Spain end the June 22 Curse
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Spain reach the last four of Euro 2008 after drawing 0-0 with Italy and defeating them 4-2 on penalties in Vienna.
Iker Casillas came out as the hero for Spain, saving two Italy's penalties to end Spain's penalty hoodoo and reach the semi-final of a major tournament for the first time since 1984.
The victory also broke their so-called June 22 curse, the date that amazingly they have exited three major tournaments after a penalty shoot-out.
Spain will now face Russia in the last four, who they crushed 4-1 in their opening group match.
Before the match, there were some worries for the Spanish side as they had a dreadful competitive record against their opponents.
The Italians were unbeaten against Spain in competitive matches a 2-0 defeat at the 1920 Olympic Games in Belgium 88 years ago!
And more worries for them because the match is taking place on one of the unluckiest days for La Furia Roja.
At the date of June 22, amazingly, they have been knocked out of three major tournaments, losing to Belgium at 1986 World Cup, England at Euro 1996, and South Korea at 2002 World Cup – all in penalties and all at the quarter-final stage!
Group D winners Spain rested their key players in the 2-1 win over Greece and reverted back to the same line-up that won its opening two matches.
Barcelona defender Carles Puyol was originally thought to be a doubt for this match due to foot injury, however he was fit enough to start.
Meanwhile, Italy coach Roberto Donadoni had problems in midfield as Milan-duo Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso were suspended.
They were replaced by inexperienced Alberto Aquilani and Massimo Ambrosini, but the rest of the line-up that defeated France 2-0 remained unchanged.
The match was an eagerly awaited, but it turned into a largely forgettable encounter with Spain frustrated by nine outfield Italian players flooded behind the ball.
Even an intelligent and skillful Spanish midfield struggled to find a way through an organised Italian defence.
Without the playmaker Pirlo, the Azzurri fielded four central midfielders in his starting line-up and relying on Luca Toni's ability as a target man up front.
Despite their negative performance, it was Italy who created the best chance of the match during the second period, when a goalmouth scramble broke to substitute Mauro Camoranesi eight yards out.
Casillas performed a stunning save with an outstretched left foot to keep the scores level.
Brazilian-born midfielder Marcos Senna then almost seized it for Spain nine minutes of normal time left.
Gianluigi Buffon was thanking his lucky stars as he spilled Senna's 25-yard drive, but Buffon was able to gather the rebound after it rolled on to the upright.
The match ended goalless after 120 minutes of open play as neither team could break the deadlock and it went to penalties.
Two years ago Italy became the world champions after a penalty shoot-out win over France, but it wasn't to be this time.
Casillas saved spot kicks by Daniel De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale, and although Buffon saved from Dani Güiza, the match was settled by Cesc Fàbregas, who coolly netted the decisive penalty.
Donadoni said he had little choice about the penalty takers.
The 44-year-old, who missed a penalty in Italy’s 1990 World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina, said the duo put their hands up and others did not.
Alessandro Del Piero was set to take the final penalty, but never got to take the chance because the result was already settled.
Spain coach Luis Aragones said he was confident of victory once the game went to penalties as he had studied Italy’s penalties in preparation for a shoot-out.
Spain are the only one of the group winners to reach the final four after Portugal, Croatia and Netherlands all eliminated.
Just like those teams, the Spanish side also fielded a second-string side for their last group match after secured top spot with two opening wins.
It appeared that they all lost their momentum of a winning team after having rested their key players before.
Luckily for Spain, they didn't follow their fellow group winners to exit of the tournament.
Penalties:
Spain: 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 5-Carles Puyol, 4-Carlos Marchena, 11-Joan Capdevila; 19-Marcos Senna; 6-Andrés Iniesta (12-Santi Cazorla 59), 8-Xavi (10-Cesc Fàbregas 59), 21-David Silva; 7-David Villa, 9-Fernando Torres (17-Daniel Güiza 84)
Italy: 1-Gianluigi Buffon; 19-Gianluca Zambrotta, 2-Christian Panucci, 4-Giorgio Chiellini, 3-Fabio Grosso; 22-Alberto Aquilani (7-Alessandro Del Piero 109), 10-Daniele De Rossi, 13 Massimo Ambrosini; 20-Simone Perrotta (16-Mauro Camoranesi 58); 18-Antonio Cassano (11-Antonio Di Natale 74), 9-Luca Toni
Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany)
Statistics:
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Iker Casillas came out as the hero for Spain, saving two Italy's penalties to end Spain's penalty hoodoo and reach the semi-final of a major tournament for the first time since 1984.
The victory also broke their so-called June 22 curse, the date that amazingly they have exited three major tournaments after a penalty shoot-out.
Spain will now face Russia in the last four, who they crushed 4-1 in their opening group match.
Before the match, there were some worries for the Spanish side as they had a dreadful competitive record against their opponents.
The Italians were unbeaten against Spain in competitive matches a 2-0 defeat at the 1920 Olympic Games in Belgium 88 years ago!
And more worries for them because the match is taking place on one of the unluckiest days for La Furia Roja.
At the date of June 22, amazingly, they have been knocked out of three major tournaments, losing to Belgium at 1986 World Cup, England at Euro 1996, and South Korea at 2002 World Cup – all in penalties and all at the quarter-final stage!
Group D winners Spain rested their key players in the 2-1 win over Greece and reverted back to the same line-up that won its opening two matches.
Barcelona defender Carles Puyol was originally thought to be a doubt for this match due to foot injury, however he was fit enough to start.
Meanwhile, Italy coach Roberto Donadoni had problems in midfield as Milan-duo Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso were suspended.
They were replaced by inexperienced Alberto Aquilani and Massimo Ambrosini, but the rest of the line-up that defeated France 2-0 remained unchanged.
The match was an eagerly awaited, but it turned into a largely forgettable encounter with Spain frustrated by nine outfield Italian players flooded behind the ball.
Even an intelligent and skillful Spanish midfield struggled to find a way through an organised Italian defence.
Without the playmaker Pirlo, the Azzurri fielded four central midfielders in his starting line-up and relying on Luca Toni's ability as a target man up front.
Despite their negative performance, it was Italy who created the best chance of the match during the second period, when a goalmouth scramble broke to substitute Mauro Camoranesi eight yards out.
Casillas performed a stunning save with an outstretched left foot to keep the scores level.
Brazilian-born midfielder Marcos Senna then almost seized it for Spain nine minutes of normal time left.
Gianluigi Buffon was thanking his lucky stars as he spilled Senna's 25-yard drive, but Buffon was able to gather the rebound after it rolled on to the upright.
The match ended goalless after 120 minutes of open play as neither team could break the deadlock and it went to penalties.
Two years ago Italy became the world champions after a penalty shoot-out win over France, but it wasn't to be this time.
Casillas saved spot kicks by Daniel De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale, and although Buffon saved from Dani Güiza, the match was settled by Cesc Fàbregas, who coolly netted the decisive penalty.
Donadoni said he had little choice about the penalty takers.
The 44-year-old, who missed a penalty in Italy’s 1990 World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina, said the duo put their hands up and others did not.
Alessandro Del Piero was set to take the final penalty, but never got to take the chance because the result was already settled.
Spain coach Luis Aragones said he was confident of victory once the game went to penalties as he had studied Italy’s penalties in preparation for a shoot-out.
Spain are the only one of the group winners to reach the final four after Portugal, Croatia and Netherlands all eliminated.
Just like those teams, the Spanish side also fielded a second-string side for their last group match after secured top spot with two opening wins.
It appeared that they all lost their momentum of a winning team after having rested their key players before.
Luckily for Spain, they didn't follow their fellow group winners to exit of the tournament.
| Spain |  | 0 - 0 |  | Italy |
| 4 - 2 | ||||
| (AP) |
Penalties:
| Villa |  | | Grosso | |
| Cazorla | |  | De Rossi | |
| Senna | | | Camoranesi | |
| Güiza | | | Di Natale | |
| Fàbregas | |
Spain: 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 5-Carles Puyol, 4-Carlos Marchena, 11-Joan Capdevila; 19-Marcos Senna; 6-Andrés Iniesta (12-Santi Cazorla 59), 8-Xavi (10-Cesc Fàbregas 59), 21-David Silva; 7-David Villa, 9-Fernando Torres (17-Daniel Güiza 84)
Italy: 1-Gianluigi Buffon; 19-Gianluca Zambrotta, 2-Christian Panucci, 4-Giorgio Chiellini, 3-Fabio Grosso; 22-Alberto Aquilani (7-Alessandro Del Piero 109), 10-Daniele De Rossi, 13 Massimo Ambrosini; 20-Simone Perrotta (16-Mauro Camoranesi 58); 18-Antonio Cassano (11-Antonio Di Natale 74), 9-Luca Toni
Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany)
Statistics:
| Shots on target : | 8 | - | 6 |
| Shots off target : | 16 | - | 6 |
| Ball possession (%) : | 57 | - | 43 |
| Corner kicks : | 8 | - | 3 |
| Offsides : | 3 | - | 4 |
| Fouls : | 25 | - | 24 |
| Yellow cards : | 3 | - | 1 |
| Red cards : | 0 | - | 0 |
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