England v Italy

Have we built England up just so they can knock us down again, or is this the start of something big?

A bit of both I think

If Hodgson grows a pair we can win this game, Italy aren't anything special. It's going to need Parker & Gerrard to be at their best though, and Rooney to come alive again.

Italy have surprised me, they've been good.

Pirlo has been imperious, Cassano has looked lively despite everything he's been through, Maggio looks like a serious talent, and i like Marchisio.

England have been largely second best in every single one of their games but have still got results.

I can see it being a similar affair this time, Italy to completely dominate but end up losing 0-2 after a couple of sloppy moments on the break. Rooney and Carroll to do the damage.

Balotelli will do well to stay on.

Hipster_Nebula wrote: Italy to completely dominate but end up losing 0-2 after a couple of sloppy moments on the break.

Ha ha, I bet it hurts you to write that.

Not a bit.

I really don't care who wins the tournament, i picked France out before hand, but clearly i'll be wide of the mark. I just like to see nice football and hopefully the teams that play the best stuff compete in the final.

Who ever wins the battle of the midfield in this one will win the game and I can't help thinking Italy will win that battle and sneak a 2-0 win.

I would start with Carroll and Rooney with Walcott and Young on the wings.

Hipster_Nebula wrote:Not a bit.

I really don't care who wins the tournament.

I'm the same. I've felt emotionally detached from England for years.

They've had that much luck so far this time round, I'm starting to believe they can win it.

Will it make me happy? Not greatly.

Hipster_Nebula wrote:.

I really don't care who wins the tournament, i picked France out before hand, but clearly i'll be wide of the mark.

I can see France pulling off an upset and beating Spain.

Want us to win, always do, think we'll win it by the odd Goal. 1-0.

Can Italy win playing the defensive English way?

I reckon the game will end in a "bore draw" after 90 minutes, possibly even after extra time.

We definitely won't be seeing a goal feast. I think we can scrape through, probably in a penalty shoot out.

1-0 to England. The Germans will be bigger fish to fry but we owe them big time. If the Premier League is the best in the world it is up to the England team to prove it.

If I was on £100 grand a week I would feel like a right cunt if I didn't deliver at international level.

Premier League is the best in the world ....now that were not in it

Thank you .... I 'll be here all week.

We gave football to the world and now we cant play it properlyand every team in the world (well not all!!) give us a lesson in how to play the game. Pitiful isnt it

Because of the way they've played in the group stages, they have to win tonight or they'll come home to the usual "Same Old England" type of press.

Halfway through the second half. Perhaps the most one-sided game I've seen this year (or two). Two England subs just come but Rooney and Gerard are still on the pitch.

Disappointed in the manager.

I think you're exaggerating. The first half was completely even.

I also think Hodgson is doing well with technically limited players. He did well to get us out of that group, and as clear group leaders no less.

I agree with you about Hodgson. What I meant was that I think he should have made his mark and sub'd Rooney or Gerrard (or both). Let's face it they've done f... all.

Italy have so far been completely dominant, i thought England started superbly, they were in about Italy and created a couple of good chances.

since then they've soaked up 30 shots and conceded almost 70% of possession while mustering a single shot themselves so far.