UEFA European Championships

[skhara]

Re: UEFA European Championships

I strongly disagree with that.
FIFA's Technical Study Group, which is the ultimate authority on everything technical, in its 23 player "all star team" has 4 Germans and ZERO Spaniards.

If that's the case its an absurd statistic. Xavi, Torres, Villa, Cassillas? Except for Michael Ballack, none the Germans have that "touch" on the ball that the Spaniards (and indeed all the Latin teams) do. There is a funny stereotype I read a while back about English and German football. One was "kick and chase", the other was "kick and hope". Not exactly true, but you can't say that those players develop or put an emphasis on the kind of ball skills that the Spaniards, the Italians, the Portuguese, the Brazilians, the Argentines do.

[HayotzAmrotz]

Re: UEFA European Championships

If that's the case its an absurd statistic.

FIFA's Technical Study Group does not produce absurds, my friend.

Xavi, Torres, Villa, Cassillas?

They are very good players but in the recent history there was only one Spanish super star: Raul.

Except for Michael Ballack, none the Germans have that "touch" on the ball that the Spaniards (and indeed all the Latin teams) do.

I guess you haven't seen Lahm's "touch". His dribbling skills are second to none. Seriously, the guy is considered one of the best fullbacks in the world. And since the Turkey game he is also my personal favorite because it was him that buried the Turks. I'm getting number 16 German shirt signed by Lahm very soon.

There is a funny stereotype I read a while back about English and German football. One was "kick and chase", the other was "kick and hope". Not exactly true, but you can't say that those players develop or put an emphasis on the kind of ball skills that the Spaniards, the Italians, the Portuguese, the Brazilians, the Argentines do.

I think exactly the opposite stereotype is true: Everyone assumes that Latins play better football but that's not the case. First of all English and Germans shouldn't be put in the same basket because Germans, along with Skandinavians, play an excellent football while English always remind me of Polish style: Chaotic midfield and weak attack. So, two very different things. Secondly, Southerners (Spaniards, Italians etc) also can't be put in the same basket. Just because they are Latin doesn't mean they got a similar style.

Look, the only reason why most people, specially footballing people, want Spain to win is because the Spaniards have always been the perennial underachievers of not just Europe but also of the World. They have a hugely rich and prominent football league but they constantly failed to achieve anything of importance since 1964 when they became European champions by beating USSR in Spain, on their own turf. I don't even mention the World Cup. Spain has never achieved anything in any world cup. The best they ever could do is to get the 4th place in 1950. So, the footballing elite thinks its their time. But just because you have the richest club in the world (Real Madrid) and a very profitable business in the form of the Premiera Liga doesn't mean you deserve to be a champion.

Germany is going to win. They have a beautiful team that has gelled together very, very well since the last World Cup in 2006. This team deserves to win.

[skhara]

Re: UEFA European Championships

Secondly, Southerners (Spaniards, Italians etc) also can't be put in the same basket. Just because they are Latin doesn't mean they got a similar style.

I don't mean they have the same styles on the pitch. I mean their players have that soft touch where they coolly work the ball.

As an example Spains opening goal against Russia. The Spaniard that gave the assist was in a dangerous shooting position, instead he just coolly lobbed the ball to the incoming Xavi. The German would have smashed the ball towards the net.

Or think back to the WC 06 game between Germany and Italy.
Watch the German threats vs the Italian threats:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uypiQrVY2Iw

Every time the Germans were in a dangerous position, they just smashed the ball, but the end result was either Buffon was there or they missed.

On the other hand look at the Italian highlights: beat a defender with dribbling and an off balance shot that hit the post, accurate cross bar shot. Then the goals where Pirlo picked up the ball: I guarantee you had it been a German, he would have opted for a shot there -- instead Pirlo tricks them and knocks a cheeky pass to Grosso. And then analyzing how Gross chose to shoot: he didn't blast the ball, he sent a slow curling one time shot to the opposite corner. A German would have blasted a direct shot in the position.

The German success over the years has been due to their strong basic fundamentals, their physical strength and power, their teamwork, their winning mentality, their 'never say die' attitude, their efficiency, and their work ethic. Often times they get totally outclassed by their opponents ball skills (Portugal), yet advance nonetheless (Portugal).

[HayotzAmrotz]

Re: UEFA European Championships

skhara,

I completely agree with your comments in the above post. You are spot on there!

[skhara]

Re: UEFA European Championships

Hey no one posted anything. The team that was the best in the tournament, and really leading up to the competition has won. Congrats to Spain!

[MrHyeSev]

Re: UEFA European Championships

Congradulations!

[Lucin]

Re: UEFA European Championships

Hey no one posted anything. The team that was the best in the tournament, and really leading up to the competition has won. Congrats to Spain!

Yeah, they truly deserved it. Congrats to the Spaniards. But it was not a beautiful game in my opinion, the Germans were totally paralyzed... They just couldn't play their game.

[MrHyeSev]

Re: UEFA European Championships

Im glad Germany lost.

[HayotzAmrotz]

Re: UEFA European Championships

Spain was a better team on that day. All the Turks were backing Spain not only because Germans knocked Turks out but also because Aragones is coaching Fenerbahce in Turkey, so Turks celebrating with Spaniards big time. Anyway, Germany is always Germany and potential World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 Champions while Spain after this tournament needs another 20 to 40 years to build their next quality team.

I followed the German and Turkish reactions after the Turkey game. The German victory, specially in such a dramatic fashion, not only made it one of the best games of the tournament but also made a significant moral, cultural and political impact on German society. Yes, it might be hard to believe, but that game was not just a game. That game was a huge victory for every German man and woman in Germany who have had enough of the Turkish pest around them. The foundation stone is laid!

[Kanki]

Re: UEFA European Championships

My team is Fenerbahçe SK ,
Now Fener is coming Champions Legue !!