Euro 2012 Final -- Italy vs Spain

At last it's Sunday, the day of the Euro 2012 final. The Itallans take on the World Champions, Spain in a climatic final which is expected to be filled with footy entertainment from the first whistle blow!

Eyes will be on the likes of Mario Ballotelli, Fernando Torres, Iniesta even as well as Cesc Fabregas. Ballotelli's team mate has asked him to keep cool during the game against Spain, knowing very well that these kind of matches come filled with huge tension and the possibilty of tempers flaring is one easily lingering in the air.

Super Mario Ballotelli sinks the Germans

In a match which the Italians were picked as the underdogs, Mario Ballotelli displayed the sharpness and cunningness required of a prolific striker which was more than enough to see the Italians come out on top.

40 minutes into the game and the Italians were 2 goals ahead which was more than enough to see them through to the final. The Germans seemed a shadow of themselves as they failed to break the Italian defence and unfortunately missed golden opportunities when they were lucky enough to.

A consolation goal game in the 91st minute which could have even had the Germans back in it if they were able to draw level but 3minutes wasn't enough as the whistle was blown for full time.
Final scoreline Italy 2 - 1 Germany

Sweden bow out gracefully.

The Swedes put up a good show as they exited the competition by defeating France 2 goals to nil. Though France still go through to the quarter finals, they were stunned by the loss as Ibrahimovic struck a sensational volley to give his side the lead in the 54th minute then Larsson fired home a second in injury time.

 The Swedes may have gone home but they did so with their heads held high if anything.

Ballotelli hushed as he scores a stunner

Striker Mario ballotelli, who was brought on as a substitute scored a sensational goal for the Italians at the 90th minute. The strike connected a corner with a beautiful bicycle kick which caught the Irish goalie off guard. In a typical Balo-style celebration, he was about run off his mouth when team mate Bonucci covered his mouth to avoid any words of his being caught on camera in an already racially tension filled competition. The 2 - 1 win against Ireland set the Italians sure through to the quarter finals likely to face England if they successfully beat Ukraine.

Ronaldo shines as Netherland exits Euro 2012

CR7 celebrates brace (from epsn)

Christiano Ronaldo couldn't have hit form at a better time putting two behind the net against the Dutch and ensuring his side move on again into the knockout stages.

In a match which the Dutch seemed out played, Ronaldo constantly tested the Netherland's goalie with powerful shots and inspired the comeback which lead them to a 2-1 win!

The Portugal squad advance to the quarter finals picking up form while the Dutch head back home from a disappointing outing.

England ease pass Sweden

Walcot celebrates goal (from football 365)

Goals from Andy Carroll, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck set England up for a spot in the next round while the Swedish team head back home.

In a match which was intense and thrilling from start to the final whistle, with goals from both teams at different intervals turning up the heat each time the ball hit the back of the net, yet it seemed as though the game would go England's way as they kept up the pressure.

Captain Steven Gerrard was in no way disappointing as he delivered time and time again sublime passes and crosses to Carroll. Zlatan Ibrahimovic who was less than impressive couldn't pull off any of his tricks as his team went down 3-2.

So in the end Roy Hodgson's bold move to utilize Andy Carroll and introduce Theo Walcott, paid off rewardingly.

With only a draw needed in England's next match against Ukraine, they seem set for the next round.

Reports from the Daily Mirror on Saturday claimed Roberto Di Matteo will be allowed to show that the stunt he pulled by leading the Blues to a double last season by winning both the FA Cup final at Wembley and Champions League final in Munich in the space of about 3 months as Chelsea boss was not a fluke! The glitch here though is that Roman Abramovich is reluctant to offer the Italian more than a one-year contract and should this be the case, it could leave the door open for Pep Guardiola to take over the reins from the former Blues midfielder should he fail to deliver next season. Either way though it's a great story of "from Zero to Hero"