Today was a big day for England, as it saw them take on the Italians in the last eight at the Euros 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine. This was pretty much the highlight, or even a low point of the day. We also went to see Erika, Paola's friend, for some Muay Thai videos.
In any case, after lunch I was eager to watch the England versus Italy match, which kicked off around 2:45PM. This was the hardest of the four matches in the last eight to predict, because both of the teams play similar football. Although, Italy on the way to the last eight, have played good football and were unlucky to draw to Spain. England, on the other hand, have been lucky in some cases, as Ukraine and Sweden, if having more luck, could have both gotten better results against the English.
However, as Greece showed in Portugal in the 2004 Euros, with a bit of luck, tactical organisation and skill, the best teams in Europe can be beaten. However, England lack the desire, skill and tactical organisation to beat the top teams in Europe. This was proven against the far dominate Italian side.
England only had a brief period of possession where they caused Italy problems, but without Rooney being match-fit, and England lacking a player like Pirlo, who can string passes together, the English were on the back foot for 100 minutes of the game. If it was not for the amazing goal-keeping of Joe Hart and the mis-firing forwards of the Italians, the game would have been over by the 90 minutes, instead of the Italians deservedly won on penalties 4-2.
It would would been an injustice if the English had made it through against the Italians on penalties. But it may done them a favour, or not in truth, as if they had played the Germans in the semis, I am sure the German team would have been ruthless in the final third against the English. The FA may have taken notice if they lost big at a major tournament, and realised that they must focus on the development of youngsters at all clubs, including getting facilities and coaches. However, the FA are very blind in that matter. But I do not want to get into that here!!!
I was not disappointed that the English lost, they are always over-hyped in every major tournament as the media think they are the best team in the world. Roy Hodgson had done a decent job in the month he had with the team, although he may prove to be another Steve Mcclaren, and not be aggressive in his thinking.
Hodgson has proved he cannot cut it at the top teams, such as Liverpool, and favours the more defensive approach at teams like Fulham and West Brom. It may be another four years before the FA realise this, and appoint someone like Harry. But then again, even having the best manager in the world does not mean you will win ever match. Clearly working from the bottom-up is the solution in this case, as the Germans have worked on in the last ten years.
After the match, me and Paola went round to Erika's to get some body combat videos from her. She is a bit of a shy girl, but she is nice. She also speaks good English. Paola was telling me that she was much bigger than she is now, and when she had took Muay Thai classes, she became much fitter!!!
For the rest of the day, I chilled out with Paola and watched some TV. I went to bed around 12AM, and started reading another book, Wounds of Honour, by Anthony Riches.
It is a really interesting read, and something I found by luck whilst searching the net for another historical fiction book. It is different than the ones I have read by Simon Scarrow, as this author focuses more on historical fact, which the characters fill in, making you feel like you are there with them. On the other hand, Scarrow, seems to dramatise more, however I have only just started reading the novels by Riches, so that may change.
Weather
Warm round 20 degrees during the day
Cold around 5 degrees at night
