Overall are the European nations better than the America's teams? This world cup is now down to 4 european teams and 4 america's teams. Are France, Germany Belgium and Holland actually better than Argentina, Brazil, Columbia and Costa Rica, or does a lot actually depend on where the world cup is held? Even the 2 best players in the world are split, one from america's the other from europe. Basically, would you still class european football to be the dominant force, or have they america's, especially south america caught up, or even over taken? Teams like world champions Spain, then Italy and a sorry England failing badly. Teams like Costa Rica shocking a lot.
Very evenly split, the america's are the dirtiest cheats, usa will continue to get better which just might edge it if future Wouldnt an america's xl v europe xl be topper
South America have always played with skilled individuals, but now I see (especially in this WC) that lesser SA teams are playing with a real team ethic, and a noticeable pace increase than of past years. Europe has it's own divisons; EPL,Bundersleague and Eredivisie are high tempo games, Serie A and La Liga are burst tempo, passing games. Spain successfully combined tempo and skill in recent years - something the Dutch have always been on the verge of doing - whilst England have all the pace but no skill, German's natural skill is here-and-there, and Italy have always lacked tempo in my living memory. When I hear of SA players playing in Europe, it worries me at an international level, simply because these players are developing their whole game. Would love to see more of our English players going abroad and learning some new skills. To answer your question - I'd say skills take longer to develop than fitness, so SA have the advantage. Once we instill into our kids that football is fun, it's about control and skill and teamwork, and not about winning, then we will be on top.
Good post Comm, Reckon the Germans are about as good as Europe has on paper at the minute, I'd fancy them against any team personally and possibly the Dutch despite their underwhelming defence. The fact is, we've just seen probably the best international side and club side we're likely to see in a long time. Spain have rode their wave now but none of these teams would have given them a run for their money. Same with Barca, people talking about how great Bayern are, the Barca-under-Pep side would have trounced that Bayern side just like Madrid did. We don't know what's around the corner, it's been a great world cup so far and something tells me it might not go to script, it could get a lot better.
[video=youtube;Tezk-XsLiNY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tezk-XsLiNY&feature=kp[/video] Difference between a player brought up in the South American style, and a SA player brought up the European way. Still Neymar is a dirty ****er, needs to get red carded alot more to stop the theatrics.
Team spirit is defo something I've noticed along with the attak minded group games, can't remember a WC when there were so many really good group games, seems like everyone went for it. England looked like they are, miles behind skill wise and more and more foreign players in the EPL will further reduce the pool to pick from, we just aren't going to produce enough quality players to win anything
One noticeable thing about this tournament has been the over reliance of many of the bigger teams, especially the South American ones, on the brilliant individual, Messi, Neymar, Suarez, James, etc. The Dutch are the same, take Robbin out and I would fancy England against them. The Germans on the other hand are a real team with strength in depth and look unstoppable, well they did last night, helped by woeful defending it must be said .
Brazilians all look so lightweight... Oscar will fall over in a stiff breeze, Neymar broke his back when the Colombian went into him in a tackle that wasn't malicious; their defenders don't seem like they have alot of strength in the mould of Cafu who was unmovable, and even their playmakers and strikers lack the strength (cept Hulk) to be able to have any influence on the game. They desperately need to bulk up a bit
Real Madrid will buy Kroos off the back of that link up play and Kedira and Kroos should start for Madrid in CM. The Germans are scoring from all over, Germany won't give a **** about who wins tonight.
