Comments on: What Spain Accomplished

By: Soccer Playa

Soccer Playa — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:10:53 +0000

I agree Spain was absolutely the best team and they are currently the best team in Europe. I called it months before the tournament started. Spain understood teamwork and their coach knew each players capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Well done to them. Soccer Playa

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:06:37 +0000

Hi Brian,

I dont think Blogger is so advanced as to allow them yet (or Im blissfully unaware of how to do them) so consider this a trackback, as Ive namedropped this article in my following post:

http://www.just-football.com/2.....w-why.html

Thanks

By: A.

A. — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:07:26 +0000

I still would like to have seen Guti, at least, in the Spanish midfield but I think his chances of a recall went out completely once Raul was banished.

By: ursus arctos

ursus arctos — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:21:13 +0000

That's true, but given that neither Reina nor Arbeloa got off the bench in a meaningful match before they went up to collect their medals, they hardly count.

Whereas three of the Spaniards in UEFA's Team of the Tournament happen to play for FC Barcelona (not to mention Barca youth product Cesc Fabregas).

By: Realmadrid_rocks

Realmadrid_rocks — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:56:20 +0000

@Ursus,LOL@"unfortunate" screen name.
I think there were most players in Spain squad from Liverpool than a Spanish club.
We wouldn't know how Raul would have played so that comment can only become a "discussion point" in people's imagination.

By: ursus arctos

ursus arctos — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:37:20 +0000

The last commenter's rather unfortunate screen name brings to mind another accomplishment of this side:

They managed to integrate players from Real Madrid and Barcelona better than any Spanish squad I can recall.

They also won without Raul.

And they managed to get rid of Aragones, which surely is a good thing in the greater scheme of things.

Viva Espana.

By: Realmadrid_rocks

Realmadrid_rocks — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:27:05 +0000

I don't think many people would have noticed that Richard.lol.
As for the thing Spain "didn't" accomplish,I don't think there is anything they didn't do.One striking thing is that they didn't score a goal from the penalty.I just noticed this and thought it was absurd,although there haven't been much penalties in the tournament which is a good thing.From a defender point of view as well as a striker point of view(curbs simulation).

By: Richard Whittall

Richard Whittall — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:42:58 +0000

I KNOW!! You win a tournament for the first time in 44 years and you have to listen to "Simply the Best"?

By: A.

A. — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:13:20 +0000

And yeah, what was up with those ghastly theme songs blasting out to drown the fans celebrations after goals and, apparently (I missed the trophy being lifted), at the finale?

By: A.

A. — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:10:12 +0000

Spain got their just reward, as Richard said. It certainly does leave the palate clean after Argentina's premature exit from the last WC.

By: Richard Whittall

Richard Whittall — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:09:52 +0000

Well, when you put it like that. No. I can't think of a football tournament where the winner had been as deserved. Leaves the palate clean for the next one.

By: Duffman

Duffman — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:14:33 +0000

Did anyone else notice that they played the theme to Pirates Of The Caribbean when Casillas lifted the trophy?

Just me then…

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:09:57 +0000

The axiom in sports is "Speed Kills." The Germans had no answer for the speed of the Spanish. The only German who could keep up with the pace of the game was Number 7 (I'm not even going to try to spell his name). Every other German looked slow and plodding against their opponents. Clearly the best team won.

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:44:26 +0000

On top of all that, as Rece Davis slyly noted in his postmatch commentary, they overcame all their hexes: the June 22 curse, the superstition about the color yellow, the 1-0 hex, the inability to beat Italy—and more generally, their reputation as chokers, which currently seems to be plummeting down the side of a mountain in a car that's also on fire.