italy v slovakia

2010 FIFA World Cup Winner:- Spain

Us punters needed not turning up in fairness as Spain, the ante-post favourites to land their first World Cup crown, clinched the 2010 FIFA World Cup and justified why so many, although us not included, fancied their chances before the tournament kicked off at Soccer City on June 11th. Many believed the best team won of which I’m not of the same opinion as I felt every single one of their games were dull and boring, while their slow build up play had us switching over to watch Eastenders at times. However, while we were never a fan of the Spanish, they way in which they manoeuvred the ball was remarkable and their tactic of retaining the ball at all costs was very effective, so credit were credit is due especially as they had to defy an early setback when losing 1-0 to Switzerland in their opening game of the tournament.

Our Team of the Tournament:- Germany

We don’t think there’s even room for debate as the Germans were scintillating from the word ‘go’. They began with a four goal romp of Australia but little did they or anyone else know that they would later go on to match their four goal feat against both England and Argentina in two games Germany were never favourites in. Joachim Low’s mixture of experience and youthful exuberance almost brought home their fourth World Cup title only to be denied by the ball-hogging Spaniards. They did, though, still have enough in reserve to slam another three goals past Uruguay en route to securing another third place finish, their second in succession, taking their scoring tally for the tournament to 16, four more than their closest pursuer Holland (12).

It’s difficult to pinpoint any one stand out player as the Germans played magnificently throughout the tournament as a team, which is a lot more than I could say for some. Manuel Neuer was a huge presence in the German goal and had Germany not be denied a place in the final, probably would have taken home the Yashin Award for best Goalkeeper. A normally fragile and suspect German defence had conceded just twice before losing to Spain in the semi-final, with full-back Phillip Lahm filling in admirably for the injured Michael Ballack as captain and certainly led by example. It was, however, the quartet of Bastien Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muellar and Lukas Podolski which fired Germany into the last-four and, somewhat ironically, into the hearts of many neutrals. Schweinsteiger has the tournament of his life in the centre of the park, marshalling that midfield like a pro as he continuously supplied Podolski and Mueller out on the wings. Podolski’s vigorous work rate out on the left was commendable and he remained a threat whenever Germany went forward, but it was two of their youngest players who had the biggest impact in Ozil and Mueller. Ozil was a constant nuisance for every opponent, swivelling in and out of tight spots while some of his through balls were sublime. The same could be said for Mueller, who despite being just 20 years-old. Shown absolutely no fear as he continued to bombed forward and aid the German attack.

It says all you need to know that when FIFA selected ten nominees for the 2010 FIFA Golden Ball, two were German while Thomas Mueller collected the Best Young Player award for his efforts.

Our Player of the Tournament:- Diego Forlan

Another ‘without a shadow of a doubt’ scenario, as Diego Forlan was rewarded for his industry during the finals with the 2010 FIFA Golden Ball. Despite playing in an unfamiliar role just behind the strikers, Forlan still managed to stand out amongst the crowd and almost single handily steered Uruguay in the last-four. His five goals in seven games so nearly earned him the FIFA Golden Boot as well only to finish fourth by virtue of pouring his heart and soul into Uruguay’s cause, as he played more minutes than anyone else in contention and so had a worse goals per minute ratio. He wasn’t just about goals though, as his ability to encourage Uruguay to burst forward and attack, as well as ding the majority of the forward construction work, was a joy to behold at times and his efforts through the tournament endeared him to the majority watching. I defy anyone to claim another played deserved the Golden Ball more than Diego Forlan.

Biggest Flop:- England

You could argue France or Italy should be considering those two contested the 2006 final, but England got the nod simply because they were a far shorter price before the tournament and were so abysmal in the finals throughout their short stay. From Game 1 right through to a humiliating Game 4, where they were embarrassed by Germany in a 4-1 hammering, England were well below par and at times appealing to watch. The hype beforehand was incredible, with the entire nation expecting a colossal effort from Capello’s men after the ease at which they qualified for the finals. Quite simply, the big names didn’t turn up. Frank Lampard, John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, all household names and all paid top dollar, were dreadful. Whether they didn’t acclimatise fast enough we don’t know, but we put it down to there being too many ego’s in one camp. Whatever the case, England were a huge disappointment and certainly didn’t match up to their pre-tournament billing of being third favourites to win the competition.

Goal of the Tournament:- Giovanni Van Bronckhorst versus Uruguay (Semi-Final)

Up till the semi-final’s, we were a big admirer of Carlos Tevez’s stunner against Mexico – A thunderbolt from 25 yards which beat Mexico keeper Oscar Perez all ends up. We didn’t think that would be beaten by Van Bronckhorst, who played his last professional games at these finals, stepped up and scored one of the most outrageous goals in World Cup history. From what must have been a good 35 yards out, Van Bronckhorst sprinted down the left flank and leathered the ball straight across the face of Muslera’s goal, smashing the right-hand post before nestling into the goal. Absolute stunner!

Game of the Tournament:- Italy V Slovakia

In a tournament where exciting games were few and far between, this match between Italy and Slovakia stood out amongst every single one of them. It was a match Italy needed only a draw to progress from Group F but only a win would have done for Slovakia, who began the day bottom of the group. Few gave Slovakia any chance of making the impossible possible but when Robert Vittek prodded home from close range, the non-believers were quickly beginning to turn. Just when the game appeared to be dwindling out into a narrow Slovakia win, the game exploded into life when the Slovak’s doubled their lead through Vittek again. However, if anyone through the Italians were dead and buried for one moment they were about to be given a dose of true grit and determination, as Antonio Di Natale reduced the deficit on 81 minutes only to have a potential leveller ruled out for offsides minutes later, with Quagriarella adjudged to be in an offside position by English officials. If the Italians felt hard done by then they were fuming at the next piece of action, substitute Kopunek running onto an Italian throw-in before lifting the ball over a despairing Marchetti. Slovekia looked home and hosed at that point, boasting a two goal lead with just injury time left to play, but when Fabio Quagriarella cutely chipped the ball over Slovakia keeper Mucha in the second minute of injury time, doubts were beginning to surface. Great champions now how to defy adversity and with the last kick of the game, Pepe was the man who will forever be remember for spurring a glorious opportunity which would have seen Italy through and saved their bacon. His loss was Slovakia gain though as the Slovak’s celebrated group progression for the first time in their history only to be knocked out in the next round by Holland.

Funniest Moment: Gabriel Heinze

Known for his dirty on-pitch tactics and even uglier spells of diving, we all had a jolly good laugh when one cameraman went in for a closer look following a goal scored by Carlos Tevez against Mexico only for Heinze to look up and walk straight into the camera, with the Argentine falling back as though he’d been hit by Mike Tyson. Heinze’s reaction was of disgust and quickly thumped the camera for daring to get anywhere near such a hideous face. Cracking stuff.

In terms of actual football, you can’t go far wrong with Yakubu’s open goal miss from two yards out against South Korea in a game which had he scored probably would have seen Nigeria qualifying from the group. No-one knows how he missed, not even Yakubu.

Granted the football at times wasn’t the best, while it did take a while to get going, but it was an enjoyable tournament even though in probability it will not be held in high regard as like previous World Cup’s. Even so, the South Africa atmosphere was something to saviour, even if the Vuvuzela’s weren’t, and we did at least see a new champions crowned king of the world, with Spain becoming the eighth individual winners of the FIFA World Cup. I’ll see you again in four years time

Italy v Slovakia Betting Odds

Italy to win: 4/7 at SkyBet
Draw: 3/1 at Bet365
Slovakia to win: 6/1 at Victor Chandler

Italy

Italy, the defending World Champions, despite not playing to their best potential, still seem to have one foot in the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. After two drawn matches in their two Group F matches, Italy find themselves on two points, but miraculously in second place in the group. They will have been happy with the point which they took away from their opening group match against the lively Paraguayan side, knowing that it was the first match and that it would be their toughest opposition in the group. However, they will, in no way shape or form, have been happy with the draw they got against the World Cup minnows New Zealand. Italy fell behind for the second time in their two matches, as the Kiwis opened up a shock lead. But, as against Paraguay, Italy rode their luck a bit in getting an equaliser, with a penalty that Iaquinto buried. The biggest criticism that will be levelled at the Italians, is that they have not created enough clear cut chances, and that their forwards look to be coming up short on the world stage. It is true that they are not as complete a side as they were four years ago at Germany ‘06, but still, more would have been expected out of Marcelo Lippi’s side. They have had a lot of possession in their two matches, they just have not really known what to do with it.

There may not be even reason for Lippi to hit the panic button just yet, as he will back his side to pull through. Another draw could be enough for them to see themselves through to the second round of the 2010 FIFA World cup, as table topping Paraguay take on New Zealand, and will be expected to win. New Zealand are, quite unexpectedly, on level points with Paraguay and so there is a risk that the Italians will not see the second round. But the bigger risk is from Slovakia themselves, who, with a win, would elimiate Italy from the competition. That is how close it is for Lippi, who must not be frantically be searching for answers behind the scenes, even if he is calm on the outside. Lippi has been quite brave with his attack minded 4-3-3 approach to the matches, but there has just not been enough creativity or convinction in what they are doing. This stems from not having World Class strikers and therefore they are trying to over compensate. They are missing Andrea Pirlo, who is pivotal in the centre of midfield, but there is a sense that even if he is there pulling the strings, then Italy are still going to be too short up front to realistically defend their title. Group F is still wide open, and Italy are by no means certain of going further in the competition. They will have their work cut out for them against a hard working Slovakia side, who are still in with a chance of qualification themselves.

Italy should have the will and experience to get through this early challenge. They were expected to win their group with ease, after being given one of the easiest draws out of all the seeded teams. It has not worked out that way clearly, as they struggle to produce their best game. Italy have not been bad, and they look as if a good win would sort out a lot of their problems. They have been passing the ball around quite well, and generally controlling things, but they have lacked the quality to get into the dangerous positions in the last third of the pitch. While they may be able to get away with it in this group, much tougher challenges will await them. They will want to push on and do all that they can to finish in first place though, for if they finish second, then they would meet the in form Dutch in the last sixteen of the tournament.

Italy World Cup 2010 Stats
Played: W0, D2, L0
GF/GA: 2/2
Cards: Y1, R0
Most Shots: Ricardo Montolivo, 8
Top Scorer: Daniele De Rossi, Vincenzo Iaquinta, 1
Shots/On Goal: 33/12
Fouls Committed: 26
Total Passes: 1182
Pass Completion: 72%

Slovakia

Slovakia will be putting up a defensive wall which they hope the uninspiring Italians will have a hard time breaking down. Slovakia themselves will be a bit disappointed with their results so far, after promising a little bit better ahead of the tournament. The sucker punch for them came in their opening match, when New Zealand grabbed an unlikely draw right at the death of injury time, which left Slovakia reeling. Instead of having three points, they were left with one, and their confidence was nowhere to be seen in their second match when they lost to Paraguay. They not only lost, they were comfortably outplayed, and they must get both of those monkeys off their back if they are to raise one last valiant effort and throw everything that they have at Italy. A win for Slovakia would put them through, assuming that New Zealand do not Paraguay. There is everything to play for in this tight group, with all four teams in with a good chance of qualification. But having your noses in front is a much more enviable position in these times, and Italy realistically have a better chance of going through. But Slovakia will have eyed up Italy’s weaknesses going forward, and they will back their own defence to hold out. Slovakia are a side short of goals themselves, but can they grab that one vital one which will send them through against the odds?

Slovakia World Cup 2010 Stats
Played: W0, D1, L1
GF/GA: 1/3
Cards: Y4, R0
Most Shots:
Top Scorer:
Shots/On Goal: 19/4
Fouls Committed: 29
Total Passes: 879
Pass Completion: 66%

Asian Handicap Betting Tip: It was not supposed to all come down to this clash of Europeans. It was expected to be a lot more comfortable for Marcelo Lippi’s Italy. Their best has deserted them when they have needed it most, and they have looked panicked at times into playing aimless long balls. That is not the Italian way. They need to find their best form now, as their slow start may prove too costly for them. Would not particularly back against a draw in this one, but Italy need more and would be delighted to edge the match by one goal. That’s the Italian way.
Italy -1 for Evens at Paddy Power
 

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