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You are here: Home / Sports / Euro 2020 Football (Soccer) / Euro 2020 Quarter-Finals Open Thread: Belgium v Italy

Euro 2020 Quarter-Finals Open Thread: Belgium v Italy

by Anne Laurie|  July 2, 20212:45 pm| 68 Comments

This post is in: Euro 2020 Football (Soccer), Open Threads

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?? Italy = quarter-finalists! ?

? 12 consecutive wins for the Azzurri

Tournament favourites? ?❓#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/lmGRm6lHE6

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 26, 2021

This game in Munich, two strong teams, and unfortunatley the ‘winner’ may turn out to be Coronavirus…

?? Belgium = quarter-finalists! ???#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/LjmJMwlMQk

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 27, 2021

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Reader Interactions

68Comments

  1. 1.

    WaterGirl

    July 2, 2021 at 2:46 pm

    The soccer thread is open for business.

  2. 2.

    krackenJack

    July 2, 2021 at 2:51 pm

    UEFA again? What kind of chardonnay-infused latte sipping Europhile blog is this? I never see any super-bog mud racing threads. Are we not (mostly) ‘Mericans?

    [The tournament has been gripping so far.]

  3. 3.

    Leto

    July 2, 2021 at 2:57 pm

    I love listening to Italy’s national anthem. I love it now, versus when we had to do joint parades/things with them and they wouldn’t play the short version, so you think you’re getting to the end, and NOPE! Here comes the second verse, same as the first! MOTHERF@&*ER!

  4. 4.

    Leto

    July 2, 2021 at 3:00 pm

    @Tony Jay: I don’t think Italy would worry about facing the Spanish team, at all. WRT Belgium, it depends on which Belgium shows up.

    And old man Chiellini is finally back in the line up. Guess his battery is finally recharged. :P

  5. 5.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 3:15 pm

    That would have been Italy 1-0 up if not for the MASSIVE offside

  6. 6.

    raven

    July 2, 2021 at 3:16 pm

    @krackenJack: Or NBA for that matter.

  7. 7.

    raven

    July 2, 2021 at 3:17 pm

    So I took Tony’s advice in the first game, hit the couch and promptly fell asleep. I woke up and realized I was 30 minutes late to my appointment at the VA. I hustled out there and had to reschedule.

  8. 8.

    Leto

    July 2, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    @raven: Oh man. I hope the nap was at least enjoyable!

  9. 9.

    VeniceRiley

    July 2, 2021 at 3:23 pm

    @raven: Ugh. Sorry! My fiance fell asleep like that during the last match for England! Trip to Brighton and maybe a bit too much cider.

    Go belgium. But I’ve a feeling Italy is going all the way to the win of this tourney.  But crazy things have happened. So, I’m leaving work to watch the 2nd half during lunch hour.

  10. 10.

    Leto

    July 2, 2021 at 3:23 pm

    Damn, what a shot and what a save! Good opening 20 mins so far.

  11. 11.

    Leto

    July 2, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    Old man Chiellini mugging Lukaku on that right hand side. I would say he needs to keep his hands down, but that’s about the only way he’s going to stay even with him. Probably have to use his full 80 years worth of tricks with Lukaku.

  12. 12.

    Leto

    July 2, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    Italy looking dangerous these past few mins, but they’re pushing forward so much that they’re exposed to a quick counter.

  13. 13.

    raven

    July 2, 2021 at 3:29 pm

    @VeniceRiley: It didn’t really matter, I watch on YouTube TV and I had hit the pause button so I didn’t miss much (I do tend to fast forward and watch closely for celebration and backtrack to see the goal). One reason I don’t hang in these thread is because I inevitably get out of synch and I hate seeing what happened in print!

  14. 14.

    Leto

    July 2, 2021 at 3:31 pm

    Hahahaha, Italian guy down on the ground in the box, rolling around, play keeps on, Italy score, guy down pops up and goes to celebrate; stay classy footballers!

    Edit: really good goal though. Good strike, good placement.

  15. 15.

    VeniceRiley

    July 2, 2021 at 3:33 pm

    @raven: I watch with Mrs VR all the time. Broadcast TV is usually 15 seconds behind, but matches on Sling can have a delay around 1 minute or more. It’s kinda nice to not have to pay attention until she shouts or groans. (man. That sounds a bit dirty.

    At least Italy we have Bobby Manc to root for. He is legend for City fans.

  16. 16.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 3:33 pm

    Cracking finish. Italy 1-0 up, but I’m deeply concerned about the Italian player who was shot in the leg just before that ball hit the net, he seemed to be in agony and… oh, no, my mistake, he’s absolutely fine.

  17. 17.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 3:35 pm

    @raven:

    That was NOT part of my cunning plan, honest!

  18. 18.

    piratedan

    July 2, 2021 at 3:37 pm

    @Tony Jay: in a just world, perhaps after the goal is confirmed, a more pragmatic official would give that chap a yellow card and inform him that if he wishes to be a dramatist, he should change out his wardrobe.

  19. 19.

    Leto

    July 2, 2021 at 3:41 pm

    @Tony Jay: This fits perfectly. I’ll never not think of this when I see them on the ground.

  20. 20.

    trollhattan

    July 2, 2021 at 3:43 pm

    @Tony Jay: “Belgian thug” is a phrase I’m hearing more and more these days.

  21. 21.

    Omnes Omnibus

    July 2, 2021 at 3:44 pm

    @trollhattan: A lot of them worked in Africa.

  22. 22.

    trollhattan

    July 2, 2021 at 3:45 pm

    Welp, seems Italy are in control of this thang.

    Orrrr, let’s give them a PK because drama.

  23. 23.

    Leto

    July 2, 2021 at 3:46 pm

    Damn, what a strike. He had a chance to go down and grab everything on his body when he cut back right, but he stayed up and then popped a stunner; AND NOW A PK ON THE OTHER END! Here we go!

  24. 24.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 3:46 pm

    Glorious curling poke by Insigne. This is already slipping away from Belgium unless… oooh, penalty.

  25. 25.

    Leto

    July 2, 2021 at 3:48 pm

    Stutter step Lukaku puts it away. 2-1. And now half. Wow.

  26. 26.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 3:48 pm

    Spank. Net. Goal.

    2-1 at half time. That’s fair.
    Great game so far, but Italy looking helladangerous.

  27. 27.

    cope

    July 2, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    I’m sure Belgium are glad to be at 1-2 at the half. Just before the foul that led to the PK I’m thinking if Belgium claw one back before half, they’ll take this one.

  28. 28.

    Steve in the ATL

    July 2, 2021 at 4:06 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: Leopold II FTW!

  29. 29.

    raven

    July 2, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    @Tony Jay: I just saw couch and that was enough for me!

  30. 30.

    raven

    July 2, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    @Steve in the ATL: See where Richt has parkinson’s?

  31. 31.

    Leto

    July 2, 2021 at 4:11 pm

    @raven: Paraphrasing Cookie Monster: C is for couch, that’s good enough for me; couchcouchcouchcouchcouch

  32. 32.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 4:13 pm

    @piratedan:

    In a few hours he’ll notice he’s become a meme and his life will become a series of embarrassing encounters with women mocking him and children openly taunting him in the streets.

    No, really. /s

  33. 33.

    Steve in the ATL

    July 2, 2021 at 4:13 pm

    @raven: that’s sad.  Even sadder than his inability to win big games.

  34. 34.

    Steve in the ATL

    July 2, 2021 at 4:14 pm

    @Tony Jay: well played.

  35. 35.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 4:15 pm

    @trollhattan:

    I didn’t think Fellaini was in the squad anymore.

  36. 36.

    raven

    July 2, 2021 at 4:19 pm

    @Steve in the ATL: True dat. He moved back here recently.

  37. 37.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    @raven:

    To be honest I do that. Last night after Dinner I put on Assassins Creed 4, felt my eyes flutter and woke up to find my pirate ship was in the middle of a sea battle where I’d been sailing round and round in circles while I dozed.

    Didn’t drool though, so it wasn’t that bad.

  38. 38.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    Beautiful move! How the hell didn’t that go in for 2-2?

  39. 39.

    raven

    July 2, 2021 at 4:26 pm

    @Tony Jay: Video games are way out of my lane. We have been watching the really cute Brit show “Trying” about a young couple, well, trying!

  40. 40.

    JML

    July 2, 2021 at 4:28 pm

    This has been a wonderful game. Wish so many Italian players weren’t tripping on invisible gophers out there; they’re good enough to not need any of that nonsense.

    Belgium looks really dangerous in the final third, but are having much more trouble linking up to get there than the Italians. I’m really impressed with Italy’s high press, it’s really bottled up Belgium well.

  41. 41.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 4:30 pm

    With Rafe Spall? I’ve heard good things.

  42. 42.

    Mary G

    July 2, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    These threads are entertaining even though I mostly have no idea what you’re talking about, especially Tony Jay.

  43. 43.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 4:34 pm

    @Mary G:

    Nothing new there then. 8-)

  44. 44.

    JML

    July 2, 2021 at 4:38 pm

    Shame to see an injury like that. Spinazzola was playing so well, really putting together a terrific tournament. Crushing to go out like that in the quarters

  45. 45.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 4:40 pm

    Look, if you’re so injured you can’t go on then why the dinky-ding-dong-do was he still on the pitch? What was that? Five minutes of delay?

    Then again, breathers for both teams, gather up your cojones for the final battle. Belgium have to score, Italy can’t help but attack. Makes for an exciting conclusion.

  46. 46.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 4:46 pm

    I’d say Belgium just need one great chance, but they’ve had two already and it just hadn’t rolled their way. They need just a whisper of luck or Italy are going to grind this out.

    ETA – Ooooh, this is just about perfect De Bruyne distance.

  47. 47.

    cain

    July 2, 2021 at 4:51 pm

    where can I watch this? I don’t have cable or anything like that.

  48. 48.

    burnspbesq

    July 2, 2021 at 4:52 pm

    Chiellini runs into his own keeper and Witsel gets called for the foul.

    Just bloody awful.

  49. 49.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 4:54 pm

    What was the foul?

    This. This is why so many people who would otherwise love this Italian team get sick to the back teeth of the constant fakery and shithousery. They’ve basically wasted the last ten minutes of the game flopping about like opium-drenched Victorian fops. 

  50. 50.

    Leto

    July 2, 2021 at 4:55 pm

    @cain: if you don’t have an ESPN subscription to watch via the app/online, sports bar/friends house.

  51. 51.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 4:56 pm

    That should be that.

    Spain vs Italy.

  52. 52.

    Leto

    July 2, 2021 at 4:56 pm

    @Tony Jay: not just the Italian team, but men’s soccer in general. Again, why I prefer the women’s game.

  53. 53.

    piratedan

    July 2, 2021 at 5:00 pm

    @Tony Jay: and the sad part about that, is that the Italians have shown its an effective strategy… refs always appear to be open to the fact that maybe this time, there really is a tragic injury that needs to be “accounted for”.

  54. 54.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 5:05 pm

    @piratedan:

    Thing is, the referee controls the clock. If they actually stopped the clock when play is stopped then we’d get 10 to 15 minutes injury time in a game like that.

    Which is why they won’t (TV schedules) and so shithouses will keep on doing it.

    Meh. Italy have been awesome, but it just leaves a bad taste when they act like that and get away with it.

  55. 55.

    Tony Jay

    July 2, 2021 at 5:06 pm

    @Leto:

    You have a point.

  56. 56.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    July 2, 2021 at 5:11 pm

    @cain:

    Apparently you can stream for free on PrendeTV. Explainer here.

  57. 57.

    Mary G

    July 2, 2021 at 5:14 pm

    O/T but still kinda cool. Dodgers player (not the rapey one) trades a uniform jersey with a mariachi player at Viva Los Dodgers event and wears it to the White House to meet with Biden. This is my America coming back.

    JOE KELLY IS WEARING THE MARIACHI JACKET TO THE WHITE HOUSE ???? pic.twitter.com/a2eZgwHt3M— Blake Harris (@BlakeHarrisTBLA) July 2, 2021

  58. 58.

    Steve in the ATL

    July 2, 2021 at 5:22 pm

    @Tony Jay: I haven’t seen acting that bad since “The Love Boat” was cancelled!

    No offense to Barbi Benton, of course.

  59. 59.

    Ken

    July 2, 2021 at 5:27 pm

    @Tony Jay: It’s a miracle. Is there a saint responsible for healing football injuries?

  60. 60.

    laura

    July 2, 2021 at 5:28 pm

    @Mary G: way to drag the spotlight back to your beautiful bathroom paint color ? very nice shade.

  61. 61.

    Steve in the ATL

    July 2, 2021 at 5:29 pm

    @Ken: St. Ladbrokes

  62. 62.

    Mary G

    July 2, 2021 at 5:39 pm

    @laura: Thank you. The entirety of my life now is fixing things in the house. I spent the years I worked saving like Scrooge because I thought I’d end up in long term care and the agents I asked for insurance just laughed and laughed.

    Now that I turned 65, I decided to say to myself fuck that, spend money now while I can enjoy it. Also I love negotiating. The garage door guy who came today went from $1,900 plus temporary repairs to $1,500, repairs included, mostly bidding against himself.

  63. 63.

    toine

    July 2, 2021 at 6:00 pm

    @Leto:

    People who have never played football don’t realize how physical the game actually is… take some cleats to the shin/ankle/foot and see if you don’t feel like writhing around on the ground for a bit…

    :-)

  64. 64.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    July 2, 2021 at 6:01 pm

    A fitting tribute.

    Bravi to the Italian team who—almost to a man—played on through a series of crippling injuries.

    — Rupert Myers (@RupertMyers) July 2, 2021

  65. 65.

    toine

    July 2, 2021 at 6:05 pm

    @Tony Jay: you should watch Portugal or Brazil… Masters of the art…

  66. 66.

    toine

    July 2, 2021 at 6:08 pm

    @piratedan: the Italians and every other team ever leading by 1 in the end-game…

  67. 67.

    piratedan

    July 2, 2021 at 6:16 pm

    @toine: soccer doesn’t have to be that way, yet the supposed impartial arbiters of the game itself have allowed it to continue.

  68. 68.

    toine

    July 2, 2021 at 6:29 pm

    @piratedan: I thought you were implying that only the Italians behaved this way when in fact this is as old as the game… Trying to waste as much time as possible when you are leading in the final 5 minutes is fine. It’s like in boxing or MMA… don’t leave it up to the judges… You score less, you lose. If you are complaining about wasted time, you didn’t deserve to win..

    I love the Belgian side. I love the way they play. But their defense has always been suspect. So has their ability to win when in tough. Bottom line, Italy deserved the victory.

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