Euro Cup 2012 Results – England 2 – 4 Italy – PENALTIES

The game kicks off and starts with both teams a bit on edge. Just 3 minutes in Danielle De Rossi slice a volley from all of 35 yards which hits the post, just 2 minutes later and england slice through the Italian defence and are only denied by a great save by Buffon, a good tempo to the game here and the game has started as one of the best of the tournament.

After the first 10 minutes it has become evident that the Italians are using more of a long ball strategy, England are top at the moment but Italy are very dangerous on the counter. England pushing forward more and more winning corners and asking real questions of the Italy defence. Glen Johnson plays in a really good ball for Rooney who is sprinting into the box but some really good last ditch defending denies him scoring the opener.. Some great play from England here.

Italy coming more into the game now around the 17 minute mark not really breaking into the England box but having more of the possession. The English seem to be defending well and putting together some good passes but the Italians passing well and testing the English Defence, which are holding firm.

Italy having the more of the ball now but are still limited to long distance efforts which aren’t troubling Joe Hart too much. England break forward with a good pass from scott parker then some great interplay between Welbeck and Rooney with Welbeck striking over from 20 yards out.. He should have done better but some great counter attacking play by England.

The Italians have had more of the possession in this game having around 59% of the possession and completing almost twice as many passess. England have had perhaps the better chances to score though. Cassano lets fly from just on the edge of the area but its a fairly comfortable save for joe Hart. This is very 50 – 50 now between both teams, there is an ebb and flow to this game which has been unusual in the previous quarter finals. Its a finely balanced game here as the half time whistle goes and the half-time score is England 0 – 0 Italy.

The second half kicks off and in the first exchanges England push forward, the Italians quickly break and the game starts off like the first. De Rossi has a great chance to put the Italians in the lead but he snatches at it and the chance is gone.

Both the Italians and the English are really going for it and this game is really finely balanced. Balotelli tries and audacious overhead kick which just goes over the bar. England make the first move as the first of the substitutions arise. Walcott and Carroll come on replacing Welbeck and Milner as England look to go slightly more attacking. Balotelli has been Italy’s greatest threat…

England seem to be giving the ball away more now around the 60th minute and Italy seem to be more on top. 73rd minute now and Italy seem more comfortable in poseession around the midfield, England constantly looking to break and Balotelli is still Italy’s main threat up front. Italy have still been limited to the longer shots while England seem to be failing to penetrate the Italian Defence.

Diamanti and Nocerino come on for De Rossi and Cassano but since then England have been better in possession and havent given the ball away as much. Italy still having decent possession though as the game soldiers into the last 5 minutes of normal time,this game looks like its going to extra time.

Theres three minutes of extra time here with the game still at 0 – 0, Italy have been the better side in the closing stages but England have defended excellently. The final whistle goes and the game goes into extra-time and possibly penalties.

Extra-time kicks off much the same as the second half. Italy having more possession but England defending well and breaking every now and again. Pirlo has run the game for the Italians in midfield and hes still going strong even in extra time.

Diamanti hits the post with a misguided cross that in the end turns into a good chance. Balotelli has had several long range efforts that all seem to have been comfortable for Joe Hart. As you can imagine nearing the first half of extra time there are some very tired players out there and we dont seem to be any nearer seeing a winner to this game. Half time of extra time and the game is still even here at 0 – 0.

England really sitting deep in this game and Italy are in total control, Englands only real chance here are for an attack on the break. England are defending really well and dont look like conceding but the Italians are all around the English always looking for an opening to score.

Italy score in the 25th minute of extra time but hes was offside, everyone was celebrating but the ref blows as wel still head for Extra time here! Could it get more dramatic!? If italy dont go through tonight they will feel very aggrieved but it looks like were going to penalties.

HERE COME THE PENALTIES!
Italy first
Italy – Balotelli: scores!
England – Gerrard: scores!
Italy – Montilivo: WIDE!
England – Rooney: scores!
Italy – Pirlo: scores – chip down the middle, pure class by the old master!
England – Young: hits the crossbar!
Italy – Noccerino: scores!
England – Cole: SAVED!
Italy – Diamanti: SCORES

ITALY ARE THROUGH, Italy have deserved it over the game in total. You cant see the Italians getting past the Germans but ITALY ARE THROUGH!