June 22, 2008: Fortune appeared to switch sides, when an agile Spanish team locked horns with the world champion Italians at Vienna on June 22 in the quarter finals of Euro 008. Spain has lost key games in penalty shoot outs on 22nd June at various points of their football history. Moreover, they haven’t defeated Italy in a major tournament for 88 years. But the past was exorcised, when Spain defeated Italy in a penalty shoot-out, after the match remained goalless for 120 minutes.
The start of the Spain – Italy match was cautious, with each team looking for a place in the semi-finals. The pace of the game never picked up. Italy was defensive, playing the waiting game. Roberto Donadoni’s tactics were understandable, given that the Azuri was missing out on two of their key midfielders, Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gatusso – both facing match suspensions. Spain seized the initiative, attacking the Italian box at alarming regularity. However, little of their ball possessions actually translated to positive chances.
Italy lost out on the ball possession, but got the only real chance of the match. Mauro Camoranesi found the ball at striking distance minutes after being fielded in the second half of the match. However, a spirited Iker Cassilas denied Camoranesi of the goal. Little else happened as the team played each other out till the extra times were over.
When David Villa placed the ball to take the first shot of a penalty shoot out to decide the match, the draw was poised heavily against the Spanish. History was against them, as was the formidable presence of Gianluigi Buffon.
It was also a show-down between two of the best goal keepers of the world. However, it was Casillas’ night. He denied de Rossi and de Natale. Buffon’s save of the weak attempt from Dani Guiza came to no avail. It took a measured kick from Cesc Fabregas to complete the formalities. The Spanish were through to the semi-finals where they meet the Russians with the wily Gus Hiddink at the helm. Italy was left with another Euro heartbreak.
Result:
Spain 0 (4) -0 Italy (2) Italy
Teams:
Spain: Iker Casillas, Carlos Marchena, Carles Puyol, Joan Cadevila, Sergo Ramos, Marcos Senna, Cesc Fabregas, Santi Casolra, David Silva, Daniel Guiza, David Villa.
Italy: Gianluigi Buffon, Christain Panucci, Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabo Grosso, Giorgio Chiellini, Mauro German Camoranesi, Massimo Ambrosini, Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Del Piero, Luca Toni, Antonio Di Natale
Goal Scored: 0 (in regulation time), 6 (in tie-breakers)
