[WC] QF : Italy vs Ukraine -> Italy through

Friday, 9PM local time

Italy 3-0 Ukraine

I hope Ukraine wins. I like it when Slavic countries win. They are also the underdog.

In the past 3 World Cups, non-traditional (in football terms) European teams have made it to the semis, and have claimed 3rd place. That includes Sweden in 1994, Croatia in 1998 and Turkey in 2002. Because history like that interests me, it wouldn't surprise me if Ukraine won this game, and lost in the semi. Of course, they are major underdogs. Having watched the Switzerland-Ukraine game, I thought that both sides were playing on their last legs.

ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzz

Italy will be without Nesta again.And as Materazzi is absent who will fill in at centre back alongside Cannavaro the tournaments outstanding centre back.

Maybe Lippi will probably start Totti this time.Ukraine have lost the services of Voronin.I dont think thye have enough to trouble Buffon & co though.

It will be a close game but Toni has been unlucky with a couple of his strikes. I'm sure he'll find the net.Gilardino too can explode at any time.So 1-0 to Italia. :)

Go Ukraina!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Sheva!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Italy should win, but they always have difficulties against the lower ranked teams.

My Prediction: 2-1 Italy

Here's a shocker, I hope Ukraine wins

But i'm proud of my boys, and now on Friday we will have finally arrived on the World stage, against the Italians..

In the past 3 World Cups, non-traditional (in football terms) European teams have made it to the semis, and have claimed 3rd place. That includes Sweden in 1994, Croatia in 1998 and Turkey in 2002. Because history like that interests me, it wouldn't surprise me if Ukraine won this game, and lost in the semi. Of course, they are major underdogs. Having watched the Switzerland-Ukraine game, I thought that both sides were playing on their last legs.

Turkey is not a part of Europe.

Italy will be without Nesta again.And as Materazzi is absent who will fill in at centre back alongside Cannavaro the tournaments outstanding centre back.

Maybe Lippi will probably start Totti this time.Ukraine have lost the services of Voronin.I dont think thye have enough to trouble Buffon & co though.

It will be a close game but Toni has been unlucky with a couple of his strikes. I'm sure he'll find the net.Gilardino too can explode at any time.So 1-0 to Italia. :)

Barzagli should fill his spot. He's the only central defender left on the team anyways.

I just hope Lippi doesn't use Iaquinta as a sub again, as he does nothing. Del Piero is his usual tournament self, useless as a third nipple.

I expect Toni to finally break out. He's had a lot of chances but it just hasn't been going in for him.

Turkey is not a part of Europe.

UEFA decides that,

Turkey is not a part of Europe.
Well I don't really want to get into the politics, because it has been discussed to death before. Perhaps I should have said 3 UEFA participants.

Make me proud Ukraine!

My bitterness at Italy is known. I hope the Ukraine drops a train on them, if only to provide a true upset in this WC.

I really hope Ukraine pulls this one out, a lot because I like the underdogs usually and also because I do not like the Italian team at all.

I just hope Italy lose

you say turkey isnt part of europe yet its trying to be in the EU??? something has got to be wrong about that statement....


and i think italy wins this. They wont need help from the biased refs this time :P

you say turkey isnt part of europe yet its trying to be in the EU??? something has got to be wrong about that ....
OT:
Editted. You probally have never lived in a Turkish neighbourhood and had to deal with them on a weekly basis.

I'm sure that many Europeans will agree with me here. Turkey is not European and shall never ever become an EU member.

That's my last comment on this topic!!!

OT:
Editted. You probally have never lived in a Turkish neighbourhood and had to deal with them on a weekly basis.

I'm sure that many Europeans will agree with me here. Turkey is not European and shall never ever become an EU member.

That's my last comment on this topic!!!

actually.... i have, thanks for asking :P You know its funny listening to turkish people trying to speak dutch... But the fact is, turkey, even though maybe a little less civilized than other countries in Europe, is not as bad as you make it. Italy, Spain, and a lot of other countries in Europe are not as rich as you make them out to be. I dont see how Turkey is any less...

And by the way... just because im FROM AMERICA doesnt mean i havent lived in Europe. Ive actually lived in Europe 10 out of the last 24 months... and by the way, even though most of Europe will agree with you, it is still in the boundaries of what is considered "Europe", and their economy is actually becoming quite stable. Its like in America, with Mexico. Just because its poor does not mean we cannot call it part of North America. Its not your decision to pick our European countries... its where they lie that decides. I know quite a few people who also consider England not part of Europe (even though they arent in the EU), but i dont hear anyone chirping about how it doesnt LIE in Europe.

OT:
I'm sure that many Europeans will agree with me here. Turkey is not European and shall never ever become an EU member.

That's my last comment on this topic!!!

OT:Its the Eurocrats that want Turkey to join the EU & in the future the likes of Morocco . People in W.Europe dont want this to happen as evidenced in referenda & public opinion polls.

The human rights record in Turkey is one of shame & one that ignores the Armenian holocaust.Spain Portugual may have been relatively poor in terms compared to other European nations some 2 decades ago but that is now a fallacy.

Italy has always been there along with the other European nations.

The Ukraine will get its defenders back from the "yellow" suspensions, while Nesta is probably out for the Italians.

OT:Its the Eurocrats that want Turkey to join the EU & in the future the likes of Morocco .
:huh:

Can you find a political board to talk about Turkey and the EU thanks.

Italy to win, even with having to go with Barzagli and all the players thinking about Pessotto.

anyone want to wager on what minute the italians get their penalty this time? :sarcasm:

Incidently there's also unbackable odds that an italian player will dive in this game. :madfire:

I'm rooting for Italy. They need to win this. They loose to often to the uderdogs.

anyone want to wager on what minute the italians get their penalty this time? :sarcasm: Yeah..let me count how many they were given along this competition already....
.
.
.
1.

wow.

Yeah..let me count how many they were given along this competition already....
.
.
.
1.

wow.
eeeeasy there big fella don't miss the :sarcasm: in my post.

I'm rooting for Italy. They need to win this. They loose to often to the uderdogs.

No need to change this "tradition" now :)

There IS a god. Iaquinta ruled out of the match! :handclap:

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun29h.html

There IS a god. Iaquinta ruled out of the match! :handclap:

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun29h.html

Imagine that somebody would cheer when you get injured. Fair play dude!

:biglaugh:

I'm actually an Italian supporter. I didn't like his selection into the Azzurri and his play has shown that. I'm soooo glad he's out so others who deserve to play can fit in.

Andrei Voronin will miss the game and the rest of the tournament with a torn thigh muscle, this gives young Artem Milevsky the chance to start ahead of Andrei Vorobei (I hope!)

Rusol, and Svidersky return from suspensions which is good news.

However losing Ukraine's version of Gattuso (Voronin) kinda sucks,

There IS a god. Iaquinta ruled out of the match! :handclap:

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun29h.html

Aww man, now Ukraine's defense is going to have to worry about a real striker now..

:biglaugh:

I'm actually an Italian supporter. I didn't like his selection into the Azzurri and his play has shown that. I'm soooo glad he's out so others who deserve to play can fit in.Like Del Piero? :biglaugh:

anyway, even if i don't think Lippi would have been so stupid to play Iaquinta again, that is unfortunately a good news for the team's chances (unless is Mr Hype taking advantage).
As i said, the game vs the US was the only situation when dumb Vincenzo could help and Lippi should have stopped there (or better, even before the tourney)

There IS a god. Iaquinta ruled out of the match! :handclap:

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun29h.html
Does this mean we see the king of the offside instead??

Does this mean we see the king of the offside instead??

I hope so. Inzaghi just has that poacher's quality.

And Henry's and Van Bommel's diving qualities are pedestrian compared to Inzaghi. Inzaghi is to diving as Denzel Washington is to acting. ;)

Del Piero...I just don't know what happens to him at tournament times. He's done this 3 times now...great form in qualifying and for his club, then stinks it up in tournaments. Glad to see the last of him in the Azzurri after this WC.

Italy has already won something.

Italy has already won something.
:shakehead

:shakehead
I'll admit, that was pretty funny!!! :biglaugh:

I thought it was a foul, but still, funny nonetheless.

Actually, you can put the oscar in the aussie's hands for his performance of the innocent guy.

Actually, you can put the oscar in the aussie's hands for his performance of the innocent guy.

Ha even Gatuso said it wasn't a penalty. Neill should have never slid in but he never made contact. Grosso could have easily gone around him and had a shot.

No, he couldn't.
He made contact by obstructing the way to the goal. The other Dman would have been at the ball before Grosso if he hadn't dived, so Neill clearly killed the play.

Which team is going to get Punk'd in this game, between Italy and Ukraine?

Which team is going to get Punk'd in this game, between Italy and Ukraine?
hhmmmmm my money on ukraine

hhmmmmm my money on ukraine
I would have to agree.

I think Ukraine is going to be taken to school in this game. They are going to be taught some hard lessons.

Game over after 5 mins, Im so confident Id almost make a be that Id get photod wearing a Leafs jersey if Ukraine win.........almost.

This Ukraine team is being dominated, shades of that Spain beating

Actually, you can put the oscar in the aussie's hands for his performance of the innocent guy.
It didn't take much acting. Almost like he was a natural.....or perhaps.....INNOCENT :amazed:

sometimes you amaze me in your bias towards the european countries, seriously.

Gattuso's jersey will be green after the match since he's been laying on the pitch most of the game.

It didn't take much acting. Almost like he was a natural.....or perhaps.....INNOCENT :amazed:

sometimes you amaze me in your bias towards the european countries, seriously.
If you had any sense of rivalries, you'd know I'd certainly not defend Italy if they weren't innocent.
I've criticized italians ways, divings and cheatings hundreds of times on this boards (ask Helice, we've had mulitple arguments about this).

But Neill made a foul, and though I fully understand the frustration, it was a GOOD decision by the ref.

And let me tell you I'm mcuh closer to Australia at heart than Italy. I've got tons of australian friends, I've been to Australia a few times and I love both the country and its residents.

Ukraine look dire, dire, dire.

Ouh, that was close.
As long as Italy hasn't scored a second, everything's possible.

I think that sequence prior to the goal confirmed that Buffon is the best goalkeeper in the world, at least in my mind.

Ouh, that was close.
As long as Italy hasn't scored a second, everything's possible.

Im still perplexed how the Italian defender kept that out, possible hand ball?

I think that sequence prior to the goal confirmed that Buffon is the best goalkeeper in the world, at least in my mind.

His future cell-mate would prolly agree.

Im still perplexed how the Italian defender kept that out, possible hand ball?

it hit off his chest ... shoulder area ... but he didn't make an attempt to try and play it with his shoulder ... 3-0 Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuca Toniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

looks like the motherland is knocked out. good tournament by Ukraine tho.. i'm proud of their efforts! :handclap:

it hit off his chest ... shoulder area ... but he didn't make an attempt to try and play it with his shoulder ... 3-0 Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuca Toniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

Oh ic, great play then. It is also proven that Ukraine without a shadow of a doubt isn't in the same league as they other seven teams though :clap: reaching this stage

Oh ic, great play then. It is also proven that Ukraine without a shadow of a doubt isn't in the same league as they other seven teams though :clap: reaching this stage

great run by Ukraine, in there first World Cup :clap:

Azurri. UGH. :cry:

I think Ukraine played pretty well this game, however they were so unlucky, but i guess its all part of the game. :cry:
They played terribly defensively, but I thought they played really well offensively. Buffon is just that good, and it's a game of inches.

I wanted them to win.

Man did Italy ever have an easy road to the semi's.

Lovely piece of skill a la Maradona from Sheva. Bad luck Ukraina but theres plenty ahead in the future if your u21s progress as they should into the seniors.

Forza Azzurri ! Crush the dull referee aided bores . :) 1970 1982 all over again please. And to shabutie & co dont worry Portugual will KO the dull English team too.At least Ukraine can hold onto the ball & display a modicum of cohesive play.

Italy was both lucky and deserving.
Buffon and Zambrotta were HUGE. Cannavaro as well.
Ukraine should really have tied the game at 1-1 and that crossbar when they were down 2-0 really hurt them.

Excellent contrast in class between Ukraine and Argentina after their games. Very proud of that, and proud of us advancing to the final eight of the WORLD CUP. I hope the future is bright as has been said...

Again with class, very nice of Cannavoro and co. with the message for Pessoto (I assume? My Italian is not that existant), and Shevchenko for going to the opponents and congratulating his old teammates and rivals. That little exchange with Pirlo between the desolate side and the celebrating side is what the World Cup is about.

Ukraines gameplan was obviously to try and keep it tight until HT and then have a go.

3-0 isnt a fair reflection, Ukraine so nearly scored right before it got to 2-0, it would have been a totally different game.

Woooooooooooooooooooooot!!!

The Azzurri are just rounding into form. Toni gets back on track and Totti is slowly getting back to form, two assists today. :clap:

1 assist.

1 assist.

Hmm, they just gave the one on Toni's goal. He gave the ball to Zambrotta before his goal too.

He had the assist on Toni's.
Zambrotta was unassisted. This isn't hockey :D

Man did Italy ever have an easy road to the semi's.

Just like Portugal's qualifying group?

I'm proud of what my nation achieved in their very first major tournament.

We can go on and analyze this game until the sun goes down, but the fact is Ukraine had their chances and didn't capitalize. It was not a dominant performance by any means.. if anyone actually saw the game, the score doesn't represent that well.

We'll get our chance at revenge sooner then expected as Italy are in our group for Euro qualifying, as well as France.

Nesta is out for the match against Germany. Hopefully, Lippi puts in Barzagli, who did an admirable job. But Materazzi's height and strength could be a good foil against those tall German strikers. Believe it or not, I might actually recommend Materazzi on this one! :eek:

I hope Lippi sticks with the 4-4-1-1, as it gives more width on the flanks and Totti doesn't get tired as much.

So, in '98 Italy was eliminated by penalty shots by France, the home team, after playing without the injured Nesta.

In 02' Italy was eliminated in overtime (and with ten men) by Korea, the HOME team, after playing the decisive game without the injured Nesta.

In '06 Italy will face Germany, the home/HOME team, and will play without the injured Nesta...


people, be ready with your champers!

So, in '98 Italy was eliminated by penalty shots by France, the home team, after playing without the injured Nesta.

In 02' Italy was eliminated in overtime (and with ten men) by Korea, the HOME team, after playing the decisive game without the injured Nesta.

In '06 Italy will face Germany, the home/HOME team, and will play without the injured Nesta...


people, be ready with your champers!


Now thats weird!!!! Anyone now if Nesta will be back for the finals if Italy beats Germany?

Now thats weird!!!! Anyone now if Nesta will be back for the finals if Italy beats Germany?For the first place final there would be a fair chance. And i think they would take the risk..

Well, since there's no semi-finals thread, I'll quietly predict a 1-0 victory from the Italians, with Totti the scorer.

Rumors are that Nesta will not start and Materrazi is gonna replace

Well, since there's no semi-finals thread, I'll quietly predict a 2-0 victory from the Italians, with Toni the scorer of both.

Slight corrections. :clap: :bow: :clap: