Kind of surprised there's so little talk about the national team, even though I know most of the people posting here aren't Spanish and are more interested in the clubs; and even in Spain clubs are considered more important than the National team. (something which I can't understand being in Holland for such a long time, where the National team rules all) Anyway, I just missed out on the Spanish team featuring Michel and Butragueño (and obviously the one in the 60's with Puskas and Di Stefano) the first thing about España which I can clearly remember is 1994, and the infamous incident in the Italy game. (yes, I'm a young one ) So maybe I'm not the best person to judge which was "the best selection....ever"; but I'm thinking it will be the one which we'll see in the coming years (Portugal2004 and Germany2006) Casillas - 1981 Already credited as one of the best goalies in Europe, I still think he has a way to go, but he's good and young...and only getting better so far. Puyol - 1978 Raul Bravo - 1981 Helguera - 1975 Pavon - 1980 Manuel Pablo - 1976 With Puyol and Helguera as centre backs, I think we have one of the best central defending duos in Europe. I'm still hoping for Manuel Pablo to regain his form before he got injured. Bravo will have a better chance to shine now that he doesn't have Roberto Carlos in front of him. Mendieta - 1974 Xavi - 1980 Valeron - 1975 Albelda - 1977 Baraja - 1975 Vicente - 1981 Joaquin - 1981 Valeron to me is the most important player in there, and then you got Vicente and Joaquin on the sides who will probably have starting places come the next 2 tournaments. Raul - 1977 Morientes - 1976 Portillo - 1982 Tristan - 1976 Torres - 1984 I think the next Euro Championship will come too early for Portillo and Torres, but who knows? Hopefully Morientes will go to another team and get regular time to show that he is indeed a class striker, and Tristan will probably remain one of the players with the most goals en la primera. At the very least, I imagine this team to perform better than the one in JapKocheat'a, where only the referee stopped us from going to the semi-finals (and beyond?) Could be that I should stop drinking any alcohol for the rest of the week (although I think the weed is a bigger reason for my damaged brains ) but the team that is growing towards Euro2004 to me is the best one I've seen in my years; agree/disagree? I missed some players?
I'll start backwards, I think you have a good selection in your forwards, maybe Luque deserves a special mention too, Bilbao's Guerrero and Etxeberría are out in my opinion, as well as Munitis and Catanha. I like Mallorca's pair Riera and Novo as alternatives for Joaquin and Vicente (in case of injury or suspension) I think Pep hasnt quit to La Seleccion yet, maybe Euro 04 should be his last NT appearance, cuz Valerón it's the only 'cerebro' in yor roster. Lopez Rekarte on the band is awesome, quite a competitor for Bravo, Aranzabal deserve another chance by Saez just like he proved in the last match The problem I find with Casillas is his aerial game, he sucks BIG TIME! I have two better alternatives, one is former Madrid GK (and current Malaga) Pedro Contreras and my ideal candidate should be Antonio Notario, what a keeper!!!! special mention (and for the future, he's just 20) is Pepe Reina in Villareal he has a crappy defense and still runs good numbers.
Generally the Spanish National Team is low on futbol priorities of fans of Spanish futbol. At least when I was living in Spain that was the case. Also due to the fact that there isn't really anything to get excited about until 2004 you won't find much discussion on it. As far as the best Spanish team, I don't know. I wasn't alive in the 60's when La Furia won it's only international title. I read that Spain had a very good team in the 20's and 30's. From my memory I believe the 84-86 team was pretty good. The 1990 team was a disappointment to me, even though it had a player I liked very much (Michel, underrated as a player but unfortunately is a blowhard as a commentator). The 1994 team I didn't expect much from. However, the game against Italy hurt more than the game against South Korea (in the past WC). The 98-00 version of the team was a disaster for the most part. 2002 made up some ground but there was still something missing, apart from the refs, the NT must overcome mentally these incidents. If not then Spain will never win anything of consequence. Incidently I though 2002 was the best chance that I can recall of Spain advancing to the final or even winning the WC. 2004 could be a good showing but I suspect it will be another disappointment. I won't comment on the players because we always have promising players or decent ones. Offensively we are better than in 94, for example, but defensively we are worse. IMO it is about the same level of talent overall.
I agree with this. I would also give Reyes a chance but that is me just being a Reyes fan. I agree about Valeron. I hope he can get back to his great form, otherwise we won't really have any "fantasia" in the lineup. I'm not a big fan of Aranzabal but I don't think he is as bad as a lot of people make him out to be. Anyway, say no to Salgado on the right in any case. Also I would like to see Capdevila get another chance at left back. I agree 100% about Notatrio. Easily the most underrated keeper in Spain and probably all of Europe. I don't understand how Ricardo and Contreras got a shot at the NT but Notario never did. IMO, there is no better keeper in Spain than Notario.
I agree with this. I would also give Reyes a chance but that is me just being a Reyes fan. He's too young and needs to develop as a finisher, he's the future along with Portillo and 'El Niño' Also I would like to see Capdevila get another chance at left back. Agreed.
I totally forgot about Aranzabal, he had a great performance against Germany, although I would like to see how he would do against a team that actually attacks the Spanish defense. I don't get to see much Spanish football over here, so I can't say I know much about the form of players like Reyes, Capdevila and Notario (¿quien?) I agree with this somewhat, but when a team basically misses their two main strikers with one of them considered the most important Spanish player by some - Raul and Tristan - and still score 2 goals against a team which a (full) Germany and Italy couldn't score more against with all the calls that went against them, they did more than good if you ask me.
Oscar, I would drop Morientes and Mendieta of your team right now. Players I'd like to see there too are Guti and Xabi Alonso. I also like Varela. I agree with Mario and co. in Notario and Novo. We're still short of centrebacks... Puyol and Helguera are O.K., but we need another two, and at least one of them of the same level of their level. Problem's that I haven't seen them.
Reyes is a young stud (19 y/o) but he still needs to learn to realize, he must improve finishing, plays for Sevilla as well as Antonio Notario, he deserves a call up SOON! Joan Capdevila plays left back for Depor and became starter after Manuel Pablo got injured, hope this clarifies the horizon