It's not really resentment. I respect them. But of course I want to see us beat them, too! I just think that they do not look quite as strong as in previous years. Who knows - they might prove me wrong. There isn't even any player I really dislike on that team. It's impossible to hate Xavi and Iniesta, I think. Maybe Ramos, I don't like him very much. Players I can't stand are, e.g., Terry, Balotelli...Nasri seems like a little prick, too. But they are all not too relevant when it comes to contending for the title in this tournament.
I agree. They are not as strong and Xavi is slowly starting his decline . They are without Villa and Puyi but I'm so proud of how far they'd gone this summer. Unexpected which makes it even more fun. I posted that in the beginning of the thread.
Spain is vulnerable this time, I think Germany's time to win the title has come. And Spain's key guys only get older(Xavi, Villa, Puyol) while we have Reus, Götze, Schürrle, Kroos, Bender sitting on the bench and getting better and better til 2014. Think we can win this EC and WC 2014 and become the top dogs for quite a few years.
There's also Müller who is only 22 still. Even Poldi, Schweini, Lahm are not that old yet - will still be good in 2014. The only player who might not make it to 2014 because of age is Klose, and even he might still be useful as a joker.
Ha! Suck it evra and nasri! Also I'm surprised some people said tiki taka is boring. It's much better than any football Mourinho is implementing... or say, the English team. I've never heard anyone say tiki taka is boring. Though I don't like Barca, watching them is a treat.
Wait, Reeko isn't actually Spanish?! :-O I think a lot of people are starting to find Spain's football boring. Many analysts are saying it as well, so it's not a completely crazy opinion. The thing is that Barca have Messi - he adds that element of excitement, skill and incision that the current Spain squad lack. Del Bosque has been struggling to find the right formula - Torres or Cesc? They don't have anyone with the dribbling brilliance of Messi (although Iniesta has some good solos) to make the fans rise from their seats. Their passing, however, is still amazing and I can enjoy it. There was one point in the match where they had about 30 passes in a row, their positional play is exceptional. Germany have been much more exciting the past six years, for sure. I would bet a Germany match to be more entertaining that a Spain one. Then again, France were playing such negative football that it made a good match almost impossible. I am looking forward to a Spain - Germany final!
The French team just keep giving. Apparently Nasri decided to insult a journo at the mixed zone(basically telling him to go eff himself). Such a classy lad. Sigh From Evra to Nasri, Ben Arfa to M'Vila. Crazy how Benzema seems like the classiest one these days.
Meh, I think those analysts are crazy. Too right about Messi though, but the passing is still exceptional and brilliant and amazing to watch.
You like to watch simple triangle passes all game long? Its obviously a great skill and it works for them, but it's boring as hell to watch after a while. I don't know too many people who just like to see one team dominate possession. Most people would prefer to see an even sided open affair.
I guess I'm not most people. I enjoy watching an even sided open match sometimes and as I enjoy watching a great side dominate possession sometimes. I do like to watch simple triangle passes followed by incisive through balls for goal scoring opportunities. Count me in the minority(or majority, whichever) of those that find it interesting to watch for 90 minutes.
I agree. What is the world coming to when people want teams to play like italy or England. I haven't seen the game between France and Spain. But if France was a better team it would have been a more interresting game. The only reason people think the games of spain are boring is because they are so dominant over their oponents. The can have possession of the ball 80% of the time. Why would they allow the opponents to have the ball? Without the ball heir opponents cannot score. That being said, i do think Spain is not a great as 2 years ago (mainly because they miss Villa) and I think Germany will be the Champion this year. I really do not see any team challenging those two teams. It is really unbelievable how Dominant Germany has been in the past.
They are not simple, that's the thing... I see what you mean, but it's still amazing to watch. Very annoying, though, if you cheer against them (like me).
Funny how France seem to have similar problems to the Dutch... bad mentality, terrible egos. Hope we don't have that two tournaments running! I really hope it's a Germany - Spain final. Would really be the ultimate contest.
When is the last time Germany wasn't dominant? They have been a serious threat for title contention in basically every euro/wc tournament that I can remember since I was a kid. Going past the early 90's I can't say I am too sure about the 80's but (from what my dad tells me) before that Franz Beckenbauer was the greatest thing to ever happen in sports lol.
Well, we sucked in 1994 and 1998 when we had a terrible coach (Berti Vogts) (and 1978, when the same guy was captain of the team). But we were in the semifinals or finals of all other World Cup tournaments since 1966. No other team has been similarly consistent.
