Sunday, July 1st, 2012

Spain 4 – Italy 0 (Euro 2012 Final, July 1, 2012) (Alternative highlights, more highlights & longer highlights.) La Roja struck first in the 13th minute as David Silva planted home a header from a Fabregas’ pin-point cross. Five minutes from the break Spain doubled their lead as Alba picked up the ball on the pass, passed to Xavi and then turned on the afterburners to breach the Italian defence, and Jordi Alba collected the 1-2 before scoring his 1st goal for his country. The Azzurri had a great chance in the 50th, but Iker Casillas smothered Antonio Di Natale’s point-blank shot. Italy’s match fell apart when Tiago Motta – their 3rd sub – was instantly withdrawn with a snapped hamstring, and seven minutes from time the 10-men fell 3-behind as Fernando Torres found the net. In the 88th minute it was 4-0 as Torres found Juan Mata in the box, and the Chelsea man score with his first contribution throughout the whole of Euro 2012.

Spain lift the Henri Delaunay trophy. (Longer highlights.)

Post-match interviews: Cesc Fabregas & Gerard Pique (English).

Gif: A fan attacks Xavi as Spain celebrate winning Euro 2012

Gif: Cesc Fabregas crosses, David Silva heads home (Spain) v Italy

GIF: Jordi Alba’s terrific run & finish (Spain) v Italy

Gif: Iker Casillas (Spain) makes a top save to deny Antonio Di Natalte (Italy)

Gif: A fan attacks Xavi as Spain celebrate winning Euro 2012.

Alan Shearer puts Spain success down to “an unbelievable amount of sex”.

Post Match Gifs: Fernando Torres chases children & Andrea Pirlo’s teary red eyes.

Mario Balotelli storms off after Spain defeat.

All 4 Spanish goals Euro 2012 final goals v Italy in 3D.

Inside the Spain dressing room after Italy final win: Prince Felipe congratulates the players.

Fernando Torres celebrates with his children post Spain 4 – Italy 0.

Thursday, June 28th, 2012

Italy 2 – Germany 1 (Euro 2012 semi-final, June 28, 2012) (Alternative highlights & Extended highlights.) On 20 minutes Italy took the lead, Antonio Cassano wriggled free on the left and put over a beauty of a cross for Mario Balotelli to head home. On 35 it got even better for Italy as Montolivo lofted a pass through for Mario Balotelli to smack home the second with a terrific finish. As expected Germany piled on the pressure in the second half with Gianluigi Buffon forced into a fine save from a Marco Reus free-kick. In injury time Germany pulled a goal back through a Mesut Ozil penalty.

Post match interviews: Mario Balotelli.

Mario Balotelli celebrates victory over Germany by celebrating with his family

Individual highlights: Mario Balotelli.

All three goals.

The Balotelli show: Both Super Mario goals v Germany. (Video)

GIF: (Super) Mario Balotelli heads Italy in front v Germany from Cassano cross.

GIF: Mario Balotelli second goal v Germany.

GIF: Mario Balotelli’s celebration for second goal v Germany.

Video. Mario Balotelli celebration after second goal v Germany.

Michael Ballack, Alexi Lalas & Taylor Twellman analyse Italy’s 2-1 victory over Germany.

Wednesday, June 27th, 2012

Portugal 0 – Spain 0 (Pens. 2-4) (Euro 2012 semi-final, June 27, 2012) (Longer highlights.) Andres Iniesta came close to handing Spain a 28th minute lead with a curler that just skied Rui Patricio’s bar. Minutes later Cristiano Ronaldo narrowly missed the target with a low shot. In the 72 minute Cristiano Ronaldo went close with a free-kick. Cristiano Ronaldo had the chance to win the match in an 89th minute breakaway, but the forward blasted his shot wide. The match moved into extra time, where Rui Patricio produced a brilliant reflex save to deny Andres Iniesta.

The match went to penalties: Rui Patricio saved Xabi Alonso’s effort, but Joao Moutinho saw his spot-kick turned aside by Casillas. The goals then started flowing as Andres Iniesta scored, Pepe scored in reply, Gerard Pique netted for 2-1 Spain, and Luis Nani scored a beauty for 2-2. Sergio Ramos succeeded with a panenka for 3-2, and then Bruno Alves blasted his effort at the bar for the killer miss. Cesc Fabregas slotted home the winner off the inside of the post.

Individual highlights: Cristiano Ronaldo

Fabio Coentrao sends a ‘jerk off’ message in Pepe Riena’s direction

Gif: Sergio Ramos’ panenka penalty (Spain) v Portugal

(Gif) Sweet Skill: Cristiano Ronaldo’s backheel pass (Portugal) v Spain

Sunday, June 24th, 2012

England 0 – Italy 0* (Pens. 2-4) (Euro 2012 quarter-final, June 24, 2012) (Longer highlights.) After De Rossi’s had smacked the post, England’s first chance fell to Glen Johnson, getting on the end of a good cross, but the ball got stuck in his feet and Buffon was able to save. Mario Balotelli had a great chance when put through 1v1 with Joe Hart, but his attempted scooped golazo was blocked by John Terry.  The ball was like a magnet to Balotelli and he managed to find himself on the end of an ever better chance, but snatched at it and skied it over from close range. Italy bombarded the England goal early in the second half, and Daniele de Rossi missed the best of the chances, shanking his shot wide from 5 yards. Ashley Young’s most important contribution to the 90 minutes was this blatant dive. England defended stoutly throughout, this passage from extra-time a prime example.  Italy had a goal ruled out for offside in extra-time as the game looked destined for penalties.

England 2 – Italy 4 Penalty shoot-out. After Gerrard and Balotelli scored. Montolivo missed for Italy. Rooney then notched only for Andrea Pirlo to reply with a brilliant cheeky dinked Panenka penalty that changed the course of the shoot-out. Ashley Young missed. Nocerino scored. Ashley Cole missed. And Diamanti won it for the Azzurri.

Video: Andrea Pirlo’s Perfect Panenka.

GIF: Andrea Pirlo’s Panenka Penalty v England. Genius.

If at first you don’t succeed… Andrea Pirlo missed Panenka penalty (Barcelona-AC Milan, Aug. 24, 2010).

Post-match interviews: Roy Hodgson, Steven Gerrard, Joleon Lescott & James Milner.

Did Roy Hodgson swear in post Italy defeat interview? (“never seen such Sh**”).

Roy Keane on England’s exit from Euro 2012.

Michael Ballack, Alexi Lalas & Taylor Twellman analyse England’s defeat to Italy.

Saturday, June 23rd, 2012

Spain 2 – France 0 (Euro 2012 quarter-final, June 23, 2012) (Alternative highlights & Longer highlights.) In the fifth minute Cesc Fabregas was convinced Clichy had pushed him over for a penalty. Not given. the breakthrough came on 19, Iniesta set free Alba who crossed for Xabi Alonso to head in the opener on his 100th appearance for the Spanish national team. Just after the hour Hugo Lloris did well to come out and stop Cesc Fabregas following a fine Xavi ball. On 89, with France having offered almost nothing, Reveillere fouled Pedro after a fine step over and Xabi Alonso converted for 2-0.

GIF: Xabi Alonso heads Spain into the lead v France.

Worst shot ever? Karim Benzema v Spain.

Did Pedro dive to win a penalty against France?

Jamie Carragher rips the French apart after defeat to Spain.

Alexi Lalas, Michael Ballack & Taylor Twellman: Teams Too Scared When Playing Spain?

Individual highlights: Andres Iniesta.

Supporters clash with police in Paris after France’s defeat to Spain.

Friday, June 22nd, 2012

Germany 4 – Greece 2 (Euro 2012 quarter-final, June 22, 2012) (Alternative highlights, More highlights, Extended highlights) The Germans had a goal scrapped off in the first five minutes as Andre Schurrle was flagged off for offside. Germany’s dominance paid dividends in the 39th minute when captain Philipp Lahm collected the ball 25-yards out, and slammed a swerving strike past Sifakis’s left hand. (Watch Angela Merkel’s reaction) Ten minutes into the second half and Hellas stirred up hell: a lightning counter from the Greeks ending when Georgios Samaras got on the end of Salpingidis cross on the break. Parity was short-lived as Germany built a patient attack which was karate-kicked home by Sami Khedira. In the 67th it was 3-1 Germany as a fre-kick was headed home by Miroslav Klose amid poor Greek defending. Germany sent out a message of intent going 4-1 up in the 73rd as an umpteenth attack was slammed home on the volley by starlet Marco Reus. Two minutes from time a (harsh?) penalty was awarded for a Boateng handball, and Dimitris Salpingidis scored the first penalty of Euro 2012.

Gif: Angela Merkel celebrates after Philipp Lahm puts Germany 1-up against Greece

Gif: Joachim Löw’s crazy hand-ringing celebration after Lahm’s goal put Germany ahead vs Greece

Thursday, June 21st, 2012

Portugal 1 – Czech Republic 0 (Euro 2012 quarter-final, June 21, 2012) (Alternative highlights.) The Czechs were organised from the off and looked solid in the opening half hour. Petr Cech showed Chelsea form to keep out a close range Cristiano Ronaldo effort, which was called back for a foul. Cristiano Ronaldo then missed with a bicycle kick attempt. Right at the end of the first half, Cristiano Ronaldo produced some terrific skill before hitting the post. At the start of the second half Cristiano Ronaldo hit the post again a free-kick. Petr Cech then made a terrific save from Joao Moutinho. With 11 minutes to go Moutinho crossed for Cristiano Ronaldo to get the goal he deserved.

GIF: Cristiano Ronaldo misses an overhead kick chance v Czech Republic.

GIF: Cristiano Ronaldo hits the post v Czech Republic.

GIF: Cristiano Ronaldo pleads with the football Gods.

GIF: Cristiano Ronaldo goal v Czech Republic.

GIF: Did Cristiano Ronaldo send a kiss to “Messi” after scoring v Czech Republic?

Luis Figo & Eusebio celebrate Cristiano Ronaldo goal v Czech Republic.

Epic Martin Keown FAIL: “Like an NFL Basketball player” (Czech Republic-Portugal).

Michael Ballack assesses Portugal win over Czech Republic.

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012

Ukraine 0 – England 1 (Group D, Euro 2012) (Alternative highlights, more highlights & Extended highlights.) England took the lead through the returning Wayne Rooney, who was on the spot to nod the ball over the line. Ukraine were then robbed of a perfectly good goal when a deflected shot was judged to have been cleared off the line by John Terry.

Post-match interviews: Roy Hodgson, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Theo Walcott & Andriy Shevchenko.

Pictures: Ukraine’s goal was over the line but Milevskiy was offside in the build up.

Oleg Blokhin goes mental after Ukraine ghost goal.

GIF: Scott Parker tries to tackle with his head (Ukraine 0 – England 1).

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012

Sweden 2 – France 0 (Group D, Euro 2012) (Alternative highlights & longer highlights.) Sweden had a decent chance early on, which was headed well over the bar. Sweden took the lead early in the second half, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic met a good cross with an acrobatic volleyed Golazo. Hugo Lloris then made a great save from a Sweden corner to tip the ball over. Seb Larsson grabbed Sweden’s second with a whacked volley into the roof of the net.

GIF: Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Golazo v France.

Both Sweden goals.

Monday, June 18th, 2012

Italy 2 – Republic of Ireland 0 (Euro 2012 Group C, June 18, 2012) (Alternative highlights, more highlights & longer highlights.) Italy took the lead on 35 as Antonio Cassano headed just over the line from an Andrea Pirlo corner. In the 90th minute Super Mario Balotelli sealed the win with an acrobatic volley from a corner.

GIF: (Super) Mario Balotelli’s Golazo! v Ireland.

GIF: Irish fans do the Poznan during Italy match.

Both Italy goals v Croatia.

The muted celebration: Leonardo Bonucci shuts up Mario Balotelli.

Post-match interview: Giovanni Trapattoni.