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Man Utd wins Community Shield through penalties

Monday, 11 August 2008 | Gaffer

article thumbnailIt would be their third trophy ever since they so convincingly wrestled the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League from Chelsea FC, Manchester United added another trophy to their cabinet...
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Fergie not ruling out Henry move

Monday, 11 August 2008 | Gaffer

article thumbnailWith Louis Saha most likely be shipped out and Wayne Rooney not readily available for a while, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is set to splash the cash for a new striker to add to his...
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Spain breaks old records for a place in last 4 E-mail
Monday, 23 June 2008
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Spain goes through to semis
22 years ago, Spain lost the quarter finals through penalties. After that they would go on and lose through penalties at the quarter finals of 2 major tournaments. This time around, it is Spain vs Italy, the event, quarter finals of Euro 2008. The date is June 22. The last time Spain lost out on penalties in a quarter final game was June 22 at the 2004 World Cup, which they lost to South Korea. The time before that was June 22 when they lost to England in the Euro 1996, and the time before that was when they lost to Belgium through penalties in the quarter finals in 1986 World Cup, and the date…. June 22. It is time to exorcise the ghost of quarter final penalties. The last quarter final game between Spain and Italy promises a game full of action and drama. Action there was but were lack on drama. But as statistics go, this would be a night that belonged to the Spanish. The game wraps up the last entry to the semi finals, this time around made up of 2 giants and 2 underdogs, of course Russia being the most surprise entry. The game kicked off with Spain attacking from the go, although Italy did turn up some notches at certain times, it was as if they know they cannot penetrate the Spanish defence and might as well play for a draw to get into penalties. Either that or they thought they could go on the counter attack and perhaps nick a goal to get to the last 4. But it did not materialize. Luca Toni saw some chances off target while on the other end, it was always crowded with the Spaniards coming in full swing while Italy was somewhat contented with defending their fort against the Torres-Villa onslaught.

Torres tore down the defence time and time again but could not find the net while Villa had his efforts fended off with others like Silva and Iniesta efforts all proved fruitless. Even the late introduction of Del Piero to the Azzuri front could not bring in any goals during extra time.

So it was down to penalties. While many would have bet on Italy’s Buffon to be superior in this, it was Casillas the Spanish number one who was the hero when he saved 2 shots from the Italian camp. And when it mattered, just like it did before, Cesc Fabregas, scored the winner to lay the old records to rest.

To say the least, the last time Spain won a major tournament was in 1964 when they hosted the European Championships. But the last time Spain beat Italy was in 1920, that is 88 years back. And to have beaten that record, in whichever fashion was a remarkable feat. And that was the last time they actually won anything, and now that they have beaten the world champions, perhaps, just perhaps they can start believing again.

So it on to the semi finals now. It looked one sided on paper, but to come this far, no one can be discounted in any way at all. Germany who will play a severely injured Turkey side and Spain who beat Russia in the group stages via a 4-1 margin will have a rematch, one Russia is keen to avenge, one Spain is keen to prove is no flash in the pan and one that might just bring glory back to Spain, after 44 years, that’s the figure of 22x2.
 
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