(Don’t cry, Scotland!)

If, before yesterday’s victory over Scotland, you asked me to guess who would score for Italy, one of the two players pictured below would’ve been at the top of my list, whereas the other… well, let’s just say I’d never have guessed it.

So, it came as no surprise that Toni hit the mark. (If anything, the only surprise there was the fact that it took him less than two minutes to do so.) Old Man Panucci’s goal, on the other hand, was a stunner – especially for Scotland.

Unfortunately, there have been complaints – most notably from Scotland’s coach – regarding the Spanish referee’s decision to award the free kick leading to Panucci’s goal. Since I was two states away from my favorite Azzurri-watching post, I didn’t see the incident, so I don’t know whether or not the Scots’ complaints are legitimate… but I’ll assume they are. (McLeish, unlike a certain French coach, hasn’t yet given me a reason to think he’s a raving lunatic.)

Even if we assume that the call was horrendous, however, the Scots should remember that Di Natale scored a freakin’ goal, which was very wrongly called offside early into the match. (That one I did see.) I couldn’t find a video of this just yet, but it is interesting to note that their ‘keeper saw it correctly.

Actually, the whole Panucci goal vs. Di Natale goal debate is just one of a few cases wherein there was one call that made up for another. For another example, see Scotland’s accusations of an Italian handball, balanced out (and then some) by Scotland’s goal, which (unless my eyes are deceiving me) may have been offside.

What am I saying? Basically, I’m saying that the result was probably a fair one, all told. The Scots can complain, and in a few (maybe more than a few) instances, their complaints may even be valid, but the Italians can easily cancel those out with legitimate grievances headed in the opposite direction. Take all of the back-and-forth calls away, and what’s left? An Italian goal, signed by Luca Toni. Italy wins by a goal at Hampden.

So, Scotland, try to not be too upset. Yes, it sucks to loseWeight Exercise, but your team did its nation proud, and at the end of the day, you can take comfort in the fact that (by all accounts) the lads played (and the Tartan Army cheered) their as*es off in a match with a correct result. Congratulations on an excellent campaign; I hope you’ll join our tifosi in supporting the Azzurri and anyone who plays France while Domenech is coach!

Forza Azzurri!

Categories: Azzurri, Euro 2008
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