Euro Cup Final: Spain vs Italy Preview

Publish Date:Jul 1, 2012

Advertisement

Euro Cup Final 2012: 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.

Key Facts:

. 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.

By
en-us Political News

  
Shamshul Huda was arrested yesterday in Nepal along with three others in a train derailment in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday confirmed Huda's arrest.
IT Officials Conducted Raids On Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Rama Mohana Rao who has close links with Shekar Reddy
Publish Date:Dec 20, 2016
Sambit Patra Vs Asaduddin Owaisi Debate Video

 Rajnath Singh smooth punch to congress for coining Hindu Terrorism 

Publish Date:Jul 21, 2014

Kejriwal urges Jung to dissolve Delhi assembly, says delay encouraging poaching of legislators

Publish Date:Oct 30, 2012

Former minister D.K. Samarasimha Reddy met Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday at Gadwal, sparking off rumours that he might be joining the TD

New HRD minister M Pallam Raju received the biggest promotion in Sunday's ministerial reshuffle and the decision may have gone down to the wire before the mantle fell on the Kakinada MP

Publish Date:Oct 30, 2012

Trusts and charities in Andhra Pradesh are the third biggest recipient of foreign funding in the country. In just one year, these organisations received Rs 1,324.87 crore from abroad in 2009-10,

Publish Date:Oct 30, 2012

Hurricane Sandy Photos: Millions of people are without power in the U.S. northeast as the powerful post tropical storm Sandy pummels the region with hurricane force winds, rain, and a dangerous storm surge that has caused flooding in many coastal areas including parts of New York City.

Publish Date:Oct 30, 2012

Hurricane Sandy News: Millions of people are without power in the U.S. northeast as the powerful post tropical storm Sandy pummels the region with hurricane force

After posing nude for the cover of the Playboy magazine, actor Sherlyn Chopra is all set to set the screen on fire in Rupesh Paul directorial next “Kamasutra 3D”.

Publish Date:Oct 29, 2012

Actor Nani Marriage Pics: Nani and his fiancee Anjana's marriage was held at the Rishikonda Resorts in Vishakapatnam on 27th October, 2012.

Publish Date:Oct 29, 2012

A Tsunami warning had been issued for Hawaii on Sunday. Hawaii is fairly exposed to waves which are usually generated by volcanic activity along the west coast of the Americas.

 
Disclaimer:
All content included on this TeluguOne.com Portal including text, graphics, images, videos and audio clips, is the property of ObjectOne Information Systems Ltd. or our associates, and protected by copyright laws. The collection, arrangement and assembly of all content on this portal/ related channels is the exclusive property of ObjectOne Information Systems Ltd. or our associates and protected copyright laws.
 
You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, display, perform, modify, create derivative works, transmit, or in any other way exploit any part of copyrighted material without permission from ObjectOne Information Systems Ltd or our associates.