Unfortunately for Italy they were the opponents on both occasions. Mr Balotelli should take some lessons from his captain Buffon on how to accept defeat gracefully.
The outstanding goalkeeper said "Tonight, there was no contest, they were too superior - so the bitterness at losing this final is only relative."
Spain kept up their incredible record of not conceding a goal in the knockout stages of the last three major tournaments helping them to be victorious on all three occasions. Even allowing for the fact that Italy played the last half hour with only 10 men, the display from Spain was breathtaking and silenced the critics who had accused them of being boring and lacking the hunger to continue at the highest level. With the ages of many of the squad, they look as if they will still be the team to beat for some time yet.
England were knocked out at the first knockout stage. This should not come as any great surprise. I did some research and discovered that they have never won a knockout tie at the Euros on foreign soil. The other so-called 'big' teams have all fared better Germany (including West) have won 11, Spain 7, France 4, Italy 4 and Netherlands 3
Their World Cup record on foreign soil is not much better. In my lifetime they have only beaten 5 teams in knockout ties. These teams are Paraguay in 1986, Belgium and Cameroon in 1990 (both after extra time), Denmark in 2002 and Ecuador in 2006. None of these teams can actually be called giants of football. During this time they have lost knockout ties to Germany (3 times) Brazil (2) Argentina (2) Portugal and Uruguay. So basically any time they play a good team they get knocked out. During the same period the record for knockout victories of the aforementioned European 'big' teams on foreign soil at the World Cup is as follows Germany (21) Italy (12) Spain (7) France (6) and Netherlands (6)
This record would not have me rushing to put money on England to do well in Brazil in 2014
Back to the Euros and I leave you this week with my Top 10 most favourite and least favourite moments of Euro 2012
Top 10 Favourite Moments
1. Spain's briiliance in the final
2. The look on Ronaldo's face when he realised he was not going to take the 'glory' penalty against Spain
3. The points gained by my Fantasy Football team which enabled me to finish above two of my sons who had also picked teams. It seems like the old boy still knows a thing or two about football after all
4. Greece being knocked out
5. Pirlo's penalty against England
6. Poland scoring against Russia. Much, much more than just a great goal
7. Ronaldo's performance against Netherlands, credit where credit is due.
8. Balotelli's second goal against Germany. Love him or hate him, this was something special
9. Shevchenko scoring against Sweden. This seemed to bring an entire nation to life and a fitting finale for a great player
10. The Fantasy Team I picked for my mate, who knows nothing about football, won the league in his office. He may know nothing about football but he knows how to pick a good manager.
Top 10 Least Favourite Moments
1. Greece
2. Mark Lawrenson on the BBC
3. Balotelli's petulance at the end of the final against Spain
4. Netherlands thinking that a 2-1-7 formation would work against Portugal
5. Czech Republic playing like Greece against Portugal
6. Whoever thought that Jamie Carragher would give lucid and insightful comments on ITV was sadly mistaken
7. Russia's performance against Greece. It looked as if they just did not care enough
8. France going out with a whimper against Spain
9. Nicklas Bendtner being fined more for exposing sponsored underwear than other parties were fined for racism
10. The German defending against Italy in the semi-final which gave my Fantasy Team minus points for that particular game. Fortunately Spain's defence saved the day as always
Oh well, that's the end of a thoroughly entertaining tournament. I may have to resort to watching the tennis now. I cannot be serious!
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