In injury time of Spain’s 4-0 victory in Sunday’s Euro 2012 Final vs. Italy, Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas asked the referee asked for “respect for the rival” and to blow the whistle early. Casillas would get his wish, and Spain’s bloodbath of a win would be official.

So: respectful gesture of sportsmanship, or ARROGANT SPANISH SWAGGER?

Soccer’s diving epidemic isn’t going away anytime soon, and the issue is overblown. Don’t stay away from the Beautiful Game because of it. Diving, flopping, embellishing — whatever you want to call it — is understandable, hyperbolized and the players are fine just how they are. And one more thing: it’s American.

Mario Balotelli might not be a Euro Cup champion, but he’s still a winner in our eyes. See why, after the jump.

The Spanish national football team may be the best team ever. What’s the reason for their unprecedented dominance? Announcer Alan Shearer just might have the answer.

Spain won Euro 2012 with a dominating performance over Italy, and, in the process, began a whole bunch of “best team ever” talk. Watch every goal from the Final (and just their greatness yourself) right here.

Just a wonderful photoshop right here. The facial expression, left arm placement, everything. We won’t ruin it with further commentary.

Are you a true, red-blooded American? Do you like your sports to be the ones you grew up watching, and those damn Euros can keep their sissy little kickball games to themselves?!?! You are? Well, we’ve got a debate for you.

Germany lost a shocker to Italy, depriving it of a spot in the Euro 2012 final… and this fan’s face says it all.

Maybe it’s fitting that in the wake of a match widely lamented for its lack of action for most of the time it was going on, the hottest talking point was something that didn’t even happen. See just what didn’t happen during Spain’s penalty-kick win over Portugal – and what did – after the jump.

You might remember that when Italy beat England on penalty kicks at Euro 2012 over the weekend, one English fan tried to distract Italy on the winning shot by pulling down his pants. And if you want to know a little more about that fan, UK tabloid The Sun has you covered.