See, I told you they'd do it, didn't I?
I never had any doubt that they'd become the first nation ever to win three international tournaments on the spin.
Those of you who've been paying attention over the last month will know there's absolutely no evidence of me backing Spain in this blog.
I doubted. Sans Silva and Puyol I thought they'd struggle.
And at times they did, but in the final they shone like something very shiny indeed - like a perfect set of dentures catching a floodlight, perhaps.
Xavi and Iniesta always get the plaudits, whatever they are, and they are the driving force behind the success of Spain's best ever generation of footballers. Worryingly for everyone else, most of this squad has a couple of tournaments left in it.
Spain will win World Cup 2014. There, said it.
Showing posts with label Spain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spain. Show all posts
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Euro 2012 Final: FULL TIME: Spain 4-0 Italy
Have we witnessed the crowning of the best ever international football team?
At the very least, Spain circa 2008-12 deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Brazil circa 1970.
Three international tournaments on the spin is unprecedented. And tonight, they looked imperious, saving their best til last and overpowering and outclassing a brave Italian side.
They left it late in the second to ice their cake, Torres and Mata providing the cherries to the delight of hundreds and thousands of Spaniards in the dying minutes, the former the only out and out striker to grace this Spanish team in the final, coming on as a sub late on (is this the death of the traditional front man?)
Credit the Italians, who over-achieved to get his far and who played with ten men for a generous portion of the second half, after a sub went down.
But even sans Villa and Puyol, this Spanish team have proven they can beat anyone in Europe. So surely I'll be tipping them to win World Cup 2014? You'll, we'll, I'll have to wait to find out.
At the very least, Spain circa 2008-12 deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Brazil circa 1970.
Three international tournaments on the spin is unprecedented. And tonight, they looked imperious, saving their best til last and overpowering and outclassing a brave Italian side.
They left it late in the second to ice their cake, Torres and Mata providing the cherries to the delight of hundreds and thousands of Spaniards in the dying minutes, the former the only out and out striker to grace this Spanish team in the final, coming on as a sub late on (is this the death of the traditional front man?)
Credit the Italians, who over-achieved to get his far and who played with ten men for a generous portion of the second half, after a sub went down.
But even sans Villa and Puyol, this Spanish team have proven they can beat anyone in Europe. So surely I'll be tipping them to win World Cup 2014? You'll, we'll, I'll have to wait to find out.
Euro 2012 Final: Half Time: Spain 2-0 Italy
Is this a final?
It's being played more like a third place match.
You don't get attacking like this in games that mean so much. They're normally cagey affairs, defensive dirges, midfield miseries.
This could be rewriting the rule book for finals, the greatest performance by a nation in a major final. Spain have been majestic, and even the Italians haven't sat back. Now they can't afford to, or they risk being embarrassed on the biggest stage.
Fabregas was awesome for Silva's goal. A string of short passes, an incisive through ball from Iniesta. I expected Fabregas to cross first, but he took another touch that took the Italians (and me) by surprise, before cutting it back onto Silva's head. The second, Alba's, was finished like a centre forward, and he's a left back, for heaven's sake.
If the Italians don't score early in the second, expect three, maybe four, and the Spanish to throw their hat in the ring to be considered the greatest international team ever.
It's being played more like a third place match.
You don't get attacking like this in games that mean so much. They're normally cagey affairs, defensive dirges, midfield miseries.
This could be rewriting the rule book for finals, the greatest performance by a nation in a major final. Spain have been majestic, and even the Italians haven't sat back. Now they can't afford to, or they risk being embarrassed on the biggest stage.
Fabregas was awesome for Silva's goal. A string of short passes, an incisive through ball from Iniesta. I expected Fabregas to cross first, but he took another touch that took the Italians (and me) by surprise, before cutting it back onto Silva's head. The second, Alba's, was finished like a centre forward, and he's a left back, for heaven's sake.
If the Italians don't score early in the second, expect three, maybe four, and the Spanish to throw their hat in the ring to be considered the greatest international team ever.
Euro 2012 Final Preview And Prediction
The day hath dawned.
The day of the final.
Contested between the two teams that have won the last three major international tournaments.
An Italian win will bookend Spain's two wins, to the delight of those who like symmetry.
If the Spanish win, we'll definitely have a footballing autocracy on our hands. Three major tournament wins in a row is unprecedented, but is now only 90/120/a penalty shoot out away.
What do I think?
Given I predicted we'd be seeing Germany v Croatia (remember them?) today, I fear my predictions are as worthless as something that has no monetary value at all.
Spain have looked under par in their last two games and can think themselves lucky to be here, whereas the Italians have got better as the tournament's progressed, so it takes a brave man to go against the form team.
So I'm going to go for Italy. Spain will have the weight of expectation and the pressure of being favourites on their shoulders.
Lump on Spain then.
The day of the final.
Contested between the two teams that have won the last three major international tournaments.
An Italian win will bookend Spain's two wins, to the delight of those who like symmetry.
If the Spanish win, we'll definitely have a footballing autocracy on our hands. Three major tournament wins in a row is unprecedented, but is now only 90/120/a penalty shoot out away.
What do I think?
Given I predicted we'd be seeing Germany v Croatia (remember them?) today, I fear my predictions are as worthless as something that has no monetary value at all.
Spain have looked under par in their last two games and can think themselves lucky to be here, whereas the Italians have got better as the tournament's progressed, so it takes a brave man to go against the form team.
So I'm going to go for Italy. Spain will have the weight of expectation and the pressure of being favourites on their shoulders.
Lump on Spain then.
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
SEMI-FINAL: Spain 0-0 Portugal. Spain win 4-2 on penalties.
Like a Rolex made of stone, that was a hard watch.
The game had little to recommend itself, as is the wont of ninety per cent of footballing nil-nils.
The shoot out was, as one hundred per cent of shoot outs are, compelling viewing, another cheeky chippie this time from Ramos the stand out spot kick.
And so Spain reach their third major tournament final on the sp(a)in, and if it's Germany we could be in for a cracker, or a crapper, depending on how good the game is, obviously. Waffling now, tired. Night.
The game had little to recommend itself, as is the wont of ninety per cent of footballing nil-nils.
The shoot out was, as one hundred per cent of shoot outs are, compelling viewing, another cheeky chippie this time from Ramos the stand out spot kick.
And so Spain reach their third major tournament final on the sp(a)in, and if it's Germany we could be in for a cracker, or a crapper, depending on how good the game is, obviously. Waffling now, tired. Night.
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Euro 2012 Semi-Finals. Predicted vs Actual
Way back when (it was June 6th) I predicted that the semi-finalists would be thus, thither, whatever:
RUSSIA v GERMANY
CROATIA v SPAIN
Now, I got it wrong, in that I thought the winners of the first quarter final would play the winners of the second when, in fact it was first versus third and second versus fourth. Schoolboy error, slapped wrist, get to bed without supper etc.
Anyway, the fact remains I got fifty per cent of the semi-finalists right. The other fifty per cent didn't even make it out of the group stage, but here's a fine-haired sable brush, let's gloss over it.
And, OK, anyone with an elementary understanding of the machinations of European football could have predicted that Germany and Spain would get this far. Maybe some would have plumped for the Italians too and a couple the Portuguese.
But this is my blog, and I say 'well done, me' and I hope it's a SPAIN v GERMANY final, but I have a suspicion one of them may fall at the last, and it might well be... SPAIN.
RUSSIA v GERMANY
CROATIA v SPAIN
Now, I got it wrong, in that I thought the winners of the first quarter final would play the winners of the second when, in fact it was first versus third and second versus fourth. Schoolboy error, slapped wrist, get to bed without supper etc.
Anyway, the fact remains I got fifty per cent of the semi-finalists right. The other fifty per cent didn't even make it out of the group stage, but here's a fine-haired sable brush, let's gloss over it.
And, OK, anyone with an elementary understanding of the machinations of European football could have predicted that Germany and Spain would get this far. Maybe some would have plumped for the Italians too and a couple the Portuguese.
But this is my blog, and I say 'well done, me' and I hope it's a SPAIN v GERMANY final, but I have a suspicion one of them may fall at the last, and it might well be... SPAIN.
Saturday, 23 June 2012
QUARTER FINAL: Spain 2-0 France
I'm no footballing tactical genius, but France were looking like they were getting back into this in the second half. And then the manager Blanc goes and makes two substitutions, ruining the momentum his team was building, and almost ensuring they drew a blanc in this game.
With France looking on top, surely he should have left things as they were for a little longer, to see if their dominance translated into goals. Yes, the substitutions he made were attacking, but the eleven he had on were looking good together, and looking like scoring. After the changes, it looked like Spain all the way, and so it proved.
Enough has been written about the quality of the Spanish, and that they have an embarrassment of talent. They even started this one without a recognised forward on the pitch, and yet strolled into the semis, as I predicted they would, I might add. Actually, I have added that as you can see.
With France looking on top, surely he should have left things as they were for a little longer, to see if their dominance translated into goals. Yes, the substitutions he made were attacking, but the eleven he had on were looking good together, and looking like scoring. After the changes, it looked like Spain all the way, and so it proved.
Enough has been written about the quality of the Spanish, and that they have an embarrassment of talent. They even started this one without a recognised forward on the pitch, and yet strolled into the semis, as I predicted they would, I might add. Actually, I have added that as you can see.
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
GROUP C FINALE: Spain 1-0 Croatia; Italy 2-0 Rep.Ireland
Balls.
My predictions are now looking as accurate as something that's very inaccurate indeed.
Croatia in the final, you say? Not so.
They're gone. Along with them ten pounds of my hard-earned, wagered each-way on them. They held Spain for most of last night's game, and were only a goal away from qualification, but if truth be told (and, by Jove, it will) never looked as good or likely to win. Thanks Jove. And in the other game of which I only saw the goals, the Italians dispatched the Irish.
HOW THEY FINISHED: 1: SPAIN 2: ITALY 3: Croatia 4: Rep.Ireland.
Looking at that, surely most people would have predicted that's how this group would have ended. Surely I could have predicted that, not this rubbish.
My predictions are now looking as accurate as something that's very inaccurate indeed.
Croatia in the final, you say? Not so.
They're gone. Along with them ten pounds of my hard-earned, wagered each-way on them. They held Spain for most of last night's game, and were only a goal away from qualification, but if truth be told (and, by Jove, it will) never looked as good or likely to win. Thanks Jove. And in the other game of which I only saw the goals, the Italians dispatched the Irish.
HOW THEY FINISHED: 1: SPAIN 2: ITALY 3: Croatia 4: Rep.Ireland.
Looking at that, surely most people would have predicted that's how this group would have ended. Surely I could have predicted that, not this rubbish.
Thursday, 14 June 2012
Spain 4-0 Rep.Ireland
Although this blog does not condone any writing on any walls, as that's graffiti, the writing was on the wall after four minutes of this.
Ireland conceded another early goal and left themselves an uphill task so uphill it proved a mountain too high, if there is such a saying.
But in reality, it was always a big ask/task for the Irish. It's a team heavy on Championship quality players that just happen to have Premiership quality fans.
Spain, on the other hand, are undoubtedly world class. And Torres is back scoring again. Which all means I'm a bit worried for Croatia, as they meet Spain in the last game, and even a draw in that might not be enough to see them through to the knockout stages...
Although, I predict Irish eyes will be smiling after they draw with Italy...
Ireland conceded another early goal and left themselves an uphill task so uphill it proved a mountain too high, if there is such a saying.
But in reality, it was always a big ask/task for the Irish. It's a team heavy on Championship quality players that just happen to have Premiership quality fans.
Spain, on the other hand, are undoubtedly world class. And Torres is back scoring again. Which all means I'm a bit worried for Croatia, as they meet Spain in the last game, and even a draw in that might not be enough to see them through to the knockout stages...
Although, I predict Irish eyes will be smiling after they draw with Italy...
Sunday, 10 June 2012
Spain 1-1 Italy
Match-ups between international heavyweights during tournaments rarely live up to their billing, and here was another so-so bout that ended in a split decision, which pleased me as I had it down to finish 0-0.
I saw most of this game except, annoyingly, the five minute period that contained both the goals. Such is family life on a Sunday in suburbia.
As I've predicted, I don't think Spain will win the tournament, and I don't think Italy will make it out of this group and nothing I saw here has made me change my mind.
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Euro 2012 Semi-Final Predictions
If none of these teams gets anywhere near this stage, remember, I'm sticking my neck out early with these predictions, making them before the tournament starts with knowledge gleaned from sitting on my fat arse in an armchair, and no knowledge of any injuries that may and probably will occur to the teams.
RUSSIA v GERMANY. They've had their run-ins in the past (check Wikipedia if you need a history lesson). In my crystal ball (imaginary), I'm seeing 0-0 at the start, 0-0 after 90 mins and a late goal from... the Germans.
CROATIA v SPAIN. Can Spain win three international tournaments on the spin? No one's done that before, and look what happened to France when they tried it in World Cup 2002. That's Senegal I'm saying about the matter, other than, no, I don't think SPAIN can do it. I think CROATIA are going to the final.
MY PREDICTED EURO 2012 FINAL
GERMANY v CROATIA
RUSSIA v GERMANY. They've had their run-ins in the past (check Wikipedia if you need a history lesson). In my crystal ball (imaginary), I'm seeing 0-0 at the start, 0-0 after 90 mins and a late goal from... the Germans.
CROATIA v SPAIN. Can Spain win three international tournaments on the spin? No one's done that before, and look what happened to France when they tried it in World Cup 2002. That's Senegal I'm saying about the matter, other than, no, I don't think SPAIN can do it. I think CROATIA are going to the final.
MY PREDICTED EURO 2012 FINAL
GERMANY v CROATIA
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