They said we were boring. They said we were defensive. They said our
striker less formation was spineless. They said we were tired after a
long season. They said we are ineffective. They said we can't score
goals.
All that questions have been answered emphatically with a 4-0 thumping of the 2006 world champions; the biggest ever margin in a Euro final. Are four goals enough? And despite the Furia Roja being without their all time highest goal scorer, and the best defender in the country.
After starting the tournament rather sombrely, though they were not quite at their best, they were still the best team in the world by a distance; improving by the game and peaking at the summit. They had the nerves of champions; to put out the resistance of Croatia, and dispatch the French with panache, and keeing their cool in a nerve racking penalty shootout against the Portuguese. Despite they dominating every game they played, the cynics were gunning for them, as they would against any champion team. But never once in this tournament did they look like bowing out.
Though the Germans were the most fluid and efficient team in front of the goal, they couldn't overcome the Italy hurdle yet again (do read my previous post for the report of that semifinal match). Thus the hopes of a dream final were dashed. The two best sides in Europe, if not the world, and the two most attacking teams would have made for a spectacular summit clash in the Europe's showpiece event. Spain and Germany have for long been my favourite teams, and would have loved to see them vie with each other for Europe's most prized trophy.
Though, with their biggest threat eliminated in the semifinals, I could relax before the final being confident Spain would overcome the Azzuri with ease.
Italy were no pushovers, and in fact matched Spain in possession in the first half. But Spain were at their attacking best, and found the goals that were lacking earlier in the tournament; the first one with a typical Barca move and the second a splendid counter attack, with the future of Barca, Jordi Alba making a breathtaking run on the left.
And the midfield genius of Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas and Silva dictating the terms in the attack. I don't think there has ever been such a talent seen in the midfield on a football pitch. Each of them maestros in their own way. And of course, the workhorses Alonso and Busquets, the link between defence and the midfield. Detractors criticised Spain's tactics of deploying two holding midfielders, and that it showed their defensive mindset. But what it did to is give the freedom to the full backs, Alba and Arbeloa to venture into attack, and we saw what wonders especially the to-be Barca left back did, wreaking havoc in the opposition's half.
And being an ardent Spanish and Barcelona supporter, it was good to see the camarederie between the stars of the archrivals Real and Barca. Which is possible not least because of having at the helm 'the Saint' Iker Casillas. Spain, in essence, follow Barca's style of football. But one glaring omission is a certain Lionel Messi. Though Fabregas is by no means Messi, in fact no one in the planet can even come closer to his genius, he was a key component of Spain's attack and was always threatening in front of goal, and also provided key assists. Sure they missed their best striker David Villa at times, but then that this what champions do, find other avenues of scoring. Of course, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Pique, Fabregas, the Barca contingent at their belligerent best. But the Madrid players have been equally important, with the best goal keeper in the world Casillas, Ramos filling in the centre in place of the injured Puyol with aplomb, Arbeloa and Alonso supplying the attack while also being tight in defence; all an integral part of the Roja.
After being the perennial under achievers of world football, it all began to change starting in 2008, when a bunch of talented footballers divided by club fotball rivalries, were forged into a cohesive unit exemplifying the possession game; capturing the imagination of the football lovers the world over with their aesthetic passing football. And the results are there for the world to see. Two Euros back to back and a World cup. And I am celebrating in my own petty way, wearing red today, just as the day they won the Fifa world cup two years ago.
Hope this camaraderie between the Madrid - Barcelona players continues, and we don't see them again engaging in brawls in the Clasicos.
Spanish football is here to dominate world football for decades to come.
Viva la Furia Roja!!! Viva Espana!!!
All that questions have been answered emphatically with a 4-0 thumping of the 2006 world champions; the biggest ever margin in a Euro final. Are four goals enough? And despite the Furia Roja being without their all time highest goal scorer, and the best defender in the country.
After starting the tournament rather sombrely, though they were not quite at their best, they were still the best team in the world by a distance; improving by the game and peaking at the summit. They had the nerves of champions; to put out the resistance of Croatia, and dispatch the French with panache, and keeing their cool in a nerve racking penalty shootout against the Portuguese. Despite they dominating every game they played, the cynics were gunning for them, as they would against any champion team. But never once in this tournament did they look like bowing out.
Though the Germans were the most fluid and efficient team in front of the goal, they couldn't overcome the Italy hurdle yet again (do read my previous post for the report of that semifinal match). Thus the hopes of a dream final were dashed. The two best sides in Europe, if not the world, and the two most attacking teams would have made for a spectacular summit clash in the Europe's showpiece event. Spain and Germany have for long been my favourite teams, and would have loved to see them vie with each other for Europe's most prized trophy.
Though, with their biggest threat eliminated in the semifinals, I could relax before the final being confident Spain would overcome the Azzuri with ease.
Italy were no pushovers, and in fact matched Spain in possession in the first half. But Spain were at their attacking best, and found the goals that were lacking earlier in the tournament; the first one with a typical Barca move and the second a splendid counter attack, with the future of Barca, Jordi Alba making a breathtaking run on the left.
And the midfield genius of Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas and Silva dictating the terms in the attack. I don't think there has ever been such a talent seen in the midfield on a football pitch. Each of them maestros in their own way. And of course, the workhorses Alonso and Busquets, the link between defence and the midfield. Detractors criticised Spain's tactics of deploying two holding midfielders, and that it showed their defensive mindset. But what it did to is give the freedom to the full backs, Alba and Arbeloa to venture into attack, and we saw what wonders especially the to-be Barca left back did, wreaking havoc in the opposition's half.
And being an ardent Spanish and Barcelona supporter, it was good to see the camarederie between the stars of the archrivals Real and Barca. Which is possible not least because of having at the helm 'the Saint' Iker Casillas. Spain, in essence, follow Barca's style of football. But one glaring omission is a certain Lionel Messi. Though Fabregas is by no means Messi, in fact no one in the planet can even come closer to his genius, he was a key component of Spain's attack and was always threatening in front of goal, and also provided key assists. Sure they missed their best striker David Villa at times, but then that this what champions do, find other avenues of scoring. Of course, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Pique, Fabregas, the Barca contingent at their belligerent best. But the Madrid players have been equally important, with the best goal keeper in the world Casillas, Ramos filling in the centre in place of the injured Puyol with aplomb, Arbeloa and Alonso supplying the attack while also being tight in defence; all an integral part of the Roja.
After being the perennial under achievers of world football, it all began to change starting in 2008, when a bunch of talented footballers divided by club fotball rivalries, were forged into a cohesive unit exemplifying the possession game; capturing the imagination of the football lovers the world over with their aesthetic passing football. And the results are there for the world to see. Two Euros back to back and a World cup. And I am celebrating in my own petty way, wearing red today, just as the day they won the Fifa world cup two years ago.
Hope this camaraderie between the Madrid - Barcelona players continues, and we don't see them again engaging in brawls in the Clasicos.
Spanish football is here to dominate world football for decades to come.
Viva la Furia Roja!!! Viva Espana!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment