The UEFA Euro 2016 boot battle: Day 19
Today gave us one of the matches of the tournament, on paper beforehand if not in reality. Italy, the team who have perhaps looked the most solid of all the nations so far played Germany, a team who you can never not fancy. Howedes, Hummels, Neuer, Muller and Ozil all started for Adidas, whereas Nike were solely represented by Gotze, who did not make it on to the pitch.
It says a lot about the first half by the fact that Sami Khedira leaving the pitch because of an injury was the most memorable occurrence. Muller had a chance just before half-time, but his shot was saved well to keep the sides level.
It was Muller again who had the opening chance of the second half, but his shot from outside was blocked.
In the 65th minute, the Germans took the lead. Jonas Hector crossed for Ozil, and the Arsenal man finished well. Gianluigi Buffon later saved magnificently from Mario Gomez- proving his title as best in the world a few years ago was very justified. Gomez brought the ball down from the air and blasted an effort on target, but he couldn’t beat the veteran keeper.
Graziano Pelle, soon after, found himself in on goal, but his shot from a tight angle flew just wide of the left post. With the Italians pressing, the German defence was holding out well and looked impenetrable until a moment of madness from Jerome Boateng. The defender inexplicably handled in the box when he raised both arms high to block a shot. A penalty was given.
Leonardo Bonucci stepped up to take it, and he finished it off calmly to equalise for the Italians.
Extra-time was needed yet again to separate the two teams. Julian Draxler had the first chance when a rebound fell to him in the box, but his subsequent attempt on goal was put over. Chances were scarce as the 120 minutes played out, with the score remaining 1-1.
What then ensued was the most insane penalty shootout you are likely to ever see. Lorenzo Insigne and Toni Kroos converted their penalties… Then the madness began.
Simone Zaza began his run up. A typical penalty is taken in about two seconds. His took what seemed like 17 minutes. He proceeded to gallop up to the ball performing some sort of Irish jig while adopting a stutter that we were quite honestly not really too sure what to think of. He connected with the ball electrically, sending it high, high up into the stands… Into the heavens, where only Gods and angels live. Some say that ball still hasn’t returned into the earth’s atmosphere.
Muller then missed his pen (Germany’s first in 22 attempts), as Buffon saved to keep the score level.
Andrea Barzagli scored his to make it 2-1. Ozil then incredibly, maybe less so seeing as he’s now missed four of his last five, missed his penalty- hitting the right post. Not to worry though, as the Italians didn’t want to win the match either. Pelle told Neuer where he was going to place his kick and then proceeding to place it not in the net, but wide of the goal.
Draxler finally decided that maybe his team should score one and put his penalty nicely into the corner. Bonucci and Bastian Schweinsteiger then missed a penalty each to keep the score at 2-2 after five each.
Emanuele Giaccherini, Mats Hummels, Marco Parolo, Joshua Kimmich, Mattia De Sciglio and Jerome Boateng then restored some respectability to their sides and scored all of the penalties after that making it 5-5.
Matteo Darmian missed the vital spot-kick for Italy, with Neuer saving leaving Hector with the chance to win it. He kept his composure to send Germany through to the semi-finals.
Neuer gets a point for his good performance but loses it for the goal he conceded. Hummels loses a point for the goal and card he received – cancelled out partially by his point for a good performance. Howedes loses a point for the goal, as does Muller for his poor and uninfluential performance. Ozil gets a point for his goal but loses one for his poor penalty, meaning it was a bad day for Adidas overall.
Adidas
Neuer 0
Hummels -1
Howedes -1
Muller -1
Ozil 0
Nike
Gotze N/A
Overall score
Adidas 23-10 Nike
Tomorrow’s Euro 2016 match
France v Iceland
Players involved
Adidas: Pogba
Nike: Payer, Evra, Koscielny
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