Spain v Italy, Final, build up and match thread

[The Special Juan]

First topic message reminder :

Spain v Italy? Who will triumph? They met in the group and drew 1-1, with Pirlo making Xavi and Iniesta redundant at times.

I say Spain to win 1-0 playing with no striker!!

Tune into Sky Sports News after the final for reaction to England's quarter final loss to Italy.

"Klinsmann: Spain win over Italy would make them team of century"

Yes, I'd say they have been the best team of the past 12 years.

[Leff]

Please don't start a thread comparing Scholes with Xavi to spoil this glorious moment for Spain.

[drsambo1928]

Well done Spain, they were the most consistent team and they fully deserve it, question is who is gonna beat them, 4 in a row is almost unthinkable.

[Crimey]

Well done Spain, they were the most consistent team and they fully deserve it, question is who is gonna beat them, 4 in a row is almost unthinkable.

Maybe a South American side. Uruguay are the best in South America at the moment, I doubt they'd be able to though.

[Crimey]

48 days until the start of the season again......

[drsambo1928]

Brazil maybe but the way they play its hard to keep the ball and even harder to get it back for the opposition. Xavi and co. will eventually have to retire and the world will be restored to order. Although you gotta admire the Spanish.

[Guest]

Torres wins the golden boot award with three goals and an assist. I am not sure how much time he played on the field - he seems only to get 15 - 30 minutes per game.

[Guest]

Thank god that's over. Roll on mid August for the good football to start again

[GSC]

Well done Spain, they were the most consistent team and they fully deserve it, question is who is gonna beat them, 4 in a row is almost unthinkable.

Maybe a South American side. Uruguay are the best in South America at the moment, I doubt they'd be able to though.

I dunno, as good as they are, they looked like they were running out of steam at times this tourny. Portugal def could've taken them, Italy showed they could compete in the first game.

[Crimey]

Well done Spain, they were the most consistent team and they fully deserve it, question is who is gonna beat them, 4 in a row is almost unthinkable.

Maybe a South American side. Uruguay are the best in South America at the moment, I doubt they'd be able to though.

I dunno, as good as they are, they looked like they were running out of steam at times this tourny. Portugal def could've taken them, Italy showed they could compete in the first game.

That's the problem though isn't it? They didn't even seem to get out of 2nd gear until the final and yet they still ended up winning it. Isn't that what they say is the sign of champions?

I hope another side can challenge them. I was sure Germany could have done it, but they were really shown up against Italy. I still can't believe how poor Germany looked against Italy.

[Jennifer1984]

Thank god that's over. Roll on mid August for the good football to start again

Yeah, who wants to watch all this rubbish where teams pass the ball to each other more than twice in a row. Let's get back to some good old English humping the ball up in the air and seeing who gets underneath it when it comes down.

That's how we make Wayne Rooney look good.

.

[GSC]

Well done Spain, they were the most consistent team and they fully deserve it, question is who is gonna beat them, 4 in a row is almost unthinkable.

Maybe a South American side. Uruguay are the best in South America at the moment, I doubt they'd be able to though.

I dunno, as good as they are, they looked like they were running out of steam at times this tourny. Portugal def could've taken them, Italy showed they could compete in the first game.

That's the problem though isn't it? They didn't even seem to get out of 2nd gear until the final and yet they still ended up winning it. Isn't that what they say is the sign of champions?

I hope another side can challenge them. I was sure Germany could have done it, but they were really shown up against Italy. I still can't believe how poor Germany looked against Italy.

I think the way Italy lined up really helped them tonight. If you play 4-4-2 against Barca or Spain you get smashed. That the stamina ran out.

[Crimey]

Well done Spain, they were the most consistent team and they fully deserve it, question is who is gonna beat them, 4 in a row is almost unthinkable.

Maybe a South American side. Uruguay are the best in South America at the moment, I doubt they'd be able to though.

I dunno, as good as they are, they looked like they were running out of steam at times this tourny. Portugal def could've taken them, Italy showed they could compete in the first game.

That's the problem though isn't it? They didn't even seem to get out of 2nd gear until the final and yet they still ended up winning it. Isn't that what they say is the sign of champions?

I hope another side can challenge them. I was sure Germany could have done it, but they were really shown up against Italy. I still can't believe how poor Germany looked against Italy.

I think the way Italy lined up really helped them tonight. If you play 4-4-2 against Barca or Spain you get smashed. That the stamina ran out.

But even Portugal who seemed to play the perfect game plan against them just tired out and couldn't beat them.

[Guest]

Thank god that's over. Roll on mid August for the good football to start again

Yeah, who wants to watch all this rubbish where teams pass the ball to each other more than twice in a row. Let's get back to some good old English humping the ball up in the air and seeing who gets underneath it when it comes down.

That's how we make Wayne Rooney look good.

.

Not a fan of the 60 yard diagonal hoof then Jenny?

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Stunning exhibition of incisive passing.....

[John Cregan]

The IDIOT that is Garth Crooks picked Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard, Mario Balotelli & Mario Gomez in his Tournament XI.

What planet is this man on?????

[drsambo1928]

Goalkeeper:Buffon(just scrapes it over Cassillass as he made some great and important saves, not taking anything away from Iker, just thought Gianluigi was better)
RB:Abatte(Speedy player, beats Arebeloa,probably was a better RB in the tornument, can't remember though)
CB:Sergio Ramos(A rock, need I say more)
CB:Pique(again can't think of anyone else)
LB:Fabio Coentrao(just beats Lahm and Alba with his overall ability)
RM:Iniesta(Vital as usual for Spain, beats Nani by a fair bit)
CM:Xavi(Not his best tornument but shined in the final)
CM:Pirlo(Player of the tornument)
CM:Fabregas(Tempted to put him as a striker in the team but I know better, had a good tornument)
LM:Ronaldo(Tough on Silva but hey... it's Ronaldo, again can't really remember anyone)
ST:Mario Gomez(Had a good tornument but I guess you might have to give it to Torres as he won the Golden boot)

Probably not the best selection but I can't remember alot of the matches.Should I phone a doctor

[Leff]

Couldn't find a place for Wayne Rooney?

[Leff]

The IDIOT that is Garth Crooks picked Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard, Mario Balotelli & Mario Gomez in his Tournament XI.

What planet is this man on?????

Owasso, Oklahoma.

[Crimey]

The IDIOT that is Garth Crooks picked Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard, Mario Balotelli & Mario Gomez in his Tournament XI.

What planet is this man on?????

Glen Johnson had a great tournament. His reputation preceded him and a lot of people judged him on his past mistakes rather than watching the games and seeing that he was England's best defender and probably second best attacker behind...

Gerrard who for the first time ever managed to drive England in the same way as he has done for Liverpool. I think if you look at the group stages he definitely was one of the best players but it was spoiled by the Italy game where he just couldn't get into it.

I agree with Balotelli who really had one good game against the Germans.

Gomez on the other hand played well in all his games bar the Italy one, after he had been inexplicably dropped by the manager. I don't think many other strikers looked as good as he did.

I think Xavi is an odd selection, as is Ramos. I thought Xavi had an excellent final and a good game against Ireland, but struggled in all the other games particularly against Portugal in which he was substituted highlighting his ineffectiveness. I really do not rate Ramos, I think he's a liability for both Spain and Real Madrid, he makes silly fouls in dangerous places, he gets caught out of position quite often, at corners he's always picked out but almost every time just heads over, he's tall but not skilled at headers.

I think his team is alright, not the same as mine, but not completely 'out there'.

[John Cregan]

OK,
No reasonable analyst could say Glen Johnson was on the Team of the Tournament..........I would pick Lahm (even though he played left), Abate, Gabri Salisse, Arbeloa and probably a host of others i cant think off were better. In fact, i think Johnson had a poor tournameent.

Gerrards place is odd...........Fabregas maybe??

To pick Balotelli over Ronaldo............only Garth can answer that.

I also believe Ibrahimovic deserves to be in the team ahead of Gomez.......he had a quality tournament..................

[Crimey]

OK,
No reasonable analyst could say Glen Johnson was on the Team of the Tournament..........I would pick Lahm (even though he played left), Abate, Gabri Salisse, Arbeloa and probably a host of others i cant think off were better. In fact, i think Johnson had a poor tournameent.

Gerrards place is odd...........Fabregas maybe??

To pick Balotelli over Ronaldo............only Garth can answer that.

I also believe Ibrahimovic deserves to be in the team ahead of Gomez.......he had a quality tournament..................

I disagree completely. I think Johnson was probably England's best player. Arbeloa did very little all tournament, he got into good positions but failed to really do anything with them. Abate didn't play for most of the games, and I don't think he played particularly well either especially in the final where Spain had a field day down his flank. Gabri Selassie had a good game going forward and I think he's good, but I don't think he played as well as Johnson who definitely didn't have a poor tournament.

Fabregas had a decent tournament, but I think Gerrard was better than him. He assisted most of England's goals and was much more crucial to the side than Fabregas.

I'd pick Ronaldo rather than Balotelli as well, but it's not that baffling. Balotelli did score 3 goals in the tournament and had a good game against Germany which was in recent memory.

Ibrahimovic had one good game, against France, when it was already too late. Against Ukraine and England he was largely ineffective and I think to suggest that Ibrahimovic who quite frankly had no effect on the tournament should be picked ahead of Gomez who only lost the Golden Boot out of playing less minutes than Torres is baffling to me.

[GSC]

Johnson had a good tournament.

[Crimey]

Johnson had a good tournament.

I think so too. Not great, but I don't think there were any right backs who had a great individual tournament.

[John Cregan]

Johnson was ponderours on the ball and i think the fact that (as is his natural game) he got forward a lot made his performances seem better than they were............ without ever producing much..........defensively ok.

Gerrard in Garth's team (as an attacking midfielder) ahead of Fabregas is laughable to be honest.

Ibrahimovic was outstanding for 3 games.............just coz they lost 2 games doesn't alter that..................

I wonder about Garth sometimes.................

[Crimey]

Johnson was ponderours on the ball and i think the fact that (as is his natural game) he got forward a lot without ever producing much..........defensively ok.

Gerrard in Garth's team (as an attacking midfielder) ahead of Fabregas is laughable to be honest.

Ibrahimovic was outstanding for 3 games.............just coz they lost 2 games doesn't alter that..................

I wonder about Garth sometimes.................

Well Gerrard got into UEFA's official team of the tournament so clearly some people agree. Gerrard also had three assists. I think Fabregas had one assist, one goal but somebody may correct me on this.

I don't think Ibrahimovic was even close to outstanding, he looked like he was capable of it but didn't really do enough for me.

[John Cregan]

Cheers Crimey,

There is now a Team of the Tournament thread so see you there!!!

[Thomond]

Fabregas had two goals I think. Scored against Ireland and Italy I think.


Anyway, I'm going to start this off with somewhat of a controversial statement, I never find Spain broing to watch. The way they keep the ball, their movement, intricate passing and accuracy is a joy to watch. Have they been as entertaining for the whole tournament? No, they haven't, credit to Italy unlike other teams, they set out to try and take the game to them rather than try and shut down the midfielders like France and indeed Portugal tried to. I think they are a great team to watch, their patience and passing are captivating, they produced some spell binding play in all their matches and should have beaten Portugal in extra time.

I understand why people find them boring but I think it's almost as bad to see teams try and shut the opposition down rather than go for it themselves. I see Ireland do it in rugby and it annoys the shoite out of me. Anywaa great game, Italy were deserved finalists and raised it to a level that most won't get near. With thier continued good perforamnces in underage championships, thie juggernaut could be at the very least competitve at the top table for a long time.

[drsambo1928]

Agreed, I think Spain are lovely to watch. Although it is hell if you are supporting the opposition team.

[The Special Juan]

I thought the Spain performance last night was like the Spain I remember. Yes they do knock it about but not as tediously as Barcelona do. This tournament, they have been guilty of Barcelona-esque football but they were unstoppable last night. The best team ever, I have no doubts about that.

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