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You are here: Home / Sports / Euro 2020 Football (Soccer) / Euro 2020 Football (Soccer) Semi-Finals: Italy v Spain

Euro 2020 Football (Soccer) Semi-Finals: Italy v Spain

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Playing at Wembley Stadium in London. (England v Denmark in the same stadium, tomorrow — doubt there will be much office work accomplished in the UK Wednesday… )

Italy seems to be the logical favorite, but Spain might be classed as beloved underdogs?

Reader Interactions

157Comments

  1. 1.

    Ken

    England v Denmark in the same stadium, tomorrow — doubt there will be much office work accomplished in the UK Wednesday…

    With those in England rooting for England, and those in the rest of the UK… maybe not so much.

  3. 3.

    raven

    Seems like they had to lower ticket prices for this one

     

    ”

    On Tuesday evening Italy will take on Spain at Wembley Stadium in the first semi-final of Euro 2020.

     

    The capacity for the game is around 60,000 for COVID-19 reasons but the match has struggled to sell out, unlike England’s semi-final against Denmark and the final on Sunday.

     

    The Athletic can reveal that lots of tickets have been sold at lower price bands than intended as UEFA have struggled to shift tickets, thousands of which were on sale for €595 each.”

  4. 4.

    Leto

    Such a good chance for Italy; Barella just a bit offside but just smart play all the way.

    @cope:  always a good chance with these two. Hopefully they stay upright for the duration.

  7. 7.

    HumboldtBlue

    @Ken:

    That’s not my sense at all. I read a few football sites every day and whether it’s a Scot or a Welshman or even an Irishman, they are backing England. Not universally, but I’d say the vast majority.

    There is plenty of sniping at the England team and England supporters, but I think in general England are being backed across the UK.

    Elsewhere, I was just introduced to SF author Jo Walton and I was wondering if any of you — I know there are a lot of SF fans here — have read her and have any thoughts about her work.

  10. 10.

    HumboldtBlue

    @cope: ​ 
    It will turn into a fake injury farce in the second half once one of the teams scores.

    Italy were shameful against Belgium over the final 20 minutes.

  11. 11.

    Tony Jay

    Got downstairs late and apparently missed the first 25 minutes where Spain were on top and bossing possession, because all I’ve seen for the last 10 minutes is Italy attacking as fast as their little legs will carry them and Spain getting pulled around.

    Looks like a good game. Though, again, I’m baffled by the kits. Italy should be playing in their classic blue/white/blue and Spain in their red/blue/black. It’s not as though anyone is watching on black and white TVs anymore.

    Lawn Off. Onion Belt.

  12. 12.

    HumboldtBlue

    Tony where did the term “under the kosh” come from and what is the kosh?

  13. 13.

    Sloane Ranger

    Lively game, good tempo with some excellent play on both sides but the finishing lets it down. Beautiful to watch though.

  14. 14.

    Mary G

    @HumboldtBlue: I’ve read a bunch of her non-fiction about SF, and it’s excellent. I’ve got to admit I am always saying I need to get around to reading her fiction, then I never do. She’s had a really prolific career and I see from her Amazon blog that she plans to live to age 99, having written a book a year until the end, which is a noble goal.

  15. 15.

    Sloane Ranger

    @HumboldtBlue:

     

    That’s not my sense at all. I read a few football sites every day and whether it’s a Scot or a Welshman or even an Irishman, they are backing England. Not universally, but I’d say the vast majority.

    I’m pleased to hear this. As an English woman I have supported Wales and Scotland in every game they played (with one obvious exception) and would have continued to do so even if England had been knocked out, so I am glad the the other home nations are reciprocating.

  17. 17.

    Robert Sneddon

    @HumboldtBlue: Jo’s a sweetheart, writes good stuff although not always a comfortable read. Her “Farthing” alt-history is particularly unnerving since it more closely describes pre-WWII top-nob British society and its ingrained anti-Semitism than the Greatest Generation would like us to believe existed after the histories were edited (see also 1984).

     

    “Among Others” is another darkly written story with a disturbing edge of cruel magic and loss and madness. It won a Hugo about ten years ago, well deserved.

     

    I used to hang around with Jo at conventions here in the UK before she moved to live and work in Canada. A sweetheart, like I said.

  18. 18.

    Tony Jay

    @HumboldtBlue:

    A cosh is a weighted truncheon that street toughs at the end of the 19th century would use to threaten and/or beat their victims. ‘Under the cosh’ basically means taking a beating/being put under heavy pressure

    ETA – The term is still quite current, though thanks to ‘The Sweeney’ I always thought a cosh was a weighted leather weapon that would fit in one hand and be used to whack security guards and other inconveniences over the head from behind.

  19. 19.

    cope

    @HumboldtBlue: Half time search tells me a cosh is a stick used to beat things. “Under the cosh” is akin to “under the gun” or under pressure to get a task done.

  22. 22.

    Tony Jay

    I’ll say one thing for the Italians. Whichever one of them ends up with that ball anywhere around the 18 yard box they are all entirely willing and able to go for goal, regardless of the angle. Marking their front men must be a nightmare.

  29. 29.

    Tony Jay

    @HumboldtBlue:

    Everyone should follow Liverpool. It’s just the right thing to do in all situations.

    And Italy score a fantastic goal on the break.

  31. 31.

    HumboldtBlue

    @Tony Jay:

    I encountered it first watching a former Leeds player use it during an interview and it’s used regularly by football analysts, if that’s how we can describe Rio Ferdinand whose analysis usually boils down to platitudes about hustle passion.

    Wow, Chiesa! Against the run of play. Now we’re gonna see the Italians turn into Olympic divers who have been shot by snipers.

  32. 32.

    raven

    There I go, three minutes behind on the DVR and know what happened before it happens. Remind me to stay away from here during “matches”!!

  33. 33.

    HumboldtBlue

    @raven: ​ 
    Don’t. They also foul very little and since Klopp took over five years ago they have the fewest red and yellow cards and Klopp doesn’t allow the theatrics or the dirty play.

  36. 36.

    HumboldtBlue

    @Tony Jay: ​ I bet we see Thiago before long. Spain have to break that defense down and that’s a tough nut to crack.​

  37. 37.

    Tony Jay

    @HumboldtBlue:

    I was going to use the analogy of flopping fish on a hot beach but that works too.

    Spain need to up the tempo and penetration because Italy are going to waste about half the remaining time with ‘injuries’ and general shithousery. They need to take their chances, too, because that ‘header’ should have been nestling in the back of the net.

  38. 38.

    Morzer

    Well, congratulations to the Italian Men’s Formation Diving Team on a fine goal. Now, can the Spanish Men’s Formation Passing Team respond?

  41. 41.

    Tony Jay

    @raven:

    Heh. I’m on a WhatsApp group with a couple of friends where we watch the match together and talk bollocks. Because we all stream the game from different providers I’m often a minute behind the others and I have to ignore my phone when it buzzes in case I see “Ggggggooooooooaaaaaalllllllllll!!!!!!!!” way before the move that led to it even starts on my screen.

  42. 42.

    Morzer

    A goal for Spain might just turn this match into a classic. Another goal for Italy would probably see the last 20 minutes turn into miserable tedium plus an entire Oscars night of playacting.

  43. 43.

    Tony Jay

    @VeniceRiley:

     Everyone should follow Manchester City

    Thereby making it easier for Pep to sign everyone on the planet (as midfielders). Only then will the squad be big enough to satisfy all of his tinkering instincts. 8-)

  44. 44.

    JML

    Italy’s goal was as pretty a counter-attack as you’ll ever see. I’d prefer to see Italy v Denmark/England in the final; hate watching Spain when they’re not chasing the match. A million meaningless passes in the middle third.

  45. 45.

    HumboldtBlue

    The Spanish FA sent out a tweet before the match encouraging and Englishmen or women whose favorite food is paella to come out and support the Spanish side.
    GGGGGOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!​ 

    What a beautiful goal, so well played, great combination!

  52. 52.

    Morzer

    Morata is, in fact, alive. Well, that should make the last 40 minutes interesting…

  53. 53.

    Tony Jay

    @JML:

    They’ve created enough chances to be 2 or 3 up. When they pass fast and forward they’re devastating.

    Italy have it in them to rip right through that Spanish back-line with a single run or raking pass. There’s more goals in this.

  54. 54.

    Mary G

    What happens if they are tied when time is up?

    I’m assuming there’s no sudden death overtime, or is there?

  59. 59.

    Morzer

    Could be that Italy went into auto-pilot mode a bit too soon. I could see Spain stealing this one in the last five minutes. That said, I’d love to see extra time and then penalties…

  60. 60.

    raven

    @Tony Jay:  What’sApp is really big in Europe huh? When my wife went to UK pre-covid her traveling partner (dual citizenship and I send her all your rants) insisted on using it. We’ve been watching Jeremy Clarkson’s farm show and it pops up there too!

  64. 64.

    Tony Jay

    @raven:

    I know that it’s probably riddled with spyware run by the FSB/Mossad/Chinese Internal Security/Disney, but it’s just so damned convenient for group chats and sending Refaced pictures of my face on The Rock’s body.

    First World Excuses.

  65. 65.

    Tony Jay

    Oh no! Someone shot Danny Alba in the face!

    Oh, wait, no, just a flesh wound.

  73. 73.

    Sloane Ranger

    And Extra Time. If we win tomorrow an additional 30 minutes plus possible penalties may take some of the edge off the eventual winner here, providing we don’t need Extra Time as well.

  74. 74.

    L85NJGT

    @Morzer:

    They were pressing high and working very hard to deny a buildup through Alba (the left back). That worked until his mark ran out of gas.

  75. 75.

    greenergood

     

     

    @Tony Jay:  Tomorrow, on the day that England fans will be totaly focused on the match, the Tories will present in Parliament the second reading of the NHS Bill to progress accelerated privatisation, a favourite campaign of the new ‘Health’ Minister Javid, who is also a great admirer of Ayn Rand, and knows sweet f*** all about health, but declares that an extra 100,000 cases of Covid a week is a necessary step to getting back to ‘normal’.

  81. 81.

    Tony Jay

    @raven:

    Lol. Like you give a fuck what anyone thinks.

    I don’t go near the Book of Faces because I’m a paranoid, anti-social weirdo who frankly doesn’t want to know what anyone else is doing (if I wanted to know I’d find out where you live and hide in a tree outside your bedroom window like everyone else) but I thought most Juicers were on it anyway.

  82. 82.

    HumboldtBlue

    @billcinsd: ​ 
    Thanks.

    Judging from the comments on Twitter we’re not the only people who want to see more of this match. Great fun.

  84. 84.

    raven

    @eclare:

    When a boy learns that a beloved killer whale is to be killed by the aquarium owners, the boy risks everything to free the whale.

  85. 85.

    raven

    @Tony Jay: That’s for damn sure. There is a strong anti-FB group here, they tend to be the same weenies who hate football, don’t watch TV and want to make SURE everyone knows it. Fuck em indeed.

  88. 88.

    Tony Jay

    @greenergood:

    Don’t get me started. I’ve been kept too busy to build up a head of rant-steam, but those cumchiselling fucktards are going out of their way to make me stabby.

    @Morzer:

    Just scoping out the infrastructure undergirding the oppressive machinery of capitalist misinformation like a good child of the cadre system. Everyone according to their needs and abilities and all that corrupt bourgeois syncopation.

  90. 90.

    Leto

    @Gin & Tonic: consistent, constant pressure; Olmo continues to find these passing lanes behind the Italian defense. Just a pleasure to watch.

  93. 93.

    Morzer

    Looks like Italy have run out of ideas, other than to get to penalties and pray that Donnarumma’s lucky rabbit paw saves them. Of course, now I’ve said this, they’ll whack three brilliant goals past Spain and slouch towards the final to be born.

  94. 94.

    JML

    Italy is sitting back too much. That’s playing right into Spain’s hands, IMHO.

    I’d prefer this match to be decided in the run of play and not go to pens. But whichever team pushes it forward will be the one to take it, IMHO.

  96. 96.

    Tony Jay

    @raven:

    I find that being relentlessly calm and patient and understanding of others’ points of view while still being obdurately clear that they’re completely wrong pisses certain types of people off enormously, though I understand that’s not a technique that  everyone can use.

    Fuck’em works too.

  97. 97.

    Morzer

    @JML: I think you’re right. Italy look to have given up on winning the game and Spain are enjoying themselves much more.

  99. 99.

    HumboldtBlue

    The delay in the offside flag is the silliest and stupidest change they have made to refereeing. Just raise the flag and end the play.

  101. 101.

    Morzer

    I suspect that the winners of this game are England and Denmark. They must be feeling more confident about their chances in the final with every passing minute.

  102. 102.

    Leto

    ESPN put up a graphic: Spain 812 passes completed (65% possession) v Italy 299 (35%).

  103. 103.

    Leto

    Spain’s Morata goes down with a crushed chest… wait, pops back up, chest intact. Ok.

  105. 105.

    Tony Jay

    @Morzer:

    Depends on how long tomorrow’s game goes on for. Two well organised teams who don’t exactly throw eight men into every attack could well cancel each other out and end up in penalties.

    And if we do get through I’m still not sure who I’d rather face. Spain’s relentless passing machine constantly probing our packed but still flawed defence, or Italy’s more hard-punching multi-headed hydra of an attack and Oscar worthy shithousery?

    It’s a puzzler.

  109. 109.

    raven

    OK, so they pick 5 guys. Wasn’t there a game where they got down to goalies taking the PK’s and one missed? How do dis work?

  110. 110.

    What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us?

    @Leto: are you referring to the Aqua Net of healing? I don’t think I’ve seen any of the medical crews use that in this Euro.

  111. 111.

    Morzer

    @Leto: I thought it was distinctly unsporting of Italy to unleash that phantom elephant and trample poor Morata underfoot. Surely they could have just let the Spanish media handle the job.

  112. 112.

    HumboldtBlue

    @Morzer:

    I still believe England are the favorites. They’ve yet to concede a goal, they have more than enough in attack, and so far the double pivot of Rice and Phillips has been very effective in controlling the midfield. I’ll take Sterling-Kane-Saka/Sanco/Grealish up against both of these defenses.
    Assuming they get past the Great Danes.

  114. 114.

    JML

    @HumboldtBlue: hard to disagree. enforce the rule when they’re off. Too many obvious offsides are waiting for resolution that are easy to adjudicate.

    I will say the change in interpretation on hand ball has been wonderful. It’s gotten so many cheap pens out of the game, so many lame yellow cards out as well.

  117. 117.

    Morzer

    @Tony Jay: I think , if I were either team, I’d rather face Spain, who look a little softer and maybe not quite as good defensively.  But I might well be wrong.

  122. 122.

    Morzer

    @raven: I was hoping for the entire Italian team to go down clutching their “pearls” and demanding a free kick as the coin was flipped.

  125. 125.

    HumboldtBlue

    @JML: ​ 

    I will say the change in interpretation on hand ball has been wonderful. It’s gotten so many cheap pens out of the game, so many lame yellow cards out as well.

    Agreed.

  129. 129.

    Tony Jay

    @raven:

    After the first five you work your way through the team until you get to the most nervous and wobbly-kneed outfield player, then it’s the keeper.

  135. 135.

    HumboldtBlue

    Dreadful from Morata

    Spain are gonna rue this day, they let a very winnable match slip away.

    Well done, Italy (and fuck Man City)

  136. 136.

    Leto

    @raven: the final 11 people on the field, for each team, are the only players allowed to take PKs. You have your initial 5, and if it’s tied after that, it basically goes into sudden death PKs. Each team at that point gets 1. Tied still? Keep going. The keeper can take a PK at any point, just depends on how good the keep is with taking PKs. But, theoretically, they’d be last to take one.

  139. 139.

    Leto

    Oh god, the dribble shot… like I hate that style of shot sooooooo much, but my boys in blue are through!

  144. 144.

    VeniceRiley

    As they used to say back in the good old days at TWoP “FOR GOD’S SACK.”

  145. 145.

    Morzer

    Well, that’s the result I expected before the game, but England and Denmark will be happy that Italy had to go to extra time and didn’t look terribly impressive after about the 70 minute mark.

  146. 146.

    HumboldtBlue

    And credit to Mancini following the unthinkable happening in 2018 when Italy failed to qualify for the WC. He rebuilt this team and did it by inviting hundreds of players from across all levels of Italian soccer and created a very good team.

  147. 147.

    Leto

    Man this feels like 2012 all over again, except Italy has a very real shot of winning this. What I wouldn’t give to be in Montichiarri right now!

  148. 148.

    Tony Jay

    Well, that’s sad for Spain, but no one really expected them to get this far. Morata is going to get an avalanche of shit but he’s the reason they got to penalties in the first place. He should just jack it in and take up that offer of a Hollywood career as the impossibly handsome foreign exchange student in Anna Kendrick movies.

    Italy have been the most complete team in this tournament, and the most exciting. If we do get past Denmark, should be a hell of a game.

  150. 150.

    trollhattan

    In unrelated sportsballbike news: Cavendish wins his third 2021 Tour stage and one more ties him with Eddy Merckx at best in Tour history (separated by half a century).​

  151. 151.

    Morzer

    I’ve been expecting Italy to make the final since the group stages ended. I would expect them to beat Denmark, but I think England might just be their kryptonite. Italy looked out of ideas in the latter stages of this game and a team with more cutting edge than Spain would have made them pay.  Looking forward to the clash of  the Vikings and the Saxons tomorrow. Guthrum or Alfred… but who is going to be Uhtred?

  152. 152.

    cope

    @Leto: The high school boys team I used to coach lost a district playoff game on PKs 19-18 this past season. High school teams in Florida can take 24 players (I think) into playoffs so there were still a few scrubs left on each bench.

  153. 153.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Morzer: ​
      I’ll be rooting for the Great Heathen Army. Historical references for the final are gong to be more difficult.

  154. 154.

    Gin & Tonic

    @trollhattan: I hope Cav doesn’t make it to 35 and surpass Eddy. The environment is just so different these days with the specialists, stage winners who have zero chance of actually winning a Grand Tour. Eddy won 34 stages, but he also won the Giro and the Tour in the same year twice, won all the Spring classics, held the hour record for years, etc., etc. Cavendish is a good sprinter, that’s all. He’s not fit to shine Mercx’s shoes.

  156. 156.

    way2blue

    I, with a Danish grandfather, am rooting for Denmark and hoping they surprise the UK team.

  157. 157.

    Mart

    There was a thrilling semi-final match between Argentina and Columbia last night, played on our side of the pond. Messi was just sick as usual.

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