UEFA Euro 2012 Final Italy vs Spain

[IcyPatriot]

Expected a better game than this ... Spain up 2-0

 

[Calciumee]

Spain showed why they are the best team in the world!

Stunning masterpiece of football!

 

[IcyPatriot]

Spain showed why they are the best team in the world!

Stunning masterpiece of football!

their ability to work in confined space inside the 18 is amazing. I missed a few parts of the game but I'm not sure Italy even tried to string multiple passes inside the 18 today.

 

[Ciara's Dad]

First of all, what a great performance from the Spanish. They were magnificent. What a team!
I thought Italy played well enough. They had 53% possession in the 1st half, and missed a couple of half decent chances.
But because they tried to attack Spain, it left holes at the back and when Spain were able to break, they wreaked havoc in the Italian defence.
Remember also, Italy were down to 10 men for the last 30mins.
Italy had a great tournament. They just happened to run into arguably the best football team of all time! Andrea Pirlo was my player of the tournament.

For Spain, this winning habbit isn't going to go away. They are champions at U21, U19, and U17 level, with players like Barca's Alcantara to step up.
I watched Barca's U19's beat Celtic's U19's in Glasgow last year, and they play the exact same as the senior team. Possession of the ball being paramount. Short, quick passes. Instant control. They were amazing to watch.
As for Spain being boring. What a load of garbage. If you play against teams who sit in and defend without venturing out of their own half, then the possession football Spain play will look as if it is boring because they can't find a way through, but it's very rarely the defending team gets slated as boring.

 

[Real World]

They're the best team I've ever seen play. I'm 37 so I'm not old enough to know how good some of the former generational greats were, but for me, this Spanish run is the best I've seen. They have been fortunate to win a few penalty shootouts in the process, but never the less, they're quality across the board. A real spoil of riches on that roster.

One thing that soured me a little bit, was the push to score so late in the game, when Italy was down to 10 men due to injury. Screamed of trying to steal a base in baseball when you're up 10 runs, or throwing the football late in the 4th quarter, when the game is well in hand. Ultimately it's you're job to stop the other team, but at that point of the game I thought going for a 4th, then a 5th goal near time, was a bit much. (of course my personal feelings might be cause here )

Like one of you mentioned, this team, or country, isn't going to slow its dominance anytime soon. The players currently excelling are all in their primes for the most part, and the youngsters coming up are of exceptional quality as well. Truly Spain will be an international force for a long time.

 

[brdmaverick]

Even though the game had a lopsided score, as an unbiased soccer fan I actually found Spain's domination to be thrilling to watch. The way they circulate the ball and make it look effortless is a thing of beauty.

 

[TennPat]

I played soccer my whole life. In fact, I still play indoor and outdoor and I'm 30. I still don't get the "beautiful" game comment. I understand runs and good passes, but sometimes I think people try too hard to make soccer something that it isn't.

 

[Ciara's Dad]

@TennPat
Yeah, I'd agree with you regarding the so called 'beautiful game'.
The name has stuck, but it only applies, imho, to the way Brazil played the game in the 70's.
It looked completely effortless and graceful. Very easy on the eye to watch.

Spain are a very, very good team, but I wouldn't call the way they play 'beautiful'.

You're also correct with regards to the fact that there is far too much made of soccer and that we try to make it out to be something it's not.
It pales in comparison to American footy.