Here we go. Real Madrid and Barcelona out. If that is not a sign for Spains poor defeat this year then my name is Egon I can smell it. This time Spain won't win shit. But don't worry they've already won two championships so relax and lets look for the new champion. Hopefully Damn I'm ready for the Euro 2012! Very damn ready!
Why can't Ireland beat Spain? And you think just because Italy had a poor world cup last time around they're a rubbish team? Look at their history. I'm not saying Ireland will beat Spain but they certainly could. They've held their own at international level, look at some sterling results on their behalf. Euro 88 beat England Italia 90 quarter final loss to Italy USA 94 beat finalist Italy Japorea 02 draw with Germany and Spain { eliminated pk's } 2010 World Cup perhaps could have eliminated France Ireland could very well beat Spain. It's not that much of a wild idea.
I think it will be a wide open tournament. I'm going to go with Germany, but I'm not confident at all in that pick. Denmark is the sleeper pick. (I picked Turkey to win Euro 2008). Anyway, here goes: Group Stage: Group A: Poland, Russia Group B: Germany, Denmark Group C: Spain, Italy Group D: Sweden, France Quarters: Denmark over Poland France over Spain Germany over Russia Italy over Sweden Semis: Denmark over France Germany over Italy Final: Germany over Denmark
imo that can't really be a good thing for other countries (especially the fact that Barca now has nothing of importance to play for) because the players will have time to rest now before the euros.
I agree. The elimination of Barca and Madrid gives the Spanish players not only more time to recharge their batteries (physically and mentally), but it also means that they will be motivated by hunger for revenge. If Barca would have won the CL, most Spanish players would have traveled to Poland as EC, WC and CL title holders, and a certain complacency and lack of motivation would have set in.
Well you know more time to relax.....first of all every German player has at least 2 weeks of regeneration, training plus 2 test games. And the spanish cup thing won't end until the 25th! Doesn't matter if you relax for 2 or 3 or 4 weeks....even 1 is more than enough usually!
Hmm I see germany is getting alot of hype here, but they do not cocern me in the least, Italia does. I wonder how the germans feel about them considering traditionally they are also their bogey team.I recall the germans being favorites over spain in 08 and 2010, at least by the fans. I also recall an article on schweinsteiger before germany s semi final with spain saying they had given spain too much respect.Well we all know the end result. Germany are good but not great but they will surely reach the semis as they always do. Spain will be well rested and hungry, spain can win it but i'dbe satisfied with a semi final appearance.No one is giving the french a shot? they did defeat the germans in recent memory didn't they? England wont win it but they do have the ability to send a favorite home. The dutch are on a decline, and I'm not sure of what to make of portugal at the moment.I have no idea who will win the tournament, depends on the fixtures and who will face each other.
Final Four for me will be Spain, Portugal, Germany, and France Biggest surprise will be Greece and Ireland Biggest disapointment will be Sweden and Italy
either germany, spain or the netherlands. rooting for the netherlands myself, but i'm feeling a final between germany vs spain. although the dutch team has arguably improved a lot since two years ago at the 2010WC.
I will have to go with Spain for a third trophy. The core players will be there but I think it will be their new fresh blood that may win it for them. Del Bosque has done a great job at building towards the future and I think the drive from the younger players will keep Spain hungry. And David Silva has been that Messi type player that Spain have been missing. He will be huge this summer.
Germany have a good chance with Neuer, Podolski, Oezil, Lahm, and Schweinsteiger all in their prime years, and others like Klose and Mueller not too far off (one way or the other), and in great form. That said, it is difficult to make any team the favourite against the Spanish. So much quality on that side, even with Villa out.
Spain is done. Everybody know their weaknesses now, just like Barca..the centre of defense. I really don't know who could win. Many teams can win. England, France, Italy, Holland, Germany, maybe a Croatia as an outsider, not going to bet on the winner this year.
Added to that, Puyol is now out for Spain.. Spain without Villa and Puyol is still very good, but lacks the finishing touch. As an England fan, whilst I would obviously rather miss Spain, I can't say that a back line of Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique and Alba is particularly good.. it is an accident waiting to happen.
Losing Puyol will be huge but not game breaking. As long as Spain keeps possession it doesn't matter who is back there . I could see Holland pulling it off this year though. All the pressure will be on Spain and Germany, and the Dutch have improved a lot in the last couple of years. Plus RVP is on a super level at this moment.
ive seen barca play with almost their entire back line missing and it did not make one jot of difference. before the match there was hope but this was stiffled after about ten minutes. i dont rate either pique, or puyol, or abidal for that matter, but they could have played titus bramble at the back and still not been caught out.
I agree. In his prime, Puyol was a very important player for Barca but now I can't say I notice much difference whether he's there or not. Spain's best defenders are Xavi and Iniesta. The way they play defense is unique.
Everybody knows everybody else's weakness. But is anybody good enough to exploit Spain's weakness? I don't think Real Madrid are playing in Euro 2012 nor any team anywhere near that good and even they only win 1 out of 5 attempts.
Holland got the topscorers of the bundesliga and premiership, we played 4-2-3-1 but the coach is now thinking how to fit those 2 in one lineup.
remember robbens chances at the world cup, both from a midfielder pass through the middel. if only he were a better finisher... ramires goal sort of the same milan the same, also last year The tactical kings of football, the Italians sure know how to cope with that. I think that this song will fit Spain again, after their wins of 2008 and 2010!! (at 1.55min)
One thing Spain has which Barca doesn't though is Iker! Robben's finish actually wasn't so bad in the WC final. Just a great save.
And Spain has David Silva who has even improved this season and who'll be very important for their offensive play, with players like Mata, Cesc, Carzola, Navas, Muniain, Thiago, etc on the bench
silvas done fa for the last month or so. not saying its terminal, but his early form and now are not the same thing. might be the push on emphasis to incorperate nasri and allowing aguero into the play more, plus tevez, who uses the ball far more than balotelli. but he might also be burned out. the good thing for spain, and the bad thing for everyone else, is they have enough quality to keep xavi and iniesta in the middle. it seems to me, and im no barca expert, that barca were pushing iniesta further forward and into the wing more this season, and he plays better from deep. spain has so many attackers that iniesta and xavi will be stuck right in the middle with busquets behind them and mata, sila, whoever running around like crazy, doing one touch passes and providing options. cant see the flow of these two being interupted for nearly long enough to ko spain. but, having said all that, if any team is going to finally penetrate that spanish passing team to extent needed to gain victory, it will probably be a well drilled german side that have had several years to plan exactly that. but, unfortunately for fifa, this will again be the semi final.
Last world cup Iniesta played further foward on the wings and had a great tournament, and with Del Bosque insisting on playing Xabi & Busquet at the same time it means that Iniesta will have to play as a winger who comes inside often.