Fabulous

Well it was an incredible game. Both teams played impressively well. Italy had the advantage in the first half, Germany had the advantage in the second half. Overtime varied between end to end play, and exhausted players walking around. As the final whistle approached, Italy kept on substituting in forwards. The turning point was when Iaquinta came in. Italy kept on going down the right flank generating momentum. Gilardino -- post. Zambrotta -- crossbar. And then the last two minutes:

Incredible. Simply incredible. Pirlo is a smart player, and Grosso always seems to show up in the last key moments. Other teams should note that this was a team effort, the Italians scored on great passes ... no selfishness here.

The key of this tournament, great defenders. Early in the tournament, teams with weak backlines paid the price. Now with the best defensive teams left, the only way to brake through these fortresses is to play short quick passes in the box or to go all out on set pieces.

Today it's France and Portugal, two of the best teams in the tournament. With Zidane the magician and Ribery the greatest revelation in the tournament, I'm hoping for a France-Italy final.

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France...how pedestrian. I'm cheering for Portugal to go all the way. The great Figo, the young Ronaldo, fun footie. They have also never won and it is time to have some new blood. They may play too physical for some, for me, they play with a lot of heart. Nothing impressed me more than watching Ronaldo fight on after having his thigh brutalized. It is going to be a good one.

(post France-Portugal game) Both teams did not play well. Portugal had 2 shots on goal. If France plays like this on Sunday, Italy will crush them. But if France steps up its game (as it did against Brazil) it will be a great final. BTW Cristiano Ronaldo is damn selfish. Only once he passed the ball. Maniche, who received his service, took a one timer - a great shot ... but Portugal never looked dangerous.

Originally I felt sorry for Ronaldo, but in this last game, he did so much faking that it was a real turnoff. I wasn't bothered by their aggressive defense, so long as they weren't injuring anyone -- just their very predictable theatrical antics.

I just learned that the cause of the booing & hissing whenever Ronaldo touched the ball (according to the Univision commentary) was not due to the Rooney incident, but to his snide remark that football is not a game for old men, referring to the French squad.

Hehe, I like the Ronaldo comment on why they were hissing. I don't get why Portugal is treated differently from others. I didn't see any selfishness. He didn't pass because no one could keep up with him. In fact, I recall that he had a couple of great passes when he played up the middle. He also often had three defenders on him all the time. That being said, no one I have seen yet fakes as well as Henry. The penalty shot he won he clearly (to me) could have played through. Even if he couldn't, his clear post tackle flourish made me grimace. Faking is clearly part of the game. France has gone forward based on two by Henry.

I was frustrated by both teams struggling to put a decent shot on goal. The defences were stifling. Barthezz luck will run out against Italy. Is it possible for both teams to lose?