Egypt achieves record primary budget surplus of EGP 629bn despite sharp fall in Suez Canal revenues    Escalation in Gaza, West Bank as Israeli strikes continue amid mounting international criticism    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Resumption of production at El Nasr marks strategic step towards localising automotive industry: El-Shimy    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, UNDP discuss outcomes of joint projects, future environmental cooperation    United Bank achieves EGP 1.51bn net profit in H1 2025, up 26.9% year-on-year    After Putin summit, Trump says peace deal is best way to end Ukraine war    Jordan condemns Israeli PM remarks on 'Greater Israel'    Egypt's Supreme Energy Council reviews power supply plans for 14 industrial projects    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, bilateral ties in calls with Saudi, South African counterparts    Egypt prepares to tackle seasonal air pollution in Nile Delta    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egyptian pound closes high vs. USD on Tuesday – CBE    Egypt, Colombia discuss medical support for Palestinians injured in Gaza    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt's govt. issues licensing controls for used cooking oil activities    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



EURO 2008 Day 16 Round-up: Casillas Heroics Oust Italy
Published in FilGoal on 23 - 06 - 2008

Despite an awful and boring match on Sunday night, Spain managed to lay their ghosts to sleep and beat rivals Italy for the first time since 1920.
Spain needed a shootout to beat Italy 4-2 in Vienna after two sublime saves from skipper Iker Casillas.
Saint Iker denied Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale before Francesc Fabregas scored the decisive spot kick.
The win also ended a bad record for the Spaniards who had lost three quarter-final penalty shootouts in major tournaments on June 22nd.
Man of the Day: Iker Casillas
Casillas was like an octopus against Italy and managed to deny Luca Toni and his teammates on three occasions.
The Real Madrid guardian superbly parried the efforts of De Rossi and Di Natale in the shootout to secure Spain's place in the semi-finals.
Save of the Day: Casillas denies Mauro Camoranesi
Italy's attempts on Spain's goal were rare, but dangerous. The closest Italy came to finding the net was in the 61st minute when Luca Toni towered to a cross in the Spanish area, causing a goalmouth scrabble.
The ball fell directly to substitute Camoranesi who fired a low drive from close range only for Casillas to show some great reflexes and stop the ball with his foot.
Casillas responded had responded to the threat very swiftly even though he was off-balance. A goal for Italy would have killed off an already fading game.

Donadoni: Any volunteers?
Play of the Day: Donadoni looking for players to take penalties
Usually, a coach is prepared with a list of players who would act as penalty takers if the game goes to a shootout.
However, it was different for Italy coach Roberto Donadoni who appeared in the cadre asking his players if they wanted to take one of the penalties.
Donadoni were looking at players and asking if anyone wants to volunteer, and you could even see Giorgio Chiellini shaking his head and turning down his coach's offer.
Donadoni confirmed the situation in the post-match press conference when he was asked why he chose De Rossi and Di Natale to take the kick, noting that they were the ones who volunteered while others didn't.
"We made the decision simply because you have to feel you are ready to take a penalty," Donadoni told a news conference.
"I don't decide the penalty takers, I don't oblige them to take them. We decide together when we know how they are feeling."
Quote of the Day: Iker Casillas
Usually players pounce on the opportunity to claim a victory to themselves. But it wasn't the case for Spanish hero Casillas, who remained modest despite denying two spot-kicks.
"I've had good and bad experiences with penalty shootouts," said Casillas.
"We knocked out Ireland and lost to South Korea in the 2002 World Cup and this time we were lucky to go through. They are a complete lottery."


Clic here to read the story from its source.