By Anna Italia
Covering the 2009 UEFA European Under 21 Championship  from an Italian Perspective


                        Sweden U21 1 - 2 Italy U21
                                           89' Ola Toivonen                     23' Mario Balotelli
                                                                                              54' Robert Acquafresca

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 Congrats to the AZZURRINI from  Italian Soccer Serie A!!! 

Guys, although the big guys of the Italian National team lost yesterday against Egypt, today, a joy seeing the "KIDS" winning against Sweden and being the leader of the group qualifying directly to the Semifinals of the European Under 21 Championship. Hip hip hurrah!  Join me guys to do the cheerleading for the Azzurrini PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO. There is more, the Carlsberg Man of the Match was our brilliant young goalkeeper Andrea Consigli.



Italy Under 21 goalkeeper Andrea Consigli

I am making a toast for the Azzurrini and coach Pierluigi Casiraghi for this victory against the home team making it all the way to the 2009 UEFA European Under 21 championship.  So, here I come again, PO PO PO PO PO PO!!!

I love seeing the reaction of Italy Under 21 and especially my favorite guy Cagliari forward Robert Acquafresca scoring the winning goal. Hello, I am on heaven!!!!! on cloud 9!!!!!!   I just love Italian football and nothing pleases me more than the success of Italy in football or as we call it in USA "soccer."

Opening score with Italy and FC Inter forward Mario Balotelli in the 23rd minute, SPECTACULAR!  A great curling shot shocking Sweden goalkeeper and all the fans to see Italy taking the lead. 

Click the video to watch the goal of Italy Under 21 and FC Inter forward Mario Balotelli in the European Under 21 Championship Sweden - Italy on Friday, June 19, 2009.



Oh oh spaghetti oh !!!!  Only sour note is the sent off from Italy and FC Inter forward Mario Balotelli in the 38th minute.  Gee, I was mad because he could have avoided being sent off!!!!   Balotelli  kicking out at Pontus Wernbloom and Referee Tony Chapron giving rightfully the stratight RED CARD. Hello, hello, hello why not controlling his reactions? It is no wonder why Italy Head Coach Marcello Lippi keeps saying that before calling Balotelli to the BIG GUYS, he has still to make his own experience and mature. I agree.  Good thing was that even if Italy remained in 10, they managed to get the victory with Acquafresca's goal!!!! 

Here is Mario Balotelli leaving after being sent off. Reuters.

Click the video to watch the highlights leading to the RED CARD of Mario Balotelli.




Thumbs up for Italy and FC Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco providing the "perfect assist" from a direct free kick to Acquafresca in the 53rd minute heading the ball to blast Sweden goalkeeper in the far corner and start the ITALIAN PARTY TIME in Sweden.  Awesome!  Here I come again PO PO PO PO PO PO.


Robert Acquafresca celebrating his goal. 
Reuters


Giovinco is rocking and more than being "an Atomic Ant," he is like a RUNNING MOTOR a mini version of the roaring lion and motor Gennaro Gattuso.  It's about time that Lippi start looking at Giovinco to test him among the big guys, don't you think?