So, Loew decides to go with two and a half defensive midfielders. I guess that translates into: Watch out for that Pirlo guy.
2.
beltane
An Italy win would complete my happiness for the day.
3.
pseudonymous in nc
Italy don’t deserve to make it to the final based on how they’ve played so far, and a Spain-Italy final would likely be dire. My feeling all along has been that the Germans have enough talent and capability to adapt against every team in the tournament, and I hope to be proved right today.
4.
ellie
Can I watch this online somewhere?
5.
wobblybits
Schland!!! I’m hanging out with some locals. I even let them paint my face :)
hmm I am torn here. I really like how the germans play and usually cheer fro them. but feel, for economic reasons only, that one of the countries in trouble in the EuroZone should kick their ass. So I guess : Go Italy!
17.
Linnaeus
Damn it.
18.
wobblybits
But I will not be at all disappointed if Italy wins
19.
J. Michael Neal
Dammit. I just cannot, under any circumstances, root for an Italian soccer team.
Unless they play the University of North Dakota, of course.
20.
SRW1
Both defenses look kind of shaky. Don’t think this will end 1-0.
Well, if they beat Germany, they’ll deserve the final then.
Well, they definitely deserved that goal. Beat the man, put in the cross, win the header. Elementary stuff, but we haven’t seen a huge amount of it since the group stage.
22.
J. Michael Neal
Holger Badstuber is a pretty good name. Not Batian Schweinsteiger good, but good.
I gotta say, having missed the first half, I love the fact that on the ESPN3 interface you can watch highlights of the passed action without missing any of the game.
I should have been watching the Italians—commentators have been underrating them.
Honestly, they weren’t: the Italians looked mediocre until now. This keeps alive the old cliché that Italy tend to start tournaments slowly, but if they make it to the knockout stage, they get stronger match by match.
41.
Leeds man
@pseudonymous in nc: Three rules of tournaments (with occasional exceptions);
1) The Italians always get better
2) The Dutch always get worse
3) With Germany, it’s not over until the whistle blows
Ah, a’ight. But that makes me sad about GER and POR, though. They were playing some nice football but ITA is the —
Oh, right, oops. Yes, I HAVE been watching international soccer since 2006, which is the year that ITA only managed a draw against the US in the group stage and still managed to win it all.
I work Sundays and was worried I’d have to sneak out for a long lunch. Now…neither team I’m interested to watch..or actively hate so watch the highlights later.
54.
dollared
@J. Michael Neal: I know it’s too late, but you did win the internets today with that reference to the North Dakota Fighting Soup.
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SRW1
So, Loew decides to go with two and a half defensive midfielders. I guess that translates into: Watch out for that Pirlo guy.
beltane
An Italy win would complete my happiness for the day.
pseudonymous in nc
Italy don’t deserve to make it to the final based on how they’ve played so far, and a Spain-Italy final would likely be dire. My feeling all along has been that the Germans have enough talent and capability to adapt against every team in the tournament, and I hope to be proved right today.
ellie
Can I watch this online somewhere?
wobblybits
Schland!!! I’m hanging out with some locals. I even let them paint my face :)
Brian R.
Deutschland uber alles.
Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again)
@ellie:
If you’re in the States, try this: http://espnfc.com/us/en/gamecast/345932/gamecast.html
eastriver
3-1, Huns
Leeds man
@pseudonymous in nc: Well, if they beat Germany, they’ll deserve the final then.
Too bad one of the choices can’t be Tokaji.
Villago Delenda Est
Eiswein is fantastic!
Oh, and the German team will cut through them like…
No, I’d better not go there.
J. Michael Neal
If Pirlo is playing goal can he also score?
ellie
@Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again): Thanks!
Leeds man
Hint of a Pirlo arm in that goal line block?
SRW1
@Leeds man:
Would be nice to see a repeat.
Linnaeus
Eiswein!
Valdivia
hmm I am torn here. I really like how the germans play and usually cheer fro them. but feel, for economic reasons only, that one of the countries in trouble in the EuroZone should kick their ass. So I guess : Go Italy!
Linnaeus
Damn it.
wobblybits
But I will not be at all disappointed if Italy wins
J. Michael Neal
Dammit. I just cannot, under any circumstances, root for an Italian soccer team.
Unless they play the University of North Dakota, of course.
SRW1
Both defenses look kind of shaky. Don’t think this will end 1-0.
pseudonymous in nc
@Leeds man:
Well, they definitely deserved that goal. Beat the man, put in the cross, win the header. Elementary stuff, but we haven’t seen a huge amount of it since the group stage.
J. Michael Neal
Holger Badstuber is a pretty good name. Not Batian Schweinsteiger good, but good.
And where is Amir Khalid today?
Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again)
Wow. I did NOT expect this.
J. Michael Neal
Double dammit.
I suppose this means that I can DVR the final in order to play it whenever insomnia strikes.
Brian R.
Wow, who woke Mario up?
Leeds man
Holy crap. This is Italy, right?
Punchy
Germany in a world of trouble now.
pseudonymous in nc
Fuck me: what a goal. Again, elementary, but the execution was something special.
(Balotelli should be substituted right now, to keep him from a red card and missing the final.)
SRW1
Looks like Mario is gonna do in his first tournament what CR7 couldn’t do in three.
curiousleo
So, Mario being Mario, what’s the over/under he gets his 2nd yellow?
J.W. Hamner
I gotta say, having missed the first half, I love the fact that on the ESPN3 interface you can watch highlights of the passed action without missing any of the game.
SRW1
@curiousleo:
If he scores another one, he’s going to take off his shirt again and that’s going to be it.
SRW1
My hunch is Germany will equalize in injury time, the game then goes to extra time and Italy wins 4-3.
JCJ
Scheiße!
Leeds man
@SRW1: Could happen. Anyone who counts Germany out is asking for a world of hurt, and the Italians know better, I hope.
Paula
UNLEASH THE BALOTELLI!!!!
Seriously, though, this is fucking awesome. I should have been watching the Italians — commentators have been underrating them.
Sad for the jerries, though. They were playing some nice footy.
EDIT: Well, it ain’t over, etc … here’s to the Germans coming back w/ at least another goal.
Paula
Paolo Bandini @Paolo_Bandini
A thought also for the scumbag ‘fans’ who used to tell Mario “there are no black Italians”. How’d you like them apples?
JCJ
Whew!
J.W. Hamner
Wow, almost the nail in the coffin there…
pseudonymous in nc
@Paula:
Honestly, they weren’t: the Italians looked mediocre until now. This keeps alive the old cliché that Italy tend to start tournaments slowly, but if they make it to the knockout stage, they get stronger match by match.
Leeds man
@pseudonymous in nc: Three rules of tournaments (with occasional exceptions);
1) The Italians always get better
2) The Dutch always get worse
3) With Germany, it’s not over until the whistle blows
Paula
@pseudonymous in nc:
Ah, a’ight. But that makes me sad about GER and POR, though. They were playing some nice football but ITA is the —
Oh, right, oops. Yes, I HAVE been watching international soccer since 2006, which is the year that ITA only managed a draw against the US in the group stage and still managed to win it all.
Paula
@Leeds man:
Something something England penalties.
Leeds man
@Paula: Oh yeah;
4) England – this will end in tears.
JCJ
One more!
Mark S.
Here comes the big comeback.
ETA: Not enough time.
JCJ
PECH!
Paula
@Paula:
Oezil — my man (scary googoo eyes be damned). :P
SRW1
And Supermario makes all the difference. Hopefully he has something left of that magic for the final.
Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again)
Well, there went my prediction. Definitely pulling for Spain now.
Mark S.
What happened to our buttons?
Mark S.
@Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again):
Not me. I’ve been won over by these crazy Italians. I’m off now to get a Mario haircut.
Gaderson
@J. Michael Neal:
I work Sundays and was worried I’d have to sneak out for a long lunch. Now…neither team I’m interested to watch..or actively hate so watch the highlights later.
dollared
@J. Michael Neal: I know it’s too late, but you did win the internets today with that reference to the North Dakota Fighting Soup.