The end of ‘Spanish Curse’

Spain beat Italy 4-2 to enter the semi final of Euro 2008. First appearance in the semi finals of a major tournament in 24 years.

When Spain took on Italy in the last of the quarter finals there were several odds against them

1.  The first meeting of the two took place in February of 1920, at the Summer Olympics in Antwerp. That match ended in a 2-0 win for Spain, and was the last time Spain beat Italy in a competitive match. Yes, Spain had never beaten Italy in 88 years in any competitive tournament other than the Summer Olympics of 1920.
2. Spain had a terrible history with June 22 – the date of their quarter final match against Italy. The Spaniards had lost three penalty shoot-outs – in the World Cup of 1986 (against Belgium), Euro ‘96 (against England) and the 2002 World Cup (against South Korea)- all on June 22.

So the underacheivers of world football had something to prove. And prove they did when they beat Italy 4-2 in a penalty shoot out thus becoming the only team to get past the quarter finals after topping their group in Euro 2008. Other toppers in their respective groups (Portugal in Group A, Croatia in Group B and The Netherlands in Group C) have already been eliminated  This was the third match of the quarter finals that went into extra time (previous ones being Croatia vs Turkey and Russia Vs. Netherlands) and the second one to be decided on penalties (previous one being Croatia Vs. Turkey Match).

We have seen Spain promise much and deliver little in the past, though, most recently at the 2006 FIFA World Cup where they started with a 4-0 win against Ukraine only to bow out to France when the going got tough in the first knockout round. So much was expected of this team.

Luis Aragonés’s team enjoyed the better of the play on a humid night in Vienna. Italy were struggling to gain a foothold, unable to fill the sizeable void left by suspensions to their usual suppliers of industry and finesse, Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo.  Spain enjoyed most of the possessions but were unable to make any headway through the Italian defence. With the scores level 0-0 during half time, the match progressed into extra time. After 30 minutes of extra time went goalless, it was time for the dreaded penalties which had gone against Spain quite often. 

David Villa, who is the leading goal scorer of the tournament scored for Spain alongwith Santi Cazorla, Marcos Senna and Cesc Fabregas. Italy replied with goals scored by Fabio Grosso and Mauro Camoranesi.

But the hero of the day was the Spanish Goalkeeper and Captain Iker Casillas. He blocked the shots by Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale to clinch a semi final berth for Spain. The heroics of Gianluigi Buffon went in vain as Spain finally managed to exorcise the ghosts that had haunted them previously.

They now setup an interesting semi final clash against Russia. The Russians have emerged as a surprise package after making it to the semi’s at the expense of The Netherlands.

We have another keen tussle on cards as both the sides have a point to prove. But who comes out on top? Lets wait and watch………

 

Filed under: Euro 2008, Sports, The end of 'Spanish Curse' , italy, quarter final 4, spain