Azzurri Power and English charm?

The Mighty Italians - I have the right to say that as they top the world rankings and are the World Champions as well - took on the travelling Scots in Bari for their Euro 2008 clash. The Italians have not been as convincing as they had been in the world cup and were in a sort of a slump, but with Donandoni at the helm and with the likes of Gattuso, Pirlo, Toni and Buffon in the field, it probably was a slight slip, one would guess. And they wasted no time in assuring their fans of their skill by opening the scoring in the 12th minute with a quality header from none other than Luca Toni. The Scots fielded an attacking line up, but Zambrotta and Oddo were causing all sorts of problems for the Scots with running attacks on either side. And with 20 odd minutes Toni settled the game with his second strike of the night and brought the high flying Scots crashing down to earth.

Elsewhere, in Barcelona, Woeful England started the game against Andorra with the critics waiting on the aisle to kill them with words the following morning. As it is, there was nothing to really harp about England based on their performances in the recent past and with the goals drying up bug time, the lads had to 'stand and deliver' or else face the scathing attack day in and day out. After another lacklustre first half, they were deservedly jeered off the field for half time. Immediately after the restart, Gerrard saved England the blushes and sent in a a low 20 yard drive and then slid in to get his second with 15 minutes remaining. Unconvincing England were finally scenting a win after a long time (since the dark ages??!). David Nugent tapped it in from close range in extra time to get a goal on his debut, though it was rolling towards the goal after Defoe's shot was partly-saved by the Andorra keeper. This game showed (as I earlier stated in an old post) that you have to sacrifice a few good men to get the results. Gerrard was in his preferred position at the centre (with Lamps on the injured list) and it reaped in the results. Think Steve, think!

Anyway, a good day's work for the Italians and the English, I must say.