Semifinals Euro Cup 2012: Germany v Italy

The lineups for the match were as follows:

Germany: Neuer, Boatang, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Kroos, Ozil, Podolski, & Gomez.

Subs: Wiese, Gundogan, Schmelzer, Howedes, Schurrle, Klose, Muller, Bender, Mertsacker, Gotze, Reus, & Zieler (Yes, the bench does sound more German than the starting 11).

Italy: Buffon, Balzaretti, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pirlo, Marchisio, Montolivo, De Rossi, Balotelli, & Cassano.

Subs: Sirigu, Ogbonna, Thiago Motta, Abate, Di Natale, Giaccherini, Borini, Giovinco, Diamanti, Nocerino, & De Sanctis.r

Referee: Stephane Lennoy (France)

Germany is said to be the favorite of the match.  And the event started off with Gigi Buffon hugging Philipp Lahm and Michael Neuer in tunnel.  As the anthems were sung, Italy looked more pumped up for the game.  Captians Buffon and Lahm delivered respect and diversity messages.  A match as important as this could really stir up some violence from true hooligans.  For those who didn't catch the match, Germany wore white jerseys, black shorts, and white socks and the Italians sported blue jerseys, white shirts, and blue socks.

Italy kicked off the match.  In the 3rd minute Germany took a corner which was in inches of scoring.  Buffon misread the play and Pirlo saved it on the line.  A strong performance by each side until one took the lead.  Chiellini picked up the ball on the left and dished it out to Cassano.  Cassano squeezed between 2 German defenders before crossing it to Mario Bolatelli.  Bolatelli outjumped Badstuber for the header and it was in.  Italy went 1-0!!!  The Germans brought on the pressure, but still couldn't capitalize on their chances.  In the 35th minute, the Germans took a corner which Buffon punched away.  The ball found its way to Montolivo, who hit Bolatelli on the spot with a 60 yard lobbed through pass.  Mario Bolatelli managed to stay onside by a hair and rushed to the net to blast a shot for a goal, however, he got booked with a yellow card for ripping off his shirt in the celebration.  The first half certainly wasn't expected and fans eagerly wait to see if Germany has a response in the 2nd.  Italy leads 2-0 at the half.

To start the half, Germany took a strategic approach.  Podolski (arguably perhaps their best player) comes off for Reus and Gomez comes off for Klose.  In the 50th minute Germany is looked much better than they did in the first half.  Before the match, the gossip was that Germany was the dominant team, however Lahm's shot is over the net.  Germany got more chances, but still, couldn't finish.  In the 58th minute, Italy made a sub.  Cassano came off for Diamanti.  The game progressed a bit and Germany looked like they were in shape to score, but it was still 2-0.  The favor switches sides and Bolatelli is alone. He worked his way into the box to miss the shot across the goal wide.  In the 64th minute Italy subbed Thiago Motta in for Montolivo.  Italy passed it around in the midfield to receive pressure from the Germans.  Diamanti took a crack nearly from halfway and gets an angry look from Bolatelli.  Bolatelli seemed to be cramping, but it was unsure.  His hat-trick was cut short in the 71st minute as Bolatelli came off and on went Di Natale.  The next minute Germany took their final sub.  Boatang came off for Muller.  Italy slowed down the play and Neuer forced a throw in.  The game continued, and Germany couldn't get a break.  No chances have gone in their favor.  Italy kept looking more and more dangerous.  Diamanti took another go for a goal, but struck the ball just wide of the post (82nd minute).  Soon after Di Natale beat the offside trap and he was all alone!  He slowed down and defenders caught up.  His hit went to the side, striking the side of the goal (83rd minute).  The game went on and finally a chance went in favor for Germany.  Klosed tugged Balzaretti.  The ball hit off the Italian's chest and hit his elbow in the box.  A penalty kick was initiated for Germany.  Ozil took the shot and scored!!! 2-1, Italy still in the lead.  With plus 4 minutes, Germany was unable to capture the last goal.

What a game for Italy.  Buffon looked shaky early on, but Mario Bolatelli is the hero today.  Italy takes on Spain for the Euro 2012 Championship in Kiev, Ukraine!

Bad Luck, Good Luck

Bad luck for the New York Yankees.  Good luck for Boston and other American League teams.  Wednesday morning the Yanks put C.C. Sabathia on the injured reserve.  With 2 weeks until the All-Star break, it was thought Sabathia would miss 2 starts, allowing him to nurse his groin.  Come Friday, reliever Freddy Garcia will take C.C.'s spot until he returns after the break.  Little did the Yankees know, Andy Petite, 40, would fall.  Petite has been very comparable to Sabathia in his performance and strikeout ability.

Petite took a 5th inning grounder to the ankle by Casey Kotchman leaving it fractured.  Initially, Petite tried to convince Manager Joe Girardi to let him stay in the game.  Petite threw one pitch to the next batter and then he was pulled.  The Yankees organization announced that Petite would miss a minimum of 6 weeks.  Talk about killing 2 birds with one stone.  The Yankees lost 2 of their best pitchers in a day.  Luckily, Petite did not need surgery.  All in all, the Yankees still won 5-4 against the Indians.

At the time of Petite's injury the Yankees were up 2-1.  He recorded 7 strikeouts in 64 pitches.  5 of which batters ate the dust with his slider.  Garcia replaced Petite to finish the 5th, and he kept the Indians hitless in the 6th and 7th.

Girardi said Sabathia was feeling a tug-like feeling in his groin.  On Tuesday Sabathia underwent a magnetic resonance test.  It showed a Grade-1 strain in the adductor muscle (groin) in the inside of his push off leg.  Straining this muscle further would make it nearly impossible to pitch, however, Sabathia could pitch, but he did feel the pain.  Missing 2 starts is better than missing any more.

WOW

Not much to say here... I never thought this would happen.  Not in 1,000 life times.  But for real, who gave LeBron super human drugs?  This is an unreal performance by him.  Just not giving a flying hoot and sinking straight buckets.  Dribble, dribble, uh, little fake, no look, sinking buckets.  Baskets for days!  Many people expecting him to exceed 50+, but not the case.  A bit upset seeing so many Bostonians supporting LBJ!!  Sad sad day for Boston.  Pierce didn't look big nor did Rondo.  Expect the C's to bring the heat in Miami like they did tonight at the TD Garden.

Eastern Conference Finals - Let's Get It!!!

     Man, Celts website calls the Garden the Jungle... why didn't I think of that?  It's going to be packed with green (trees/canopy reference) and oh boy, will our team be a real mean green machine tonight.  Celtics tip off at 8:30pm tonight and it's going to be loud and we're going to be proud.  After LeBron can't handle The Truth, the Celtics took Game 5 94-90 and I believe that we'll advance to The Finals tonight.  The Heat must tally a win in our den tonight and I just don't see that happening.
    What did I tell you last blog?  Doc Rivers and the Celts got this.  In my lifetime I've never seen a Celtics coach that has connected with the players as well as Doc.  He's like your dad.  He's at the game and you put that much more "umph" into your play to win it for him.  And no worries.  Not like Mayor Menino butchering KG (KJ) and Rondo's (Hondo) names will put us down; it's just another "Menino-ism"!
    After questioning the use of Chris Bosh last game, he'll need to play a bigger role tonight.  Bosh played in Game 5 for the first time since May 13th and didn't do too shabby.  In his 14:23 of playing time he managed to make 9 points and 7 rebounds - almost a double-double.  While Miami fans may be angry about the shortage of usage of one of their Big Three in Game 5, it was not Spoelstra's intention to overuse Bosh.  Tonight, look for Bosh to start and play big minutes.  While it "was not fair" to Bosh to put him in with 3 minutes left in Game 5, tonight expect him to do bigger things for Miami. 
     On the brink of elimination, Miami is 0-1 with their Big Three in the lineup.  Last year Miami got knocked out by Dallas with a 105-95 loss.  While it was a poor performance by the Miami, performance is the only thing to measure.  That means it is very well possible for the Heat to choke tonight, especially with a freshly returned Chris Bosh. 
   The Celts had mostly poor performance from Pierce (The Truth) and Rondo in Game 5, but let's expect Pierce to start off where he left off.  Pierce only sunk 6 buckets for 19 shot attempts with Rondo going 3 for 15.  Rondo had terrible turnovers as well making Boston fans cringe.  If these two don't come out tonight with their game faces on and top notch mentality, the Celtics might be in trouble.  On the other hand, Allen's ankle locked up in Game 5, but at the shootaround today he seemed fine.  Look for Allen to sink some 3's per usual and overall a tough battle to move on or continue on.

Game 3 is a Serious Deal for the Celts

     As many Bostonians know, the Celtics are facing the Miami Heat for the Eastern Conference Final.  Rajon Rondo called Game 2 a "must-win situation" and after a disappointing loss which makes Game 3 a must-win times 34567896534567 cross your heart and hope to die situation.  Tonight in the Garden the Celtics will fight 'til the death to capture a win.
     The Heat lead the series 2-0 making the situation in Boston devastating for many fans.  If you know Boston, you know they don't kid around with sports.  If the Celtics lose this series the city will be in shambles as it's a long summer to watch the Sox who are nothing shy of disappointment this season.  However, there is still hope.  Baseball is a long season and things can turn around.
     The Celtics will look for big things from key players such as Rondo, Pierce, Garnett, and Allen.  It's no secret that Boston has a tough squad.  LeBron James even noted that Rondo's performance in Game 2 was not unnoticed.  The exact words were "absolutely amazing" and that's what tonight will be if the C's grab that W.  Doc River's seemed very confident in his interview on Thursday stating that the Celtics will be "ready to play".  There is no other coach that will get the Celtics out of this slump other than Doc Rivers.  As Garnett has said, Doc has never told them a lie.  He's always told the truth and brought the best out of them.  That's just what Doc will do tonight. 

And for any of you Boston fans that have a doubt, watch this video.  If this doesn't get you pumped and believing, get out of my city!