GOLDEN BOY TORRES

With a goal and an assist in the final six minutes of Spain's 4-0 win against Italy in the Euro 2012 final, Fernando Torres won himself the tournament's Golden Boot and probably made more than a few people choke on their own tongues. Though Torres only started two of six matches for Spain, it was that fact that actually won him the award. With three goals and one assist, Torres was even with Mario Gomez, but won on the next tie breaker, which is fewer minutes played (Gomez played 281 minutes, Torres 189).

So to cap off a season that included "the worst moments of my career" according to Torres himself, he wins a Golden Boot and a third straight major title with Spain just two months after he won the Champions League and FA Cup with Chelsea. If the Ballon d'Or were solely based on winning trophies and confusing one's detractors to the point of inducing seizures in a given year and not so much about silly things like consistent individual production, Fernando Torres would have that sucker wrapped up right now.

The later part of this report got me laughing real hard.

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Posted in: EURO 2012,Fernando Torres,Golden boot,Spain

PHOTO: SUPER MARIO,SCORED TWO GOALS,DIDN'T TRAIN!

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Posted in: EURO 2012,Italy,Mario Balotelli,Two goals

LAMPARD OUT OF EURO 2012

Frank Lampard is out of England's Euro 2012 campaign with a thigh injury suffered in training on Wednesday.

The news was confirmed after the Chelsea midfielder, 33, was examined by medical staff after a scan. Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson will be called into the squad, subject to agreement from Uefa's medical team.

"It's a huge blow for the team, especially coming after the loss of another senior player in Gareth Barry," said manager Roy Hodgson.

"The fact that the doctor cannot guarantee Frank could take part in any of the group matches means we have to replace him in the central midfield area.

"Apart from it being a huge blow to me and the team, I'm especially disappointed for Frank himself," he added.

"He has been in very good form and was looking forward to the tournament. He made a huge contribution towards us qualifying for the Euros so it is cruel to be forced out through injury just before the tournament."

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Posted in: EURO 2012,LAMPARD,OUT