESPNSoccernet.

Spanish paper Marca quoted Modric as saying, "I'm going to play in the Champions League, I want to win that competition. I'm not going to be able to achieve my dream here."

The Sun reckons Modric will cost about £30 million, and the Daily Mail reports that Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin could be part of a swap deal.

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Beckham Out of Olympic Team

Beckham won't be in Olympic

David Beckham won't play Olympic football this summer.

Beckham, a former England captain, has been left out of manager Stuart Pearce's 18-man Great Britain squad for the 2012 Summer Olympics, which will be held later this summer in London.

Beckham, a 37-year-old midfielder, made the 35-man shortlist but was not chosen as one of the three players over age 23 allowed on each team.

From the Associated Press, via the Washington Post:

Beckham had been widely expected to be selected for the Olympic squad after playing an instrumental role in helping Sebastian Coe and his team win the bid in 2005 to host the Olympic Games.

“As a Londoner, I will have been really proud to have played a small part in bringing the Olympics to my home town as part of Seb’s team, and I can’t wait for the games to begin and enjoy every moment along with the rest of Great Britain,” Beckham said.

According to the AP article, sources indicate that Great Britain's three overage players will be Manchester United and Wales midfielder Ryan Giggs (38), Liverpool and Wales forward Craig Bellamy (32) and Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards (24).

Should Beckham have been selected for Great Britain's Olympic team?

Giggs and Beckham were teammates at Manchester United from 1993-2003 after both came through the club's youth system.

Beckham, England's most-capped field player with 115 appearances, last played for the Three Lions in 2009. He joined the Galaxy of Major League Soccer in 2007 after spells withReal Madrid and Manchester United.

So, readers, what do you think? Did Pearce get it right or wrong in leaving out Beckham? Let me know in the comments, and be sure to vote in the poll.

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Italy Shocked the World

Italy shocked the world in dramatic fashion on Thursday in Warsaw, knocking out Germany in the Euro 2012 semifinals, 2-1.

Behind Mario Balotelli's two goals, the Italians held a comfortable lead for most of the match before Mesut Ozil converted a penalty shot in stoppage time.

By then, however, time was running out for the Germans and they suffered a defeat that will surely haunt them for years to come.

The Italians didn't waste any time in their spectacular upset of Germany on Thursday.

In the early going, Giorgio Chiellini fed Antonio Cassano on the left side of the pitch. After splitting two German defenders with some excellent footwork, Cassano quickly swung a cross that curved around the defense and met Mario Balotelli, who headed the ball into the net from point-blank range in the 20th minute.

Cassano deserves a wealth of credit for that goal with some beautiful play on the ball, but it is Balotelli who will ultimately be remembered in a fantastic showing for the Italians.

While the Italians' first goal was more a product of excellent offense than Germany's defense, Mario Balotelli's second goal was almost handed to him.

German captain and defender Philip Lahm simply lost sight of Balotelli as the 21-year-old raced down the center of the pitch.

With Lahm eying Riccardo Montolivo down the pitch, Montolivo lofted a long ball across the field which met an unmarked Balotelli. From there, it was only a matter of Balotelli converting, and that he did, curving a shot into the right corner of the net.

Things certainly got interesting after stoppage time on Thursday. With Italy holding a 2-0 lead, Federico Balzaretti was whistled for a handball in the 92nd minute.

That led to Mesut Ozil curling the ball into right of the net from the spot of the penalty, helping to solidify him as one of Germany's best players in the tournament.

But as Germany desperately tried for an equalizer with time ticking—and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer moved up to midfield to help out—the final whistle blew, and the favorites had been knocked out of the match and the tournament.

Italy will now face Spain in the Euro 2012 final on Sunday at Olympic Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine.

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Ronaldo - We were unlucky

Cristiano Ronaldo claimed he was leaving home with his head held tall following Portugal were brushed aside from Euro 2012 by Spain on penalties.

Following a goalless 120 minutes, Spain secured their berth in the final by captivating the shoot-out 4-2 through Ronaldo, actually having been listed to catch the fifth penalty, watching on.

The Portuguese skipper was not at his superlative however demonstrated hints of form and also missed a huge opportunity to settle the contest for Portugal in the last moments of regular time.

He said in O Jogo: "It's always painful losing on penalties but penalties are always a lottery and the one who has the best luck wins.

"It was a good Euro. We played the four best teams. We're going out a bit frustrated because we could have gone to the final but we were unlucky.

"I gave my best as I always have done and that's why I'm happy with my own contribution.

"We must be proud because we played well but we didn't have the luck we needed."

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Ronaldo stirs Portugal into Euro last eight

Ronaldo leaded Portugal to Semi-final

22 June 2012, Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal into the semi-finals of the European Championships at the outlay of the Czech Republic in Warsaw.

Cristiano Ronaldo was the conqueror as his delayed header gave Portugal a justified 1-0 triumph over the Czech Republic and sent his team into the last eight of Euro 2012.

Portugal were the superior team all the way through however were prepared to labor for the triumph through a obstinate Czech side pleased to play on the counter-offensive.

Following innumerable wasted chances, excellent job from Joao Moutinho ultimately led to the get through.

His twisting cross in the 79th minute establishes the head of Ronaldo, whose sprint had evaded Theodor Gebre Selassie in the box, and the ball flew past Petr Cech.

It was ill-fated for the Czechs that Ronaldo would engage in recreating such a vital figure in their crush as they emerged to have made an excellent work of roasting him in the early on stages.

Ronaldo managed to wangle more room in the last third towards the conclusion of the first-half and he demonstrated fine ability to squirm open merely to strike Cech's near post.

The Czech risk was restricted to infrequent forays keen on the Portugal half, by means of Vaclav Pilar and Petr Jiracek an alternating threat.

Paulo Bento's side were completely prevailing however their extravagance was menacing to demonstrate expensive as Nani in meticulous was culpable of deprived decision-making around the Czech goal.

However immediately as it appeared like Michal Bilek's men may strengthen the competition into extra time, Moutinho's curled cross found Portugal's major guy in the box and his descending header bounced past Cech.

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