Euro 2012

[jamaris]

Just watched the game outdoors on a big screen in Lucca with about 3,000 of my new best friends. Great game, great crowd, and madness as soon as it ended. Can't wait for Sunday night against Spain! Forza Italia!

Jealous doesn't describe it. What a great time. I almost hope Italy wins, just so you can enjoy it.

[j44ke]

Here is a sleepy Piazza Napoleone. Probably completely different from when the Euros are going on and Italy is playing!



BTW, there is a great old shop just off the Piazza on a side street. They sell sweaters. I bought one in the middle of summer last year, and it is the best thing I did. Great sweater. High on the style factor in a classic Italian way. Never go out of style. Bellandi is the name of the company.

And the gelato! The city is full of gelato!

[jamaris]

Here is a sleepy Piazza Napoleone. Probably completely different from when the Euros are going on and Italy is playing!



BTW, there is a great old shop just off the Piazza on a side street. They sell sweaters. I bought one in the middle of summer last year, and it is the best thing I did. Great sweater. High on the style factor in a classic Italian way. Never go out of style. Bellandi is the name of the company.

And the gelato! The city is full of gelato!

How much was the sweater, I think I want one without seeing it.

[jamaris]

And the choice for the final. Spain wins unfortunately, 3-1. But I am hoping for an Italian rout, in hopes of amazing pictures from j44ke

[echelon_john]

Had an awesome ride to Lucca this morning, getting ready to watch the Tour, then head back into Lucca for dinner & Euro Cup craziness.

Posting some photos from the ride below; will take pictures tonight & post. Forza Italia!

[j44ke]

How much was the sweater, I think I want one without seeing it.

I think it was $250. A zippered cardigan that seemed a little long/big when I bought it, but the ladies insisted that it was perfect, and when I wore it this winter, it was. They were right. Don't argue with the ladies.



BTW, Echelon-John is the one who will have the match photos of Lucca! A ride in Lucca and then football - well, that's just rubbing it in. But that's fine. I'm enjoying the report. We've stayed in a little village called Vitianna up above Bagni di Lucca the last two summers. We are missing it this summer, but we have a new apartment to sort out this year. Next year we have plans to return.

[jamesand]

Prediction: Spain will score at least two goals; I'm not sure about Italy.

[j44ke]

Ah well, there is no joy in Lucca, but I expect Madrid is hopping right about now. Masterful display by Spain. Congratulations. Italy did well to get so far and beat Germany to get to the finals. If there was any doubt they wanted the championship, just look at those faces on the Italian side. Beating Germany gave them hope and perhaps confidence that Spain then took apart. Tough.

I must say it was a great championships though. Some really good games.

[0nelove]

Es-pan-ya! dun dun dun Es-pan-ya! dun dun dun

Darn, and I just moved from Mallorca back to the states a month ago........Grrr. There is no fiesta like a Spanish fiesta. And within that, there is no Spanish fiesta like a football champion fiesta.

[j44ke]

Es-pan-ya! dun dun dun Es-pan-ya! dun dun dun

Darn, and I just moved from Mallorca back to the states a month ago........Grrr. There is no fiesta like a Spanish fiesta. And within that, there is no Spanish fiesta like a football champion fiesta.

Come to NYC. There was dancing on 14th St around the Spanish restaurant, La Nacional. Not as lovely as Mallorca though.

[jamaris]

Ah well, there is no joy in Lucca, but I expect Madrid is hopping right about now. Masterful display by Spain. Congratulations. Italy did well to get so far and beat Germany to get to the finals. If there was any doubt they wanted the championship, just look at those faces on the Italian side. Beating Germany gave them hope and perhaps confidence that Spain then took apart. Tough.

I must say it was a great championships though. Some really good games.

Yeah it was a good tournament for sure. fun times sharing predictions, reflections with some fellow VSalon-ites

[echelon_john]

No joy in Lucca, indeed. Still fun; great crowd. Highlight was all the kids linking arms and touching their chests while singing along with the Italian national anthem before the game. That, and Captain Italia, as pictured below!

[holliscx]

Southern Europe represent!

Both sides have a lot to be proud of: Italy for Pirlo's PK and turning Germany into a JV squad for one night in the semis. But the match fixers were outmatched in the final by a Spanish team without its all-time leading scorer who was out with a broken leg. Credit Del Bosque for not second guessing his lineup; the Spanish defense for thwarting Italy's strikers.

[j44ke]

Captain Italia! You're right. Looks like a great time anyway. Thanks for the photos!

[jamesand]

It was a great tournament and thread to follow and comment. Spain just had another gear yesterday, Italy had two or three great chances, but then going down a man...

Has SteveP paid off his bets?

[holliscx]

Euro 2012 Final Retro Diary

^ in case anyone missed this Euro 2012 summary over at Grantland

[SteveP]

It was a great tournament and thread to follow and comment. Spain just had another gear yesterday, Italy had two or three great chances, but then going down a man...

Has SteveP paid off his bets?

declared moral bankruptcy...
worked for dick cheney.

i go to watch the final with a bunch of in laws..
nice
i show up with my italia shirt... and the first five guys have real spanish football jerseys...
ouch, then double ouch the game started and was over in 14 minutes i thk.

my italy shirt is available ... send me a cc# and ill ship it out.