No, either you didn't watch the full match or you watched it with biased eyes . Holland played very very rough ( even with spain in the final ).
The Confederations Cup over the European Championship? An 8-team tournament over a 16-team tournament? The Euro has all of the best teams in Europe while the Confederations Cup usually has no more than 3 elite teams.
I agree Netherlands played rough. But the thing is, they are perfectly allowed to play rough. It doesn't make them unfair winners when they win. That's football still: you can play it in many styles. Had they won the final, they would've deserved it as well.
Yes one of the best teams of all team certainly the greatest run of all time 2008-2012. I would take Brazil 2002, Brazil 1982 and Argentina 2006 over them. But overall yes best team of all time.
[Since we're "going nuts" on the speculation front: Why not England '58 IF the "MAD" had never happened?]
Brazil '02 might have had a lot of big names on their squad but most were either past their prime (Rivaldo, post-injury Ronaldo) or still very young (Kaka , Ronaldinho). Very different from Spain 2007-12 where most of the core of the team were peaking at the same time. 1998 Brazil >> 2002 Brazil.
The 98 and 2002 Brazil team was better and they had the same core group. I think a WC finals appearence is worth 2 EC. Plus to top it Brazil has Copa America and Confedarations victories..
Especially since Brazil cannot participate in Euro , where as Spain can participate in Confederations by either winning EC or WC.. Thats why i think not winning the confederations cup is a knock on Spain and down grades anyones claim about this spanish side being the best team ever
to sum up, Spain won 2 Euros but failed 2 confeds - please never said they did not take this cup "seriously" ! Now they did not make them much worse though, but just to highlight "no team is truely invincible"
True I didn't factor that in, plus Brazil 2002 didn't face a great team . England was the best they saw that year.
Sure Schilacci was a flash in the pan I'm talking about the other players. Zenga, Ferri, Baresi, Bergomi and Maldini on defense. Donadoni, Giannini on midfield and on attack. Not to mention a young Baggio going wild that year. Vicini lost it for them with his sub.
I know ... but Italy NT always great with their defense (traditionally) The team 82 > 90 easily and the team 94 can also rival 90 quite easily