Interesting shoot-out stats there Fustar.

Argentina are probably the only team who push the Germans even reasonably close in the “balls of steel” stakes, True, they did lose their last shootout in 2006 - but you’ll remember who that was against. The Germans!

But really, a victory for any of the three remaining non-german teams would make me happy.

While I’m sure an improbable Turkish victory on Wednesday would have me leaping from my seat with joy, I’d actually nearly prefer a German win for the sake of a competitive final. Whoever wins on Thursday will have my unwavering support. I’m leaning toward the Russians, because rarely (if ever) have I seen a relatively unfancied team completely dominate illustrious opponents in the way they did on Saturday. It was magical stuff - relentless and unshakably confident.

“who’d bet against an irrepressible young gang of Russians?”

In days of old, the BBC used to “adopt” a lowly non-league club playing in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup, pledging to follow them “all the way to Wembley”. Usually the chosen team would be beaten in their first game. Undaunted, the beeb would simply adopt the team that beat them, and continue in this manner until the final. In that spirit, I’m attaching my affections to the Russians, who won this dubious honour by beating my Dutch boys. But really, a victory for any of the three remaining non-german teams would make me happy.

Going into last night’s shootout Italy’s record (in major tournaments) was played 6, won 2, lost 4 (now lost 5). Not wildly impressive. Spain weren’t much better - played 5, won 2, lost 3. Darragh Moloney suggested that Spain’s only previous victory in a penalty shootout was against Ireland (bah!) in 2002. Not true - they beat Denmark in the Euro 84 semi-final on pens. Go stand in the corner, Darragh…

Anyway, a major psychological barrier has been overcome by the Spanish. In years gone by they’d almost inevitably have bottled it in such circumstances. They’d have gone into the shootout feeling wounded and aggrieved by the Italian approach (and their own inability to turn constant pressure into goals - or clear cut chances) and they’d have blown it.

They’ve every chance of winning it now - though who’d bet against an irrepressible young gang of Russians?

I hadn’t paid him much attention until I read Gobsheen’s amusing reference to the “hilarious “won’t he or won’t he?” Luca Toni scoring show”, but Jaysus, that Toni is donkey, isn’t he? He’s like a big lumpy “stopper” from a mid-table premiership club who decided one day he wanted to be a striker.

This is beginning to look like penalties…

Well I was right.

…and I can only see one winner there.

I was wrong (I meant, of course, d’Italians)! And very glad to be wrong. Sapin showed some cojones considering the circumstances. Bye Bye Italy. You will not be missed.

Now we’ve got Spain v Russia part 2 to look forward to. Bring it on!

1) No Xabi.

2) So far Spain are doing exactly as you feared. It’s currently got 1-0 to Italy written all over it.