Euro 2008: Man of the match, June 22
IKER CASILLAS, SPAIN. The Real Madrid goalkeeper did not deserve to end up on the losing side against Italy and continued his impressive tournament with two key shootout saves in Spain's dramatic quarterfinal win.
WHAT WE LEARNED SUNDAY
1. That superstition and coincidence can be conquered. In its history, Spain had lost three times on penalties on the date of June 22 and there were millions of nervous souls back home when the quarterfinal went to a shootout. But Luis Aragones's side held its nerve to book a place in the last four.
2. That Italy's exit from the tournament is a relief to all neutral fans. Sorry Italy supporters, but your team was horribly defensive on Sunday and deserved what it got. It is one thing for teams with no talent to operate with a defensive mindset, but for a side with as much ability as Roberto Donadoni's men, there is no excuse.
WHAT WE WANT TO SEE FROM THE TWO REST DAYS
1. For UEFA to allow Turkey special dispensation to bring in an extra player. The latest injury, to key striker Nihat Kahveci, leaves the Turks facing the ludicrous situation of entering their semifinal with only 13 fit players.
2. A cure for soccer withdrawal symptoms. This thrilling tournament has captivated soccer fans with a non-stop diet of matches for 16 days in a row. It's only two days without a game, but we can't wait for it to start again with two enthralling semifinals.
