Spain have received criticism for being a 'bit boring' at times, something I concur with when they play tika taka at the back with zero penetration, but when they play on the front foot like they did last night and attack in numbers and at pace and with width, they are beautiful to watch and a truly brilliant side. Full of world class talent who can create something sensational on a regular basis. Fabulous and deserved winners
Worthy winners indeed. And well done to Poland & the Ukraine for hosting a great competition. After Panarama & other media outlets I feared the worst.
Hmm It's a strange one. I marvel at the skill, the movement and passing is sublime but I can't help feeling that it's now like the middle of the Schumacher era in F1. People are getting sick of it. It's natural. I'm just getting a bit tired of it.
it's the movement that's mesmerising, not the passing. that's where people get confused by their skill - its the brilliant movement of all their players that make them so good - they always have simple passes to colleagues available to them and because they do it so quickly, almost telepathically, it works so well. beefy, not quite got to that stage yet, but it will if they carry on being successful, but then another style will come along that will beat it and be the next template for nations to follow.
Completely agree HistoryRepeating, Ukraine and Poland hosted a fantastic tournament. Spain were incredible yesterday, they're midfield absolutely bossed it. People excuse Holland's bad tournaments performances down to falling out. Barcelona players and Madrid players are down eachothers throats when they play one another and yet they play so well together for their country. I heard this morning Pique and Ramos despise one another yet they have a brilliant partnership at centre half which only conceded the one goal. Incredible. Italy also were brilliant to be fair, were unlucky with injuries yesterday but throughout the tournament have been extremely positive and exceeded expectations, when they came into tournament their squad didn't look strong at all. Pirlo, Montolivo and Ballotelli were brilliant.
I have never thought I could watch that kind of football week in week out but as Supers said last night was something special. The best performance was saved for the final and was total football. The second goal showed that they are all footballers on and off the ball. The movement and control and indeed, the finish, from the left back was magnificent. Comparison with the 1970 Brazil team is justified and poor old Italy have been on the receiving end of two special final performances. I don't expect us to match that level of individual comfort on the ball but think that maybe futsal or even 5-a-side where the result but performance is important might help us to improve or control and movement.
the 2nd goal by alba was a thing of pure beauty. the pass from xavi was sublime but the first touch to open up his body to pass the ball in the net was as good as it gets.
Agreed the Alba goal was brilliant. It was essentially a 1-2 pass with Iniesta with Alba starting the move from the left back position. Great intelligence from Alba, great run and great finish. Wuite liked Silva's goal as well. Fabregas knew exactly where he was when he played the cross in. Proves that crossing (amongst other skills) is a good skill to have. Take note carrabuh!
Spain are rightly praised for their sensational passing and movement but as much as anything it is the pressing game they play when out of possession that impresses. If they lose the ball they win it back through a pressing game high up the pitch that many other teams just can't match. I also believe that as a team they are the best defensively in the world. They don't defend in what may be considered the traditional sense, but they starve the opposition of possession giving them no chance to attack and that is their form of defence. Saw the other day that Messi could have played for Spain instead of Argentina, then that really would be an unbelievable side.
Filling midfield is not a new concept of course but in the past teams have filled it with players who are not necessarily comfortable on the ball or prepared to play one touch.
A cross? No, a precise, 15 yard pass to a moving player. A pass doesn't have to go to feet, nor is any ball that travels laterally through the penalty area a cross! As you yourself say, that was no "percentage ball".
After watching Spain make an Italy side that completely outplayed us in the quarter-final look decidedly average, it just brings it home just what a pathetic national side we have
I totally agree KIO When you consider that in the EPL there is only 30% of English players who regularly play this is one of the reasons why we don't have an abundance of talent!
...and most of that 30% are norwich players! i think i'm right in saying we were the first team for more than a decade to pick a starting XI of english-born players in the top flight last season. crazy!
Again spot on Supers! How many of our home grown top players would get into any of the top 4 national teams in Europe atm?
Criminial only one Norwich player got in the squad really, If Crofts, Morison, Whitbread and Martin hadn't pledged alligiences to other nations we would have four players who not eligible for England. Jackson, Lappin, Ayala and Wes. I know i've probably missed one out but still.
It's absolutely ridiculous! Like I say, how many of our first team would get into the Spainish, Italian, Portugese or German teams?
Apparently Steven Gerrard. Don't know how they picked him but he's in the UEFA Euro2012 squad. Probably thought they had to do that as the old spiv Cameron is rattling a few anti Euro sabres.
