Who Won Euro Cup 2012 – Spain Win 4-0 Over Italy
Euro Cup Final
Who Won the Euro Cup 2012 Final?
Spain and Italy played in the much anticipated Euro Cup 2012 Final to a thrilling 4-0 victory for the defending champions, Spain.
Spain has now defended its 2008 Euro Cup title as well as achieved the glory of being the first team to win three major tournaments in a row (Euro ’08, World Cup ’10, and Euro ’12). Italy tried to stop the Spanish after unexpectedly beating tournament favorites Germany in the Semifinal 2-1. Spain and Italy met in the first group game, which ended in an interesting 1-1 tie. The Spanish dominated in the Final however, and showed the world that they are deserving of another championship win.
Spain Wins 4-0 in Euro Cup Final 2012 - Match Summary and Analysis
Spain and Italy faced each other in the 2012 Euro Cup Final. Predictions for the game were running wild with Spain looking to defend its Euro Cup 2008 title, and Italy playing superbly like they had nothing to lose.
Spain Win Euro Cup 2012
Euro Cup Final - Match Summary
After a classy closing ceremony, the Spanish and Italian teams entered the field and national anthems were sung. The stadium was buzzing and you could see the players extreme concentration.
Spain decided to go with a ‘false number 9’, using Fabregas in the midfield instead of a striker. Italy kept a mostly unchanged formation, with Balotelli and Cassanno starting up top.
Match Summary - the Goals:
Spain’s first goal came just 14 minutes into the match. They controlled the ball very well in the midfield before slipping a through ball to Fabregas who gave a short cross directly to Silva’s head. Silva made no mistake, heading it home into the top corner giving Spain a 1-0 lead.
In the 41st minute, and incredible through pass found Jordi Alba who made no mistake finishing into the side net past goalkeeper Buffon. While Italy continued to fight and get chances, this second goal made comeback extremely challenging for the Italians.
In the second half of the Euro Final, Italy made three early substitutions and were extremely unlucky when substitute Thiago Motta pulled up in the 62nd minute with an injury. With not subs left, they were forced to play the rest of the match with only 10 men, and one could see the tiredness increase with each minute. Spain substituted Pedro, Torres and Juan Mata on in the second half as well.
Although the game was all but over, in the 84th minute Fernando Torres scored a great goal giving him 3 goals in the tournament and Spain and 3 goal lead over Italy.
The final nail in the coffin came from another through ball to Torres who unselfishly passed the ball to Chelsea teammate Juan Mata who finished easily. With this goal, Spain finished the game 4-0 over Italy, loudly proclaiming their dominance in the game.
Is Spain the Best Team in History?
Euro Cup Final - Match Analysis:
Many wondered if Spain really had what it would take to repeat as Euro Cup Champions. Their performance for much of the tournament, while dominating, was lackluster in action. Specifically in the quarterfinal, they played France to a rather uneventful 2-0 victory in which they controlled the game, but had few shots, and less action. But Spain changed everything in the final.
From the very start of the 2012 Euro Final, Spain played like the Champions they are. Their passing was crisp, their play was fast and most importantly, their passing resulted in chances on goal. Spain was quickly rewarded with two goals in the first half and they continued that trend into the second half with two more goals.
Amazingly, Spain did not have a huge amount of possession. In fact, Spain had 52% to Italy’s 48% possession. Yet it was what Spain did with their possession that mattered.
While Italy did not necessarily play poorly, they were outclasses by Spain and it seemed like very little went their way during the game. Perhaps the only events that did go their way were two penalty kick none-calls by the ref. One was an obvious handball, with questions about intention, the other a foul just inside the box. Neither were called, but Spain didn’t need them anyway.
Spain’s strong defense kept the Italian attackers quiet. Pirlo, Balotelli and Cassanno were unable to score, and besides a few shots, had little luck.
The entire Spanish team deserves credit as they each played well and worked as a team. The goalkeeper, Casillas stopped a few shots and got the shutout; the midfield played with pace and precision passing. Silva, Alba, Torres and Mata each got goals.
With Fernando Torres’ goal and assist to Mata, he became the Euro Cup 2012 Golden boot winner.
Italy and Spain: How They Reached the Final
Both Italy and Spain have been less than perfect as they made their way to the Euro Cup Final. Italy tied several teams during the tournament, including Croatia and England. While Spain has not looked quite the same as they did during past tournaments. But the important fact is Italy and Spain both made it to the final. Here is who they played, and beat, to reach the final game.
Spain
Spain's Road to the Euro Cup 2012 Final
Spain was fortunate to be in a relatively easy group for Euro 2012, with Croatia, Italy and Ireland rounding out Group C.
In Spain’s first group game, they played a somewhat underdog team in Italy, and yet only tied the game 1-1. Before the tournament, Italy was rocked by match fixing allegations in the Serie A. These issues were expected to have a negative effect on the Italian team, but they might have helped reduce the pressure, as Italy, despite long odds, are in the final.
Next, Spain dominated an Irish team who were just happy they qualified for the tournament. The final score was 4-0, with two goals by the Spanish striker Torres. Spain looked themselves in this match, and quickly removed any fears generated from their tie with Italy.
In Spain’s final group game, they played a fairly good Croatian team that tied Italy 1-1. Spain put on a passing clinic and characteristically beat Croatia 1-0 to advance to the Euro Cup quarterfinals.
Spain played France in the Euro Cup 2012 Quarterfinal match, and won 2-0 after an incredibly uneventful game. Some claimed the Spanish lulled the French to sleep, or perhaps the French didn’t even know a soccer game was occurring. Either way, Spain advanced, and France showed the world they could not compete.
Spain’s Semifinal match was a much anticipated clash with Portugal. Many of the Spanish and Portuguese players play for either Barcelona or Real Madrid. In this Euro Semifinal game, Portugal did what France couldn’t do, they put high pressure on Spain and forced them to kick long balls and give uncharacteristic turnovers. Portugal’s performance outlined how the Spanish could be stopped, with both teams possessing an almost equal chance of winning. The game remained scoreless, and as it went into overtime, Spain looked more and more likely to score. In the end, after 120 Minutes, Spain won in a Penalty shootout beating Portugal 4-2.
Italy
Italy's Road to the Euro Cup 2012 Final
Italy began the Euro Cup tournament with the air buzzing about match fixing and players being investigated from Italy’s home league, Serie A. It was up for debate as to whether Italy would be able to even advance from their group, group C. With formidable opponents in Spain as well as a strong Croatian side, Italy would have to put any problems aside an focus on playing the game.
As mentioned above, Italy played Spain in the first group match. Most expected Spain to dominate Italy. But Italy did enough and found a way to reach a 1-1 draw against the defending World Cup and Euro Cup champions.
Italy’s second group game was against Croatia, who had won their first game against Ireland. An incredible first half free kick by Pirlo gave Italy the lead. However, in the second half Croatia got a goal, to leave the game 1-1 at the end. Pirlo’s spectacular performance was only the start of a series of inspiring games played by the Italian midfielder.
The last game of the group stage was a must win for Italy against Ireland. While most expected Italy to win, Ireland put up a fight in an effort to leave the tournament with at least points on the board. The final score was 2-0 in Italy’s favor, and allowed Italy to advance second in their group behind Spain.
Italy played England for the quarterfinal match in an interesting situation where neither team had been expected to make it much further. Both teams played hard, with Pirlo organizing a continuous Italian attack while England fiercely defended their goal. After 120 minutes, the game was still tied at 0-0, but the Italians certainly deserved to have won. In the ensuing Penalty Kick shootout, Italy got what they deserved and won their Euro Cup quarterfinal 4-2 on PK’s.
Italy faced a mountain to climb for their Euro Cup semifinal game in the form of Germany. Germany was unbeaten in the competition and most were predicting a German win not only in the semifinal, but even in the final against Spain. The Italian strategy was to fill the midfield, and rely on their striker to make something happen, and he did not disappoint. Mario Balotelli scored twice in the first half for the Italian side which seemed to daze Germany and they were never able to recover. The final score was 2-1 after Germany was awarded a late Penalty Kick from a handball. With this result, Italy proudly made their way to the final.
Euro Cup 2012
Euro Cup 2012 Final – Starting Lineup
Spain:
Spain’s lineup is somewhat unpredictable as they have flip-flopped between a single striker and no striker. Against Italy, it is likely they will go with a striker up top, to provide penetrating runs through the defense. Although Torres seems likely to start, Pedro or Jesus Navas may also start.
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: Casillas
Defense: Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba
Midfield: Xavi, Busquets, Alonso
Attacking Midfield: Silva Fabregas, and Iniesta
Italy:
Italy will look to follow a similar starting lineup as they had against Germany, where they filled the midfield and looked for goals off their strikers.
Formation: 4-3-1-2
Goalkeeper: Buffon
Defense: Abate, Barzagli, Chiellini, Balzaretti
Midfield: Marchisio, Pirlo, De Rossi, and in front of them, Montolivo
Forwards: Balotelli and Cassanno
Pre-Match Voting: Spain vs Italy Voting Results:
Who Will Win the Euro Cup Final?
This poll is now closed to voting.
Euro 2012 Final Match More Info
- Euro 2012 Final - Spain 4-0 Italy Overview
Euro 2012 Final - Spain 4-0 Italy - The tactics that won Spain the Euro 2012 final and a place in the record books.
Euro Cup 2012 Final – Pre-Match Prediction
Prediction for Euro Cup 2012 Final: Spanish Victory
Italy have been playing better and better as the tournament continued and I believe they will be more of a challenge in the final than they were when they tied Spain in the first game. Italy is playing with more confidence and they can see the prize very clearly now.
However, Spain has the ability to control the game, and I think in the end, this will allow Spain to repeat as European Champions. I believe the game will be very close, with Spain controlling possession, but Italy being dangerous on counter attacks. In the end, I think the result will either be a 2-1 win for Spain, or perhaps Penalty Kicks, in which case, it is a 50/50 chance for either side.
I must admit, after Italy’s win over Germany in the semifinal, they cannot be counted out and they do have a good chance to win it for themselves if they can repeat their semifinal performance in the final.
In the end, Spain won Euro Cup 2012 final in an emphatic 4-0 victory.
Date and Time of Euro Cup 2012 Final
The Euro Cup Final took place on Sunday, July 1st in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv (Kiev). The Match started at 20:45CET
In America, the game was live on ESPN with coverage beginning at 2:00pm Eastern Time, and kick off at 2:45 EST.