Germany may have been the team of the tournament going into the match, but they exited with a mere whimper after a hugely disappointing 2-1 loss to Italy in the Euro 2012 semifinals.
Joachim Loew’s young, explosive side lost ground early in the match, when Italy’s Mario Balotelli easily beat Holger Badstuber to score. Twice, actually (20′, 36′). Changes to the starting lineup proved as disastrous as Germany’s defending – Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez were all-but-absent during the first half. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one wondering what kind of favors were called in to get Podolski back in the starting XI for a semifinal. Both were benched at half, in favor of the much more effective Miroslav Klose and Marco Reus.
Late in the second half, Germany finally recovered some of the spark that helped them go unbeaten for 15 games. But Italy’s solid defense, the Gianluigi Buffon and a bit of luck kept them firmly out of the goal. So, instead of the Euro 2008 final rematch we all expected between Spain and Germany, the final will feature a 2012 group stage rematch between Spain and Italy.
• Euro 2012 Final: Spain vs Italy — Sunday, July 1 at 2:30p (ESPN)
Spain made it to the final by the tip of Iker Casillas’ fingers, barely edging out Portugal in the first semifinal. Italy is still riding a wave of momentum stemming from Andrea Pirlo’s excellent Panenka penalty against England in the quarterfinals. However, there is little reason to expect a vastly different match from their 1-1 group draw.
Both teams have tough defenses that are playing in front of the two best goalkeepers in the world. Unfortunately, Spain’s been missing something on offense throughout the tournament – and that something looks a little bit like David Villa. Jesus Navas and Fernando Torres are half-hearted stand-ins with a quarter of Villa’s forward prowess. On the flip side, Balotelli is a wildcard and Spain’s defenders are much, much better than Germany’s.
It’s difficult to see this game becoming a high-scoring affair; it will be a battle of midfield strength and possession. And that is just where Spain likes it. They might not win big, but they know how to win big games.
Prediction: Spain 1 – Italy 0.
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Where to watch the best soccer games on US television networks. All times Eastern.
FRIDAY, JUNE 29
Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
---|---|---|---|---|
12:00a | World Masters 2012 | Masters vs. Stars | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
3:00a | UEFA Champions League | AC Milan vs. FC Viktoria Plzen | Fox Soccer | Replay |
3:00a | Argentine Soccer | All Boys vs. Boca Juniors | GolTV | Replay |
4:00a | English Premier League | West Brom vs. Tottenham | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
9:00a | UEFA Champions League | KRC Genk vs. Chelsea FC | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
11:00a | English Premier League | Blackburn vs. Tottenham | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
1:00p | UEFA Champions League | FC Barcelona vs. FC Viktoria Plzen | Fox Soccer | Replay |
3:00p | English Premier League | Manchester City vs. Arsenal | Fox Soccer | Replay |
3:00p | Brazilian Soccer | Corinthians vs. Palmeiras | GolTV | Replay |
5:00p | UEFA Champions League | SL Benfica vs. Chelsea FC | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
5:00p | Argentine Soccer | All Boys vs. Boca Juniors | GolTV | Replay |
8:00p | English Premier League | Liverpool vs. Newcastle | Fox Soccer | Replay |
8:00p | Argentine Soccer | River Plate vs. Almirante Brown | GolTV | Replay |
8:00p | MLS Soccer | Chicago Fire at Sporting Kansas City | NBC Sports Network | Live |
11:00p | UEFA Champions League | FC Barcelona vs. FC Viktoria Plzen | Fox Soccer | Replay |
SATURDAY, JUNE 30
Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
---|---|---|---|---|
3:00a | World Masters 2012 | Masters vs. Stars | Fox Soccer | Replay |
3:00a | Brazilian Soccer | Corinthians vs. Palmeiras | GolTV | Replay |
10:00a | UEFA Champions League | SL Benfica vs. Chelsea FC | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
11:00a | World Masters 2012 | Masters vs. Stars | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
11:00a | UEFA Women’s Champions League | Lyon vs. Frankfurt | GolTV | Replay |
12:00p | UEFA Champions League | AC Milan vs. FC BATE Borisov | Fox Soccer | Replay |
1:00p | UEFA U-17 | Germany vs. Netherlands | GolTV | Replay |
1:30p | Women’s Soccer: International Friendly | United States vs. Canada | NBC | Live |
3:00p | English Premier League | Fulham vs. Manchester United | Fox Soccer | Replay |
3:00p | International Friendly | Brazil vs. Denmark | GolTV | Replay |
5:00p | International Friendly | Argentina vs. Brazil | GolTV | Replay |
6:00p | Football Rivalries | Boca Juniors vs. River Plate and Austria vs. Rapid Vienna | Fox Soccer | Replay |
7:00p | MLS Soccer | New York Red Bulls at Toronto FC | Galavision | Live |
7:00p | Argentine Soccer | All Boys vs. Boca Juniors | GolTV | Replay |
8:00p | English Premier League | Aston Villa vs. Everton | Fox Soccer | Replay |
9:00p | Argentine Soccer | River Plate vs. Almirante Brown | GolTV | Replay |
10:00p | MLS Soccer | Los Angeles Galaxy at San Jose Earthquakes | ESPN2, ESPN Deportes | Live |
11:00p | UEFA Champions League | AC Milan vs. FC BATE Borisov | Fox Soccer | Replay |
SUNDAY, JULY 1
Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
---|---|---|---|---|
3:00a | UEFA Champions League | Valencia CF vs. Chelsea FC | Fox Soccer | Replay |
9:00a | UEFA Champions League | FC Basel 1893 vs. Manchester United FC | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
10:30a | German Bundesliga | Augsburg vs. Borussia Dortmund | GolTV | Replay |
11:00a | English Premier League | Manchester United vs. Sunderland | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
12:00p | UEFA Champions League | PFC CSKA Moscow vs. FC Internazionale Milan | Fox Soccer | Replay |
12:30p | Argentine Soccer | River Plate vs. Almirante Brown | GolTV | Replay |
2:30p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Spain vs. Italy | ESPN | Live |
3:00p | English Premier League | Newcastle vs. Manchester United | Fox Soccer | Replay |
3:30p | UEFA Women’s Champions League | Lyon vs. Frankfurt | GolTV | Replay |
4:00p | UEFA Champions League | FC Bayern Munich vs. FC Basel 1893 | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
4:00p | Women’s College Soccer: 2011 College Cup Championship | Duke vs. Stanford | ESPNU | Replay |
5:30p | Brazilian Soccer | Gremio vs. Atletico MG | GolTV | Live |
6:00p | English Premier League | Blackburn vs. Manchester City | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
7:30p | Spanish Super Cup | Barcelona vs. Real Madrid | GolTV | Replay |
8:00p | English Premier League | Swansea City vs. Arsenal | Fox Soccer | Replay |
9:30p | Brazilian Soccer | Gremio vs. Atletico MG | GolTV | Replay |
11:00p | UEFA Champions League | FC Viktoria Plzen vs. FC Barcelona | Fox Soccer | Replay |
MONDAY, JULY 2
Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
---|---|---|---|---|
3:00a | UEFA Champions League | PFC CSKA Moscow vs. FC Internazionale Milan | Fox Soccer | Replay |
7:00a | Football Rivalries | Barcelona vs. Real Madrid and Olympiakos vs. Panathinaikos | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
9:00a | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | Moldova vs. Portugal | Fox Soccer Plus | Taped |
10:00a | UEFA Champions League | FC Viktoria Plzen vs. FC Barcelona | Fox Soccer | Replay |
11:00a | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | France vs. Czech Republic | Fox Soccer Plus | Taped |
12:00p | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | Norway vs. Spain | Fox Soccer Plus | Taped |
1:00p | UEFA Champions League | Manchester United FC vs. FC Otelul Galati | Fox Soccer | Replay |
1:00p | Women’s College Soccer: 2011 College Cup Championship | Duke vs. Stanford | ESPNU | Replay |
2:00p | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | Azerbaijan vs. England | Fox Soccer Plus | Taped |
2:30p | College Soccer: 2011 NCAA Cup | Charlotte vs. North Carolina | ESPNU | Replay |
3:00p | English Premier League | Liverpool vs. Newcastle | Fox Soccer | Replay |
3:00p | Argentine Soccer | All Boys vs. Boca Juniors | GolTV | Replay |
5:00p | International Rivalries | Holland vs. Germany | Fox Soccer | Replay |
5:00p | Brazilian Soccer | Gremio vs. Atletico MG | GolTV | Replay |
6:30p | The FA Classic Collection: 2005/06 | Liverpool vs. Manchester United | Fox Soccer | Replay |
7:00p | Football Rivalries | Barcelona vs. Real Madrid and Olympiakos vs. Panathinaikos | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
8:00p | English Premier League | Everton vs. Blackburn | Fox Soccer | Replay |
11:00p | UEFA Champions League | Manchester United FC vs. FC Otelul Galati | Fox Soccer | Replay |
TUESDAY, JULY 3
Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
---|---|---|---|---|
3:00a | UEFA Champions League | FC Viktoria Plzen vs. FC Barcelona | Fox Soccer | Replay |
3:00a | Argentine Soccer | River Plate vs. Almirante Brown | GolTV | Replay |
8:00a | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | Portugal vs. Greece | Fox Soccer Plus | Taped |
9:00a | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | Italy vs. Israel | Fox Soccer Plus | Taped |
10:00a | UEFA Champions League | AC Milan vs. FC BATE Borisov | Fox Soccer | Replay |
11:00a | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | Switzerland vs. England | Fox Soccer Plus | Taped |
11:30a | UEFA U19 | Serbia vs. France | GolTV | Live |
12:00p | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | Russia vs. Germany | Fox Soccer Plus | Taped |
1:00p | UEFA Champions League | Villarreal CF vs. Manchester City FC | Fox Soccer | Replay |
1:30p | UEFA U19 | Estonia vs. Portugal | GolTV | Live |
2:00p | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | Spain vs. Netherlands | Fox Soccer Plus | Taped |
3:00p | English Premier League | Wolverhampton vs. Chelsea | Fox Soccer | Replay |
6:30p | Premier League Archives | Blackburn Rovers vs. Norwich City | Fox Soccer | Replay |
8:00p | English Premier League | Manchester City vs. Tottenham | Fox Soccer | Replay |
8:30p | Premier League Archives | Leicester vs. Sunderland | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
11:00p | UEFA Champions League | Villarreal CF vs. Manchester City FC | Fox Soccer | Replay |
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4
Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
---|---|---|---|---|
3:00a | UEFA Champions League | AC Milan vs. FC BATE Borisov | Fox Soccer | Replay |
6:00a | Women’s College Soccer: 2011 College Cup Championship | Duke vs. Stanford | ESPNU | Replay |
8:00a | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | Russia vs. Poland | Fox Soccer Plus | Taped |
8:00a | College Soccer: 2011 NCAA Cup | Charlotte vs. North Carolina | ESPNU | Replay |
9:00a | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | Portugal vs. Ukraine | Fox Soccer Plus | Taped |
10:00a | UEFA Champions League | Chelsea FC vs. KRC Genk | Fox Soccer | Replay |
11:00a | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | Romania vs. France | Fox Soccer Plus | Taped |
12:00p | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | Italy vs. Hungary | Fox Soccer Plus | Taped |
1:00p | UEFA Champions League | Olympique Lyonnais vs. Real Madrid CF | Fox Soccer | Replay |
3:00p | English Premier League | Fulham vs. Arsenal | Fox Soccer | Replay |
3:00p | UEFA U19 | Serbia vs. France | GolTV | Replay |
5:00p | Football Rivalries | Ajax vs. Feyenoord and Flamengo vs. Fluminese | Fox Soccer | Replay |
5:00p | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | Italy vs. Hungary | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
5:00p | UEFA U19 | Estonia vs. Portugal | GolTV | Replay |
6:00p | Beach Soccer: World Cup Qualifier | England vs. Belarus | Fox Soccer Plus | Taped |
7:30p | Premier League Archives | Leicester vs. Sunderland | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
8:00p | English Premier League | Arsenal vs. Manchester United | Fox Soccer | Replay |
11:00p | UEFA Champions League | Olympique Lyonnais vs. Real Madrid CF | Fox Soccer | Replay |
THURSDAY, JULY 5
Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
---|---|---|---|---|
3:00a | UEFA Champions League | Chelsea FC vs. KRC Genk | Fox Soccer | Replay |
3:00a | German Bundesliga | Schalke vs. B. Leverkusen | GolTV | Replay |
10:00a | UEFA Champions League | FC Barcelona vs. FC Viktoria Plzen | Fox Soccer | Replay |
1:00p | UEFA Champions League | FC Bayern Munich vs. SSC Napoli | Fox Soccer | Replay |
3:00p | English Premier League | Newcastle vs. Manchester United | Fox Soccer | Replay |
3:00p | UEFA U19 | Estonia vs. Portugal | GolTV | Replay |
5:00p | Brazilian Soccer | Gremio vs. Atletico MG | GolTV | Replay |
7:30p | The FA Classic Collection | Portsmouth vs. Arsenal | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
8:00p | English Premier League | Everton vs. Manchester City | Fox Soccer | Replay |
8:00p | ECNL Championship | Teams TBA | GolTV | Taped |
11:00p | UEFA Champions League | FC Bayern Munich vs. SSC Napoli | Fox Soccer | Replay |
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