LiveBlog: Czech Republic-Italy

It is all over and Italy wins it. The Azzurri got the job done in a must win game and they are through to the round of 16. You can read the blow-by-blow below and leave your comments about the match and the teams.

Final: Czech Republic 0-2 Italy

Full time Italy puts together an effective performance in a crucial game to come away with a two goal victory. The Czech Republic never could get it going with too many players missing and a feeble offense that only suffered when it was forced to play a man down for the final 45 minutes. Italy wins Group E and will likely next face either Australia or Croatia. Thanks for joining me. We are liveblogging every match so come back again and see if my fingers are still functioning.

90 A few minutes of added time are all that are left between Italy winning this game and the group. The Czech Republic looking like it will have an early vacation.

88:43 Marco Materazzi down in pain. He looks about how the Czech fans feel right now. Not very happy.

88:12 Pippo’s goal tops off a complete performance from Italy. The Czech Republic was never really in this game and playing a man down for the final 45 minutes made their task next to impossible. Italy will win Group E.

86:08 GOALLLL!! Filippo Inzaghi on a break away from midfield and he dribbles around Cech to score the goal and punch Italy’s ticket to the round of 16.

84:56 If I were a betting man I would say this one is going to end the way it is right now. Of course, if I were a betting man I would have picked Italy and Ghana to go through and I would have won enough money to retire and never have to liveblog again.

83:45 Cliche time: The clock is Czech Republic’s worst enemy.

82:45 If the results stand Italy will finish first in the group and will likely play the Australia-Croatia victor. Pippo with a header that should have gone in but was simply poor.

81:45 Nedved with an in swinger that is caught easily by Buffon.

81:34 Lippi looks like a guy who would be fun to share a bottle of wine with and shoot the shite. Not sure why I think that but he is a funny coach. I like his style even if he was caught up in the match fixing nonsense.

80:01 We’re about five minutes ahead of the other game so at least we can focus on one game for the last five minutes. Starting to feel faint. If you don’t see me type on here it is because I am passed out in a puddle of spit.

78:45 This Czech team looks like a shell of the team that destroyed the US. Injuries and age have hurt them this competition.

76:56 Marek Heinz coming on the Czech Republic as they finally realize having a forward in might be a wise strategy. Kovac out. He played a decent game.

76:35 Totti falls down and he grabs his right buttock. Millions of Italian women have a heart attack at that precise moment.

75:15 One minute Italy looks like 1970 Brazil. The next they look like my men’s team. Can you blame me for being conflicted? Seriously, they have played well enough to get the job done today. But the job is still not done according to my clock.

73:45 Mauro Camoranesi out and Barone in. That was a brilliant sub from a liveblogging spelling standpoint.

73:34 Ghana still leading in the other game. Admit it, you had Ghana and Italy as your picks all along, right?

72:21 Those whistles you hear aren’t in appreciation of Nedved’s beauty but because both teams are playing like crud.

71:12 Italian player down on the ground. It is Fabio Cannavaro who is able to walk it off. He’ll live but he will hear the whistles from the crowd.

70:02 Nedved with another blast that Buffon is able to punch away. Nedved looking like an 18-year-old girl. He has been fantastic. Buffon steady as always.

68:45 Italy starting to look like Argentina. They have been impressive today. A very effective performance without too many mistakes. Wish I could say the same about my typing.

67:34 A refreshing lack of diving, acting, magic spray and fake injuries. Pippo breaks through after a Czech error but he isn’t able to pip it in.

66:34 Anyone else cross-eyed from watching two games and a computer? This can’t be good for our health.

64:56 Italy looks like the team playing behind. I would question the heart of the Czech players but right now I don’t hear any hearts beating. Totti’s shot saved by Cech.

64:12 David Jarolim in for Baros who stunk worse than the World Cup Blog HQ in Berlin. Not a pleasant olfactory experience at the moment.

63:12 Thank you all for joining me today. I know your boss would prefer for you to do work, but reading my wandering rants should help with your productivity later in the day. Just keep telling yourself that. Corner kick Italy and Mauro Camoranesi would have scored if he had shorter hair.

61:45 There is no rain so the Czechs have only themselves to blame. Not sure why Baros is still out there. He has been very ineffective. Kind of as bad as a Milli Vanilli song except he is authentic.

60:12 Nedved might look like Kurt Russel’s wife but he is having one heck of a game. Italy sub are Inzaghi comes in for Gilardinho. Forward for forward. Pippo is what I will call Inzaghi.

59:23 Still 2-1 in favor of Ghana and 1-0 to Italy. Those two teams are looking good to go at this point but there is still a long way to go. Italy in the best position of them all.

58:12 David Jarolim set to come in for the team in when the referee wakes up and lets him.

57:02 Mad props to the Italian fans for breaking out a White Stripes chant. Love that one. It will be stuck in my head all day now.

56:12 Other Nedved, the Czech team hasn’t shown much spirit today. They are a step behind and have their shoulders slumped like it is already over, which it isn’t.

55:25 The Czechs might want to try to convince Beckenbauer or Rudi Voller to play this half. Another shot by Italy but it is off the mark.

54:15 Italy continues to pressure the Czech defense. It looks like the Azzurri have an extra man out there. My calculator tells me that in fact they do. 11 vs. 10

52:46 Neded breaks through on the other end and gets a great shot off that Buffon saves. The Juventus teammates meet up on that one. Excellent run by Goldie Hawn.

52:34 Totti with a shot that is just saved by Cech. Corner for Italy. They seem eager to score another and end this game.

51:02 Simone Perrotta almost with a goal for Italy but just misses. That would have been the nail in the coffin.

49:58 Italy very content to let the Czechs dink around with the ball in the midfield. Baros has the ball taken away from him again. Anyone want to play for the Czechs up front? Today might be your lucky day.

47:04 The referee getting rid of Polak might have rid this game of the worst hair but it also has taken some of the drama out of it. Italy playing a man up and a goal up is an automatic win, right?

46:35 Baros looks like I did after an all night binge in a German bar last week. I feel sorry for the guy. He is normally a class player.

45:35 No changes for either side this half. How long will Baros be left alone up top for the Czechs?

45:01 With Ghana leading the United States, it would be the Black Stars and Italy both going through to the second round if the results stand after the next 45 minutes. The task is a difficult one for Czech Republic. They are playing a man down and have shown little sign that they can crack the very well organized Italy defense. Will that change in the second half? My guess is that you are like me and you will probably watch to find out.

Halftime After 45 minutes, Italy is on top thanks to a corner kick goal by Marco Materazzi in the 27th minute. I’m going to go clean my keyboard and will be back for the second half. Go ahead and leave your thoughts on the first half and what you expect to see in the next half.

45+ Polak gets his second yellow card and he is out of the game. Huge break against Czech Republic as they will have to play a man down and a goal down for the second half.

44:34 A very effective half thus far from Italy. They got what they wanted and now are playing solid defense against a Czech team that lacks for fit forwards.

43:21 Goal for the US and suddenly things are interesting again. Not on the field in this game, but in the standings at least.

42:56 Still Italy in the lead and Ghana beating the United States. Those two teams will go through if they both win. The other two teams get a one way ticket to a summer vacation. Except for the US players who have to go back to Major League Soccer.

41:45 The Czechs are able to get it to the box but then the Italy defense swarms them like pigeons around a piece of bread.

40:23 Polak shown squiting water into his ear. That was gross. Hasn’t he hear of Q-tips?

40:02 Italy corner kick is cleared away. Mauro Camoranesi down looking like he has been shot. Magic water applied. He shall live. That was hit or miss for a second.

38:35 Gilardino goes down outside the box but no call. This ref has been pretty solid to this point. Baros on the other hand just doesn’t seem to have it.

37:35 Nedved should consider a career in scuba diving and/or wig design.

36:45 Other than a couple of long shots from Nedved the Czechs haven’t had much near the Italy goal. They will need to play with desperation in the second half or they will go home and watch Ghana on tv.

34:56 It looks like Polak further dyed his mohawk between games. It looks worse than ever. Talk about a bad hair day or a bad hair life.

33:58 Gilladino and Totti coming way back to receive the ball. Italy might go into one of their pattened defensive games now. Can’t say I blame them. They’ll win the group as things stand. Yellow shown to Pollak.

32:45 Funny how different a game Italy is playing today as opposed to their previous match against the US when they look disorganized and out of control. The only consistent team in this group has been Ghana.

31:45 Pobarsky with a shot from far out and it is off by a km or two. That Italy goal on the corner was just a well played ball and great finish. Czech defender left his man.

30:45 Gattuso shown a yellow after Nedved does his usual fall down on the ground and look dead act.

30:12 My keyboard is officially sticky and gross from all this liveblogging. Anyone have any tips for how I can clean it at halftime?

29:12 Italy should be very happy to sit back on this lead. They know they can go through with a tie. Yet they push forward. Go on them for giving it a go.

27:45 Czech Republic facing really trouble being down and with Ghana up against the US. They will have to unleash their attack and I’m not sure Baros is up tp the task.

26:34 Marco Materazzi with the goal for Italy. Lippi looking like a genius to take him off the bench.

25:47 GOALLLLL! Italy on the corner kick.

24:45 Italy with a chance in the box but Gattuso heads it wide and hide. He looks a bit like Socrates. The Brazil player, not the philosopher.

23:56 If the scores hold up it would be Ghana and Italy. Somehow I don’t think the scores are going to hold up but I am optimistic we’ll see more goals.

22:45 Ghana just scored in the other match so that puts the pressure on the Czech Republic to win this one.

22:34 Perrota sends Totti through but it doesn’t happen. Czechs on the other end and it isn’t going to happen either. A whole lot of not happening right now.

21:03 Game bogging down a bit and the sun has come out. Those two things aren’t connected but I just noticed both. Italy starting to play keep away.

20:01 Czech coach Karel Bruckner looks a bit like my grandfather who never coached in the World Cup but was still a fine man.

18:34 Still scoreless in both game. My right eye is now out of socket trying to watch the other game while I watch this one.

17:45 They are showing Nesta’s crotch on the bench so something must be wrong. Always practice safe sex, folks.

16:32 Marco Materazzi in for Nesta. I have no idea why. He was controlling Baros. Doesn’t look injured. Lippi must not have liked what he saw.

15:45 Another Nedved shot that Buffon has to save. The Czechs showing more interest thus far. Lippi on the sideline looking like he is going to throw in a sub. This early? Interesting.

14:45 Corner by Czech Republic. Nedved takes it. It is cleared away by about four Italy defenders. 9 in the box for Italy. Czechs roll it around.

13:54 Some action but a bit of a slow, methodical pace. The fans on both side trying to inject some energy into the game. Baros is being eaten alive by Nesta. he isn;t the first one.

12:35 So far both teams look interested in winning. Italy pushing forward with its attack while the Czechs are setting up the counter attacks. This could tuen out to be interesting if Italy doesn’t close down the game.

11:45 Baros looks winded and out of synch. Nedved with a long shot that Buffon dives to get. Nedved on his game today.

10:45 Koller looks like a big clown on the Czech bench. Since when did football players start wearing baseball caps? Too bad he is out. He is a fun guy to watch since he is a gentle giant.

10:02 Still scoreless in both games. I am watching both, typing, drinking beer and reading your comments. That is the definition of multitasking.

8:20 Nedved finds Baros in the box but his first touch is worst than mine. That could be a bit of rust on Mr. Milan’s part.

7:56 Italy corner kick. The Azzurri uniforms are classic. It is swung in but nothing comes off it. Czechs seem very interested in counter attacking.

7:12 We’ve gone seven minutes without a card. This is the best referee yet. I think he is from Argentina but I could just be a drunk liveblogger.

5:56 Baros with a hand ball in the Italian box. He gives that look that says the referee forgot to give him a birthday present.

5:26 Nedved looking increasingly like Goldie Hawn as he gets older. Italians go forward but they are unable to finish in the final third. Rudi Voller also here. He isn’t playing either.

4:23 Rosciky gets it on goal but Buffon isn’t challenged. This game features two of the sport’s best keepers.

3:11 Beckenbauer at this game. No, he is not playing.

2:21 Baros with his first touch of the game. It will be interesting to see how effective he is coming off of injury. I doubt he’ll go the full 90 but the Czechs don’t have many options up front.

1:34 Nedved with his first dive of the match but Nesta is called for the foul.

1:25 Italy comes out with a slow attack. Will we see the Italian offense or will they sit back?

0:12 This game kicks off before the other one. Surprised they don’t coordinate better.

Kickoff We’re underway in this critical Group E clash between Italy and the Czech Republic. Both teams have a chance to advance to the round of 16 and both teams could also be sent home today. Thanks for joining me for the liveblog. Your comments are always appreciated. Please keep them clean, have fun and love one another. This will be a fabulous day of World Cup football so let’s enjoy it together.

3 minute countdown: Italy’s turn to stand and sing. The players are locked arm in arm. Another excellent anthem worthy of a fine country. Fans in the stands look like they are going to cry. Very emotional moment for both teams. This is the essence of World Cup football. Let’s hope the game is played well and both teams give their best effort. I’ll try to do the same here.

5 minute countdown: Czech Republic anthem is played and the players kind of sing their way through it. The crowd sounds great and the anthem is pure class. I’m fired up.

7 minute countdown: Both teams are lined up in the tunnel in Hamburg. It is a pleasant summer day here in Germany with temperatures that aren’t hot enough to affect either team. Both teams looking less nervous than the guys playing for USA and Ghana. Czech Republic wearing white. Italy wearing blue. The kid escorts adorned in yellow and red.

10 minute countdown: I will offer no predictions for this game but I do hope that the both games go down to the wire so that we have that drama of watching two games at once for the final 20 minutes with the outcomes still up in the air. Nothing is more exciting than rooting for your team as well as for another team to deliver the result you need.

15 minute countdown: German television giving about equal pregame coverage for both matches. I would have thought they would be all about Italy and Czech Republic but since both games mean something they are dividing it up. In 17 more days I will never, ever have to see a German football talking head again. Not that I am counting the seconds. I wish the World Cup would last all year.

20 minute countdown: Just a reminder that you can follow both games through our liveblogs. Daryl is manning the ship for the USA-Ghana match. Sean and Nick are lucky bastards because they are at that game in Nuremberg. Chris also deserves our spite for going to the Australia-Croatia match in Stuttgart. It is just me and a bottle of Budvar here in Berlin. They say you should never drink alone so I thank you for joining me.

25 minute countdown: Both these teams appear to be going with lone strikers up top. Italy only needs a draw to advance so will we see their infamous 10 behind the ball strategy or will they go for the win and the near certainty of avoiding Brazil next round? The Czechs need to be a bit more offensive minded, which wasn’t a problem when they played the US but was a problem against Ghana. If nothing else, this has turned into the tournament’s most interesting group.

30 minute coundown: In another lifetime I will have Pavel Nedved’s locks. Sigh. Or any of the Italian players’ hair. Sigh again. Poor Jan Koller. He is jealous too. Sitting on the bench covering his hair with a baseball cap turned backwards.

35 minute countdown: Your starting lineups for both teams. Worth noting that Milan Baros is getting the start for the Czechs after sitting out the first two games with injury. No Luca Toni for Italy and of course De Rossi is out after nearly taking off Brian McBride’s noggin.

Czech Republic
1. Petr Cech, 2. Zdenek Grygera, 5. Radoslav Kovac, 6. Marek Jankulovski, 8. Karel Poborsky, 10. Tomas Rosicky, 11. Pavel Nedved, 15. Milan Baros, 19. Jan Polak, 22. David Rozehnal

Italy
1. Gianluigi Buffon, 3. Fabio Grosso, 5. Fabio Cannavaro, 8. Ivan Gennaro Gattuso, 10. Francesco Totti, 11. Alberto Gilardino, 13. Alessandro Nesta, 16. Mauro Camoranesi, 19. Gianluca Zambrotta, 20. Simone Perrotta, 21. Andrea Pirlo

40 minute countdown: Ten teams are already through to the round of 16. Another three teams will advance today. Will it be both of these countries or will Ghana or the United States come up big to take one of the spots? Here are the various scenarios for Italy and Czech Republic. Please forgive me in advance if I mess up the scenarios during the liveblog. I suck at math and have killed too many brain cells drinking beer and liveblogging the past 14 days.

Italy
Italy need just a draw to advance, but a loss could see them eliminated depending on the outcome of the USA-Ghana match. Italy will win the group with a win over the Czech Republic or with a draw, provided Ghana beat the USA. If they draw and the USA beat Ghana, Italy would need a better goal difference than the Americans to win the group (currently +2 for Italy, and -3 for the USA).

Czech Republic
The Czechs need to win to be totally assured of a spot in the Round of 16. If the Czechs earn a draw, they will also have to sweat the USA-Ghana result. They will win the group with a victory over Italy, provided Ghana don’t beat the USA and finish with a better goal difference (Czechs +1, Ghana 0).

50 minute countdown: I’m really looking forward to the next couple of hours watching a pair of games which could lead to any number of different outcomes in Group E. Italy and Czech Republic are two of the big boys in European football and with it all on the line hopefully we will see some great play. I’ll do my best to keep up with it all and hopefully my fingers won’t fall off before this day is done.

Pregame: Should be a great game. Who do you think will win?

	Soccer Forums	International Results			Travel