European Championship, Italy qualified for the knockout stage
By alberello
@alberello (4752)
Italy
June 18, 2012 6:19pm CST
Although I have followed every game of the National Italian football, I must say that I was not very fascinated by the game that the team has expressed in the first three games of the preliminary round. After two draws against Croatia and Spain, both finished 1-1, the Italian was forced to win the last match versus Ireland and hope for the favorable result on other field. However it did. Spain beats Croatia 1-0 and then together with "my" Italy, both teams pass the turn. As I said though I have seen a disappointing Italy. Now, the next matches where there will no longer be a draw, the Italian national team should definitely give his best, hoping to reach the final of 1St July .
1 person likes this
8 responses
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
19 Jun 12
I am surprised by Italy. I did not expect that they could qualify for the quarter finals. I like the way they played. Although they did not win their first two matches, they did well enough to earn the draws against Spain and Croatia, two teams that were more fancied to qualify. I don't think Italy were playing for draws in their matches so far. They tried hard enough to score but the ball just did not go in the goal. Mario Balotelli may just be waiting to explode. He is capable of scoring the goals for Italy.
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
21 Jun 12
Balotelli is unpredictable. When he is on song, he is one of the best strikers to ever play for Italy. But when he is not, he is just like a hermit crab, staying in his own shell, contributing nothing to his team. What Italy will fare in the semis will depend on what Balotelli does.
@thewonderboy (7501)
• India
20 Jun 12
Yeah 
! I am big fan of Mario Balotelli . He is a good player and he has the ability to score goals. I hope this guy can make some quality kicks in the knock match 
.
! I am big fan of Mario Balotelli . He is a good player and he has the ability to score goals. I hope this guy can make some quality kicks in the knock match .
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
19 Jun 12
Italy seems to have made a habit of needing a desperate win of the last league match to qualify for the knockouts. But again they pulled off a good win with goals from Cassano and Ballotelli. The two controversial players showed their footballing skills though Ballotelli nearly spoilt it with his tirade after the goal.
Cheers!
Ram
@akash009 (452)
• India
19 Jun 12
hello,
First of all I want to say that this Italy team is not the same team that won the 2006 world cup. this team has lost it's charm. The way Italy has played in the preliminary round, I must say they are really lucky to have survived to go to the quarter final stage. In my opinion, absence of a genuine striker in Italy team is their biggest problem. They are mainly concentrating on their defense. So I think they have to work really hard in order to win the remaining matches.
@alberello (4752)
• Italy
19 Jun 12
Well, I'm sorry but I think that an attack made ??by Cassano, Di Natale and Balotelli, should be at the height much like this, not you agree?
@sjlskl (3382)
• Singapore
19 Jun 12
They look much better than they did in the 2010 World Cup. With Natale, Pirlo and maybe De Rossi, they have the right people occupying the main position. Except for Natale who play second fiddle to Balotelli and Cassano, the core players are in place. They together with France are my dark horse to win the tournament.
@alberello (4752)
• Italy
19 Jun 12
Well, the fact that Italy has "done" better than the World Championships of 2010, it is clear, then do not even passed the preliminary round closing with only 2 points in last place!
@redvakaurvaki (4217)
• Indonesia
19 Jun 12
must say that beside come to Euro with many problems ( earthquake and football scandals , Italy less preparation than any other team, especially in last friendly match they had lost 3-0 from Rusia.There's something wrong with them, especially in first two match! but after this last game and the reach the quarterfinal, I hope they show what is the real of Italy. Balotelli & Cassano should score more goals. I do hope they made a surprise and reach the final too!!
@alberello (4752)
• Italy
19 Jun 12
Well, because Italy reach the final, I think Mr. Prandelli has to work a little harder and put in a position players to be able to close games, not to hope too much just in the "mistakes" of other teams!
@thewonderboy (7501)
• India
20 Jun 12
I too think that Italy is not that much good in this series tournament so far. But, they did manage an entry in the next round. Now they need to face England in the knock out stage. Italy needs good team work and effort win over England. On the other side Team England is now more stronger after the coming back of super striker Rooney 
. Let us expect some good matches in the tournament .
. Let us expect some good matches in the tournament .
@taura2p (349)
• Romania
19 Jun 12
I am not a very huge fan of the Italian team, but I am very glad that they qualified. Though they are very pragmatic and not very spectacular, I believe they are a great team. The players find each other very easily on the field and they are true fighters. I am also glad that they qualified, because the championship will be more spectacular with them still playing. But I hope that Spain wins the tournament, as they are my favourite team.
