
The two European giants will meet in the last eight after Italy sneaked through last night on the back of a 2-0 win over France.
While Spain are certainly in better form going into the game, Italy have an outstanding record against them, having not lost a competitive game against La Seleccion since 1920.
"Oh Mamma Mia!", was the headline of the newspaper El Mundo.
"They are an invincible enemy," wrote Publico.
ABC meanwhile are worried that the notorious slow-starters Italy are building up speed just at the right time.
The Spanish population as a whole are also not to confident of their nation’s chances of success, and 60 per cent, according to an Internet poll published by the newspaper El Pais, believe that Italy will win the game.
The match will be played on June 22, which is considered as something of a “cursed” day in Spain, as it was on this exact day that they were eliminated in three penalty shootouts, against Belgium in the 1986 World cup, against England at EURO 1996 and against South Korea at the 2002 World Cup.
underachievers again? well at least this time they have something to blame.![]()
It's probably just fate.
Italy's form hasn't been good anyway, maybe this is their(Spain) year. I would like to see Netherlands v Spain in the semi-finals though ![]()
Originally posted by haoguanghg:Italy's form hasn't been good anyway, maybe this is their(Spain) year. I would like to see Netherlands v Spain in the semi-finals though
agree
bloody heck.. before match already give excuses ![]()
but Italy playing like crap..
i still think the Dutch will win this whole thing
Who knows if Toni Lampard is suddenly on target when Italy meets Spain but if the Spanish got balls they should win this match