Italy's win over Germany was not a shock

Have to agree with the theme above, it's often the case for TV commentators trying to create an underdog story as if from a template . I'm not sure there can ever be a 'massive upset' in a match between Eurpoe's two most successful nations unless one of them is represented by 8 year olds.........

Italy have been the team of the tournament for me, and Pirlo was sublime again last night. It makes a mockery of Milans decision not to renew his contract 12 months ago.
Can he upstage Fabregas, Xavi & Iniesta on Sunday?

Biggest surprise for me was the number of tips Holland got as potential winners. Was this as long as we forget their defence? Italy look good throughout the team which led me to lay a few quid on them at 14/1, the same odds as England.

well, that's all easy for you to say, now (although half of the article is admitted flaws followed by BUT BUT BUT).

I would agree that Buffon has been one of the best goalkeepers ever, but to say he's been commanding in this tournament is simply not true - he's flapped at lots of crosses and made a horrendous mistake last night which would've led to the opening goal for Hummels if Pirlo hadn't been alert on the line.

Italy were fantastic last night but they didn't look so fantastic against Croatia, and for all their dominance they lacked a cutting edge against England. Had Ashley Young struck the ball a millimetre higher, so that his penalty kick flew an inch lower and so in-off the bar, Italy might've gone home already to a mediocre English side. Fine margins, and all that.

Taylor Twellman said that he didn't think Germany-Italy would "even be a game," such was his confidence in Germany after the Greece match. He did pick Spain to win, however, while I think Ballack and maybe Ballack and Lalas (I forget which) picked Portugal.

He's a good commentator, but still young and perhaps suffering lingering concussion effects. I suspect he won't be so confident of picks in these kinds of tournaments in the future.

Feel most sorry for Croatia. In the group stages they were a match for both Spain and Italy, yet will be but a foot note in years to come.

i think the reason they were overlooked by the UK media was because of their "homophobia" (in the sense that so many of their players play in their home country). a team is judged by the players' impact on English football. when diamanti hit the post v England the commentator said it was "a mis hit cross by a west ham reject"