Spain - Portugal Euro Semis Blog

Ok, so I'm late to the party - it's about 25 minutes in. But nothing much has happened yet, with Spain controlling possession, but with only one real chance. Portugal has been tough defending, with Nani sparking here and  there. CRo is lurking, waiting for a chance. 

26 - Herrera and Nani team up for a nice run that puts Portugal in a semi-circle around the goal until Casillas catches a lofted poor cross. 

27 - Handball by Ramos? Might have been, but we're shown no replay - ooh, there it is. Yes, initial ball was taken on his chest, but the bounce does seem to hit his arm slightly. Hmmm. 

28 - Poor clearance by Portugal leads to an Iniesta curling shot - too high, but the game and chances are opening up. 

29 - Interesting that Spain don't have a great record versus Portugal. Some teams are just bogeys for others. 

30 - CR with a shot - wide, but that was the first flash of brilliance. His touch and control set up the chance, even with a defender tight to him.

32 - Spain seem a little sleepy. It's their great possession game that makes them seem a little boring, but it's also a slight tendency to get into a passing rut instead of creating chances. For example, the last chance from Iniesta was really a Portugal mistake. 

35 - Does anyone else think Iniesta should just pull a Jason Statham and shave his head clean? Or does the accountant look that hides a superstar athlete work for him? 

37 - Casillas isn't great with the ball at his feet. Of course, a keeper doesn't have to be, but sometimes there's so little to criticize about the Spanish team . . .

39 - Is anyone feeling less interested in supporting Spain given the reports and fines over racist chants? Just wondered.

43 - I checked out another commentary (the Guardian's, if you must know) and Paul Doyle over there seems to think Portugal is dominating the match and Spain are shaken. Eh, Portugal have looked lively at times, but the possession stats don't lie about who has controlled the ball. 

45 - I'll throw in that the English commentary on this match is dire. Macca has nothing insightful or interesting to offer. "Portugal are definitely in this." I'd switch to  ESPNDeportes, but my cable package doesn't have that. Ian Darke offers this as the game goes to the break at the half - "Bit of a standoff, really."  Well, it's 0-0, so, no kidding, Sherlock.

  

Halftime - I love how Ballack sounds like the SoccerTerminator. Twellman points out the obvious  - boring Spain is still controlling the match. This goes against the line Bob Ley is trying to sell, which is that Portugal is successfully scaring the scarlet jerseys off Spain. Eh, that's actually a nice image, but I'll save it for when Cesc gets on the field. 

47 - And we're back! Will Portugal's extra rest beat out Spain's deeper bench? 

49 - Portugal with a half-chance, but the cross is cut off, and then CRo can't get a shot off.

50 - Spain with a nice build up, gets and Arbeloa cross, which is out for a corner. That doesn't lead to much, though, as Portugal clear.  

53 - Now Portugal have a corner - they do poorly with it. Subs are warming up for both teams. 

55 - I'll venture to say that the rest deprivation of Spain is overrated. Frankly, with their passing game, they don't run as much as other teams, so their players consequently don't get as tired. 

57 - Another corner for Portugal - Nani is on it. It's still not great.  On the ensuing play, Almeida takes a crack from outside - too high. 

59 - CRo works the one-two with Almeida to get him into the box, but the angle is too severe and Almeida's shot hits side netting.  

60 - Ramos bumps CRo, who goes down in the box. It's not judged a foul, which is fair, but then Busquets gets a yellow for apparently arguing that CRo deserves a yellow for simulation. Eh. I'd be more worked up about the injustice if Busquets didn't have the tendency to be be whiny. 

61 - Jesus Navas is in for Silva.  

63 - Minutes later, a replay of the Ramos-CRo incident.  Eh, slight contact. No biggie. 

64 - Cesc down inside the box, but it's judged a FK outside. Leads to a corner for Spain. 

65 - Portugal defends it stoutly. Spain keep their composure and keep some pressure on the goal. 

67 - I love it when players clean the ball with their jerseys. With shirtless celebrations banned, it's the only chance for a glimpse of the abs.

68 - Xavi with a shot - easy save for the keep. Going the other way, Almeida with a shot - high again. Casillas didn't even have to move.

70 - J. Alba is getting lectured by Portugal players for going to ground after he was kicked - and though the contact was incidental, it's not like it didn't happen at all.

71 - Rui Patricio is spreading the team out before kicking the ball out of the box - the strategy works, CRo gets the ball and earns a FK as Arbeloa clangs into  him in his eagerness to get the ball away. Promising position for CRo.

73 - CRo rifles the shot over the bar. 

74 - Cesc and half the Spanish team seem to be playing up the "we've got no rest or sleep" angle by sporting unshaven scruff.

75. This whole Spain-isBarca-without-Messi line doesn't wash when it comes to Xabi, Casillas, Arbeloa, etc. It's a lazy spin on the game. 

76 - Portugal on the attack, but Nani is trying too hard not to be Almeida, and doesn't go for the goal when he gets the ball. His hesitation and attempt to get the ball to CRo costs the team the chance. Sometimes greed is good (TM Team Gekko).

78 - Darke is trying to play up the drama of a possible shootout. 

79 - Nani and Ramos clash over a header and Nani falls, but takes exception to Ramos' cleats coming to rest on his hip.   .

80 - Nelson Oliviera is in for Almeida.

82 - Navas had the ball for a bit and couldn't seem to decide what to do with it - even in the box. Finally, he tufts a little popped cross right to the grateful Portugal defenders. Rookie nerves, clearly.

83 - CRo earns a freekick. Then there's a handball, so he's even closer to goal now.

84 - CRo stands like B.Bradley, the A-frame intimidation and focus stance. It doesn't work. He kicks his freekick over the bar.

86 - Cesc gets kicked from behind. Yellow on Portugal.

87 - Pedro Rodriguez is on for Xavi.

88 - Iniesta on a run, but he can't read Cesc's mind like he does Messi, and so when he zigs right and passes left, Cesc has gone the other way and the ball blips out to empty grass. Portugal collect and go the other way.

90 - Spain have a FK in the final minute, but Portugal clear and head off quickly, CRo has the ball in the box and HE SHOOTS OVER. The ghost of Almeida is still on the field, clearly. Casillas didn't have to save.

92 - Spain have a corner. It's poor, finds no one, gets sent back to Casillas.

93 - A final yellow comes to Veloso for a late tackle on Alba. Macca yammers on about how he got the ball - and I'm confused, because Veloso didn't touch the ball - he slid into Alba after Alba already poked the ball away. Anyway, that's the end of regulation.

Extra, Extra Time! I want to say that Spain will win, but that would mean I agree with Macca, so I'll call the match for Portugal by default. Nani will win it, if he ever works his way out of CRo's shadow.

93 - I will give credit to Portugal for playing the match on their terms and forcing Spain to be more athletic, which isn't their style. Just now, for the past couple of minutes, they keep getting beaten on headers.

94 - Macca is now grousing about the quiet fans - who might actually just be intently watching the game.

95 - Iniesta is brought down by Moutinho. It's not too threatening, as freekicks go. Then it doesn't help that Alonso kicks it poorly.

95 - Spain with a couple of half-chances, but the pair of shots are cleared or blocked.

97 - Pique with a precise challenge to stop CRo. That was a gamble, going low to block the ball out, but it paid off.

99 - Pepe has been playing like a beast. Portugal have him to thank more than CRo, in this match, at least.

101 - Navas works the give-go with Arbeloa - gets a corner.

102 - Navas tries a shot - gets another corner.

103 - Iniesta tries to be heroic - put the ball through a wall of players. Nothing doing, and he sets up a counter for Portugal.

105 - Spain's young guns, Pedro and Navas, set up a play with some tricky dribbling and Iniesta benefits, but his soft, quick shot is saved by Patricio. Well done, Pat.

106 - Spain have  FK - Ramos lines it up and bullets it - so close, but no net.

108 - 2nd Extra Tiempo. Cesc miffs a pass and is left chasing the Portugal counter. Ramos saves the day by cutting off the cross to CRo.

109 - Cesc, looking for redemption, fires an outside shot. Ball pings off a defender, leaving an easy save for Patricio.

110 - Navas and Arbeloa combine well again - Navas shoots, Patricio saves, but the ball bounces free and Pepe herds it back into Patricio's arms. A few call for backpass violation, but the ref waves play on.

112 - Varela is coming on for Meireles.

114 - Alonso is booked for a late tackle on CRo.  Cesc frees Pedro with a great little pass, but the Portugal defenders swarm him before he can shoot. Corner. Comes to nada.

116 - Darke is on the "Spain will score" express now.

117 - Varela meanwhile, creates a bit of a threat for Portugal going the other way, but the Spanish defenders coolly pass their way out of danger. Then Spain ruin a nice chance of their own with a foolish offside.

118 - Spain earn another corner, courtesty of a hard-working Alba. It's taken short, though, and doesn't threaten.

119 - Pedro charging in the box, doing a nice little Messi imitation with tricky dribbling, until he's down and the ghost of Messi is poof - gone.

120 - Random shot of Fernando Torres looking anxious, but otherwise not affecting the game in any way from the sidelines.

Time is up! Penalties.

Ballack earns my heart forever by somehow getting in the line, something like, "with the nerves, the players are playing with themselves"  into his commentary.

I also love that Darke calls out Macca on PKs, "You didn't take too many of them, did you?"

CRo bumps fists with Casillas as the captains call who goes first. Spain will shoot.

Alonso versus Patricio. It's low to the right - and Patricio saves, diving to his left. 0-0

Casillas saves - going to his right! 0-0.

Iniesta fakes left, shoots right, scores! 1-0

Pepe the Beast is next. He lines far back, but  dinks the shot under the arm of Casillas. 1-1

Pique up now - it's a little weak, but well-placed to the left. 2-1

Wow - a switch, Alves started forward, but then gets called back. Nani comes up - nails it - high to the left corner. 2-2.

Ramos with a fake hard run gets Patricio diving. 3-2. 

Oh, man. Alves. Off the crossbar for Portugal! 3-2

Cesc wins it! Off the post and in. 4-2

CRo never got to shoot.

Oh, well, I guess Macca was right about something. Spain marches on to the Euro final. Clearly, rumors of their demise as a great team have been greatly exagerrated. Ballack goes off on CRo for not shooting earlier. Ley reminds the panel that Spain won. No one seems more suprised than he. Twellman gets in a little snide, "Yeah." all but biting back the "Just like I was saying, they were controlling the game."

The play of the day is Cesc's penalty - which I frankly don't think he intended to cut that close. Nice montage of past Euros show the current USA coach, Klinsmann, holding the trophy high. On PTI, Wilbon is tearing the coach apart for not putting CRo sooner in on the PKs. Kornheiser couldn't care less, and soon, they're on to baseball.

Cover Boys

Yesterday, today and always, all with the Reds
MARCA 1-0 Spain-Germany
It's no longer a dream, it's real. . . We're Champions!

Has a sleeping giant awoken?

Long thought of as underachievers, Spain put the finishing touches on a tremendous showing at Euro 2008. Spain demolished the opposition in the first round and finally put their past to rest against Italy as Spain ousted the Italians via penalties. From there, a 3-0 semifinal win over Russia and Sunday's 1-0 win over Germany were somehwat anticlimactic. The championship was destined for Spain; all they had to do was claim it, which they did.

Given the abundance of Spanish talent available and the elite status of Spain's La Liga, it seems everything has long been in place for Spanish successes at European Championships and World Cups. Now that Spain finally has won a title, for the first time since 1964, has Spain joined the ranks of the upper echelon?

Is Spain a legit world power? Or do they still need to succeed at the World Cup? After all, Spain last reached the final four of a World Cup in 1950.

Spain could certainly pull a France and win two major tournaments in three years time. France beat Brazil to win the 1998 World Cup, then beat Italy to win Euro 2000. Spain will likely be considered one of the teams to beat entering the 2010 World Cup regardless of the draw and now that they shed their underachiever status, perhaps they can play with confidence they've not enjoyed for quite some time, if ever.

Germany/Spain running blog

The final! Will Spain throw off the mantle of underachiever? Will Germany triumph, sending the momentum of its fans gained during the World Cup into a frenzy?
Funny how Foudy talks about how goalkeepers need games to be sharp in reference to Jens Lehmann. Foudy didn't say anything like that when saying she wouldn't want to play in front of Hope Solo after Solo protested getting replaced at the Women's World Cup by Scurry, who had hardly played.
There's a bunch of pregame stuff - including a song by Enrique Iglesias, the anthem of the Cup. Can you hear me? Doesn't seem too connected to soccer.
Here come the teams. Ballack is a starter. So is Cesc.
Spain: Casillas, Marchena, Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Capdevila, Senna, Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas, Silva and Torres.
Germany : Lehmann, Friedrich, Lahm, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Frings, Hitzelsperger, Ballack, Schweinsteiger, Klose and Podolski.
Spain stand stoically as their non-lyric anthem, the Royal March plays. Germany belts their song out, as do plenty of German fans in the stands.
Iker and Ballack shake hands.
Kickoff!
2 - Gray says that it's in the German nature to get the job done.
4 - So far, though, it's been almost all Spain possessing early, though they're not really penetrating. And Germany nearly steal one - Klose nabs a bad backpass, but his touch isn't great and he loses the ball.
7 - Gray cracks on Capdevila being far offside, calls it "ridiculous".
8 - Ballack shows he has some moves, beats Puyol, but his cross doesn't find a match.
9 - Hitzelsperger with a shot, but it doesn't really test Casillas.
12 - Torres is all alone up high. The announcers seem to think Spain going back to their old formation is a good idea. I'm not sure.
13 - Germany corner, Casillas punches it way out. It's served back in but Casillas has it.
15 - Almost an own goal - Iniesta in the box pokes in a cross that deflects off Mertesacker and Lehman has to save the goal-bound ball.
Germany clear the ensuing corner.
17 - FK for Spain, a ways out. Lehmann comes up with it.
18 - Torres in the box, gets dispossessed, goes down, no call.
19 - Gray wants Gullit to explain the Galaxy's loss. Did he see the game?
20 - Torres with some tricky play earns a FK deep on the right. When it's taken, Torres does get a head on it, but can't direct it well and it pops over the goal.
22 - Off the post! Torres nearly had the opening goal on a header where he out-jumped his defender. So close.
25 - Podolski gets a corner kick for Germany. the service is cleared, but it goes right back into the box, where Ballack takes a sideswipe at it, hitting Ramos in the side with the ball. Spain are able to clear, but that was also close for Germany.
28 - The game is back and forth with both teams taking advantage of the extra room on counters.
30 - Torres versus Mertesacker in the box, Torres can't get his shot off, but Mertesacker gives up a corner.
32 - Cesc with a shot - but Lehmann gets down and claims the ball.
33 - GOAL! Torres finally breaks through. Xavi sends in a pass, and Lahmn can't shield effectively as Lehmann comes out for it. Torres just gets there and puts the ball over the diving Lehmann. 1-0 Spain.
Torres celebrates with a classic knee slide.
36 - Ballack is off the field with a cut on his head.
37 - While he's getting stitched, Germany earn a dangerous FK. Ballack's not there to take it, and Schwiengstieger hoofs it way out.
39 - Ballack is sent off again, because his stitches are bleeding. Germany need to use the electrical tape that Justin Braun had on after his injury last night.
40 - Again, Germany earn a dangerous FK while Ballack is off. Germany get to retake the kick. Ballack gets on before the rekick. The FK is cleared for a corner. Casillas punches it out. Germany reclaim and continue the attack - another corner.
42 - Xavi prevents a German shot, and Spain try to clear.
43 - Gray is angry at the ref for not calling advantage and for not carding Ballack for his persistent fouls. Iker comes out to argue with the ref about it. Although he's the captain, the ref cards him for dissent, though Ballack also gets a yellow.
45 - Spain on the counter - Iniesta has the ball in the box, but doesn't pass to Torres in time, though he gets the corner. It's taken short, and Spain work the ball around, but can't get a shot off against the German defense.
Halftime!
Germany definitely look second-best at this point, but have time to show better in the second half and are only a goal down.
50 - Klose down for a bit - ran into a kick. Lahm is out this half, and Gray thinks it's due to injury, though I think Loew might blame Lahmm for the goal against Germany.
53 - "Little Xavi" as Gray likes to call him - cracks a shot that gets deflected for a corner.
Corner leads to a shot by Silva that's deflected wide.
55 - Torres in another footrace into the box, but this time, Lehmann is off his line quicker to smother the shot.
57 - The game is much more open, but this time Spain is conceding possession and striking back via counter.
58 - Frings boots ball away after he fouls, but the ref lets it go. Hitzelsperger is taken off for Karanyi.
60 - Ballack with a shot as the Spanish defense falters slightly - it's wide, but just barely.
61 - It's enough to revive the German fans, who are loud again.
62 - Ballack with a cross - Casillas outleaps Kuranyi to it. The Germans look dangerous again, attacking with more verve.
63 - Schweinsteiger with a shot - or a cross? Whatever, he walloped the heck out of the ball, and it ricocheted of Klose and went just wide.
64 - Cesc is getting taken off for Xabi Alonso.
66 - Podolski and Silva face off and Silva does nod his head forward slightly, but the ref missed it - could have been a send-off, but Podolski wasn't hit hard. It was away from the ball.
The FK for Germany is sent poorly by Schweinsteiger.
67 - Cazorla comes in for Silva. Spain have bent, but not broken under the recent German pressure.
68 - Spanish FK - Ramos gets free and sends a header straight to Lehmann. The corner results in a shot that Frings clears off the post. Another corner.
69 - Off the corner, Iniesta with a shot. Lehmann blocks, but can't hang on. It's out for a Spanish throw.
70 - Finally Germany are out of immediate danger - offside is called on Spain, though Gray believes it was passive.
71 - Casillas confronts a dangerous German FK with a solid punch that clears the ball far out.
72 - If I were a ref, I wouldn't give Kuranyi a call just for that pretentious facial hair.
74 - Spain looking for a safety cushion, Germany looking for the equalizer, Gray hoping that a bad call doesn't settle a close game.
75 - Torres fights for a header and gets booked with a yellow. Gray is horrified at the call and points out to Healey how poor it was.
76 - Torres on a break, puts ball past Mertesacker but within reach of Lehmann, who grabs it.
77 - On another counter, Spain manage to earn a corner.
78 - Torres is out for Guiza now. So far, Torres is the hero, but there is time left. Mario Gomez is coming in for the Germans, replacing Klose.
Long pass to Guiza brings Lehmann out of his box - replay shows he handled the ball just slightly after crossing the line, but it goes uncalled.
80 - Spanish counter brakes at the German box, weak shot by Capdevilla stopped by Lehmann.
82 - Senna with a chance to seal it, alone in front of the box, couldn't reach the knock-down header. So, so close.
83 - Metzelder pulls at the face of Guiza, leading to a Spain FK. It's taken square, and the shot rebounds off Metzelder and goes out.
84 - "It only takes a second to score," says Healey, presumably chiding slightly the Spanish fans that are already celebrating.
86 - Spain looks closer to scoring, but they haven't. Corner leads to FK for Spain.
88 - German fans join the noise of Spanish celebration - imploring their team to score.
CRAP! The signals skipped and went black twice just now. I thought they promised that wouldn't happen again.
Kuranyi late on a slide tackle to Senna. Gets yellow for it.
90 - Gray gives credit to Spain for continuing to attack. But Germany finally manage a counter and lob the ball into the box, where their tall forwards have a chance, but Gomez fouls.
90+ Three extra minutes - Germany with another chance, but the cross is overhit.
Screen cuts out again. Dang. Announcers don't mention it, so maybe it's me and my cable service. Picture is back now.
Desperate Germany continue to try to get forward, but Puyol heads the ball away from the larger German players.
Final whistle!
It's over! Spain wins! Spain wins! Torres' goal held up and the Red Fury finally came through. Germany fall just short. Nice. Spain really played the better soccer throughout the whole tourney and deserved to win.
"Que viva Espana," ventures Healey a little tentatively, but I give him props for the effort. Torres claims a Spanish flag from fans and wears it as a cape. The Spanish supporters are going crazy - they may not be able to sing an anthem before the game, but they're singing now.
Aragones is getting air-tossed by his team. Be careful with the old guy - dudes.
Tommy Smythe says "the demons are gone" for Spain. Foudy says Spain is "letting go of some of those jinxes".
"Si, si, si! La Copa esta aqui!" chant Spanish players holding the trophy. Yes, yes, yes, the Cup is here! "Spain reign." says Healey.
That doesn't leave much to say. "We are the Champions" blares over the stadium sound system as the coverage ends of Euro '08.

Viva España!

They change history, says MARCA.

Spain/Italy running blog

Finally! Connection problems, folks.
But we've only just begun.

Spain: 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 5-Carles Puyol, 4-Carlos Marchena, 11-Joan Capdevila; 19-Marcos Senna; 6-Andres Iniesta, 8-Xavi, 21-David Silva; 7-David Villa, 9-Fernando Torres

Italy: 1-Gianluigi Buffon; 19-Gianluca Zambrotta, 2-Christian Panucci, 4-Giorgio Chiellini, 3-Fabio Grosso; 22-Alberto Aquilani, 10-Daniele De Rossi, 13-Massimo Ambrosini; 20-Simone Perrotta; 18-Antonio Cassano, 9-Luca Toni

4- Spain with most of the possession so far. Italy defending well. Shocker.
5 - Villa defending. He wants this bad, then.
11 - Torres getting into it with a ref.
12 - Now the ref pulls a yellow for Iniesta. He's not happy with the Red Fury.
18 - Torres in the box - doesn't get to aim it well and it goes wide.
19 - Ambrosini header - bounces in front of Casillas and he gets it, but Italy is now created chances, slowly imposing their will on the match.
24 - Del Rossi gives up a FK in a likely spot. Spain set up. Villa takes it and tests Buffon a little, but Gigi handles it.
27 - Villa in the box, but the Italian defense recovers.
30 - Silva botches a clear, giving Italy a chance, but a pass goes awry and Casillas picks up the loose ball.
31 - Offside on Spain going the other way. Then yellow for Ambrosini as he tackles late and gets nothing but the player.
32 - Silva tries a low outside shot that forces a diving catch from GiBu.
33 - Xavi's shot creates the first corner of the match. Nothing much comes of it - Spain gets whistled for a push.
39 - Italy FK, off a Puyol foul. Casillas adjusts his gloves. The ball gets served in an headed out for Italy's first corner. I can hear Casillas yelling, "Fuera!" That means, "Away!".
42 - Silva taken down - he gets stepped on. Gray is spitting in Scottish rage at the referee's unwillingness to call the infraction.
Halftime - Spain have controlled the ball, Italy have countered. The ref has missed plays. The sun also sets in the west. The natural order of things would have history win out and Italy find a goal in the second half and bunker well against the Spanish attack for a 1-0 win.
48 - Spain are looking decent in the second half so far, getting in a little deeper.
50 - Gray bemoans Silva taking a touch in the box - wasting a chance to shoot on goal, in Gray's opinion.
52 - Cassano's pass on an Italy break is too strong and Ambrosini is furious about it.
56 - Torres in the box! He crosses instead of shoots, though, and it gets blocked out for a corner. The shot off the corner is way high.
59 - Xavi sets up for the corner - Bufo punches it out and the rebound shot is way wide.
60 - Fabergas comes on for Xavi. Iniesta is out for Cazorla.
61 - Italy all over the box! Casillas' leg saves a goal as Camoranesi, just in for Perrota, shot through traffic.
65 - Spain keeps crossing into Italy's box as if their forwards are as tall and big as Italy's. They are not. Italy clear our cross after cross and wait for the deadly counter.
69 - Villa gets fouled - Spain have a FK in a decent spot. Villa deflects it off the shoulder of someone in the wall. The corner comes to nothing, because Italy's big guys clear the ball out well.
71 - Toni on a counter gets a contested header - puts it wide.
72 - Villa gets booked for a dive and Gray snits at the ref for the call, thinking it poor, more that Villa fell over than that he dived.
73 - Ramos from distance. Wide. Spain look frustrated. Italy look in control, even without the ball.
76 - Spain stymied time and again at the Italy area. Fabergas FK leads to corner. It's taken short and the service falls to Ramos, who actually cuts the ball off from a better positioned Torres. Ramos ends up trying a backwards chip that GuBu catches easily.
79 - Another corner dropped in well by Fabergas, but Italy clear. Gray gloomily forecasts a smash-and-grab by Italy. Tire out smaller, skilled Spain and then crash the area for a set piece goal late in the match after Spain are disheartened.
80 - Spanish FK on target, but blocked out by Gigio.
81 - Buffoni spills the ball on a long shot, but as it spins towards goal, the post helpfully knocks the ball back to the goalkeeper. Spain have no luck here this game.
82 - Inspired, Italy attack Spain's goal hard. Spain get numbers back, but the Italy players are bigger. Spain escapes the danger this time.
83 - Toni saves Spain. Inadvertently, of course. He doesn't notice Grosso crashing in far post for the cross and tries a weird high kick, getting a touch enough to deflect it away from Grosso.
Wow.
85 - Torres is coming off as Aragones makes his last change, sending in Guiza.
88 - Villa crosses to Guiza in the box - who forgets the most basic rule of the game and uses his arms to cradle the ball and bring it down for a shot. Crazy stupid.
90 - Villa in the box - but gets taken off the ball fairly easily. He looks tired. I expect Italy to score soon, though they've seen far less of the ball.
90+ Gray is pissed that Toni stays down until he gets an injury whistle, though there was no foul on the play where he lost the ball.
Spain with a last attack in the box - same result as all the others.
Final whistle
Extra periods to follow.
93 - Silva shot is just wide! So close. The jinx continues and Spain can't get a break.
95 - Italy off a throw-in, the cross in the box - DiNatale out jumps the shorter Puyol and the header is just barely high. The corner is deflected out for another corner. Spain are in trouble.
96 - Toni's near post header nearly goes in. Spain have had far more chances, but Italy have had a few dangerous ones.
99 - Zambrotta cuts off a Fabregas run in the box. Perfect stifling defense by Italy.
103 - Marco Senna is down, but Aragones has no subs left, so Senna limps back up.
105 - Gray says "Van Basten" when he means "van Nistelroy", but it's part of a compliment to Casillas, who catches a FK into his box well.
Gray notes that only Spain have really tried to win the game as we head into the second extra period.
110 - Villa in the box again, but his first touch fails him and Lufo is out to block the ensuing shot for a corner. Header from Fabregas is off-blance and the ball goes way wide.
113 - Cazorla booked for dissent after being denied what looks like a clear corner.
114 - Gray grimly notes how effective Italy's defending is. True, but even though i played as a defender, it depresses me. It's all about killing chances, not creating them, clamping down on the game, organized, not creative. It's maddening, though it works. It's like an American car versus an Italian one. The American one is usually ugly, but it works, whereas the Italian one looks great, but breaks down. Anyway, I drive a Japanese model - trying to find a balance between the two extremes. But I used to drive a Lancia. And then a Geo Metro.
118 - Casillas with a poor clearance gives Italy a chance, but Spain recover. Italy looks livelier now, right when Spain look really tired.
So who has the advantage in penalties? The cagey vet Buffolini, or Iker?
120 - Guiza kills Villa's spirit, taking a pass in the box and knocking a cross just a bit too hard for the arriving Villa. Seriously, Davy is in tears over not getting a chance to finish that.
Final final whistle. Penalties are next.
Gray waxes eloquently epic about the pressure of penalties.
Villa is up first. He will get to knock into net what was denied him during the game. I wonder if he's regained his composure yet. Yes he has! 1-0 Spain
Grosso for Italy. Casillas guessed right but it was too good. 1-1
Carzola next. He fools Buffon to score. 2-1 Spain.
De Rossi up - Casillas SAVES! 2-1 Spain.
Senna up for Spain to secure the advantage. He makes! 3-1 Spain.
Camoranesi up to keep Italy kicking. He roofs it calmly. Nice PK. 3-2 Still Spain
Guiza versus Buffon. Gray has a bad feeling - and he's right! Guiza goes low and a little slow and Buffon gets there. 3-2 Spain.
DiNatale to put Italy level. SAVE! Casillas does it! Spain has a chance to advance! 3-2.
Cesc to put Spain through. Fabergas steps up. He has an extra long run-up and he slots it low, with Buffo going the other way. 4-2. Spain is through! Their fans go crazy, and Gray says the Spanish Fury deserve it. They went after the game, they kept fighting, and they held their nerve in the penalty kick trial of fire. So it's Turkey/Germany and Spain/Russia.

US/Spain running blog

Blissful ignorance . . .
I don't get ESPN.360. Before anyone screams out about, "I thought you worked for them" - it's apparently my cable internet provider's fault. Even so, I don't really like watching matches on my computer screen. It's hard to blog that way for one. For another, it's a pain straining at the poor resolution. It's better than nothing, but seeing as the game is going to be on TV soon, I'm waiting for that. In the meantime, I like Elena Dimentieva's pink tennis dress. I play a little tennis myself. Anyway, as soon as this French Open coverage ends, I'll kick into the commenting on the ESPN2 match. Join me if you've also waited for the TV version of the game - or even if you already know the outcome.
So far, I'd have to say US fans seem quite pessimistic - the overwhelming winner in our "Who will score for the US?" poll was Mr. Nobody.
I say, "Cap 'im quick!"
We're on! In Spain (Dinara Safina won, by the way), there is rain.

Spain
Silva,Torres,Cazorla
Xavi, Fabregas
Alonso
Capdevila, Ramos
Marchena,Puyol
Casillas
U.S.
Johnson
Lewis,Adu, Dempsey
Bradley,Edu
Pearce, Bocanegra,Onyewu,Cherundolo
Howard

Kickoff!
I love how John Harkes is saying Jozy is concentrated on his team at present. Not really. Honestly can anyone blame Jozy is he plays at half-speed to avoid injury from here on out. He's got to be good for his European team.
2 - Torres' ankle must not be that bad, he's there, putting pressure on Timmay.
5 - Decent backline movement, but the U.S. hasn't looked the least bit dangerous yet - granted it's still very early.
7 - Spain is knocking the ball around, but the U.S. is keeping defensive shape well.
9 - Dempsey goes up for a high ball from Boca in the box, but gets called for the foul on Casillas.
SAVE! Timmay off a header from Ramos. Boca looked very short there.
12 - MB clean tackle in the box on Torres, out for corner that's headed away.
13 - Capdevilla pushes the ball too far deep in U.S. territory - goal kick.
15 - Freddy gets called for a bump, ending a U.S. attack there.
16 - Timmay can't hang on to the ball in the box, stumbles forward to push it out further as he falls. The U.S. gets away with some sloppy play there, but the rain could play a role.
18 - The announcers are boring - I wish I was watching the Galavision telecast, but I don't want to wait that long. It's been a run of attacking from Spain, but one couldn't tell by the flat cadence. The U.S. is holding a strong line around the box of Tim Howard, but not getting very far going the other way.
21 - Harkes harshes on Dempsey's "casual touch" on a pass.
22 - Adu! Beautiful turn in the box, flick pass to Dempsey, who can't quite get on to it, but that was a real chance. Corner for the U.S. No one quite gets to it, but that's better from the U.S.
23 - Adu! Another flick pass to Johnson, who finishes well, but the flag is up. Offside.
24 - Torres! a low shot that Timmay gets down for. Good catch.
25 - Adu works hard in the corner to get ball free, cross into the box - Spain clears.
26 - The U.S. is looking much better than they did versus England, and I can't help but point out that this speaks well for Freddy Adu, Maurice Edu, and Eddie Lewis.
28 - Spain back on the attack, but the ball runs long for a throw. Rain again likely a factor.
29 = Whistles from the Spanish fans, impatient that their team is getting forward so little with so much possession.
31 - Harkes is on a long Adu soliloquy, unrelated to the match.
33 - Puyol steps on Freddy - FK near the arc.
34 - Lewis takes it, but the ball doesn't quite drop from him into the top corner.
35 - Mexico plays a little like Spain - the quick, technical touches, the linking play. I guess it's not surprising, then, that the U.S. looks more comfortable countering that style. If Mexico is the Spain of CONCACAF, the U.S. is the England.
37 - Perhaps that's why the U.S. had such a hard time with England. They don't play teams with their own style, but much better, very often.
39 - there's about 10 players standing right near the arc, but Spain tries to shoot anyway - multiple times it gets blocked.
oooh, Adu passes ball out to EJ, who beats Puyol into the box, but his low shot gets footsaved by Casillas. Close.
41 - Oooh, 'Dolo not as short as he looks - his header clears a dangerous cross from Ramos. Nice.
43 - The U.S. is trying to hang on, probably mindful of how England scored late in the first half - cross to Torres - Boca breaks it up.
45 - Adu does well with ball - draws foul and sells it as he falls. Very South American, that tumble.
Halftime - Spain had more possession and chances, but the U.S. played them quite even and had opportunities of their own. Much better than the last match.
Hmm, the U.S. Soccer commercial prominently features Jimmy Conrad, Bobby Convey, Chris Albright, Brian Ching and Landon Donovan, none of whom are in Spain.
46 - Tragedy! Apparently Adu picked up a knock and is out for the second half. Guzan is also in for Howard.
47 - Now, I like Guzan, but I'm not sure how I feel about the USMNT facilitating, perhaps, Guzan's transfer to Europe by putting him in games in order to work up his national team percentage and make the England transfer requirements. Now, if you really think Brad would play as much as he has anyway, then it's not an issue.
50 EJ! Misses wide on the header off a great cross by Eddie Lewis. Oh, EJ. That should have been a goal. He was right in front of it. I'm not even sure one should try for the corner there. Just headbang it into the goal.
52 - Beas is always going to be fast, but his touch is off on that pass.
53 - Spain pinning the U.S. back against Guzan's goal. Navarro coming in for Capdevilla.
55 - Frankie appeals for an offside - oooh that was dangerous.
56 - Harkes with a GREAT point, about how Bradley might feel pressured to use the MLS players because he's called them away from their clubs, even if it disrupts squad balance.
57 - Spain corner. The U.S. clears it, gets it to midfield, where Dempsey goes down. Clearly from behind but no card. DelaRed comes in for Silva.
59 - EJ has no chance on that long pass - certainly not the service he was getting from Freddy earlier.
60 - Marcheta just outside the box with a shot that pops way high.
63 - Dangerous Spanish FK set up right next to the arc. Guzan had his hand up to punch, but it went off the crossbar. Great chance for Spain there.
65 - Spain has better mojo now, though, zeroing on the U.S. goal.
66 - Harkes is pretty genial, but he's coming down hard on Dempsey, saying he's quite disappointed in his lack of impact. Have to agree there. The U.S. give up another corner, but they clear it. The game is being played entirely in the U.S. half now, and they're defending almost exclusively. Nothing going the other way.
68 - Onyewu misses a tackle on the ball, players from Spain swarm the box, Guzan comes out gets caught in no man's land, but the shot off the angle goes off the post. Close again from Spain.
70 0 It seems only a matter of time now - will it expire before Spain scores, that is? The Americans aren't threatening to score at all at this point.
Xavi in the box, cuts it, slips, U.S. clears, but that was another close call. Josh Wolff comes in for Eddie Lewis.
71 - Harkes talks about how this changes the formation, but not really, because all the u.S. players are back defending, so there's really not much shape other than the offside line.
73 - Spain draws another FK great spot here. Senna into the wall - it's deflected by EK for the corner.
74 - Brad catches it. Spain comes right back. Brad is nice and loud, I can hear him yell, "Away" to Gooch.
75 - Save! Guzan smothers a low shot. Harkes points out again, "Dempsey has failed to shine." It may seem like I'm going on about this on Demps, but Harkes hasn't really called anyone else out.
76 - I take it back, he's mentioned that MB looks tired and has all but called for pablo to replace him.
77 - Right on cue, MB tries to break up a Spain counter by grabbing a player - he gets a yellow.
79 - GOAL! The U.S. finally pays for conceding a ton of possession. Ramos and Fabergas play the ball back and forth, prying open the defense of the U.S., until Fabergas drops a simple little pass to Xavi, and the U.S. doesn step to him quickly enough, and Xavi just barrels down the center with the ball, brushing Bradley aside and no one steps clean into his path, he aims it well past Guzan. 1-0 Spain.
82 - Harkes again comments that MB is tired and doesn't understand why Bradley didn't call for Mastroeni earlier.
83 - Bradley's not going to avoid the nepotism charges with coaching like this. I agree with Harkes - though this game is much better in general than the England game - why isn't Pablo brought in? Harkes speculates that perhaps Pablo has a slight knock we don't know about.
87 - Pablo finally comes it, but for Dempsey.
88 - U.S. corner. Beas to take. Mastro runs for it in the box, but misses. It deflects out for a throw, but that gets cleared.
89 - The U.S. gives up the ball on a bad pass, Senna gets some space and shoots from distance - wide.
90 - Hejduk cross, but the header doesn't happen. Wolff bad pass loses ball, but Harkes is way forgiving about it. EJ gets to a long ball, turns and shoots quickly, but doesn't get much on the ball. The fans are unhappy that a weak-looking U.S. side is even getting a sniff of a goal. MB passes square on the final touch - why? Why not kick it forward for one last try? Anyway, that's it.
What can one say? Less of a crappy loss? A better-looking defeat? Adu looked good. Lewis still has some class passes. Guzan was fine - and everyone else generally disappointed. But our readers were right on the prediction in the poll - Nobody scored for the U.S.

Torres, Torres

"Maybe he should sprain an ankle. Isn't there a Spanish player with a sprained ankle? Maybe he's going to sprain an ankle soon."