According to SSN - the manager asked him to be the 5th taker and Ronaldo said he regretted not disputing it. But yes, ultimately his ego influenced his decision. Do people know the rules about penalty takers? Someone was explaining that Ronaldo couldn't take the 4th ahead of Alves as a list had already been submitted to the referee?
Can't work out how I feel about Spain. They are absolutely brilliant and I love the interpassing but to play with no forward is just wrong. If it catches on football is stuffed. They can only do it because of their midfield quality. If Torres has played last night they would have won comfortably. Not sure what Del Bosque is trying to prove. Think I'm slowly beginning to root for the sausage munchers.
Ye gods - I'm in shock. Probably Low's first mistake of the tournament, not sticking with the more mobile strikeforce that took Greece apart, but there's still 45 minutes to go. Fascinating game.
A wonderful game of football and an outstanding team performance by Italy. Not a clue who's going to win on Sunday...
Very surprising. Also upset as I lumped money on ze Germans before the tournament. Mario's second goal was fantastic though. Beautiful finish.
Sunday's match will be like a superbowl, whoever gets ther quarterback/playmaker on the ball will win, Pirlo or Xavi/Iniesta/Silva/Fabregas. This is why I think Spain will win.
Once every 2 years I resort to the fact that I had an Italian grandfather. On the other hand there's always Jock O'vitch to support at Wimbledon. We live in a cosmopolitan society. And according to our Prime minister it's quite big(although it looks the same size to me).
Italy outstanding last night. Hope they're as good against Spain. If they are, it'll be a classic. Disappointed for Germany, but they didn't deserve to go through.
Yeah, was disappointed for England too, but I usually enjoy watching Germany play. I feel the real lesson in all this is that Ireland (and Croatia) were very unlucky to be in such a difficult group - otherwise they'd have made the quarter finals
I thought Ireland never looked outclassed by Spain.... right up to the point when Torres scored... then things went a bit downhill!
Extraordinary performance - the quality of the final pass for all four goals was tremendous. Good tournament this, and worthy winners.
Well done to whoever removed that thread, the board is so much better without unproven gossip and innuendo which discredits the club and all it stands for.