Kiev plays host to the final match of this year's tournament, with the expected Spain facing off the unexpected Italy. The latter beat Germany in an impressive turn of events, but will have their work cut out for them this evening. In head to head facts, the BBC report: "Seven of the last 10 matches between Spain and Italy have been 0-0 at half-time." Look out for top strikers Cesc Fabregas and Mario Balotelli, with Super Mario on top form after two goals in the semi final. Whoever wins today takes top honours, and it really is all to play for.
Spain vs Italy (Final)
Published by Christine Blachford on
The final, eh?
FBFB was that the call?
What are we going to do once the football finishes ;)
Ah Euro 2012, you've been fun*.
*average.
heh!
Wait 3 weeks and get all Olympic :D
Which channel are people choosing to watch?
No FBFB. I considered it but it would be useless!
Panic over the transfer window?
BBC build-up. Waiting to see who is commentating for the match though.
I am loathe to make a prediction to avoid jinxing anyone.
I don't mind who wins this one so I'm hoping for some good football to watch
That's my thinking - to avoid Lawro.
There's always option 3, 5Live with Alan Green.... oh.
What does this guys know about football?
Decided to have my own build up by listening to yesterday's Armchair Euros (5 Live programme with Alan Davies)
what's to panic about?
Exactly that.
We don't even have a manger (yet), but there's no doubt going to be eight weeks of rumours linking Modric to every club who can afford to spend £35m+ and Champions League football. The Jan Vertonghen transfer is taking forever and we appear to be signing Gylfi Sigurdsson for a postion where we have many good players. We need about two new strikers, a replacement for Modric and two reserve keepers no doubt. And there's still a lot of deadwood we need to get rid of, for which Levy will no doubt price Jenas at about £10m. Sooooo, lots of panicking.
Is [insert club] going to lose it's stars?
Is [insert club] going to get any great players / good deals?
Is [insert club] going to waste their money up the wall and regret it for the season? ...
Now, I'm "cooking" frozen pizza for my match food. I'm sure there's something I've got to remember to do before I put it in the oven. Can anyone help me?
Hehehehe!
*booom*
Evening. My heart says Italy, head says Spain.
@TheMediaTweets
So far BBC far more popular for the #euro2012 final. US followers watching on ESPN. Somebody must be watching ITV...?
and that has to be sorted by when?
Villas boas isn't it?
Not yet confirmed I believe
Sometime next week probably.
August 31st, but first game against Newcastle on August 18th? should be the key aim.
panic!
I can't believe the golden boot is tied on only 3 goals!
Anthems tonight, are we going to get them the right way round?
:)
Oh BBC are now recycling the crap poem they used before England lost!
That's Roman poet Boethius from The Consolation of Philosophy. I don't think it's the poem that's rubbish
What's that music they'r eplaying now?
True. But the cheesy way they are using it was!
Two goalkeepers as captains, brilliant.
Now that I agree with
Both are very scary shouty men!
I'd say I have butterflies in my stomach, but that might just be my hangover talking ;)
No one can be as scary as Hart barking!
Name me a good keeper who isn't.
Very true.
Wrong way round again. #BlamePlatini
Forza Italia.
Opera singers are overdoing it!
So... is it Lawro?
It's pity Russia aren't in the final, I like their anthem best
Are we going to have flamenco dancers for the Spanish one after?
Good evening from France
Someone on my Twitter says yes
Hello ITV! :)
There's always radio 5 live.
We could consider which is ahead ...
I don't really mind any of the others, as long as they don't make me want to kill myself. I'm not knowledgable enough to get annoyed at them really :)
I know what you mean. Lawro is just a buzz killer. I imagine he spends the game doing his crossword, on,y to be annoyed into speaking when the other commentator elbows him!
I can see it now!
Buffon wears hair grips?
I am so glad I don't have to hear that stupid countdown for at least another two years.
I heard that spurs hired him...
ITV are 5 seconds behind, so we're gritting our teeth.
Mind you, one of the all blacks wears eye liner!
I like it, it's very Robot Wars, and it gets funny when they do it wrong
What ever happened to Robot Wars?
If they did, I'm supporting Huddersfield Town
They'll probably get bought out by Glasgow Rangers ;)
Not very likely. Maybe by Rangers exiting owners when they get bought out
Ô and Ramos - I see fireworks
Ohh - Spain are looking swift, but who was waiting in the middle?
Looks like Lucas di Grassi is after a Ferrari drive. Supporting Italy with Massa who is trying to hang on to one
They better not or I'll be quite unhappy.
italy
:)
Hah. My choices are lawro or R5L ahead of my video!
No idea.. just vanished
Spain seem to deliberately avoid playing the ovious pass
shot, but oooooh.
Disappeared into the Pit of Oblivion
Thought the had scored for a second
:D
Ahh, Buffon had that one covered...
Del Bosque has obv told them to shoot a few more times!
What a goal
NOT A BORING GAME TONIGHT !!!
WOWOWOW
Wow, they weren't hanging about!
Jeez. Already?
how did he find that head?
A header and a half.
How did he cross that after he was barged
That was a great move by the Spanish
just amazing
Well, that wasn't boring ;)
Whoops!
Easy to see why SPC likes Heikki
Heikki Kovalainen @H_Kovalainen
now
In Witney, visiting my mate watching football and golf same time!
I've had word that the CBBC commentary is worse than Lawro.
dual screens
CBBC are doing commentary for this?
@Formula1_com: #F1 HRT (Spain) 1 - 0 Ferrari (Italy)
Apparantly its replaced the 'no commentary' option on Freeview.
Great reaction by Ramos
terrible defending by italy
Italy look very sloppy compared to Spain. Nowhere near the same level of control
:) :)
@Pundamentalism "Fantastic news, Mr. Lawrenson, it's a beautiful baby boy!" / "Not even twins then?" *sigh* #Euro2012
:)
algesuari booked.
"Desperados at the back for Italy" - no wonder they're not brilliant if they are drinking beer + tequilla!
Spain look like they have more men on the pitch.
The Stewards will investigate after the match.
:) :)
damn this is some good football
Maybe Italy are doing the Glock trick to save wear and tear on the boots
I'm glad the best 2 teams are producing a good match to watch :)
Whoever is playing wide left for Spain must be getting fed up. He has started a load of great runs in space and had to check out of all of them because no-one has given him the ball
Might be Xavi Alonso - he has a huge ginger beard.
Finally play the ball left when he is shut down
WOWOWOWOW
FAB U LOUS
sooooo fast!!
Nice
:) left backs are on form :)
A goal for Newcastle there.
@fieldproducer: Big question is will all those who've switched to ITV due to Lawrenson turn back over to the BBC at half time to avoid Adrian Chiles?
Wow. Spain are so much better than they have been so far!
They have had some rest
They're playing a completely different game to how they have so far in the tournament!
So long as we don't have SPA passing-the bus and ruining the 2nd half. We want more!
Oh definitely
I still have to wonder if Germany would have made a better game if it than Italy have?
Cynical challenge
That should have been red
I think Germany are the better team. I still think Spain would have won comfortably
Very clever freekick
Germany looked knackered against Italy, Spain would have ahd a field day.
loved that half. hope 2nd offers something too.
Doubt I have ever seen a better performance ever
Youre a whole minute ahead of the BBC website!
Italy need to go for it, which will open the game = chances galore. (That's the theory anyway)
Hope Italy get an early goal to keep it interesting, although Spain could play themselves with this performance and it would be enjoyable.
spc fast :)
Half time. Dishes need doing!
Seems a long time since Graeme Souness arrived at Rangers and said Sampdoria have this fantastic kid called Vialli
Are they going to see what Jake says pitchside?
Anybody else notice that on that BBC animation for the London2012 they had gymnastics in the Olympic Stadium - that's not right.
Earlier he wasn't even inside, he was saying he wished he had a ticket
Looked to me like the stadium was surrounding the whole of London
Di Natale!
Oooo - if so I doth my cap to them.
I thought it was a bit of a copy of the Lloyds Bank ad :)
blimey, good start for italy.
Good to see Italy start off the blocks quickly
Interestingly Lloyds are a sponsor of the Games. #forthejourney
Could have been a penalty for two reasons
... and high foot?
Hmmm.
More that he led with his studs. Wasn't really high enough to penalise
Balotelli's second dive
It was the low head that through me - ITA were lucky there - could've been all over
Save
oooosh
This is why you start with Di Natale, effectively three chances already.
If he brings Italy back into this, it'll be like all their Christmases have come at once.
http://instantrimshot.com/
All this sport is just another excuse to make (bad) puns.
I think if Italy score it will just annoy Spain
What's the Motta with you?
He's acting like a Buffon.
Just Xavi a laugh guys!
Didn't warm up properly - there's a lesson for the kids.
he was already injured!
always worth running your fingers under a warm tap before a long commenting session.
at least he came from injury but obviously not perfectly fitted!
Radio 5 commentator just had a go at the ref for being Portuguese when Spain are in the final...
Also He seems to have a bee in his bonnet about 5th officials.
That is very bad journalism, the referee is today the best in Europe. Don't forget he did the final of the Champions League!
Steve Death @Its_Death
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Christ. I find Mark Lawrenson depressing. And I'm Death. #Euro2012
:)
Steve? :) :)
Bring on the football... https://twitter.com/theballisround/status/219521973359874048
On French TV we have in the commentary box Mr Wenger himself!
His comments are quite interesting and instructive I must say
I want to learn French just to hear that!
Yes, but does he actually see any of the action?
Hey, Mark Lawrensen suddenly looks so appealing.
He very much likes the game
Come in France for a few weeks, you leran it!
BTW, beside GB F1GP it's Le Mans Classic
I'll miss both, I'm going to a summer house for a week in the middle of nowhere ;)
Sorry, but it's next weekend
so much sport! ;)
You can't substitute a substitute?
I'm very luck I live 1 hour from the track, so Friday & Saturday in Le Mans and Sunday in the couch for the GP
Tough live ;-))
Yes you can. You can only make 3 substitutions but you can substitute your 1st sub then sub your second sub
yes you can but they already changed 3 player
Oh wow, sounds perfect
Ah ha!
Sounds good
Looking forward to take my Frogeye once more overthere
You can only make 3changes. Doesn't matter who they are. The problem is that Italy already made all 3 so they can't change the injured player.
missed that. ta.
Spain 2-0 up with 15 minutes to go decide now is the time to play a striker??
They'd never expect that!
We all know by now who will be the winner.
Meanwhile on MotorsTV we have the 6 hours of Watkings Glenn
Those Frogeye Sprites look so strange
http://images.cdn.fotopedia.com/flickr-3798657100-hd.jpg
:)
Cool and clean. Yours?
No. Just a random picture for people who had no idea what we were talking about
Spain should have scored there
*raises hand*
Mum loves them, I think she wants one.
Do you want me to explain why it is called a frogeye or are you OK with that bit?
Thanks. i would have imagined that every British would known what is a Frogeye
that much i can see :)
*shuffles feet*
A lot of the people on this site are too young to know. Very annoying
indeed, indeed I feel suddenly very very old!
GOAL !!!
WOWO
3!
3-0
6 way tie for the golden boot!
World Champions and now European Champions. What else?
Hey Italian defence, for the second time this tournament, Fernando is faster than you!
Euros before that (defending champs)
Wow Torres!
They still haven't won the African Nations Cup, that should be seen as a real disappointment for them.
Confederations cup?
yes, they could pretend to play that one as well.
Spain got a very small part of the African territory, CEUTA, north of Marocco
Tahiti will be playing in that competition next season. That's all I'm saying about that.
You mocked NZ for being in the world cup before and they did ok.
Iniesta & Pirlo the best players of the tournament. In my humble,opinion of course
NZ had moderately decent players to be fair. All of Tahiti's team play in Tahiti.
!!!!
4-0
Tahiti have a league???
WHAT
Four!
I think every country has a league apart from Liechtenstein.
Italy, what's ths Mata?
Biggest winning margin
A Chelsea goal!
Spain are awesome. They've been holding back for the whole tournament until now.
to quote ryan from the previous thread: http://sidepodcast.com/event/germany-vs-italy-semi-final-2012-uefa-european-football-championship#comment-3045550
when was the last major final that had more than two goals in them? Usually cagey games.
:)
Have shown to be the best team, well done Spain.
Too many people are bringing up points where I've been wrong lately...
hehehe. sorry. you were correct when you typed it.
Give the man a job in MOTD ;)
Sounds like a Murray Walker excuse. It was correct until 10 seconds after I said it
i blame this awesome game on ryan.
so nearly 5
um, yay?
Tried to back heel a goal on a Euro final
Not really though.
#legend
and done.
Balotelli strops off.
Well done Spain.
What a bad temper this Balotelli!
True colours.
Bit of a rubbish celebration, just bouncing.
Does a postman strop when he forgets to deliver a letter, and has to put it in his bag for tomorrow?
Thank god the final was exciting too.
Best performance ever on a football field. Normally they play a level above anyone else. Tonight they stepped it up two levels.
best game i've ever watched i think. proper enjoyed that.
maxpapis 7:34pm via Twitter for iPhone
Dear @OriolServia r u ready for a day of schooling in soccer !!'
...
maxpapis 9:32pm via Twitter for iPad
Dear @OriolServia I was wrong
:)
Thanks for letting us 'pollute' SPC with such drivel ;)
Most impressive team performance at least at international level since Brazil '70, easily.
That was the best performance I ever saw until today. That Brazil team did things that were ridiculous but Spain are much better
Exciting race at the Glen. 4 leader cars in the same second!
appreciate the commments y'all.
Torres' assist was a no-look pass! Brilliant
He's back on.
I hope Platini somehow slips.
@guardian_sport: Fernando Torres wins Golden Boot despite being on the field for just 189 minutes of #Euro2012
Just like Pele in the 1970 Brazil final Ryan mentioned. Bear in mind this was late in the game and it was at very high temperature and high altitude in Mexico City so the players are knackered by this stage. Watch when Pele #10 gets the ball
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HrjevD2vhk
I hope the Italians keep their coach after this.
Classy by Buffon shaking hands right down the line
Just realised this England-Italy game appears to be going on while I'm in Italy...
Wait for John Terry to jump out and help lift the trophey.
Prandelli and Platini were team-mates at Juve. Wonderful little embrace.
Do we really need a caption that says Spain have won it?
It's been a great tournament.
It would be less obvious to write: This is a caption
I think Euro 2012 has proved that football is a game that's not just played on paper.
Great to have a major final that is not a disaster but a proper show piece
people, it's been a pleasure. must dash now.
*group hug*
With the exception of the French squad
When have we last had one of those? France in 98 maybe?
Can't think of one since
Yeah that was a great final. And euro 92 before that.
I think you can group that with Euro 04 and maybe ANC 12 in the 'underdogs' category.
Well I am very glad to be proven wrong. There was no way any team in the world were going to beat Spain tonight!
Are Jake and Martin even there? They look blue screened!
Anyway, Euro 2012 has been a good tournament, have enjoyed a fair bit of it.
Of course the showpiece of the summer starts next Saturday, Speedway World Cup!
Jake tweeted before ko that they were on the pitch
Allright everyone, wishing you a good sleep and, maybe, see you next Sunday.
Cheers
Good tournament, watched far more of it than intended and it was worthwhile. Some boring ones, some fun ones. Spain seemed to step it up yet another level today. I'm all footballed-out for now though! I'm not that into Wimbledon so I guess the next stop is Silverstone.
Just a last info, if you like classic cars, Le Mans Classic will be on MotorsTV the whole weekend.
Thanks for the awesome comments everyone. It's been a great tournament and I've enjoyed the comments during every game!
http://www.motorstv.com/tv-guide-uk?d=2012-07-07
I must try and watch some of that because I have never seen it before. I have read about it but never seen it on TV
SPC defo improved the tournament, regardless of the quality of the football, which was on the whole good. Watched all but 1 game and I'm now looking for another sport to replace it. Maybe TdF until the Olympics arrives.
cough Speedway cough.
Yeah commenting has made it much more fun. I'll definitely be catching the ITV4 highlights of the TdF.
We have both Cav and Wiggo FTW - Sky could take every jersey this time!
BBC Olympic trail: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18165601
The stadium outer is around the *whole* country!! Respect.