Spain v Italy Euro 2012 Preview & Tips

Another classic match for the ages is about to unfold as Spain attempts to defend the Euro title against Italy on Sunday, the 1st of July. The Euro 2012 Finale takes place in Kiev, at 19:45 GMT.

Teams News

Spain

Destiny is upon Spain as they look to become the first-ever European side to win the title back to back. When most pundits felt like the Red Fury’s dynasty was about to crumble and fall to pieces, Vicente del Bosque and his men slowly but surely inched their way to the Euro 2012 Finale against Italy. Surely, Spain is no surprise package except for one very glaring fact: not one team in the recent history of European football has dominated the game for such a long time now (count four years and keep on counting).

Narrow wins that more often than not are decided down the wire – for instance, the semi-finals win against Portugal that culminated on penalties – were the theme of the tournament for the Spaniards. They may not want to play down the same line this time around against Italy, but if this is the only way to dismantle a loaded Italian midfield-defence link, then so be it. The only issue for them now is that they have often been too predictable for comfort – the Tiki-Taka after all has become a sort of a book that everybody has learned to read – and Italy will surely have answers to the Spain is known to pose.

Italy

Italy is riding the train of momentum like never before. A team that was struck with loads of scandals pre-tournament made the headlines again last time out but to good effect. Beating the highly-rated Germans in the semi-finals care of a Mario Balotelli brace, Cesare Prandelli’s team is on the verge of winning only their second title; the last time they did was 44 years ago, back in ’68.

What has been working for Italy? The midfield duo of Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi. The duo has been playing so well together in fact that they forced Joachim Low and the Germans to line-up differently – a move that proved costly for the Germans. True enough, Pirlo and De Rossi have the ability to influence games even before the opening whistle is blown, and against a packed Spanish midfield, you could only imagine a very gratifying chess-like match-up that is rare to come by these days.

Spain v Italy Betting Preview

Spain v Italy matches have always been classic and it has always been in the favour of the Italians. In fact the Red Fury has not beaten the Azzurri in regular time in any major tournaments in the past. If the trend follows, then you can expect this game to go down the wire again: decided in extra time, and perhaps more spectacularly, on sudden-death penalties.

Still the Spaniards remain the favourites. The last time these two sides met – in the group stages of this Euro edition – Spain dominated possession and had the lion’s share of attempts in the game. But that was a different case, when Daniele De Rossie had to play in the heart of an ailing defense. Let’s see how the Italian midfielder can change the proceedings this time around although the default choice here is a Spain victory.

Betting Tip

Verdict: Spain to win in extra time, 2-1.

Tip: This game is looking like it’s going to be decided either in extra time at 7.00 or after penalties at 5.50. Although we are fancying Spain to take this game in extra time at 12.00, be prepared for a Euro 2008 Quarter-finals replay with Spain winning on penalties at 11.00. Italy however, with momentum on their side, looks good value for upset-lovers. Italy is at 3.75 to win, 2.50 to lift the trophy, and 11.00 to win on penalties.

One very good question goes like, “Who’s going to win this game for his team?” Most people will be looking at Mario Balotelli to provide the goods who is at 3.75 to score anytime. A brace against the Germans makes him the favoured striker in this one. For the Spaniards, Cesc Fabregas will be looking to score once again against the Italians. Cesc is at 3.75 to score anytime as well.

All odds are from Bet365.com (£200 FREE BET!).