I speak, of course, of Italy in Euro 2008.

When I got to Bathurst and College, overtime had just ended.

I got to my old haunts of College and Clinton in time to watch the shootout (the strip was swarming with fellow soccer tourists).

Unfortunately for Italy, the feet and legs of Spain's kickers were better than the reflexes and instincts of Italian goaltender Gianluigi Buffo.

Spain drove home four goals (with one complete miss) to Italy's two. Buffon only had one save. Iker Casillas, Spain's netminder, had two.

Here's the BBC game report.

The final four are Germany vs. Turkey and Russia vs. Spain.

I will go out on a limb and predict a Germany-Spain final in one week, with Germany taking the title.

Sorry, Germany.

PS

The cops were discretely ready for post-game rowdiness in Little Italy. They had the cavalry on standby a few blocks south of College on Ossington.