Football Highlights | News | Videos » EURO 2012

Mamma Balotelli: It’s very difficult to see Mario cry, the last time was because of Mourinho

MrSpice — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 12:17:51 +0000

Mario Balotelli’s mother has revealed that her son was overcome with emotion after his two goals sent Italy to the Euro 2012 final at the expense of Germany . The Azzurri frontman grabbed a first-half double to give Cesare Prandelli’s men a 2-1 victory on Thursday and set up a Sunday showdown with Spain. Silvia Balotelli, who is the Manchester City forward’s adoptive mother, also revealed that her son does not react well when treated badly, but that his performance against die Mannschaft freed him from his troubles. “When he feels in difficulty, under attack or betrayed, Mario reacts by clamming up. He isolates himself from others and that’s what happened before the Ireland game [when he was dropped],” she told Gazzetta dello Sport . “We struggled to contact him and he wouldn’t answer messages. This is why I wept with joy. “Those two goals in such a wonderful and important match liberated him, as his talent and the little genius inside came out. He managed to prove what he wanted to, finally. “It’s very difficult to see Mario cry. The last time was perhaps because of Jose Mourinho. “It’s also difficult for him to hug me like that in front of everyone. As with every young man, he gets embarrassed to be seen with his mother, but at that moment he was too happy. He whispered in my ear to give him a gift and bring his father to Kiev. I went back to Italy, but we’ll both be there on Sunday,” she admitted. Mrs Balotelli went on to state that she was disappointed after her son got booked for taking his shirt off to celebrate scoring his second goal, and also revealed that she has called coach Prandelli to thank him for his support. “He said he was fed up of everyone criticising him for not celebrating, so he decided to invent something. “My son often tells me he is ‘not arrogant, but I feel I have something special within me’. That’s what he says. “Prandelli is a good man and he has taught my son many important things, so I called him to say thank you,” she concluded.

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Mamma Balotelli: It’s very difficult to see Mario cry, the last time was because of Mourinho

Neuer: Germany made it too easy for Italy

footballhighlights — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 12:15:56 +0000

Manuel Neuer has claimed that Germany made it “too easy” for Italy in their Euro 2012 semi-final defeat on Thursday. A Mario Balotelli pair in the first half saw the Azzurri eliminate Joachim Low’s men 2-1 in Warsaw , with the Italians now playing Spain in the competition final . The Bayern Munich goalkeeper admits he and his team-mates are very disappointed with their last-four exit from the tournament, and rues mistakes made against Cesare Prandelli’s side. “We are all very disappointed,” the ex-Schalke man confessed to TZ . “There is a certain emptiness in all of us, we cannot believe it. When you reflect on the tournament and compare us with Italy, we played the better football, but unfortunately, not in the first-half. “Accordingly, they are now in the final. I cannot describe what is going on inside me. “We wanted to close the central areas because we knew that [Andrea] Pirlo, [Daniele] De Rossi and [Ricardo] Montolivo are very good passers. “I believe that we did not get close enough to the Italians. They had it too easy and you can see that. “In the situations where we had to be there, we were not there. And so we fell behind,” he concluded.

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Neuer: Germany made it too easy for Italy

Euro 2012: Uefa president Michel Platini reveals plans to stage Euro 2020 in 12 or 13 countries

lasarus — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 12:15:20 +0000

“This matter will be discussed very seriously,” he added. Platini continued: “We will have a great debate about 2020 and discuss the pros and cons. “Then we will make a decision. I think it is a great idea.” Platini repeated his opposition to goal-line technology. “I am against technology,” he told the press conference in Kiev. “Where do we stop? There was a mistake in the Ukraine-England game. “But there was an offside before that.” Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino said the controversial additional referees behind the goal would remain and also cited Ukraine’s effort against England as the only error. “There was full support for the system of additional referees to continue,” he said. “The experiment has been extremely positive. In over a thousand matches, there has been one mistake.” Infantino revealed that the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff will host the Uefa Super Cup in August 2014, with Tblisi in Georgia playing host in 2015.

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Euro 2012: Uefa president Michel Platini reveals plans to stage Euro 2020 in "12 or 13 countries"

Del Bosque happy to meet Italy again

footballhighlights — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 12:14:10 +0000

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque scoffed at suggestions that his side should have helped ensure Italy’s exit in the group stage. The two sides had been drawn in Group C early on in the tournament. They played each other in their opening fixture and drew 1-1 and the Azzurri subsequently went on to draw against Croatia in their next game. This meant that Italy needed a favourable result between Spain and Croatia in the final group game in order to progress. Had Spain drawn 2-2 with Croatia, Italy could have been sent home packing at a much earlier juncture. But the former Real Madrid coach found the suggestion that Spain should have sought to help eliminate the Italians from the competition to be a bizarre one. He insisted that for the good of the game, it would have been best not to arrange for desired results. Spain ended up winning the game 1-0 against Slaven Bilic’s men allowing the Italians to progress and setup a rematch against the World Champions. “We have never have regretted not drawing with Croatia to eliminate Italy,” Del Bosque told Radio Marca. “That wouldn’t have been good for sport. “Italy and ourselves have lived parallel lives and now we have to be at the level that a final demands. “When we played Italy in the first game, Antonio Cassano told my assistant Toni Grande that we could meet up in the final again and here we are.” Spain will face Italy in the final on Sunday knowing that their opponents have been the only side so far to have scored a goal against them. The likes of Portugal, Croatia and France have all failed to breach Iker Casillas’ goal and the Spaniards have gone a staggering 419 minutes without conceding. Before the match on June 11, the defending European champions had faced Cesare Prandelli’s side in a friendly last year with the men in blue winning that encounter 2-1 courtesy of goals by Alberto Aquilani and Riccardo Montolivo.

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Del Bosque happy to meet Italy again

Balotelli: Victory all that matters

footballhighlights — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 12:13:32 +0000

Much has been made of Cristiano Ronaldo’s failure to take a penalty during Portugal’s shoot-out defeat to Spain on Wednesday amid claims the former Manchester United man wished to take the last kick because it offered more personal glory. At the start of the tournament, it would have been easy to imagine Balotelli taking a similar stance. However, throughout Italy’s run to Sunday’s final against Spain, the 21-year-old has acted with a rare maturity. And, though he is the only one still involved amongst a group of players level on three goals, Balotelli insists the personal glory is not his overall aim. “If we win and I score, it will be amazing,” he said. “If I don’t score and we win it will still be amazing. “I am really happy at the moment and on Sunday I hope I will be even happier. “We are in the final. We are one of the two best teams in the tournament. We have to go there and play to win.” And should the Azzurri triumph at the weekend, he will have winners’ medals in a major international tournament, in addition to the Champions League, titles in England and Italy, plus the FA Cup. Not bad for someone who is still regarded as a joke player by his critics. Yet throughout all the controversy that has raged around Balotelli this season, City boss Roberto Mancini has continued to insist he was worth the effort. Mancini has been left exasperated and amused in equal measure by his Inter Milan protege’s antics. But he always knew Balotelli had immense talent, which is what Italy are reaping the benefits of now. “We won the league at Manchester City so having a good season for me doesn’t depend on winning the Euros,” he said. “If we don’t win it, it wouldn’t spoil the other things but it would be special.” For most of the last two years, Balotelli has been compared unfavourably to City team-mate David Silva, who has not given Mancini a moment’s trouble since his arrival from Valencia. Silva is part of a Blues dressing room that holds Balotelli in genuine affection, for all the diversions he has caused. On Sunday though, they will be on opposite sides. It is a challenge Balotelli is relishing. “I know David very well,” said Balotelli. “I played against him in the first game. It is going to be fun.” Balotelli does not think the City fans will hold it against him that he helped knock England out of the tournament. Asked if he would return to Italy, he said in The Sun : “Come back now? I go back to Manchester. “The City fans always want me, even though they are British – and I have helped eliminate their national team.” Thursday June 28: Germany 1 Italy 2 Wednesday June 27: Portugal 0 Spain 0 (2-4p)

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Balotelli: Victory all that matters

Klinsmann backs Low to succeed despite Euro 2012 elimination

footballhighlights — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 12:11:35 +0000

USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann has offered his backing to Joachim Low , who has come under fire following Germany ‘s semi-final exit from Euro 2012 at the hands of Italy . For a third time in four previous major tournaments, die Mannschaft were dumped out at the last-four stage, as a first-half double from Mario Balotelli was enough for the Azzurri to set up a final at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev with Spain. Klinsmann, who fired Germany to their last international title at Euro 96 before coaching the national team to third place at the World Cup in 2006, insists the team are “nowhere near” realising their potential and should not be judged yet. “It is clear that no matter how good a coach can be that it can automatically lead to success. The coach makes decisions before the game that are not at random.” the former striker told Stuttgarter Nachrichten. “They [the national team] are the result of [the coach's] observations and work. There is simply no guarantee of victory. “This team are nowhere near the end of their development. They were the youngest team in the tournament, and again [we are] pushing more younger players into the set-up. Germany will now regroup ahead of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, which start in September.

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Klinsmann backs Low to succeed despite Euro 2012 elimination

Spain – Italy Preview: La Roja looking to make history in Euro 2012 finale

MrSpice — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 12:10:52 +0000

SPAIN Casillas Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba Xavi, Busquets, Alonso Silva, Fabregas, Iniesta ITALY Buffon Abate, Barzagli, Chiellini, Balzaretti Marchisio, Pirlo, De Rossi Montolivo Balotelli, Cassano Spain boss Vicente del Bosque is expected to have a fully-fit squad for the Euro 2012 final showdown with Italy. The 61-year-old’s biggest selection dilemma is likely to be over whether to field a recognised striker after Alvaro Negredo’s anonymous performance in the semi-final win over Portugal. With Fernando Torres seemingly out of favour, and with Fernando Llorente yet to make an appearance at the tournament, Cesc Fabregas could be restored to a ‘false nine’ role up front alongside Andres Iniesta and David Silva. Italy defender Ignazio Abate, who missed the semi-final win over Germany with a muscle injury, is likely to return to fitness in time for the final, while fellow full-back Christian Maggio is also available after serving a one-match ban. Coach Cesare Prandelli may persist with the same formation that served him well against the Germans rather than revert to the unorthodox 3-5-2 line-up used in the opening match against Spain. AC Milan-bound Riccardo Montolivo is likely to keep his place in the team ahead of Thiago Motta after an assured performance in the semi-final. Spain are bidding to become the first team in history to win three successive major tournaments (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012) and the first to retain the Henri Delaunay trophy. La Roja are contesting their fourth European Championship final (1964, 1984, 2008 and 2012). They have lost just one (1984). Vicente del Bosque’s side are 19 competitive games without defeat and have won their last nine knockout matches at major tournaments without conceding a goal. However, the Iberian outfit have not registered a competitive win over Italy in nearly a century (with their penalty shoot-out success in the quarter-final of Euro 2008 classed as a draw). Their record in 11 previous meetings is W1, D5, L5, with the sole victory coming in the sides’ first ever encounter at the 1920 Olympic games. Italy are competing in their third European Championship final (1968, 2000, 2012). They have won just one (1968). The Azzurri are facing Spain for the 31st time, with their record in prior encounters reading W10, D12, L8. The sides’ most recent meeting was in their opening match in this tournament, which finished as a 1-1 draw. Italy have won just two of their last eight matches in regulation time, but are yet to lose a competitive fixture under Cesare Prandelli. With his double against Germany, Mario Balotelli (pictured right) became the first Italian to score three goals at a single European championship.

Casillas: I always wanted to be like Buffon

lasarus — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 12:09:21 +0000

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas has revealed he has always aimed to emulate Italy counterpart Gianluigi Buffon . Both shot-stoppers will captain their national sides in the Euro 2012 final on Sunday, hoping to further add to their numerous honours at club and international level. And, despite the 31-year-old having matched the Italian in the eyes of many observers, Casillas admits he still looks up to the Juventus star. “Buffon has my admiration and maximum respect,” he told Onda Madrid. “He is an exceptional goalkeeper and at 34 is still amongst the best. “For goalkeepers that are a little younger than him he has been a reference, he has driven us and we wanted to be like him. We have a good relationship and every time we meet it is a pleasure.” The Spaniard also insisted that the Azzurri will be a tough nut to crack in Kiev, after they knocked out Joachim Low’s much-vaunted Germany in the semi-finals. “At the end we will return to face the team we opened the tournament against,” he added. “The opponent didn’t matter to me because Germany, like Italy, appeared very good, each one with their own style of football. “Italy is a dangerous rival that will make it difficult for us.” Casillas went on to explain why he felt that Spain were not receiving the plaudits they enjoyed at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup this time round. He continued: “In every moment we have said that it was not going to be the same as the European Championships four years ago. “We are the reference at a world level and we hope it lasts for a long time, but this is a cycle, another team will arrive and dominate the rest. “We are the team to beat and they always talk about us. The important thing is we are in the final and we are going to try and defend our title from four years ago. “A small, but the most important, step remains. For the team and the players we are in a wonderful era of Spanish football. “We are in the final, it has not been as easy as we expected. After four years at the top of world football it is normal that the other teams face us in a different manner.”

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Cristiano Ronaldo: I agreed to take the fifth penalty

MrSpice — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 10:50:50 +0000

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he agreed to take the fifth penalty in the shoot-out in his side’s Euro 2012 semifinal defeat to Spain . The Seleccao lost the match after Joao Moutinho and Bruno Alves both failed from the spot, with Ronaldo – who usually takes their penalties – not having had the chance to beat Iker Casillas. “I was going to take the fifth penalty but we missed two,” Ronaldo told reporters. “It was just a question of me speaking with the coach. He said to me: ‘Do you want to take the fifth one?’ and I said ‘yes’. “Sometimes I take the first, the second or the third. I agreed to take the fifth. “I hope Spain win the tournament now because I have a lot friends there and I play there and it will be a tough final for them. “It felt very normal playing against Real Madrid players. On the pitch we are not friends, but outside we are.” Ronaldo admitted that losing on penalties was difficult to take, but said that he believes Portugal had a good tournament. “I feel sad. Losing a semifinal in the penalty shoot-out is always painful, but it is a lottery: the luckier side wins,” he told SIC . “I think it was a good tournament on our part. We did very well. We are amongst the best four teams in Europe and the only reason we do not reach the final is because we were not lucky. “We have to be proud of what we did, but we are a bit frustrated because we know we could reach the final. “I gave my best, so I am satisfied with that I did. We deserved to be in the final, but we were not lucky.”

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Portugal coach Paulo Bento staying positive despite Spain defeat

lasarus — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 10:49:54 +0000

Portugal manager Paulo Bento remained positive despite his side’s 4-2 penalty shoot-out defeat to Spain in their Euro 2012 semi-final, even though his side failed to register a shot on target in the entire game. The Portuguese had been impressive in their pressing game against their Iberian neighbours, but were unable to produce any goals in normal time and instead were knocked out on spot-kicks. However, Bento told reporters: “If I had to choose a way of losing I wouldn’t choose this way. “But Spain are a great team and we can leave with our heads high.” Bento now has the unwanted record of being the first Portuguese coach to preside over a defeat in a shoot-out, with Bruno Alves and Joao Moutinho missing their kicks for Portugal.

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Portugal coach Paulo Bento staying positive despite Spain defeat

Football Highlights | News | Videos » EURO 2012

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