VDB goes for it and I love it! He’s starting Negredo instead of Cesc. He is one of our true finishers and a scoring threat vs anyone. Especially like the fact that it should keep Portugal’s CDs honest. Plus he is fresh as a rose.
Spain’s starting line-up:
Casillas; Arbeloa, Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Xabi Alonso, Busquets; Silva, Xavi, Iniesta and Negredo
Vamos España!!
CDs = central defenders? Even so, I’m still not getting what you’re saying.
What club does Negredo play for? I’ve never heard of him.
At any rate, best of luck to Spain today!
Sevilla I believe… I do think they’re going to miss that extra midfielder though :D. How the hell do you play with only 5 midfielders?
Can’t follow the game today, other than by looking at things like the Guardian’s live commentary (here) so any insights/commentaries are much appreciated!
It isn’t that good; tense and surprisingly even matched, but not great football yet. Spain hasn’t really got their tikki takka on yet and Negredo hasn’t made much of an impression. Ronaldo and Nani seem to be having a good day.
I thought it was pretty interesting. Portugal finding a way to nullify Spain, and almost dominating at times. I fear that they will regret not scoring in that half, though.
What Polar Bear said – though he came through the ranks in Madrid’s factory. And yes, he had a terrific two terrific years, one with Almeria & last year w/Sevilla.
And yes, CD’s short for central defenders.
And what I meant – but didn’t happen – it that he’d get a lot more through balls in the box then he has thus making Pepe & Alvas work harder. It appears that we’re actually missing Cesc :eek: & Cazorla, Mata and Navas! Like you said, no way we can play with less than 5/6 mids. 
That pretty much sums it up, though Ronaldo, IMHO, is fairly well contained. I see VDB making substitutions earlier than he planned for – especially if this goes into OT.
Fuck! I’m nervous.
And Negredo’s just come off, replaced by Cesc. So that worked well
It is one for the purists as they say. The last ten minutes will be nerve-jangling.
I’m hoping for a Torres beauty in last 2 minutes of extra time.
Both teams seem more than happy to let the referee decide this game. Shame.
Back to the taberna.
And Ronaldo should have scored! Ninety minutes up.
By far our worse match thus far. I was obviously wrong about Negredo starting, but even so, our midfield never took charge.
:::climbing walls:::
I think Portugal need some credit - maybe it’s that they’re not letting Spain play?
Sure. That’s part of it. But the fact is we’ve unusually inaccurate. Did you see the difference in those first 15 minutes of OT?
Vamos!
Some gems from the dutch commentator (miles better than the BBC bs): when Iniesta missed the chance: Why couldn’t he have done that in Johannesburg? and just now: some people want to get rid of penalties, I say get rid of extra time :D… needless to say he hasn’t been impressed by the showing today.
So for the upcomming spotkicks… both teams won their last ones if I remember correctly: Spain in 2008 against Italy and Portugal in 2006 against England.
Spain wins!!!
Ronaldo waits for his turn…and waits…and waits…and waits…
What was the deal with that Portugese player who walked to take the penatly and then was called back and then took the next penalty which he missed? Seemed like a stupid move which would break his rhythm and concentration.
I am not sure what I think about the result. I like Spain but I want someone else to win but OTOH Ronaldo must be one of the most irritating players in world sports…
I believe that they have to inform the referee of the order before the shootout. Alves made a mistake and was called back. Not sure what would have happened if they had gone out of order though.
Waaay too much for a 55 y.o. heart! Great to see Saint Iker come right back and make a save right after Xavi’s miss. And to top the suspense, Cec’s goal (who also scored the decider vs Italy in '08) hits the inside post b4 going in.
Pheeeeeeew! Out to blow some steam.
All credit to Portugal, who played us as tough as can be – but even more to Spain for making it our third consecutive major final. Should we win on the 7th we’ll become the one team ever to have won two consecutive Euros sandwiches by a World Cup. Amazing – who could have told me a short ten years ago that we’d have this kind of run? Not even in my wildest dreams.