The Italians will start this game very much the underdogs,
against a Spanish team that is still the best in the world. 1992 Euro winner
Peter Scheichel put the talk of Spain being boring into very good context in
Warsaw a couple of days ago when he told me, “You have to have a pretty vivid
imagination to call Spain boring, or to criticize the way they play.” The only
thing predictable about Spain is the regularity with which they get positive
results.
Had Croatia’ Ivan Rakitic found the target with his header
in the group stages, the Spanish might not have had this chance to rewrite
history as they aim to be the first team to win back-to-back Euros. Now the
only thing that stands in their way is eleven Italians who have been a
revelation at these Euros.
And here is how they will line up in just about an
hour—Spain staring the game with Cesc Fabregas ahead of Fernado Torres. Spain
lineup: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Alonso, Xavi; Silva,
Fàbregas, Iniesta.
In another surprise, Milan’s Ignazio Abate will start ahead
of Frederico Balzaretti, who had a phenomenal semifinal against the Germans in
Warsaw at right back. Italy lineup: Buffon; Abate, Bonucci, Barzagli,
Chiellini; Marchisio, De Rossi, Pirlo, Montolivo; Cassano, Balotelli.
The two squads have just taken to the pitch to warm up, and the
official VIP list includes Prince Felipe of Spain, PM Mario Monti of Italy, Ukrainian
pole vault legend Sergey Bubka, Davor Suker, Christian Karembeu and God knows
how many others.
The stadium is filling up here in Kiev. It is almost 9 p.m.
and the sun is still up on a beautiful Sunday evening. Its pretty hot, partly
because of the weather and mostly because there are more good looking women per
square kilometer here than anywhere else I’ve ever been. Hopefully the football
will heat things up even more.
