Euro 2012 Final: Spain vs Italy – Rants

How many times I should start by saying I am no Nostradamus? But I know you. You want to hear me say it so I can be axed later on, so here it is: Spain 3-1 Italy.

Now let the fireworks start. No? How about the following:

• The match will be EYEGASMIC
• Xavi and Pirlo in one game is a treat for every football lover
• Buffon vs Casillas: First time in the history of Euro Finals where the two captains are the goalkeepers
• Balotelli and Torres (if he started): The show of moody and if I may say, arrogant, strikers
• Spain to redeem respect and remain faithful to its style
• Italy’s defence misses the likes of Nesta

I have nothing to preview on the tactics and the game itself. I will not say that Pirlo alone is taking the Italians to glory. I will not believe that Spain is boring. I will not say I am afraid of the explosive Balotelli or the awesome Iniesta. I just want to see EYEGASMIC football before football goes into a month and a half of rest.

Euro 2012: Last Four

Four more days, four more teams, and the Euro 2012 will be decided. Portugal vs Spain and Germany vs Italy are the two games of the semi finals stage before we know who will compete on the final day.

Many previews are online and offline. Just type “euro 2012” in any search engine and you will get better ideas than the one you are reading now. I am not here to analyze tactics and predict scores. In here, and in this post, I have a couple of things to say:

• If Portugal qualifies to the final game, Cristiano Ronaldo will win the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2012; Messi second, Iniesta or anyone else third. If they don’t, Messi will win it among huge controversy.
• Spain will remain faithful to their style, but refereeing might be one factor to decide their remaining games.
• Germany might dominate Italy, tiredness is one thing that the Italians are suffering from.
• Defence line of the Germans is not as solid, yet, Hummels is, so far.
• Balotelli can be the new hero if he managed to score. He’s been wasteful.

Whatever happens, and whoever wins, football is the one on the losing end, as we have to wait over a month to see some European football action after the Euro. Don’t tell me the Olympics will make up for the emptiness. I want real football action. What is real for me might never be offered anytime soon.

No relevance? I don’t think so. He wins we hail. End.

Euro 2012: Vote for your team

The Euro 2012 is one week away from unveiling the winner. Here is a quick poll to choose your favorite.

Euro 2012: Italy and Holland to Qualify Only If…

When Russia was playing Greece on the last day of the Group Stage of Euro 2012, I also got confused about the permutations and who will qualify in case of what. So do not blame yourself if you found it confusing too. It is all about the “Regulations of the  UEFA European Football Championship 2010-2012” and more specifically section 8.07 which you can find here.

In any case, and to make things easier, here are the permutations and the scenarios that will decide the future of Italy, Holland (the Netherlands), Portugal, and Denmark, and their progress to the quarter-finals stage.

Holland (The Netherlands):

• ONLY a win against Portugal will revive their chances. A draw or a loss will eliminate them.
• The win is also conditional: A +2 goal difference, and a loss for Denmark against Germany.
• Any change in any of these conditions will see them out.

Portugal:

• Any win against Holland means they qualify.
• A draw qualifies them only if Denmark loses to Germany.
• A loss qualifies them only if Denmark loses to Germany.

Denmark:

• A win qualifies Denmark, a loss eliminates them
• A draw qualifies Denmark only if Holland beats Portugal

Italy:

• Any win against Ireland AND a 0-0 draw for Croatia and Spain, qualifies Italy
• A +2 goal difference win (except 2-0) AND a 1-1 draw for Croatia and Spain, qualifies Italy
• Any win against Ireland AND a 2-2 draw for Croatia and Spain, eliminates Italy
• A loss or a draw eliminates Italy.

I hope this explained all the scenarios in a simple manner, and please let me know if you had any more questions or things to clarify. If you are not yet sure, here is a link for the standings, and you are welcome to make your oqn permutations.

Italy is afraid that Spain draws Croatia 2-2, but does Italy deserve to qualify?

FC Barcelona vs AC Milan – UEFA Champions League 2011/2012 Kick-Off

While the Barcelona hardcore fanatics were preparing eggs and watermelons (just because I am a big fan of watermelons) to throw at the big mouth Swedish, an official statement from Milanello emerged that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is “no longer part of the squad after picking up an injury” during the last training session. Bummer! Yet, we can enjoy eating them watermelons.

FC Barcelona vs AC Milan will kick off on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at 20:45 CET (18:45 GMT – 22:45 Dubai Time) in the Camp Nou. It will be the first game of the UEFA Champions League season 2011/2012 for both teams.

The game, which is awaited by millions of fans around the globe, will be a joy for football. Yet, I don’t see it as the defining moment in both teams’ campaigns. It will be anything but that. It is a game in the group stage, of a group that has Bate Borisov and Viktoria Plzeň. How hard can that be?

In details, about the game and what to expect out of it, note the following:

For real;

1. Messi will play his first official game against AC Milan
2. Guardiola will field his best 11 because he rested most of them in the weekend
3. Pique and Alexis Sanchez will not be available due to injury
4. Mexès, Gattuso, Ibrahimovic, Robinho, and Inzaghi are injured for Milan
5. If Barcelona loses the game, the media will forget that Guardiola won 11 titles in 3 years
6. If Barcelona draws, Allegri will be the new Saint of the City of Milan

For whatever;

1. If the final score was below 5-0 for Barcelona, Kevin Prince Boateng will moonwalk dance
2. Mourinho will have a statement that Zlatan’s injury is just another masterpiece by UNICEF
3. Galliani will bring photos of his team’s 7 European Cups and distribute them at the Camp Nou entrance
4. If you were in the stadium, make sure you don’t mention 1994, or you’ll not go back home
5. At halftime, Italian immigration will arrest Thiago Alcantara claiming he fled playing for Italy
6. A special trophy from the senior citizens of Barcelona will be presented to the aging Milan squad

Don’t mind the above; just embrace yourself for yet again a great football display.

Força Barça!

It is not the right time to avenge the 1994 for Barcelona, but victory will be sweet

LNFR – Panic Shopping

In some many occasions, all I wanted is a good afternoon with great football display from two teams. I have recently been disappointed. It is only Barcelona who is consistent with some football out of this universe. In the meantime, the Premier League presents brilliant matches but not great team displays. Magic moments are temporary, but great performers are forever. On that note, the European Clubs are getting busier everyday to sign the saviors and the game changers. Even Mourinho, with his Cristina, are searching for a striker, when one would ask: Why Barcelona, who has Bojan as the substitute, is not? For a team to make history, you don’t need to do a panic shopping when Higuain is injured for instance. Twelve days to go, and the window closes.

1. Ryan Babel is set to leave to Hoffenheim. It is said that in the Bundesliga Twitter is not blocked.
   

   Beware: "ooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! moc moccc!!!!!"

2. Luis Suarez might be joining Liverpool soon. Someone must have been reading my “Ode on a Striker”.
3. On a True or False session by Goal.com, Messi answered the question:” Would you rather quit football than join Real Madrid?” by saying: “That’s never going to happen but yes, I would retire from football.” Few Good Men was not only in the movies.
4. Pienaar is set to join Tottenham. Everyone wants European action.
5. Giuseppe Sculli signed for Lazio. Maybe this time he will get a call-up to the national team.
6. Javier Zanetti equaled Bergomi’s number of 519 appearances. Respect for the Il Capitano.
   

   The best transfer Moratti has ever achieved

7. Darren Bent moved to Aston Villa. It seems we will see more of Asamoah Gyan.
8. Franz Beckenbauer, among many others, has started a war against Mourinho. It is only because of destiny and good karma that a Mourinho-less Inter will play against Bayern this year.
9. Diego Maradona is happy that Messi comparison is growing bigger by the day. He says this will finally stop the people from comparing Pelé to himself. Genius!
10. Everyone loves Romelu Lukaku, among whom is Mourinho, who wants van Nistelrooy, too, and why not Raúl?
11. Gabriel Milito is staying because as Guardiola says, he is one of the best professionals he has ever known. (for the full details of the image below, you can visit Mundo Albiceleste post here.
    

    Life after Barcelona

LNFR – A Bit Commercial?

I didn’t imagine that Messi will be doing underwear ads. Not that the guy is not famous or good looking, but he is not a Cristina. Cristina deserved that more. Anyhow, here is today’s #LNF; check all here>>

Et tu, Brute?