Day of Upsets

While Germans and most of Europe prepared for the predicted final with Spain, Italy had other ideas. In a masterful performance by the Azurri, they scored twice in the first half and held on for a 2-1 victory over the best team in the world not winning anything at the moment (they haven't won a major tournament since the 1996 Euros). The Germans started the game brightly and almost took advantage of two early Buffon errors, but neither ended up in the back up of the net and several important saves from the veteran keeper over the remainder of the game ensured Italy would return to the Euro final for the first time since their 2000 2-1 loss to France. It was a major upset, taking out the pre-tournament co-favorites, who looked flat at times and lacked the finishing touch. Italy has looked stronger as the tournament has gone on after a 1-1 draw against the team they will meet in the final. And while Spain will be favorites to become the first to win three major tournaments in a row, Italy looks set to give them a tough rematch. Balotelli will be remembered with as the hero, but it is the continued resurgence of Pirlo (after a wonderful season leading Juve to an undefeated campaign and Series A title) that was really begin the victory here. The result continues a long-standing trend of Germany being unable to beat Italy on the grand stage, but the young team will certainly compete in Brazil in 2004. On a side note, it certainly puts England's defeat in a new light, given Italy's impressive performance, though it is still fair to say that England looked quite average in the quarters defeat. 

The first semi went more to script, as Spain won on penalties after the baffling decision to have Ronaldo kick last (a penalty he never had a chance to take). Ronaldo has choaked on penalties in the past, most recently in this year's Champions League semi, but one wonders what the coach and/or player were thinking. Spain now stands on the precipice of solidifying their standing as the best national side in history, though some will still take the Brazilian side of Pele et al.

In the other even more astounding upset of the day, Nadal lost to a player ranked number 100 in the world, a player who had lost his first qualifying match at Wimbledon the past four years. Lukas Rokol of the Czech Republic pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Grand Slam history, leaving Nadal shaking his head in disgust and Andy Murray with a much stronger chance to claim a first major (or Federer to possible compete for his last). Nadal lost in five sets to a player who decided to go for every shot, hitting blazing aces, stunning forehand winners and a 99 mph backhand. His fifth set performance, after losing the fourth 6-2 and having to wait with Nadal for the 40 minutes it took to close the new roof on Centre Court, was masterful, making the Spaniard look truly average in the process. He won 6-4 after breaking Nadal in the first service game and making it stick wasn't really that close, as he stormed through one service game after another. For Nadal it is probably just  stumbling block on his road to future glory, but it does give Federer hope that his record tally of majors might just stand the test of time.