Jul1

Spain vs Italy Euro 2012 Final Preview- Euro Cup 2012

EURO Cup 2012 no comments

EURO 2012 has reached its crescendo. Spain and Italy are the last teams standing, and on Sunday they will come together in a clash of footballing cultures that will have a global audience in the hundreds of millions hanging on their every pass.
Spain are the defending European champions and reigning World Cup winners. Vicente del Bosque’s revered pass masters can make history by winning a third successive major title in Kiev, Ukraine, and will be favorites to make it happen.
But Cesare Prandelli’s Italy have already done for England and Germany in the knockout stages of Euro 2012, and inspired by midfielder Andrea Pirlo—arguably the player of the tournament so far—deservedly earned a shot to knock Spain off their throne.

Teams Analysis:

Spain’s game is all about possession and fluid movement. With imperious Barcelona duo Andres Iniesta and Xavi at their hub, the Spanish have built a dynasty of success on their tiki-taka passing style. The approach calls on all 10 outfield players to keep the ball moving until spaces appear in the final third. When they do, Spain go for the kill.

Italy’s game plan relies heavily on Pirlo, who operates as a deep-lying playmaker and performs a quarterback-style role the Italians call “regista.” The Italians are hard to break down, with Daniele De Rossi tasked with shielding their back four, and very dangerous on the counterattack. We can expect Balotelli and Cassano to start up front in the final.

Match Timings:

The Final of Euro 2012 between Spain vs Italy will started Time: 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local, 11:45 Pm PST.

Possible Starting Lineups:

SPAIN Probable:

Casillas(Capt), Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba, Busquets, Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Silva, Fabregas

ITALY Probable:

Buffon(Capt), Chiellini, Balzaretti, Barzagli, Bonucci, Marchisio, De Rossi, Pirlo, Montolivo, Balotelli, Cassano

Head-to-Head Record:

Spain and Italy have played 26 competitive matches in total (as per FIFA), with eight wins for Italy, seven for Spain and 11 draws.

Recent Major Tournament Meetings:

- Spain 1-1 Italy, Euro 2012 Group C

- Spain 0-0 Italy (Spain won on pens), Euro 2008 quarterfinal

- Italy 2-1 Spain, World Cup 1994 quarterfinal

Match Prediction (Spain 0-1 Italy):

In a game of small margins, I’m picking Italy to cause an upset. Spain haven’t been at their best at Euro 2012, and based on Italy’s performance against Germany I think they come into the game with the greater momentum.

Unsurprisingly, I think Pirlo will be key to their success. Spain are unlikely to assign a man to mark him, and that will leave the 33-year-old with time and space to plot their downfall. If Italy can catch Spain on the break, they have a strike pair in Balotelli and Cassano who can punish them.

TV Channels Broadcasting Euro 2012 Final Live:

The Euro 2012 final will be live on ESPN in the U.S., with kickoff set for 2:45 p.m. The Euro 2012 Final between will be Live on ESPN and PTV Sports in the Pakistan, with kickoff set for 01:45 a.m.