Why do so many people think the world and european champions won't win it? Even without Puyol and Villa, I think Spain will go all the way. Germany might have more hunger though because it's 16 years since they last won a major tournament.
Why do so many people think the world and european champions won't win it? Even without Puyol and Villa, I think Spain will go all the way. Germany might have more hunger though because it's 16 years since they last won a major tournament.
It's probably wishful thinking, as I'm probably not the only one who was bored silly by their triumphal runs in 2008 and 2010. 1-0, 1-0, 2-0, 1-0, 70% possession. :yawn: I have to agree that they are still favourites though.
Well after seeing eight of the sixteen play , I don't see much for Spain to worry about , possibly just France may pose them a problem maybe Sweden as dark-horses . Spain could romp it given that they will certainly play well and create chances , it just needs Torres or Llorente to put all the chances away .
ZicoZ - the problem with Spain is that tiredness may affect them. Both Barca and Real suffered badly with fatigue in the later parts of the season, this was evident in the champions league semi finals.
Barca and Real have played over 60+ games each this season (well Barca certainly have), and the Barcelona squad is very small and looked wrecked towards the end the season all those players playing the same number of games.
I also think the title race was so intense (they played each other 6 times) that it wore both of them of out. Even teams like Bilbao looked knackered towards the end as some of those Spanish teams were involved in Uefa cup runs.
So for me Spain's fitness levels will be in question. When you're tired teams find it to perform the "park the bus" nonsense against you more easilier. And it becomes more difficult for to break down those times when you're tired as you move the ball slower, you're mind becomes tired finding harder to be more creative. Almost larthagic like.
I think Germany suffered from this problem today, some of their Bayern and Real players looked really jaded and struggled to break Portugal down.
ZicoZ - the problem with Spain is that tiredness may affect them. Both Barca and Real suffered badly with fatigue in the later parts of the season, this was evident in the champions league semi finals.
Barca and Real have played over 60+ games each this season (well Barca certainly have), and the Barcelona squad is very small and looked wrecked towards the end the season all those players playing the same number of games.
I also think the title race was so intense (they played each other 6 times) that it wore both of them of out. Even teams like Bilbao looked knackered towards the end as some of those Spanish teams were involved in Uefa cup runs.
So for me Spain's fitness levels will be in question. When you're tired teams find it to perform the "park the bus" nonsense against you more easilier. And it becomes more difficult for to break down those times when you're tired as you move the ball slower, you're mind becomes tired finding harder to be more creative. Almost larthagic like.
I think Germany suffered from this problem today, some of their Bayern and Real players looked really jaded and struggled to break Portugal down.
Yeah , you may well be correct about their tiredness / fitness levels ALTHOUGH Barca's most played player who had looked completely knackered towards the end of the season , was Messi ..... and he put on a wonder show tonight against Brasil , playing the whole 90 minutes and scoring a hat - trick . ....
Oddly enough , I think that tomorrow's game will be the toughest one they will have to play . We can virtually guarantee that Italy will park the proverbial 'bus' , 'coach' and any other vehicles they can lay their hands on . I can see most other teams staying back and soaking up the pressure when they play Spain but Italy are possibly the masters of it. So hopefully Spain will brush them aside and show the rest of Europe how you can play entertaining football and win matches .
I am hoping for England or Spain to win, but having said that, anyone as long as it isn't the Krauts or the French. If Poland win it then I am hoping for the cup parade to be held in England.
The Spain v Italy match is going to be interesting as they have faced each other 6 times in the past, with the tale of the tape of Spain only winning once & drawing twice.
Comments
Right...?
Oh.
I like Italy at 16-1,,they usually raise their game when it matters.
In your dreams.........
Russia are my dark-horses.
If England don't win it, I will carry on posting on DS as normal, and think "crap, out again".
That's how much I am committed.
COME ON ENGLAND!!!!
(Actually, I do HOPE we can do it, but I reckon Italy, or Holland for some reason)
Fancy the final will either be a group match like 04, ie v Germany or a WC 2010 against Spain again.
But quietly confident on Holland although I do think they'll lose to Germany in the groups & go through as runners up.
It's probably wishful thinking, as I'm probably not the only one who was bored silly by their triumphal runs in 2008 and 2010. 1-0, 1-0, 2-0, 1-0, 70% possession. :yawn: I have to agree that they are still favourites though.
Barca and Real have played over 60+ games each this season (well Barca certainly have), and the Barcelona squad is very small and looked wrecked towards the end the season all those players playing the same number of games.
I also think the title race was so intense (they played each other 6 times) that it wore both of them of out. Even teams like Bilbao looked knackered towards the end as some of those Spanish teams were involved in Uefa cup runs.
So for me Spain's fitness levels will be in question. When you're tired teams find it to perform the "park the bus" nonsense against you more easilier. And it becomes more difficult for to break down those times when you're tired as you move the ball slower, you're mind becomes tired finding harder to be more creative. Almost larthagic like.
I think Germany suffered from this problem today, some of their Bayern and Real players looked really jaded and struggled to break Portugal down.
Yeah , you may well be correct about their tiredness / fitness levels ALTHOUGH Barca's most played player who had looked completely knackered towards the end of the season , was Messi ..... and he put on a wonder show tonight against Brasil , playing the whole 90 minutes and scoring a hat - trick . ....
Oddly enough , I think that tomorrow's game will be the toughest one they will have to play . We can virtually guarantee that Italy will park the proverbial 'bus' , 'coach' and any other vehicles they can lay their hands on . I can see most other teams staying back and soaking up the pressure when they play Spain but Italy are possibly the masters of it. So hopefully Spain will brush them aside and show the rest of Europe how you can play entertaining football and win matches .
Supposedly Italy are going to play with two up front take Spain on at their own game !!
Could be interesting
The Spain v Italy match is going to be interesting as they have faced each other 6 times in the past, with the tale of the tape of Spain only winning once & drawing twice.