The moment of revenge has come for Italy

The English defeated their “Germany curse” with a 2-0 win in the round of 16. Tomorrow (Wembley Stadium, 9 p.m., ORF one live) the Italians want to end their Spain nightmares once and for all.

Twice the Spaniards have stood in the way of the promising Italian successes since winning the World Cup in 2006. In 2008, the Italians indirectly gave the starting shot for years of Spanish domination in Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium. In 2008 they were only a penalty kick away from the promotion against the Spaniards in the EM quarter-finals. But while the Italians were forgiving, Cesc Fabregas shot the Spaniards to promotion, which was followed by the title a week later.

For the Spaniards it was the beginning of a golden era, for European football the moment when aesthetic attacking football spectacularly replaced the wall tactics. Two years later, the Spaniards made themselves world champions in South Africa. For Italy, the reigning world champion in 2008, it was the beginning of a crash. There was a short – and rather unexpected – interruption at the 2012 European Championship. The entry into the European Championship final was seen as a sensation. In the 0: 4 in the final against the Spaniards, the Italians were devoured. Never before has a team been shown like this in a final. But it was also to be the last triumphant moment for the Spaniards. Since then, both of them could only dream of a semi-final at an EM or World Cup.

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The next step

One of the two teams will come one step closer to the big dream title tomorrow. The favorite role lies with Italy after the meager Spanish performances. Also because your own offensive game is currently reminiscent of the best Spanish times. And so that the balance remains, the two defensive veterans Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci hold the defense together with the strong goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. “We keep dreaming, but with our feet on the ground,” said Bonucci, who had taken part in all of Italy’s low blows in recent years.

And the Italians will also play for their seriously injured team-mate Leonardo Spinazzola, who has been sidelined for months after his Achilles tendon rupture. Striker Lorenzo Insigne: “This team spirit distinguishes us from the other teams: We sacrifice ourselves for each other, so you can go far.”