The European World Cup Day 3, 4-6-0??

Goooal!! Italy's Prolific Pensioner opens the scoring

The biggest talking point for everybody yesterday was of Spain's decision to start their opening European World Cup game against Italy with no strikers. Some said it was cocky, others said it was disrespectful to Italy, personally I think it was foolhardy. As much as Spain do pass the ball well, and do have SO MUCH midfield talent at their disposal, and did score while they were playing the now infamous 4-6-0, that will never work in my opinion. One of the things that a lot of people seem to be losing sight of is the fact that throughout these last 4 years of their international dominance in addition to having the greatest midfield in the galaxy in the history of mankind (well that's what everybody's saying right), they've had a prolific goalscorer in the form of David Villa, who they're currently missing. This was one of the reasons why I felt they would not successfully defend their crown this year. At the end of the day it doesn't matter how much pretty "Tika-Taka" (you have to do a shot) you play, you need someone, even if it's just one person, to be the focal point of your attack.

Anyway, that kind of talk is far too technical for my likening, on to those magnificent beasts, the Italians. I'm a big fan of Italian football, and as a result it mean's I'm privileged enough to watch, and more importantly understand it. A lot of people in England just don't get it, they call Italian football negative and defensive (that's another shot), which is pretty much as tired and old as stereotypes get. For example did you know that in 2006 , when they won the World Cup (not the European one, how long am I gonna keep this up), Italy took more strikers to the tournament than any of the other big contenders (The took five: Totti, Del Piero aka God, Iaquinta, Gilardino (shouldn't he be Brazillian?) and Luca Toni ) and every one of them played and scored. Not very defensive is it! Yesterday we were treated to a show in terms of Italian football as they tactically out thought the Spanish and showed that they weren't impregnable. I totally get that if Fernando Torres couldn hit a barn door Spain may have still won the match, but I think anyone who saw the game will agree Italy looked very good especially when on the ball. England could learn a thing or two from the Italians who at times just had to watch the Spaniards pass it around for what seemed like an eternity but then when they were in possession refused to be rushed and were very incisive in their passing. I'm doing it again, I'm going all technical aren't I? Apologies to those who read this and aren't massive football fans (I know that sounds like a crazy concept, but some people read this just because they strangely find me amusing). OK so for you guys the Italians look aesthetically good (see the team photo below), barring Balotelli's ridiculous haircut that is, they're all about designer beards/stubble and Buffon's slicked over Mediterranean hair... now I just sound gay, I'm not gay, I'm just saying they looked the part as well as playing it.

PS can you even write brackets within brackets?? See Gilardino above.

Makes you wanna grow a beard doesn't it...

One team who most certainly don't look the part is Ireland, unfortunately. I had my doubts as to whether they'd be able to hold their own against the elite of the European World and they struggled yesterday. A goal down after 2 minutes, then conceding trying to play offside when they themselves had knocked the ball through then conceding 2 minutes into the second half, tells me one thing, they'll be all but home this time next week. Because it doesn't get any easier for them, they'll be playing both Italy and Spain... And who the hell is Simon Cox? I mean I'm not pro-footballer so he's already got one up on me but when I saw Aiden McGeedy trotting off to make way for a sub that was hopefully going to get the Irish back in the game I did not expect Cox to be his replacement. No disrespect to Cox, but it's rare that I'll watch a nation like Ireland at a major international tournament and shout, "Who?!?" at the TV when one of their players names flash up.  Then again that is probably testament to the job that Trapattoni has done for them.

Day 3 Summary

Look at that beard, the shaven faced Iniesta can't keep up

Hero(s)
There were two heros yesterday. Caesar Preandelli, the Italian manager, for switching to a "risky" 3-5-2 and using De Rossi as a sweeper to nullify the ridiculously beefed up Spanish midfield. And Daniele De Rossi for being an absolute beast at sweeper (sweeper?!? when was the last time you saw one of those?) and sporting a very rugged and stylish beard.

See!! No alcohol!

Villain(s)
There were three villains yesterday. Vicente Del Bosque for believing he could actually start without striker (bet he doesn't do that again); Fernando Torres, wow just when you thought things couldn't get worse for the guy, first they decide having no striker is better than playing Torres (they did score when they had no striker), then when he comes on he proceeds to spurn numerous chances to win the game for Spain and prove he's still a good player (he is still a good player by the way, he was never a prolific goalscorer, except at Liverpool); and ITV (and I suspect BBC too) for turning the Irish fans in the modern day Scottish Fans. Don't patronise them, they're not just here to drink and jig while their team gets pummelled game after game. That's the impression I got from ITV, they did the classic, "Let's talk to some fans who are just happy to be here! They'll party whatever the result..." and did an interview with three, pint in hand, Irish blokes before the game. I wouldn't be surprised if they bought them the pints as props.

Day 4 today and I'm off to watch England...