NHC World cup play offs

[Billy Whizz]

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Unthinkable that Italy won’t qualify for a World Cup yet that’s exactly what I think will happen tonight.

Not anywhere near the best Italy team however the players individually are more than capable of dispatching the swedes but, ultimately, will probably be hamstrung yet again by more baffling management decisions.

Can see 1-0 or 2-0 then a sucker punch Swedish goal near the end. Despite that, there’s 80k at a raucous San Siro so the swedes may well freeze, they wouldn’t be the first...

Tie of the round for me. Think the Italians will use every trick in the book, and more tonight to get through
Looking forward to it

[renato]

Great touch by Buffon clapping the Swedish national anthem, whilst the fans whistled. Classy.

[Billy Whizz]

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Great touch by Buffon clapping the Swedish national anthem, whilst the fans whistled. Classy.

He is class though

[Hibernia&Alba]

Italy are so boring t watch. Even when they had great players, they were the masters of ultra-defensive football. I won't be sorry to see them miss out.

[renato]

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Italy are so boring t watch. Even when they had great players, they were the masters of ultra-defensive football. I won't be sorry to see them miss out.

Ahem, cough, Ireland...

A little bit lazy a stereotype there, I’ve seen plenty games where Italy have been garbage or defensive but also just as many where they’ve been brilliant. Like most other countries.

[Hibernia&Alba]

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Ahem, cough, Ireland...

A little bit lazy a stereotype there, I’ve seen plenty games where Italy have been garbage or defensive but also just as many where they’ve been brilliant. Like most other countries.

I can't remember ever enjoying an Italy game at a World Cup or European Championships. There might have been on somewhere along the way. They grind out results.

[renato]

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I can't remember ever enjoying an Italy game at a World Cup or European Championships. There might have been on somewhere along the way. They grind out results.

You didn’t enjoy the semi final against Germany in 2006, one of the best games I’ve ever seen? Or beating Spain last year in the Euros? Could name countless others.

I get it, they definitely can be overly conservative at times however that statement is perhaps a little silly.

[Albanian Hibs]

Should have been a penalty to Sweden for handball imo

[cabbageandribs1875]

that should have been a penalty

[Hibernia&Alba]

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You didn’t enjoy the semi final against Germany in 2006, one of the best games I’ve ever seen? Or beating Spain last year in the Euros? Could name countless others.

I get it, they definitely can be overly conservative at times however that statement is perhaps a little silly.

Don't recall them, but will give them to you as exceptions which prove the rule.

[renato]

One each I think, the defender caught Parolo behind the knee too, last replay showed it clearly. Both could have been given imo.

That looks horrible for the swede there, no one near him.

[HoboHarry]

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You didn’t enjoy the semi final against Germany in 2006, one of the best games I’ve ever seen? Or beating Spain last year in the Euros? Could name countless others.

I get it, they definitely can be overly conservative at times however that statement is perhaps a little silly.

The Paulo Rossi hat trick game in 1982 will go with me in my memory to my grave. I was devastated when Brazil lost but lordy what a game.......

[renato]

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Don't recall them, but will give them to you as exceptions which prove the rule.

I could give you many more but I’m trying to watch the game here

[DaveSo]

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I can't remember ever enjoying an Italy game at a World Cup or European Championships. There might have been on somewhere along the way. They grind out results.

Italy v Brazil at 1982 World Cup in Spain. One of the best games surely.

[Billy Whizz]

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Italy v Brazil at 1982 World Cup in Spain. One of the best games surely.

Of all time

[Hibernia&Alba]

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Italy v Brazil at 1982 World Cup in Spain. One of the best games surely.

Before my time. I was only a wee one. My first memories of them was in their own World Cup in 1990, where they were terrible but ground out results to reach the semi-final. Euro 96 and then France 98: anti-football.

[cabbageandribs1875]

that's a 2nd swedish penalty denied by the homer referee

[renato]

Shut up, Andy Walker. The first one, yes, but no way was that intentional. His hand was also by his side, nothing he could do there.

[renato]

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that's a 2nd swedish penalty denied by the homer referee

There is no way that was a penalty, would have been unbelievably harsh

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

Been 100 miles an hour so far. Can see both teams scoring here

[cabbageandribs1875]

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There is no way that was a penalty, would have been unbelievably harsh

well Andy and i both agreed it was

[Lancs Harp]

Italy in '82 were fantastic, well in the knock out/second stage, their first stage group matches were lets be polite a little on the extremely dull side. (they drew all 3). Knocked Brazil and Argentina out of the second phase in two epic matches. Beat a useful Polish team in the semi finals but by that stage you kind of thought their name was on the cup.

Tonights match is very nicely poised.

[renato]

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well Andy and i both agreed it was

I wouldn’t use that as a good barometer, to be fair, he talks completely and utter pish.

[cabbageandribs1875]

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I wouldn’t use that as a good barometer, to be fair, he talks completely and utter pish.

as do i tbf

[Lancs Harp]

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as do i tbf

Its what social media was invented for.

[renato]

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as do i tbf

Aye but you’re one of the good guys though, unlike that tube!

Ciro should have scored there! Very scrappy, will suit the swedes...

[Hibernia&Alba]

It will cause uproar in Italy if they fail to qualify. National humiliation.

[cabbageandribs1875]

i was positive the italians were booing the swedish national anthem, had a wee sketch at the BBC report and they said they were as well, what was that all about ?



19:42

Here come the sides - as loud a San Siro as you've heard in years. The fans make an Italian flag in the stands and boo the Sweden anthem very, very loudly. Gigi Buffon claps all the way through it, like a man possessed!

[Mr White]

Will this be Buffon's last international if Italy don't qualify?

[Lancs Harp]

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Will this be Buffon's last international if Italy don't qualify?

Yes I believe so.

Italy finishing the half strongly.