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Yes my boys have sneaked through again.

With I must admit a very average performance and graced by only playing ten men, that really didn't look to in to the game either. But for now I will don my centurion costume and crack open the vino.

Could the world champs become European champs. probably not but who cares right now we are through.

Thought Gattuso was lucky to stay on after a few dodgy tackles whilst on a yellow, but at least the Italians looked like they wanted to win. the French haven't looked interested in over three games, and deserve to go home.

As I always said, I don't think Italy have been playing badly just having right rotten luck (for a change), now the thing is Italy have had the rocky patch where nothing went right and we all know Spain, Portugal and Holland are all going to get that very same thing and probably not come out the other side to tell the tale ... I think we have new favourites now for the Championships after tonight?? Though the Holland reserves didn't do too badly against a right awful team (with everything to play for mind) ...

Congratulations to Italy on advancing from the most difficult group. Not only did they get a difficult draw but they didn't get much luck either and still got through.

This is where Italy could get dangerous,but they'll be without Pirlo and Gattuso for the match against Spain.But very well done to Italy.As for the French,probably the worse performance by a 'major' footballing nation since England's debarcle at Euro 1988 and Germany's 'no show' at Euro 2000.

......coming from behind to beat Spain and then two slender wins over Brazil and Portugal. They barely qualified for this tournament again from an easy group losing twice to Scotland.


Not much of an achievement beating Spain 3-1 ?
And how terrible to only beat Brazil by a slender margin. Tut tut.
And an easy qualifying group? Ukraine and Scotland played very well and pushed Italy and France hard. If that was an easy group, which was the difficult one?

The fact is that France were drawn in these euros in the killer group, which was a major factor in them appearing to be poor. After all, how many teams would have looked good against the Dutch?

If France had got Germany's draw I think it might have looked different, as France could have beaten Austria and Poland.

JamesW wrote:

>>>


The Germans ALWAYS get easy draws in major tournaments. Every time.

Which is why their record over the years flatters them immensely (that and their ongoing good fortune in penalty shootouts)

- Eric

Sorry Marino, but Italy have been dire. Should have lost against Romania and last night played poorly and negatively against a ten man team, minus its best player. Without Pirlo and Gattuso in the next game don't fancy their chances of progressing. Toni looked slow and blunt, clearly knackered.

Mind you, I thought Italy deserved to win the World Cup about as much as the Greeks did the Euros. Funny old game.