POLAND: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Spanish and Italian fans in mixed emotions after 1:1-draw of their sides at first match of Group C at the European Soccer Championship

Record ID: 644381

  • Title: POLAND: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Spanish and Italian fans in mixed emotions after 1:1-draw of their sides at first match of Group C at the European Soccer Championship
  • Date: 11th June 2012
  • Summary: GDANSK, POLAND (JUNE 10, 2012) (REUTERS) WIDE OF GDANSK FAN ZONE WITH PUBLIC VIEWING VARIOUS OF SPANISH FANS CHEERING ITALIAN FAN SINGING WITH SPANISH FANS ITALIAN FANS SINGING NATIONAL ANTHEM SPANISH FANS DURING NATIONAL ANTHEM POLICE HELICOPTER FLYING OVER FAN ZONE REACTIONS AFTER FIRST GOAL FOR ITALY, VARIOUS OF ITALIAN FANS CHEERING ONE ITALIAN CHEERING WITH FACE PAINTED IN NATIONAL COLOURS VARIOUS OF FACES OF SPANISH FANS AFTER FIRST GOAL FOR ITALY VARIOUS OF SPANISH FANS CHEERING AFTER SPAIN EQUALS VARIOUS OF SPANISH FANS REACTING TO A MISSED CHANCE OF THEIR TEAM FANS APPLAUDING AT END OF THE GAME (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPANISH FAN RAUL CURRI, SAYING: "I think we deserved a little more, because in the second half Spain had better chances despite Natale's goal. But in numbers of shots to goal and ball possession Spain was better. So, soccer is like that. And there will be more emotion for the second and the third match." (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN FAN LUCCA DE BOLOGNA, SAYING: "This was a beautiful match. We are from Bologna, but the atmosphere was fantastic here. Both teams played very well. The Italian fans here were few, but great ones. Forward Italy." SPANISH FANS CHANTING: "I AM SPANISH" (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPANISH FANS LAURA AND VIOLETTA, SAYING: VARIOUS OF PEOPLE LEAVING FAN ZONE
  • Embargoed: 26th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Poland
  • Country: Poland
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAB7QRHZ524NE9D5XQ8GXA4IT58
  • Story Text: Italy emerged from a trough of pre-tournament gloom to slug out a 1-1 draw with holders Spain on Sunday thanks to a performance that suggests they are serious European Championship contenders.
    Spain, on the other hand, may have to re-think their unusual strategy after the decision to start the match without a genuine striker almost backfired.
    Seeking a European record 15th consecutive victory in competitive matches, Spain tied themselves in knots and fell behind on the hour to Antonio Di Natale's strike.
    At the end of a contest that took a while to ignite but turned into an absorbing game they were simply relieved to earn a point through Cesc Fabregas's equaliser.
    The Group C heavyweights will both fancy their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals ahead of Croatia and Ireland, but Italy manager Cesare Prandelli may sleep a little easier than Spanish counterpart Vicente Del Bosque.
    While Italy shrugged off three successive friendly defeats and the match-fixing scandal back at home with a display of pride and passion in Gdansk's spectacular amber-tinged stadium, Spain misfired.
    Del Bosque's gamble to start with no attacking focal point, favouring an attacking midfield trio of Fabregas, Andres Iniesta and David Silva in front of playmaker Xavi, was inconclusive.
    The experienced coach finally released Fernando Torres from the bench with 15 minutes remaining and the Chelsea striker promptly wasted two gift-wrapped chances to earn Spain victory.
    That would have been harsh on Italy who, despite having only a 40 percent share of possession, carved out enough chances to have won the 30th meeting between the two nations.
    After the match, fans of both countries - who watched the game on a big screen in Gdansk - took heart from the result.
    "Well, we could have won, if one striker wouldn't have failed, the one I don't like. We did not do so bad. They have played very well. At least we have come here for something and they have played well, so we are happy," said Spain fans Laura and Violetta.
    One Italian supporter added: "This was a beautiful match. We are from Bologna, but the atmosphere was fantastic here. Both teams played very well. The Italian fans here were few, but great ones. Forward Italy."
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