Spain v Italy Euro 2012 betting will throw together the two nations for the second time in the tournament. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw when they met in the group stage, but now, by hook or by crook, one side will emerge victories in the final of Euro 2012. Italy was fired into the final thanks to a brace from Manchester City’s enigmatic striker Mario Balotelli. It was his strikes which guided Italy through to the showcase match, at the expense of the much favoured Germans. Online bookmaker Paddy Power have a money back special running for Spain v Italy betting, and it all surrounding Mario Balotelli. If Balotelli scores the last goal of the Euro 2012 final, then Paddy Power will refund all losing First Goalscorer, Correct Score and Scorecast single bets placed on the match. Great coverage for your Euro 2012 Final betting at Paddy Power, who offer a free £50 bet for new customers registering an account with them.
Spain v Italy Odds at Paddy Power
Spain 6/5, Draw 11/5, Italy 11/4
Italy have rapidly gotten better and better through Euro 2012, and Cesare Prandelli’s men could be peaking just at the right moment. After winning just one of their group matches, a victory over Ireland to accompany draws against Croatia and Spain, Italy totally commanded their quarter final match against England. The only thing that Italy did wrong against England was waste chances, and needed a penalty shoot out to get past the Three Lions, other than that their organisation, creativity and work rate was above that of the English. Facing one of the tournament favourites, Germany in the semi finals, Italy went in as underdogs. But they looked to have learned their lessons from the quarter final, as they put on a clinical show in front of goal, with two goals from Mario Balotelli in the first half, giving them enough to hold on. That was perhaps, the best collective team performance we have seen at Euro 2012, and such a threat the Italians were, that Germany were forced out of the comfort zone, changing formation to try and deal with Andrea Pirlo.
It didn’t work. Germany didn’t get going in their new formation, and Italy dealt with them through more organised work. Italy were pretty sprightly going forward, Antonio Cassano providing the trickery, while the finishing from Balotelli was right on the money. That is all that the Italians have been missing really, a consistent finisher to put games beyond the reach of opposition. Italy blew leads against Spain and Croatia in the group stage because they couldn’t get that second goal. They got it against Germany and they with Andrea Pirlo dropping back so far to collect the ball from his back line, he had the time and the space to splay passes around and dictate the game against Germany. So he will be the big danger-man for Spain to watch in the final. Italy will have a little revenge on their mind, as Spain knocked them out in a penalty shoot out at the quarter final stage of Euro 2008. Interestingly though, just as Italy banked on their strong history against Germany, they have also been a bogey side, by and large for the Spaniards.
Out of eleven competitive fixtures between the two nations, Spain have won just one of them (the quarter final penalty shoot out win at Euro 2008 counts as a draw). That sole victory for Spain came in their first ever competitive meeting with Italy back in 1920, and they have not managed to get the better of the Italians in 90 minutes in any other competitive meeting. So, while everyone is singing Italy’s praises, the jury is really out on Spain at the moment. They spluttered their way through their semi final against Portugal, needing penalties to squeeze past Cristiano Ronaldo and go. We haven’t seen the best of Spain during Euro 2012, but we have seen a very competitive Spain. Vicente del Bosque’s side have really not played they way many people expected them to do. They have devolved a little bit into a cautious tournament side instead of relying on their outright ability and confidence to beat anyone in the world. That is a natural progression of things, as the 2010 World Cup winning side was far more passive than the Euro 2008 winning side. The Euro 2012 Spain is quite a world away from the one which tasted glory four years ago.
But still, Spain go into the final as favourites. They have the quality in ball possession, but Portugal really denied them time and space, and Spain’s rhythm has really been put off a couple of times at Euro 2012. Including by Italy in their group match, when Prandelli’s men were keen to take the game to the Spaniards. But still Spain have prevailed. It is a mark of a great side the way they did recover their footing in extra time against Portugal, but they will be wary of the dangers of Andrea Pirlo, so keeping the ball away from him is going to paramount to their plans. The unprecedented piece of history of becoming the first team to defend a European Champions is on the cards. Is there one more big game in Spain? Will they go with a striker, or will they rely on Cesc Fabregas, who scored the equalising goal in the group game against Italy?
Spain v Italy Preditcion: This looks genuinely too close to call, so what would the game changer be? Well, it could all come down to the experience of winning high pressured finals like this, and no-one can match Spain in that category. Are they as strong as they have been, no? But they are getting the job done and have only conceded one goal. Therefore a Spain 1 Goal Winning Margin for 11/4 at online bookmaker Bet365 may just do it.
