High on excitement, low on controversy

Euro 2012 has not exactly matched the playing levels of previous editions simply because legends of the game parade elsewhere now rather than in Europe. Yet, there have been some exciting moments and some interesting games as well. Teams have been closely matched thus preventing one-sided games. Only Ireland and Netherlands went home without winning or making a point. Even hosts Poland and Ukraine produced some superb football.

The goal that Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored hammering home a brilliant side volley from the top of the box for Sweden against France will remain etched in memory for long just as Marco van Basten’s full blasted volley for Netherlands against the Soviet Union in 1988. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo sparked to life but faded away in the semifinal against Spain. Fernando Torres of Spain, Wayne Rooney of England, Karim Benzema of France and Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben of Netherlands have been the biggest disappointments in a tournament dominated by midfielders.

Fortunately, Euro 2012 has not seen many controversies though fans of many national teams have been found guilty of racial abuse.  Refereeing has largely remained good with not many glaring mistakes. Of course, Ukraine were denied a goal against England when John Terry hooked Marko Devic’s shot from deep inside the line and even the appointment of a fifth official did not help matters. Calls for goal line technology only grew louder.

Italians, who dumped Germany, the most balanced side in the semifinal, have been the most impressive side in the ongoing Euro. Unlike great teams of the past, the blue-shirted Italians have produced an attractive brand of attacking soccer. Yet, they have not compromised in defence. With their experienced World Cup-winning goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon guiding operations, they have managed to rise above all challenges.

With another experienced customer in the long-haired Juventus man Andrea Pirlo working tirelessly and intelligently in midfield, strikers like Antonio Cassano, Mario Balotelli and Borini have been a constant source of danger.

Coach Cesare Prandelli is an astute thinker. He made them play at a torrid pace and use long and aerial passes to unsettle Spain. They kept up a steady stream of ground passes to hold Croatia and did well to down Ireland. They dominated but came through against a dogged England via the shoot-out in the last eight. Playing an attacking game, they made the most of Germany’s weak central defence to score twice and romp into the final.

No team has displayed such variety and constant changes in their gameplans. The opponent  determines how they play. This is refreshing to Italian football, so used to the cataneccio and counter-attacking brand.

With a far more potent attack compared to Spain’s, Italy will be more than a match for the World and European champions. La Furia Roja have a lot of work on hand if they are to retain their title and enable coach Vicente del Bosque to make history as the only coach to win the World Cup, Champions League and the European Cup. Italy are not going to allow that to happen so easily.