England and Italy at Euro 2008, what could have been (LF + Phil)

[freddiw]

interesting run from beckham

like it mate will defiantly be successfull although Robinson is an interesting decision

 

[Leicester Fox]

Group A
England 4
Rooney 19,37
Owen 45
Barry 90

Austria 0

Tivoli-Neu, Innsbruck
Attendance: 30984
Referee: Carlos Megia Davila
Man of the match: Wayne Rooney

Match report by ITV?s Andy Townsend

England battered Austria in an emphatic victory. The huge score far from flatters the English after they proved too much for Austria. They made chances for fun and if it wasn?t for Macho in the Austrian goal it could have been embarrassing. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring latching onto a rebound from Michael Owens saved effort to roll the ball in on 20 minutes. England proceeded to batter the Austrian goal before the ball came to Rooney about 20 yards out and he curled the ball beautifully to the right hand side of the goalkeeper. A brace in moments and it looked like England?s dreams were true, Rooney was at it again. Oh boy he really was at it again. Moments later he flew into a challenge in typical style however the studs of an Austrian caught him right on the shin and he was forced to limp off, a painful memory for England fans coming back to haunt them. The players didn?t let it affect them though, Jermaine Defoe coming on and after the break Michael Owen found the ball at his feet a couple of yards from the goal, a goal line scramble ensued before Owen chipped the ball over everyone?s feet into the net. The perfect restart seconds after the 2nd half had begun. England dominated the rest of the half with the Austrians creating little in the way of chances thanks to some imperious defending. Finally on 90 minutes substitute Gareth Barry sent a volley screaming into the top corner from the edge of the box to cap a fantastic start for England. Subs: Defoe (40) Downing (62) Barry (78).

Rooney report: the one major worry was Rooney?s injury however after the game ITV found he would probably be fit for the next game with a maximum of 5 days out.



Fabio Capellos post match press conference:

Andy Townsend: Hi Fabio seems like a pretty perfect start to the tournament, are you worried about peaking to early?
Fabio: Obviously it would be nice if the boys go into the final playing like they did today and maybe they would have a better chance if we had not played so well but we are here to win every match as well as possible and that?s what we did today.

John Motson: the last time you beat Austria with an attendance of over 30000 was the 1937 international andrex cup where the side won 3-1. Did you use this memory in any way to spur the boys on?
Fabio: How do you know these things? No we just played football and won, nothing more nothing less.

Geoff Shreeves: Hi Fabio. How bad is Wayne Rooney?s injury, when will he be back?
Fabio: Not that bad, he is fit maybe for the next game but probably for the last one.

Garth Crooks: Hi Fabio, do you think the worldwide economic problems to do with inflation could have an effect on the grassroots game as we see things like computer games become more inaccessible and parents forcing their kids to go outside and play football because it?s a cheaper option or do you believe that the society we live in today is still not the kind of environment we want our kids mixing in and parents would much rather ensure the children?s safety by making sure they remain inside at all times?
Fabio: erm? I didn?t understand, that is all for today thank you.​

 

[freddiw]

solid performance a great start to what will hopefully be a great tournament for England :happy

 

[Deleted member 13648]

John Motson and Garth Crooks' questions were both hilarious, too true.

 

[thesweepmaster]

I think I've got to give you reps for the quality questions!

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Easy win for the three lions...hope they keep the same form on...