The second semi-final kicks off at a quarter to eight this evening, with the Germans taking on Italy - the team that knocked England out of the tournament. Last night's semi between Portugal and Spain ended in penalties, after both sides failed to find the goal in 120 minutes. It was Spain that eventually went through, meaning whoever wins this match will face them in the final on Sunday. So far, all the predictions about a Germany vs Spain final are working out, but can Italy put a stop to that today?
Germany vs Italy (Semi-final)
Published by Christine Blachford on
Evening all / anyone.
Time for Semi-Final 2: Return of the Ridiculous Italian Formation.
Hello football.
One of the German papers a few days ago already published a match report for a German win.
Excellent. Germans showing hubris has never backfired before.
I am enjoying the banter tonight.
I'm surprised Martin Keown is on the touchline. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ACcNOlN4rw
He's trying his best to stand behind Jake.
ahh, i'm gonna miss this. we need motd threads ;)
genius
How long is it until we have a thread for commenting on other threads?
:)
predictions then? am gonna say 2-2 and penalties.
3-2 Italy.
GER 3-1
8-0 Italy. Unfounded optimism.
This is all getting rather meta
We could call it Threadception.
Oh no, they've got the anthems the wrong way around. Silly UEFA.
If the anthems were the other way round, it would be like reliving the Schumi at Ferrari times.
Nightmares.
:)
The F1 National Anthem!
Shock and Awww.
Isn't that the song they play as the champers gets sprayed everywhere?
hehe, smiley fail.
That's also part of it.
Uhoh - the Germans reading a RESPECT message while stood in Poland.
Ô to get sent off?
ha!
*green flag*
:)
Amazing sunglasses that man!
Evening all
*nods*
Hi
In that case, I predict a goal.
Pirlo bails Buffon out. Steven almost caused another goal.
Very un-Buffon like.
de Rossi still has one long sleeve and one short. Weird.
Just tried reading up on this. Apparently he does the same thing for Roma. There are various theories but the most believable is that he had one of his best games ever for Roma when someone ripped off one of his sleeves so he decided to adopt the one long, one short look
he's a fool.
He has some rather ugly tattoos - which explains why there is tape on the other arms as well.
http://www.glamour.de/var/condenast/storage/images/stars/star-news/fussball-fakten/daniele-de-rossi2/10884539-1-ger-DE/daniele-de-rossi_gallery_large_portrait_scale.jpg
Footballers in general are ludicrously superstitious. They make Alex Wurz odd boots and gloves seem normal
The one on his right arm is definitely one of the Teletubbies.
Someone did suggest that as a reason but I would have thought in that case he would just wear long sleeves
Eh-oh!
That one is apparently because his daugther loves them and it has the words to the song that he sings her to sleep with.
The best one of the lot has to be this: data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgAB...
Whaaaa
Will^ is commenting via the Matrix.
Most original comment in ages
Will^, that was the best, funniest comment ever!
Somebody unplug me
gooooooal
GOAL !!
Balotelli scored. This is about to get very interesting
Di Natale would have scored two by now...
whooops.
Two defenders - one striker and he gets a free header
*hangs head*
this one?
http://news.orf.at/static/images/site/news/20120624/fussballer_taetowierungen_mode_body01_rossi_r.2152570.jpg
Yup - can you read that screed of 'data'?
yep
He really is in the matrix. I think he controls the matrix
Evening. I was following along thinking I might bail out if it was as tedious as yesterday, will watch a bit longer now! Great for Italy.
The Hoff pinned his colours to the mast https://twitter.com/DavidHasselhoff/status/218419200966918145/photo/1
bless him.
This game has gone a bit flat since Italy scored
Great cross
Great defending
shot! oh.
Nice easy save.
WOW!!!
WOW
2-0 Italy
Incredible
!!!
Beautiful
Fab goal!
that was a shot.
OH my
how did he not score against us?
And the announcer called him Super Mario!
That was a fabulously well timed run to leave the defenders trailling
Bingo!
For those who are interested from yesterday, the German 'pretty boy' is Khedira.
Glad you cleared that up. Who won the guessing game?
Darn, I was so confident it was Hummels.
Gavin I think
Cassano injured. Nice time for Juve's own Giovinco or Tony Christmas on.
Mark Lawrensen doesn't seem to acknowledge you can get injured by landing dodgy.
I don't think he is injured. Rolled around way too much
I think Super Mario has been eating his mushrooms before kickoff!
good first half.
Not quite the score I was expecting at the end of the first half
germany need the same next half :)
My 8-0 prediction is still on.
No chance of GER 3-1, another reason to get my coat.
Just realised I have barely heard the commentator say Pirlo's name
That's because they pronounce it wrong.
weird kickoff. camera missed it.
terrible defending there.
Germany haven't conceded first in a competitive match (inc qualis) since the 3/4 place playoff (v Uruguay) in 2010 WC.
Horribly wasteful finishing by the Germans.
chaos in the box
Italy are defending dangerously. They love shutting up shop.
jeez, leaving ti so late.
Odd to see Cassano run off when they are winning
save!!
Very nice all ways round
hell of a free kick.
Far better than Ronaldo
Anybody know why the Italians have the black armbands tonight?
For someone who died in Afghanistan.
Ah ha.
Diamanti's effort can be described as ambitious.
I think I will look for a tee shirt with a picture of pasta on it so that I don't look like such a messy eater
:)
Now that is how you do a proper time wasting substitution
what's the max time that can be added on? :)
:)
It may have been the mentions of Italy or subconciously hoping the supposed 'underdog' would win, but I have pizza. Anyone got wurst and saurkraut?
30s per subst is the usual metric.
Whatever the referee wants. He can play all night if he likes. Generally you get 3 minutes if you are lucky unless you are manchester United where you might get 8
And injuries and players moaning that a red card has/hasn't been given.
Yeah it's usually 30s per subst and then all the time for everything else that's stopped play etc.
I'm in the curious position of hoping Germany scores.
Likewise - it would turn the rest of the match into more of a contest - ITA are too comfortable atm
Fantastic miss.
Super Mario would've scored that
He did exactly the same thing earlier.
+1 shot of gin
I go out for dinner and Italy score 2 goals. What reality is this?
apparently germany are worse than us. who knew?
Half of Warsaw seems to be a hockey rink.
That sounds a bit too BBC pundit ,)
Now that was pathetic
Was he slipping again though
Deary, deary me.
And that miss is why Spain will win the tournament ;)
Great shot by Lahm
Like they were exceptionally good at finishing yesterday.
The final has all the makings of a 0-0.
Still think Spain will win by 2 or 3
I really thought Germany would clamp down on them in the 2nd half
To be honest, when was the last major final that had more than two goals in them? Usually cagey games.
@realtimoglock: It's not looking food for us!
Agreed. And with two of the cagiest teams too!
Hummels should have scored
ooooooooooooh. so close for germany.
Totally freaks me out when the goalkeeper comes out to play because there's nothing to lose.
+4mins
handball!
Oh hello, hello, hello.
Consolation PEN?
fair call.
Ice hockey would freak you out more. They take the goalie off and sub him with a forward
Great penalty
pressure!!
Now what can they do with what's left?
Who ^^ said 2-2?
moi.
Italy defence panics
excellent keeping :) :)
Neuer ie a two footed goalkeeper. That is unusual
Keepers need to do more diving headers.
My favourite piece of keeping ever.
Germany literally employing rush goalie now.
10 seconds ...
Higuita scorpion kick has to be my favourite
love this.
awwwwwww
Wow - tense!
Unbelievable
great ending.
Germany must look very stupid for taking it short there.
Here's hoping it's not a repeat of the 1-1 we saw all those matches ago.
Yes it is real and it was a real match
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56m5aARbNPo&feature=fvst
I almost choked on my chips when I saw it live
5 players tied for Golden Boot now, as well.
I just can't believe Germany were not able to beat Italy. Italy played well to be fair
Just thinking - ITA could've missed out on the 1/4s. #biscotto
An enjoyable game after two dire ones. See you all for the final.
cheers all. one more to go :)
3/4 playoff?
if there is, it's not on our list.
They got rid of that years ago. At least UEFA saw it was a worthless match.
I can see it is irrelevant, but I was looking forward to it regardless.