Spain will be looking to defend their European title in this match. They have already made history by making a third successive major final but they had to do it the hard way in their semi final. For long periods of the first half against Portugal they were overrun and looked like they would concede but they dug deep and in the end won the match on penalties. Cesc Fabregas is expected to start and replace Negrano in the false 9 role.
Italy have been a very good side in this tournament, a lot better than many people thought they could be let alone would be. They edged past England on penalties in the quarter final in a match they completely dominated and then they brushed the Germans aside in the semi final with minimal effort. Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano both went off in the semi final with injury but both are fit to play as is Ignazio Abate. Abate’s reappearance will mean a defensive reshuffle.
We’ve all heard the stats about the last time Italy were facing a match fixing scandal back home that they won the World Cup and every time they’ve beaten Germany they’ve won the tournament and I believe both could well remain in tact on Sunday. For me Italy have been the better side of these two. In Andrea Pirlo they have a little magician who has lit the tournament up with his sublime simplicity while in Riccardo Montolivo they have one of the more underrated players in the competition. Mario Balotelli came of age in the semi final so Italy are well prepared. Spain have looked ordinary going forward in this tournament by their high standards and I think Italy will open them up defensively. Given how well Italy defend, how easy Spain can be to defend against and how dangerous Italy are up front I think an Italy win is very much the call here.
Italy +338 (90 min)
Italy +163 (To Win)
Cheers!
Italy have been a very good side in this tournament, a lot better than many people thought they could be let alone would be. They edged past England on penalties in the quarter final in a match they completely dominated and then they brushed the Germans aside in the semi final with minimal effort. Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano both went off in the semi final with injury but both are fit to play as is Ignazio Abate. Abate’s reappearance will mean a defensive reshuffle.
We’ve all heard the stats about the last time Italy were facing a match fixing scandal back home that they won the World Cup and every time they’ve beaten Germany they’ve won the tournament and I believe both could well remain in tact on Sunday. For me Italy have been the better side of these two. In Andrea Pirlo they have a little magician who has lit the tournament up with his sublime simplicity while in Riccardo Montolivo they have one of the more underrated players in the competition. Mario Balotelli came of age in the semi final so Italy are well prepared. Spain have looked ordinary going forward in this tournament by their high standards and I think Italy will open them up defensively. Given how well Italy defend, how easy Spain can be to defend against and how dangerous Italy are up front I think an Italy win is very much the call here.
Italy +338 (90 min)
Italy +163 (To Win)
Cheers!
