Aftermath of the Final [R]

[footyfan1]

I am not sure what do u mean by 1 d player, but is not this guy a wing player? so run and cross thats all, what DE was missing in that tournament mostly imo, if they had then header masters like Klose and Ballack would score more i

A winger has to contribute more than just running and crossing. And it's not like Germany's opponents are just going to let him run and cross.

If Odonkor has to try to separate himself from an opponent by doing anything else than running straight ahead, he's f#cked.

Odonkor was such crap in the one appearance he did make, they made him go to right back.

[JeremyEritrea]

I think that Löw misused Podolski out on the wing too. From what I've seen of him in the past he seems much better as a center forward.

It's a shame he can't get more regular playing time at Bayern.

[The Soccerwiz]

Its great to see a good skillful football team win for once, no cheap goal and defending to the bitter end kinda ugly win that I have seen too often from less deserving teams lately. The Germans started very well, it was kinda scary for the Spaniards at first because the Germans were sharp on attack for the first 15 minutes and all of a sudden then things Change good technical and fluid passes became the name of the match. This was an overall great team performance.

Marcos Senna is Man of the tourney for me. This guy is the epicenter of the Spanish team. He disrupted the opposition attack, while he energized the Spanish Attack in the middle, he was the one who passed the long midfield ball to Xavi that sets the goal Incredible individual performance by him.

Also Torres Scored only two goals but he scored the biggest goal of his career and the tournament kudos to him.

This was a much better tournament than I anticipated , so many classic matches that people wont stop watching for awhile. Congrats to Spain on their great win.

[cookiely]

Squid. As far as I know, there is no specific rule against "head-butting." I believe head-butting falls under "violent conduct."

Which is also how the referee could have interpreted Podolski's leaning in to provoke the attempted head-butt.

There was intent on the part of both players which is why I think the referee went with the no-call, "boys will be boys" scenario.

IMO best scene of Poldi today.
He didn`t fall to the ground and pretended to have been hit by Mike Tyson.
I really hate it when they do that.

[futbolmonkey]

I think in the next years there will be several new faces at the German team. I'm not too afraid of the future, but we have to see.

what were you smoking today, dude......this team is a relatively new composition, reach the euro champ finals, and lose by one goal and its time
to think about the future ??? Ballack, Podolski, Schweinsteiger, Klose,
...they are there for the next 6 years, guaranteed.

[laudrup]

what were you smoking today, dude......Ballack, Podolski, Schweinsteiger, Klose,
...they are there for the next 6 years, guaranteed.

I guarantee you that in 6 years Ballack will have retired from the game and will be smoking what you're smoking. Which is apparently the good stuff.

[sinan]

I guarantee you that in 6 years Ballack will have retired from the game and will be smoking what you're smoking. Which is apparently the good stuff.
by the way, is it true that Ballack loves smoking (puro especially?)

[Pakalolo]

what were you smoking today, dude......this team is a relatively new composition, reach the euro champ finals, and lose by one goal and its time
to think about the future ??? Ballack, Podolski, Schweinsteiger, Klose,
...they are there for the next 6 years, guaranteed.

Ballack and Klose are 30+. :confused: same with Frings, Lehmann and Friedrich.

[JeremyEritrea]

what were you smoking today, dude......this team is a relatively new composition, reach the euro champ finals, and lose by one goal and its time
to think about the future ??? Ballack, Podolski, Schweinsteiger, Klose,
...they are there for the next 6 years, guaranteed.

Schweinsteiger (age 23) and Podolski (23), yes.

Ballack (31) and Klose (30), no.

[TheGrimSweeper]

IMO Senna really solidified the Spanish midfield which is currently the best in the world at the moment.

[squidward123]

Squid. As far as I know, there is no specific rule against "head-butting." I believe head-butting falls under "violent conduct."

Which is also how the referee could have interpreted Podolski's leaning in to provoke the attempted head-butt.

There was intent on the part of both players which is why I think the referee went with the no-call, "boys will be boys" scenario.

Didn't look into this thread till now, cheers for the answer.

So headbutting is different to raising an arm to a player's face I see...

[squidward123]

I think both Klose and Ballack are done for Germany. I doubt we'll see them in the picture for 2010.

I think we'll see Klose at the next WC. He only turns 32 on the eve of the tournament, and he got a late career start anyway so you can't use the conventional thinking for a 32 year old.

So he should be picked on form like everyone else and I think he will still be in form.

[Alberto]

With respect to any type of striking whether with the head, hands. elbows or feet it all about the amount of force used. The head butt we witnessed today involved almost no contact. If the referee wished to exert his authority he could have cautioned one or both players. Probably the best thing to do is to call both players aside and speak to them in stern terms, remind them they are now on a short leash with respect to cautions and restart play quickly.

In answer to the question it is violent conduct.

[FNU]

Can't wait for a potentially great Confed. Cup: Italy, Brazil, Spain, Iraq, USA, Eqypt, S.Africa.

[Campioni_2006]

Congratulations to Spain!

I never realized how young this team really is. Especially when we consider that the oldest regular starters for Spain in the tournament were Senna (31), Puyol (30) and Capdevilla (30). All three had great tournaments, especially Senna. The remaining youngster's can only get better. youngest player is 30. :D]

If they keep this up, Spain will be a force to be reckoned with come World Cup 2010.

[FNU]

Spain have to find a new manager first...

[Alberto]

I want to talk about some of the vision that Spain's midfielders showed in playing both long, diagonal and thru balls into space and to forwards. They had some incredible touches and understanding. Though I still have issues with Aragones for his racist remarks, he did a great job of coaching and getting this team to play so well together. Spain was so fluid and also broke up many attacks with excellent tackling. Great job.

[cuyseco]

Terrible mistake from Lahm...Spain have started to play like South American footy "touch ball"..good for them :D

QUsN3ALTs8w

[mbyte84]

Can't wait for a potentially great Confed. Cup: Italy, Brazil, Spain, Iraq, USA, Eqypt, S.Africa.

Good point, should be an interesting tourney, except for the inclusion of Italy and its 'Anti-football'.

So my main question is:
Was a verdict decided? Was Lahm subbed out due to injury (as Andy Gray believed) or due to poor play? If you're unsure don't guess, I haven't been able to find an article mention anything to that respect.
Btw, I'm not sure the goal was his fault, I think it was Lehamens. He rushed out, so Lahm slowed down. But Lehamen didn't dive head first (which would have resulted in a nasty collision), instead he dove butt first at the ball (with his hands poorly oriented for the block).

[laudrup]

Spain have to find a new manager first...

Vicente del Bosque was "unofficialy" hired months ago. They couldn't make it public because Aragones is an old territorial alfa male, but everyone and their mother knew in Spain.