FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil 2013

[Jasi]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/it/thumb/7/7d/FIFA_Confederations_Cup_2013.jpg/563px-FIFA_Confederations_Cup_2013.jpg

June 15th-30th, 2013

Qualified teams:

Group A
Brazil (2014 World Cup host)
Japan (2011 AFC Asian Cup winner)
Mexico (2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup winner)
Italy (UEFA Euro 2012 runners-up)

Group B
Spain (2010 World champions)
Uruguay (2011 Copa Am

[blablabla]

Really excited to see the Brazil team, especially Neymar.

[Jasi]

Here's Italy's preliminary squad.

GK
Agazzi (Cagliari), Buffon (Juventus), Marchetti (Lazio), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain)

D
Abate (Milan), Antonelli (Genoa), Astori (Cagliari), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), De Sciglio (Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Ogbonna (Torino), Ranocchia (Inter)

M
Aquilani (Fiorentina), Bonaventura (Atalanta), Candreva (Lazio), Cerci (Torino), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus), Poli (Sampdoria)

F
Balotelli (Milan), El Shaarawy (Milan), Gilardino (Bologna), Giovinco (Juventus), Osvaldo (Roma), Sau (Cagliari)


Agazzi, Bonaventura and Sau are the new entries.
No major surprise here except maybe Antonelli at LB over Pasqual who's had a great season in Florence.
Agazzi is also a surprise to me 'cause I never liked him and there are a lot of better GKs in Italy if you ask me (especially Consigli).
A bunch of youngsters who could have made the squad (Verratti first of all) were left out so they can play the U21 European Championship.

[pinhead]

Tinpot tournament. Not to be taken seriously.

[Jasi]

Tinpot tournament. Not to be taken seriously.

You should instead, for the sheer fact that Conf Cup winners never win the World Cup that follows :D

[Balla_Status]

Tinpot tournament. Not to be taken seriously.

Spain and Brazil took it pretty seriously last confed cup.

Lucio was crying when they won it. Spain's defenders felt depleted after Dempsey's nail-in-the-coffin goal.

**** USA should've won that tournament.

Anyways, what's cool now with CONCACAF, they're the winners of each Gold Cup Tournament play each other to see who gets to go to the Confederations Cup instead of the winner of the Gold Cup two years before the Confederations Cup.

you mad bro?

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OxspfInbLV8/0.jpg

[qrich]

Let's go Tahiti

[BrickingStar]

Tinpot tournament. Not to be taken seriously.
I wouldn't take it seriously too if I was english since they'll never make it there to begin with :lol

[BrickingStar]

And OFC's winner should have to play a playoff against another confederation's country to get a slot in this like the world cup because they are terrible. How the **** does New Zealand not win the OFC cup anyway.

[daj0264]

Really upset not one of Lucas or coutinho made the squad but it just shows how much depth Brazil have.
Want to see how Neymar plays in a major tournament.

[alenleomessi]

Julio Cesar - Alves - Silva - Dante - Marcelo - David Luiz/Paulinho - Hernanes - Oscar - Hulk/Moura - Fred - Neymar


ridiculously talented but lacks leadership... scolari should have picked at least one out of ronnie/kaka


still should be the favourites alongside spain ( are they going to play their regulars? )

[Lebowsky]

Really upset not one of Lucas or coutinho made the squad but it just shows how much depth Brazil have.
Want to see how Neymar plays in a major tournament.

Then you'll have to wait till the next World Cup.

[pinhead]

I wouldn't take it seriously too if I was english since they'll never make it there to begin with :lol

Take that back.

[qrich]

Seriously, YEAH!! :cheers:
(But how comes New Zealand choked that badly?)

The last Confed Cup was entertaining with all those "upsets", and I hope this one will too. Mexico vs Spain in the final!

Steevy Chong Hue will score 4 goals in group stages.

[Grinder]

What a strike from Neymar. Impeccable technique to first time from outside the box.

Brazil 1-0

[netsfan549]

Golazoo.. I wonder why they started the game at this timee.. so early

[The Real JW]

Golazoo.. I wonder why they started the game at this timee.. so early

Noon isn't early.

[alenleomessi]

well one thing is for sure, neymar will be an upgrade over tello :pimp:

[Canelo_Griffin]

All of us North and Central Americans are going to be cheering on Mexico, our CONCACAF representatives, against Italy tomorrow...amirite? :D

[Cangri]

All of us North and Central Americans are going to be cheering on Mexico, our CONCACAF representatives, against Italy tomorrow...amirite? :D
Not... unless you are mexican or american mexican

[Grinder]

All of us North and Central Americans are going to be cheering on Mexico, our CONCACAF representatives, against Italy tomorrow...amirite? :D

Heck no.

Good luck to Japan, Italy, and Brazil.

[baseketball4life]

what a peach by Neymar. Brasil looking flawless. What a backline + GK combo they have, and many playmakers in midfield. Even their scrubbiest guy - Fred - fits great on this team with his experience and calm demeanor. He just sits up there and passively sets people up, and provides a change of pace (or lack there of) from guys like Oscar, Neymar, Hulk, Danny Alves.... this team looks primed for not only this CONFED Cup but next year at the WC in Brasil big time favorites.

[Nick Young]

What happened to Ganso? A few years ago every portugese or brazilian that I met would tell me "Forget Neymar, look at Ganso, he's going to become the best". Where is Ganso?

[b1imtf]

What happened to Ganso? A few years ago every portugese or brazilian that I met would tell me "Forget Neymar, look at Ganso, he's going to become the best". Where is Ganso?
Injuries ****ed him.
Boring game so far

[b1imtf]

Just as I talk... Pirlo :bowdown: :bowdown:

[knickballer]

Mamma Mia that was beautiful pirlo

Once in a generation type of player

[dajadeed]

Brilliance by Pirlo there. People don't appreciate how incredibly difficult it is to score on free kicks.

[DuMa]

2 flops already by dos santos

[alenleomessi]

no one watching?

super mario did his favourite celebration again

you know which one im talking about :oldlol:

[knickballer]

what a peach by Neymar. Brasil looking flawless. What a backline + GK combo they have, and many playmakers in midfield. Even their scrubbiest guy - Fred - fits great on this team with his experience and calm demeanor. He just sits up there and passively sets people up, and provides a change of pace (or lack there of) from guys like Oscar, Neymar, Hulk, Danny Alves.... this team looks primed for not only this CONFED Cup but next year at the WC in Brasil big time favorites.

I think Neymar and Hulk are deadly on the wings and pretty much the best wing play in the world(Hulk is a bull) but I wouldn't call them the favorites. The new crop of players are new and inexperienced and I don't think they have the mental strength or willpower(as cheesy as it sounds) to beat Spain, Italy or Germany.

A well disciplined team with a very good midfield can get by them easily I think.

[bdreason]

Mexico looked like shit. No possession or build up play whatsoever. They need to find some playmakers.

[Lebowsky]

Maybe I'm alone on this, but I think this is one of the worst Brazilian teams I've ever seen.

[alenleomessi]

Maybe I'm alone on this, but I think this is one of the worst Brazilian teams I've ever seen.
2010 wasnt anything better

[knickballer]

Mexico looked like shit. No possession or build up play whatsoever. They need to find some playmakers.

The only chances Mexico were able to create was through the counter attack. The penalty won by Gio was a bit lucky and Pirlo should have won the penalty in the first half.

Hernandez looked like a scrub for the most part and the dude has no game other than finishing in the box. I've been exposing the player for what he is for years now. There was a play(i think in the 1st half) on the counter where he had a wide open teammate striding to the box but instead hernandez takes a long shot which softly ends up in the hands of buffon..

Gio Dos Santos looks like a playmaker but of course we all know he's a bust.

[knickballer]

2010 wasnt anything better

2010 was probably a worst squad. That team featured players like Elano in the starting lineup. That team was much more defensive than their current squad mainly due to Dunga.

Here's that squad
Goalkeepers
Julio CesarInter (ITA)
Heurelho GomesTottenham (ENG)
Alexander Doni Roma (ITA)

Defenders
Maicon Inter (ITA)
Daniel Alves
Barcelona (ESP)
Gilberto Cruzeiro
Michel Bastos
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
Lucio Inter (ITA)
Juan Roma (ITA)
Luisao Benfica (POR)
Thiago Silva
AC Milan (ITA)

Midfielders
Gilberto Silva
Panathinaikos (GRE)
Felipe Melo
Juventus (ITA)
Kaka Real Madrid (ESP)
Julio Baptista
Roma (ITA)
Josue Wolfsburg (GER)
Kleberson Flamengo
Elano Galatasaray (TUR)
Ramires Benfica (POR)

Forwards
Robinho Santos
Luis Fabiano
Sevilla (ESP)
Nilmar Villarreal (ESP)
Grafite Wolfsburg (GER)

[Lebowsky]

2010 wasnt anything better
Yep, that was probably an all-time low, especially when factoring in the coach. This current one is not much better, though.

[Lebowsky]

Bam!

[alenleomessi]

Yep, that was probably an all-time low, especially when factoring in the coach. This current one is not much better, though.
well yeah but it probably got the brightest future alongside germany and spain

[Lebowsky]

2-0. Easy match so far. Excellent play by Fabregas and Soldado with the nice strike.

[Lebowsky]

Man some shameful theatrics going on in this game. Stop the crap and just play already.
Edit: 78% first half posession? Wow.

[Lebowsky]

Boy are these ESPN commentators bad... I had to mute it eventually.

[alenleomessi]

don andres was f*cking around with those south americans.. trying new tricks and stuff like it was training :pimp:

[baseketball4life]

I think Neymar and Hulk are deadly on the wings and pretty much the best wing play in the world(Hulk is a bull) but I wouldn't call them the favorites. The new crop of players are new and inexperienced and I don't think they have the mental strength or willpower(as cheesy as it sounds) to beat Spain, Italy or Germany.

A well disciplined team with a very good midfield can get by them easily I think.
when has a Euro team won in South America?

If all things equal, Germany in particular is amazing. Italy is stacked. Spain is very good as well.

[bdreason]

when has a Euro team won in South America?

If all things equal, Germany in particular is amazing. Italy is stacked. Spain is very good as well.


I believe I heard today that a Euro team has never won a World Cup in South America.

[qrich]

Heck no.

Good luck to Japan, Italy, and Brazil.

Tahiti >>

[alenleomessi]

when has a Euro team won in South America?

If all things equal, Germany in particular is amazing. Italy is stacked. Spain is very good as well.
i think you mixed up those two... no one on the italy team would make the spanish starting lineup, except whoever they have at RB

and a team that won 3 major tournaments in a row is not 'very good' they are f*cking dominant

[Nick Young]

i think you mixed up those two... no one on the italy team would make the spanish starting lineup, except whoever they have at RB

and a team that won 3 major tournaments in a row is not 'very good' they are f*cking dominant
The entire spanish defense and striker would get replaced by italians, if the two teams merged hypothetically.

[Lebowsky]

The entire spanish defense and striker would get replaced by italians, if the two teams merged hypothetically.
I take it you didn't see the last match, did you? The whole defensive line (and yes, that includes Arbeloa and Pique) look in full form. They were outstanding last night. I wouldn't replace anyone on this team except for Arbeloa and, maybe, Soldado (although he looks very good as well, let's see how he performs).

[knickballer]

i think you mixed up those two... no one on the italy team would make the spanish starting lineup, except whoever they have at RB

and a team that won 3 major tournaments in a row is not 'very good' they are f*cking dominant

BS. Italy are going through a but of a cold streak but they are still a great squad that are built for tournaments. Their defense is one(if not the best) in the world, their midfield is great with Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchiso and even Montolivo. Not to mention they are always poised, hard nosed and have that winners mentality.

BTW, I'm sure De Rossi would be able to replace Bosquets easily, Barazagli/Cheillini for Pique and Pirlo is just as good as Xavi/Iniesta(although you obv don't agree since your a barca fanboy)

[LJJ]

Eh, Italy and Spain have such different football philosophies that you'd be better off playing with 11 Spaniards than with a mixture of mostly Spaniards and a couple of Italians or vice versa. You have to consider that these players don't really have time to form a common identity either.

[lakers_forever]

I believe I heard today that a Euro team has never won a World Cup in South America.

No Euro team has ever won the WC in South or North America (3 world cups in Mexico and U.S won by Brazil - 2- and Argentina) and Brazil the only non european nation to have won it in Europe. But it took Pele and Garrincha (the duo that never lost a single game together) to do so.

BTW, Pele and Garrinchas godly record playing together (the 58/62 Brazil is perhaps the greatest team ever in terms of accolades) :

36 wins and 4 draws in 40 games. They scored together 55 goals in those games - Pele with 44 goals and Garrincha, 11.

[LilKateMoss]

No Euro team has ever won the WC in South or North America (3 world cups in Mexico and U.S won by Brazil - 2- and Argentina) and Brazil the only non european nation to have won it in Europe. But it took Pele and Garrincha (the duo that never lost a single game together) to do so.

BTW, Pele and Garrinchas godly record playing together (the 58/62 Brazil is perhaps the greatest team ever in terms of accolades) :

36 wins and 4 draws in 40 games. They scored together 55 goals in those games - Pele with 44 goals and Garrincha, 11.
Yeah, the dinosaur age was pretty cool. I swear Pele has to be one of the most overrated player's in soccer history. Meaningless goals in the Brazilian league, and too scared to prove himself with real competition in Europe. Brazil has been consistently underachieving since they won the 2002 WC (or well, 2007 if you want to count the Copa America). They're basically all hype and past glory at this point.

[alenleomessi]

there is first time for everything really, argentina hasnt improved at all since 2010 ( might have even gotten worse ), brazil are slightly better but very inexperienced and as of right now win on talent alone, uruguay might not even make the WC and as we saw last night, their defense and midfield are average. colombia and chile might make a 1/4 final surprise but thats it.
looks like germany or spain again, unless argentina finds some wunderkind defender and playmaker

[alenleomessi]

BS. Italy are going through a but of a cold streak but they are still a great squad that are built for tournaments. Their defense is one(if not the best) in the world, their midfield is great with Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchiso and even Montolivo. Not to mention they are always poised, hard nosed and have that winners mentality.

BTW, I'm sure De Rossi would be able to replace Bosquets easily, Barazagli/Cheillini for Pique and Pirlo is just as good as Xavi/Iniesta(although you obv don't agree since your a barca fanboy)
no i actually agree de rossi is better than busquets and pirlo is better than current xavi, but i would rather go with the sure thing - 2xeuros,1xWC, 2xCL trio, dont you think?

go watch the euro 2012 final again, and see the difference between chiellini and pique. barzagli? lol... and i would still rather have villa than anyone the italians have at forward ( mario might ruin the team chemistry )

[lakers_forever]

Yeah, the dinosaur age was pretty cool. I swear Pele has to be one of the most overrated player's in soccer history. Meaningless goals in the Brazilian league, and too scared to prove himself with real competition in Europe. Brazil has been consistently underachieving since they won the 2002 WC (or well, 2007 if you want to count the Copa America). They're basically all hype and past glory at this point.

:lol Every single player of those squads of Brazil in 58 and 62 played in Brasil. Pele did not have to go anywhere because he already played for the best team in the world in the 60's, Santos. And Pele had a better goal average against european teams than his career average. Pele's Santos destroying Benfica (European champions) in the Portugal for the Intercontinental Cup (Pele scored 3 and gave an assist to Coutinho after a great individual play) :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5Dw8TWMJik

Here's the king of European Cup himself (with 5 titles for a Real Madrid that ruled Europe in the late 50's) and one of the greatest footballers ever, Alfredo Di Stefano, saying Pele is the best player ever:

"The best player ever? Pele. Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both great players with specific qualities, but Pele was better".


http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2012/03/27/2995169/rivera-messi-is-marvellous-but-pele-was-the-best


Rivera, a legend of the 60's and early 70's, one of the greatest players ever, also saying the same thing:

"Messi is quite a weapon for Barca. Having him in your team is huge, he's the most decisive player right now," Rivera was quoted as saying by AS.

"However, I do think there's someone who was even better and that's Pele. He used both feet on the pitch. He was as dangerous with his right as he was with his left. He was strong in the air as well, and created a lot of chances."

http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2012/03/27/2995169/rivera-messi-is-marvellous-but-pele-was-the-best


And here the Ballon D'or (Golden Ball) winners (some of the greates legends of the game) themselves voting for best player ever. 17 past winners voted for Pele while the second place, Maradona, only got 3 votes for first place:

http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/best-x-players-of-y.html#ff-poc

You sir are dead wrong in your ridiculous claim. Legends like Di Stefano, Kopa, Rivera who played in Europe in the 60's think Pele was the best while you think he did is overrated because did not play in Europe. Which opinion should we trust?


Brazil won 2 Copa Americas (2004 and 2007) and 2 confederations Cup (2005 and 2009) since 2002. They underachieved in 2006 and 2010 wc, but most nt's would be glad to have won those titles in 11 years. Argentina, for instance, has not won anything at senior level since the Copa America in 1993.

[knickballer]

TBH, it's pointless discussing who the best player of all time is considering Pele played half a century ago and not even in Europe.

I think it's also unfair how Pele gets regarded as the GOAT. People just assume of it because of the nostalgia and the "urban legends" surrounding him.


^^
Btw, didn't Pele say that Neymar is better than Messi? I think he said this last year lol

[LilKateMoss]

:lol Every single player of those squads of Brazil in 58 and 62 played in Brasil. Pele did not have to go anywhere because he already played for the best team in the world in the 60's, Santos. And Pele had a better goal average against european teams than his career average. Pele's Santos destroying Benfica (European champions) in the Portugal for the Intercontinental Cup (Pele scored 3 and gave an assist to Coutinho after a great individual play) :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5Dw8TWMJik

Here's the king of European Cup himself (with 5 titles for a Real Madrid that ruled Europe in the late 50's) and one of the greatest footballers ever, Alfredo Di Stefano, saying Pele is the best player ever:

"The best player ever? Pele. Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both great players with specific qualities, but Pele was better".


http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2012/03/27/2995169/rivera-messi-is-marvellous-but-pele-was-the-best


Rivera, a legend of the 60's and early 70's, one of the greatest players ever, also saying the same thing:

"Messi is quite a weapon for Barca. Having him in your team is huge, he's the most decisive player right now," Rivera was quoted as saying by AS.

"However, I do think there's someone who was even better and that's Pele. He used both feet on the pitch. He was as dangerous with his right as he was with his left. He was strong in the air as well, and created a lot of chances."

http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2012/03/27/2995169/rivera-messi-is-marvellous-but-pele-was-the-best


And here the Ballon D'or (Golden Ball) winners (some of the greates legends of the game) themselves voting for best player ever. 17 past winners voted for Pele while the second place, Maradona, only got 3 votes for first place:

http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/best-x-players-of-y.html#ff-poc

You sir are dead wrong in your ridiculous claim. Legends like Di Stefano, Kopa, Rivera who played in Europe in the 60's think Pele was the best while you think he did is overrated because did not play in Europe. Which opinion should we trust?


Brazil won 2 Copa Americas (2004 and 2007) and 2 confederations Cup (2005 and 2009) since 2002. They underachieved in 2006 and 2010 wc, but most nt's would be glad to have won those titles in 11 years. Argentina, for instance, has not won anything at senior level since the Copa America in 1993.
Yes, because legends of the past overrating other legends who played in their time is something unheard of... Don't get me wrong, I do think he's one of the best players of all time, but I don't think he's the best ever and I also think his scoring averages are grossly inflated, just like those of others from that era. There's a reason why we don't see huge blowouts quite as often as in the past anymore.
Copa America is an OK competition, I will give you that, but Confederations Cup is a joke and no fan with a drop of knowledge has ever taken it seriously. I know that and you know that.
You're right about Argentina, they're a big joke at this point, especially with the level of talent they always have available.
I think Brazil's dominance came to an end for a number of reasons, one of them being fact that back in the day they were so much technically superior to every other team at every position that they could win in a dominating fashion while displaying an attractive game. Nowadays there are better teams than them in that aspect, while some more are on par with them. They also have been lacking a clear collective identity, with a sad example with Dunga as coach. They do have upcoming talent, though. Let's see what they can do in the future.

[lakers_forever]

TBH, it's pointless discussing who the best player of all time is considering Pele played half a century ago and not even in Europe.

I think it's also unfair how Pele gets regarded as the GOAT. People just assume of it because of the nostalgia and the "urban legends" surrounding him.


^^
Btw, didn't Pele say that Neymar is better than Messi? I think he said this last year lol

Not even in Europe is not an argument. You are usind todays football to judge football in the 60's. Which are those "urban legends" ?

Pele scored 5 goals in the last 2 games of the 1958 wc. Football change a lot in 12 years and he was stilll the best player in the world in 1970. He stopped playing in Brazil in 1974 (and still regarded as the best brazilian player), later in the same year a kid named Zico was named the best brazilian league player. The same Zico who ruled the early to mid 80's with the likes of Maradona and Platini. Romario, Baresi, Matthaus were already great players in the late 80's and still were in the next decade. Great payers will always be great players in any era. It does not matter if someone was great in the 60's or today.

The same in basketball. Kareem Abdul Jabbar is the perfect example. He had great battles with a 60's legend like Wilt and dominated in some games against a 90's legends like Olajuwon.

[knickballer]

Not even in Europe is not an argument. You are usind todays football to judge football in the 60's. Which are those "urban legends" ?

Pele scored 5 goals in the last 2 games of the 1958 wc. Football change a lot in 12 years and he was stilll the best player in the world in 1970. He stopped playing in Brazil in 1974 (and still regarded as the best brazilian player), later in the same year a kid named Zico was named the best brazilian league player. The same Zico who ruled the early to mid 80's with the likes of Maradona and Platini. Romario, Baresi, Matthaus were already great players in the late 80's and still were in the next decade. Great payers will always be great players in any era. It does not matter if someone was great in the 60's or today.

The same in basketball. Kareem Abdul Jabbar is the perfect example. He had great battles with a 60's legend like Wilt and dominated in some games against a 90's legends like Olajuwon.

Don't use the NBA as an example as the NBA has one league where it's more definite to "crown" the GOAT instead of football where there's many different leagues, competitions, etc.

BTW, didn't Miroslav Klose break Pele's record for goals in a WC? Or was it Podolski?

[lakers_forever]

Yes, because legends of the past overrating other legends who played in their time is something unheard of... Don't get me wrong, I do think he's one of the best players of all time, but I don't think he's the best ever and I also think his scoring averages are grossly inflated, just like those of others from that era. There's a reason why we don't see huge blowouts quite as often as in the past anymore.
Copa America is an OK competition, I will give you that, but Confederations Cup is a joke and no fan with a drop of knowledge has ever taken it seriously. I know that and you know that.
You're right about Argentina, they're a big joke at this point, especially with the level of talent they always have available.
I think Brazil's dominance came to an end for a number of reasons, one of them being fact that back in the day they were so much technically superior to every other team at every position that they could win in a dominating fashion while displaying an attractive game. Nowadays there are better teams than them in that aspect, while some more are on par with them. They also have been lacking a clear collective identity, with a sad example with Dunga as coach. They do have upcoming talent, though. Let's see what they can do in the future.

That's fair enough. Your previous post seemed like you did not rate him at all.

Cc Cup is not taken that seriously by fans overall. But when the game is on, teams play it for real.

I agree about Brazil. Also, 2010 and this generation maybe the worst in terms of offensive players. Only Neymar is that great of a prospect. You don't have a Pele, a Zico, or even players close to recent stars like Rivaldo, Romario and Ronaldo. It maybe the first time ever that the back 4 of Brazil is more impressive than the offensive players.

[lakers_forever]

Don't use the NBA as an example as the NBA has one league where it's more definite to "crown" the GOAT instead of football where there's many different leagues, competitions, etc.

BTW, didn't Miroslav Klose break Pele's record for goals in a WC? Or was it Podolski?

It was not an example on to say who's the GOAT, it was to show that great athletes are usually great in any era.

Ronaldo holds the record for most goals scored in multiple WC's (Pele had a better goal average than him though) and Fontaine for most goals scored in a single WC.

[Rubio2Gasol]

To me - the old game was more difficult. You have the balls themselves - heavy as lead, the stuff defenders were allowed to do. The modern game is undoubtedly more tactical but that's something any great player will adjust to.

[irriducibili]

I heard somewhere that brazilians consider Garincha as their GOAT


Neymar gonna be exposed in Europe.

[alenleomessi]

who is this guy? the jiauber of football?

pele has been insecure about messi surpassing him for years now... he never said anything good about him and even said neymar is better last year

maradona on the other hand, is the complete opposite, he doesnt really give a f*ck about rankings, he said before the 2010 world cup that messi is already better than himself.

btw, arsene wenger when asked who is the best player in the world said- messi, then was asked who is the best player of all time, after thinking for 2-3 seconds said messi again. ill take his opinion over anyone's on this board or any insecure 50s/60s stars.

[Rubio2Gasol]

I heard somewhere that brazilians consider Garincha as their GOAT


Neymar gonna be exposed in Europe.

Some.

They also unanimously say he was better than Maradona :roll:

Brazilians are crazy when it comes to this thing called football - they will tell you some of the most ridiculous thing's you'll ever hear.

[lakers_forever]

I heard somewhere that brazilians consider Garincha as their GOAT


No. False urban legend created by british journalist Alex Bellos. Only a really smal minority of fans (mainly radical Botafogo fans - Garrincha's team -) might think so. I've heard and read many famous brazilian journalists and former players and only Garrincha's biographer thinks he is the GOAT. Gerson, the great playmaker from the 1970 team wc team, said the same as well when he was pissed at Pele because the later did not put him in his list of best players ever. But he has made peace with Pele and recently stated he was indeed the gretest.

[lakers_forever]

who is this guy? the jiauber of football?

pele has been insecure about messi surpassing him for years now... he never said anything good about him and even said neymar is better last year

maradona on the other hand, is the complete opposite, he doesnt really give a f*ck about rankings, he said before the 2010 world cup that messi is already better than himself.

btw, arsene wenger when asked who is the best player in the world said- messi, then was asked who is the best player of all time, after thinking for 2-3 seconds said messi again. ill take his opinion over anyone's on this board or any insecure 50s/60s stars.

They are insecure because they think Pele was the greatest? Maybe it's just their sincere opinion. Why does Wenger opinion means more than say, Alex Ferguson who rate Pele as the best ever?

Maradona did say that when he did not feel threatned. Now he knows Messi can surpass him, he changed the tone and said he was better than Messi.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2285178/Diego-Maradona-says-better-Lionel-Messi.html

And Pele said recently that Messi is the best player in the world, that he is better than Ronaldo and that Neymar can surpass him in the future (yep, he corrected the crap he said about Neymar being already better).

[alenleomessi]

They are insecure because they think Pele was the greatest? Maybe it's just their sincere opinion. Why does Wenger opinion means more than say, Alex Ferguson who rate Pele as the best ever?

Maradona did say that when he did not feel threatned. Now he knows Messi can surpass him, he changed the tone and said he was better than Messi.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2285178/Diego-Maradona-says-better-Lionel-Messi.html

And Pele said recently that Messi is the best player in the world, that he is better than Ronaldo and that Neymar can surpass him in the future (yep, he corrected the crap he said about Neymar being already better).
maybe because wenger is one of the greatest talent evaluators and a football genius?


and bolded just proves my point - they are insecure and full of shit



one WC, and we are not going to have this conversation anymore. but of course there will always be kids like nickyoung who will mention that word 'HGH'

[alenleomessi]

my god, tahiti are so bad... how did they get here?
what the hell are they gonna do against spain.. whats the record for most goals in a big tournament (wc, euros, copa, conf.cup) ?

[knickballer]

my god, tahiti are so bad... how did they get here?
what the hell are they gonna do against spain.. whats the record for most goals in a big tournament (wc, euros, copa, conf.cup) ?

I remember Argentina defeating serbia 6-0 in the 2006 WC

[Uncle Drew]

Goalllllll

[alenleomessi]

I remember Argentina defeating serbia 6-0 in the 2006 WC
yeah and germany beat saudi arabia in 8-0 in 2002...
after doing some research it looks like this tahitian team is made of lawyers, accountants, delivery men... only one professional player vahirua who played for monaco recently

Coach Eddya Etaeta: "Our goal is not to beat Nigeria, but to go home and find a job for those who have none." Players hope for a commitment to a foreign club - the Confed Cup is for a good stage.

props for them

[Lebowsky]

yeah and germany beat saudi arabia in 8-0 in 2002...
after doing some research it looks like this tahitian team is made of lawyers, accountants, delivery men... only one professional player vahirua who played for monaco recently

Coach Eddya Etaeta: "Our goal is not to beat Nigeria, but to go home and find a job for those who have none." Players hope for a commitment to a foreign club - the Confed Cup is for a good stage.

props for them
Vahirua is from Tahiti? I know him from playing career mode with Monaco on Fifa 13. Not a bad OMF/FW at all, for a second division team that is. Excellent free kick shooter.

[alenleomessi]

Vahirua is from Tahiti? I know him from playing career mode with Monaco on Fifa 13. Not a bad OMF/FW at all, for a second division team that is. Excellent free kick shooter.
yup he plays on loan in greece now

there was a report of him saying that when they brought him with the national team, the reserve gk was the only guy he knew :lol


http://cadfael.tv/image/src/1371499982305.gif


half of their team is 'tehau' and here is their official twitter account

https://twitter.com/TahitiFootball


GOAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TAHITI!!!!!!! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!! #NeverGiveUp Tehau HERO!!!!!!

VAHIRUA IS BETTER THAN MESSI #GoTahiti

Goal Nigeria. But it will never take away our dignity, may believe that we did everything possible #IBelieveInTahiti

[DuMa]

Tahiti won my heart

[MMM]

my god, tahiti are so bad... how did they get here?
what the hell are they gonna do against spain.. whats the record for most goals in a big tournament (wc, euros, copa, conf.cup) ?

iirc Germany beat Saudi Arabia 8-0 in a WC game back in 2002

[knickballer]

Lol. Brazil was just to toying with mexico for the first 10 minutes. Pure rape

[BrickingStar]

Neymar balling.

[DuMa]

Neymar split 2 Mexico defenders like they were statues and then gives the Assist to Jo for the late goal. that was impressive. This was after Mexico gave him a bit of a cheap shot to lay him out.

[alenleomessi]

yday thiago, today neymar... damn the treble next year is pretty much a lock.

[Jasi]

Neymar looking more credible every time I see him. He's not just crazy skills, he can also do the simple things when it's needed and that's very important.

Other than that, Brazil wasn't impressive.

Now on to the Italy-Japan match.

[Jasi]

Japan dominating Italy :banghead: Azzurri literally walking on the pitch.

[DuMa]

wow Japan idiots. just concede the freakin corner

[Jasi]

lol, football can be so strange.

[alenleomessi]

will super mario ever miss a penalty?

[Blue&Orange]

My dream of watching a Japan team of real life Tsubasa's is closer to being a reality.


:bowdown:

[DuMa]

this game is turning out to be kinda fun. Japan always makes games fun every time i see them

[knickballer]

:wtf: :wtf:

[Jasi]

:roll:
WTF

We are winning this match out of sheer luck and experience.

[alenleomessi]

poor japan

[Blue&Orange]

linesman party pooper

[DuMa]

Japan won my heart

[Jasi]

Rarely in my life have I seen such a beatdown ending in a win for the beaten side.

[RagaZ]

Typical Italian.

Jasi, now you need to win against Brazil on saturday. Because i can't see you guys beating Spain in the semi's. You match up pretty bad against them.

[Jasi]

Typical Italian.

Jasi, now you need to win against Brazil on saturday. Because i can't see you guys beating Spain in the semi's. You match up pretty bad against them.

No way.
First off, it's been a while since our NT doesn't play defensively.
Second, when we played defensively, we did it very well, which means that we barely conceded any chances, surely not as many as yesterday night.

[RagaZ]

No way.
First off, it's been a while since our NT doesn't play defensively.
Second, when we played defensively, we did it very well, which means that we barely conceded any chances, surely not as many as yesterday night.
Typical Italian = Winning, despite piss poor performance.

[Jasi]

Typical Italian = Winning, despite piss poor performance.

Again, an excellent defensive performance is not a "piss poor" performance.
Yesterday it was a piss poor performance because we weren't able to defend at all (8 clear chances to Japan?!?), let alone attack.

Anyway, clichets. Look back at almost every Euro/WC ko game we won and you will have second thoughts.

[alenleomessi]

if lil honda could f*ck around with the italians like that, makes me wonder what neymar and iniesta will do to them. it wont be nice.

[Andrew Wiggins]

if lil honda could f*ck around with the italians like that, makes me wonder what neymar and iniesta will do to them. it wont be nice.

keisuke honda is class and he's also not small in stature either

milan and manchester utd want him

[bdreason]

Apparently the Tahiti's players salaries will be paid with groceries. :oldlol:

[bdreason]

Crowd is loving Tahiti. I have quite a few Brazilian friends... and they do not like Spain (for obvious reasons).

[bdreason]

Flood gates are opening now.

[bdreason]

No reason for them to try and humiliate Tahiti. I'm not saying Spain shouldn't play 100%, but I'd like to see them maybe work on some different sets/strategies.

[Andrew Wiggins]

Fernando Torres' 7 multi-goal games: vs Tahiti, Ireland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Tunisia, San Marino, Belgium.


can anyone say, inflated goal tally?

[bdreason]

By the way, Spain are the largest favorites in sports history according to Vegas. You have to bet $500 to win $1. :oldlol:

[Lebowsky]

Wtf is Tahiti trying to do with such a high defensive line? Are they out of their minds?

[DuMa]

props to ESPN to pan to the hot spanish fans jumping up and down after every Spain goal. :pimp:

[DuMa]

I like the crowd booing when the Spainish goal keeper made a diving save on Tahiti's shot :lol

[DuMa]

Chug a beer every time the Tahiti GK stops a shot. sounds like a great game to me

[imnew09]

Chug a beer every time the Tahiti GK stops a shot. sounds like a great game to me

Chugs a beer every time spain scores...

[Mr Clutch Melo]

Torres with some serious statpadding here .

[MMM]

glad that ksa doesn't own the biggest beat down any loner

[alenleomessi]

those tahitians cant handle el nino!

[Nick Young]

El Nino returns:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[knickballer]

Such an odd matchup.

If Spain played with the same tempo and energy as they did vs Uruguay they'd have won by another 5-6 goals probably. They were literally jogging for the first 30 minutes and they played with such an relaxed style. Obviously there's no need to play with intensity in this match though.

Felt kinda bad for the Tahiti keeper. The guy was crying

[knickballer]

BTW, El Nino will probably win the golden boot coming off the bench again..

[alenleomessi]

Yeah, but you won't witness this kind of matchup very often in a tournament this level. I don't know how Tahiti beat New Zealand to be there, but they have all the rights to.

For Tahitians on that field it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience so the final score doesn't matter much. Yeah, they want to do better but that's reality.
new caledonia beat NZ and then lost to tahiti in the final...

[alenleomessi]

neymar with a nice goal from a free kick :pimp:

[Jasi]

I am definitely happier about how Italy played today despite the loss than about their win vs Japan. Also considering Pirlo and De Rossi missed the match.

And Buffon... damn I hope he declines fast at this point. Two ugly, decisive mistakes today, and it would be a disgrace to his legacy if he went on like this, when everyone still thinks he's the no.1 while he's dramatically lost consistency. I hope he declines fast and Bardi takes his spot come BRazil 2014.

[knickballer]

I am definitely happier about how Italy played today despite the loss than about their win vs Japan. Also considering Pirlo and De Rossi missed the match.

And Buffon... damn I hope he declines fast at this point. Two ugly, decisive mistakes today, and it would be a disgrace to his legacy if he went on like this, when everyone still thinks he's the no.1 while he's dramatically lost consistency. I hope he declines fast and Bardi takes his spot come BRazil 2014.

It looks like Buffon has lost athleticism. At times he looks like a statue with no quickness

[alenleomessi]

so brazil-spain final as expected.

[alenleomessi]

8 barca players starting for spain... add a healthy puyol over ramos, villa over soldado and montoya over arbeloa, and you have the full barca team minus messi and alves

[Lebowsky]

8 barca players starting for spain... add a healthy puyol over ramos, villa over soldado and montoya over arbeloa, and you have the full barca team minus messi and alves
This is not, however, our standard starting team. Alonso would be starting over Fabregas, and Pedro would be on the bench.
Edit: you're delusional if you think Montoya would play on this team, let alone start. Puyol's days as a starter are long gone as well.

[Mr Clutch Melo]

This is not, however, our standard starting team. Alonso would be starting over Fabregas, and Pedro would be on the bench.

Xabi Alonso has been pretty poor this season for Real Madrid ? You think there is a chance that he might be benched for Maritinez by next year ?

Nigeria impressing me but Spain look like the could care less

[Lebowsky]

Xabi Alonso has been pretty poor this season for Real Madrid ? You think there is a chance that he might be benched for Maritinez by next year ?

Nigeria impressing me but Spain look like the could care less
Martinez will definitely start in some time, but not yet. Alonso went through several nagging injuries last season, but he was still one of Real's best players quite often. Furthermore, he's a quite unique player, and his passing, vision and overall midfield control are needed on the NT.

Nigeria are definitely looking good, but as you said, Spain is barely jogging out there. That Musa kid has some incredible pace.

[alenleomessi]

This is not, however, our standard starting team. Alonso would be starting over Fabregas, and Pedro would be on the bench.
Edit: you're delusional if you think Montoya would play on this team, let alone start. Puyol's days as a starter are long gone as well.
i was just saying its possible and they could still dominate with a full barca team, unless they play germany.

and lol, madrid are eager to have carvajal back just so he could start over alvaro freaking arbeloa... that same carvajal cant start over montoya in the u21 team and deservedly so... do the math yourself.

[Lebowsky]

i was just saying its possible and they could still dominate with a full barca team, unless they play germany.

and lol, madrid are eager to have carvajal back just so he could start over alvaro freaking arbeloa... that same carvajal cant start over montoya in the u21 team and deservedly so... do the math yourself.
Okay this is where I stop talking to you.

[alenleomessi]

well i wasnt expecting you to continue arguing about arbeloa being better than anyone either.

super mario will miss the semi final

[alenleomessi]

no one watching the game?

it looks like there will be extra time and maybe penalties

[alenleomessi]

f*ck i jinxed it

2nd assist for neymar today

[imnew09]

Fken Neymar... :facepalm what a lil btch

[AllenIverson3]

Disgusting display by Neymar...

[alenleomessi]

lol neymar flopped and then took like 40 seconds to get subbed off, the ref was like move move move

[Jasi]

No one can afford to miss all those chances when playing vs Spain.
We will pay for that, oh we will

[bdreason]

Spain dominating the ball... Italy dominating the match.

[DuMa]

both teams missing out on prime scoring chances here.

[Lebowsky]

Man I hate these irrelevant tournaments, especially in that weather. Nobody moving, nobody giving a shit.

[b1imtf]

Why the **** is Arbeloa on NT?

[Lebowsky]

Why the **** is Arbeloa on NT?
We are short on experienced RBs. With that said, Arbeloa is a disgrace to world football and he should not be playing either for Real or for the NT. I'd rather have one of the excellent RB prospects from the U21 than him.

[b1imtf]

We are short on experienced RBs. With that said, Arbeloa is a disgrace to world football and he should not be playing either for Real or for the NT. I'd rather have one of the excellent RB prospects from the U21 than him.
You don't like C

[Lebowsky]

[QUOTE=b1imtf]You don't like C

[b1imtf]

You mean Azpilicueta, right? I never thought he was all that, but he's better than Arbeloa. Words can't express how much I hate Arbeloa, really.
Yes, I think he is pretty good... I don't like him either, as a big Real fan

[Mr Clutch Melo]

You mean Azpilicueta, right? I never thought he was all that, but he's better than Arbeloa. Words can't express how much I hate Arbeloa, really.

Carejval will be the first-choice or what do you think ? I think Arbeloa is a solid player , not as a starter but as a good backup.

[Lebowsky]

Carejval will be the first-choice or what do you think ? I think Arbeloa is a solid player , not as a starter but as a good backup.
I don't know, but I'm not too optimistic. Coaches are stubborn and have their circle of veteran players whom they trust (look at Del Bosque for example). Hopefully Ancelotti will come with a fresh, unbiased approach and will judge based on talent. I wouldn't mind Arbeloa as a back-up, but starting him is playing 10 vs. 11. Carvajal is an excellent prospect, I'd like to see what he can provide.

[Lebowsky]

Open question that just came to my mind. Who is everyone's favorite player to watch from an aesthetic point of view? Mine is probably Iniesta.

[Jasi]

Open question that just came to my mind. Who is everyone's favorite player to watch from an aesthetic point of view? Mine is probably Iniesta.

Same here.
Pirlo is also a joy to watch.
And the just poorer versions of them (Borja and Pizarro), I love watching them too. Pizarro in his playmaker spot has been faking out entire teams this season, beautiful.

And Fabregas is also a favourite of mine. I love his mix of technique and energy. He's a starter in every posible XI in my book.

All time, it would be Rui Costa :bowdown: a true maestro with a unique style.

[bdreason]

As much as I'd like to see a Spain vs Brazil final... Italy deserves this match.

[bdreason]

Both teams look tired.

[Lebowsky]

Both teams look tired.
Playing in a 30+ degree weather with 80%+ humidity is no joke.

[Lebowsky]

Same here.
Pirlo is also a joy to watch.
And the just poorer versions of them (Borja and Pizarro), I love watching them too. Pizarro in his playmaker spot has been faking out entire teams this season, beautiful.

And Fabregas is also a favourite of mine. I love his mix of technique and energy. He's a starter in every posible XI in my book.

All time, it would be Rui Costa :bowdown: a true maestro with a unique style.
Yes, Rui Costa was excellent. Unfortunately I didn't get to see much of his Fiorentina days. My all time would probably be Zidane, with honorable mentions for Totti and Laudrup.

[Jasi]

Funnily enough, we are going to play with a falso nueve now instead of the Spaniards.
Giovinco replacing Gilardino (who is about to die I think).

[Lebowsky]

Regardless of the final result, Italy really deserves this match.

[DuMa]

Spain defenders cant shoot for shit :facepalm

[SAKOTXA]

Italy has got away with 2 penalties, just in the past 10 mins.

[SAKOTXA]

Iniesta is amazing.

[MMM]

hmm i thought El Shaarawy might have got a look this game :confusedshrug:

[SAKOTXA]

Wow, Pique... :wtf:

[alenleomessi]

There better be penalties or i just wasted 120min of my life

[bdreason]

Mata makes one more pass and that's a goal. If he's going to take the shot, at least put it on target. Spain seems to struggle to score when Xavi and Ineista aren't giving the other players chip shots.

[b1imtf]

There better be penalties or i just wasted 120min of my life
:applause:

[bigkingsfan]

This could easily been a 3-2 game...

[Grinder]

Jesus Navas is awesome. Can't wait to watch him play for City.

[Lebowsky]

Jesus Navas is awesome. Can't wait to watch him play for City.
He'll be even better in England, with their fast pace and open spaces.

[imnew09]

what a game :bowdown:

[Jasi]

Had Xavi pulled a panenka, he'd have become my only idol for the rest of my life.

[bigkingsfan]

Figures all PK are going in...

[SAKOTXA]

Lol Casillas is getting shitted on

[MMM]

:cry:

[bigkingsfan]

Most people want to see Brazil/Spain... bring it on!

[SAKOTXA]

I knew Bonucci was going to miss that. The way he set the ball and looked, lol.

[Jasi]

Bonucci, fottiti tu e tutti i gobbi

[Lebowsky]

Great game, Italy. There's no shame in losing in the penalties, especially when you've been the better side. Hats off to you.

[Lebowsky]

Jasi, can't Giovinco play striker? I'd much rather have him up front than Gilardino, especially against a team like Spain.

[AllenIverson3]

Jasi, can't Giovinco play striker? I'd much rather have him up front than Gilardino, especially against a team like Spain.
Nah... He's way too small and skinny. He'd get bitched off the ball easily... He's a CF/winger

[Jasi]

Jasi, can't Giovinco play striker? I'd much rather have him up front than Gilardino, especially against a team like Spain.

He's crap for this level.
Tactically he's a trequartista/second striker... You surely can use him as a false 9, but I think Gila was the right choice, also because he's much more experienced and prepared to such level of competition.


By the way I just learnt that Spain have not allowed a single goal in KO stages of major tournaments in 6 YEARS :wtf:
Further confirmation that tiki taka is firstly a great defensive weapon.

[RagaZ]

Spain are CLUTCH:bowdown:

[bdreason]

Navas changed the game when he entered, great sub. Fitting that he gets the winning PK as well.


I thought Italy deserved to win (whatever that means), but wanted to see a Brazil v Spain final.

[Mr Clutch Melo]

Why does Aqualani get so much playing time on the NT, Jasi? He does not make anything of himself and seems rather uncomfertable with his role / posistion.

[Done_And_Done]

Nah... He's way too small and skinny. He'd get bitched off the ball easily... He's a CF/winger

I've been preaching these sentiments for quite some time now. Gio is a highly skilled play maker who would benefit mightily by adopting an attacking mid/wing role. His diminutive size and strength limit him as a singular last man striker. Don't know why he or his coaches can't see this...

[Jasi]

Why does Aqualani get so much playing time on the NT, Jasi? He does not make anything of himself and seems rather uncomfertable with his role / posistion.

Reasons why he gets playing time:
- He had a very good season in Fiorentina
- Prandelli likes to have a midfield with complete players who are good with the ball in their feet, are flexible and can contribute both defensively and offensively. In other words, no Gattusos anymore. Other than Pirlo who is the clear cut playmaker, all other midfielders can rotate positions almost indifferently (De Rossi, Montolivo, Marchisio, Candreva). Aquaman fits perfectly in this mold.

Now, the latter point above applies for Prandelli's usual formation (4-3-1-2). Alberto is perfect as the right or left MF there (he played as the right MF in Fiorentina's 4-3-3 this season). In this Conf Cup, Pranda changed formations a lot, and since Alberto is flexible he moved him pretty much everywhere (he also used him as the deep MF when Pirlo was injured vs Brazil). That's why he's not looked decisive as he can be.

[Jasi]

I've been preaching these sentiments for quite some time now. Gio is a highly skilled play maker who would benefit mightily by adopting an attacking mid/wing role. His diminutive size and strength limit him as a singular last man striker. Don't know why he or his coaches can't see this...

To be honest this was the only time that I saw Giovinco as a striker (and it was an emergency: we only had two strikers in the squad, Balotelli out with an injury and Gilardino had no more gas at all). In Juve he's always used in support of the striker.

But the truth, like I said before, is that Giovinco isn't adequate for high levels.
He will have very good matches vs the Siena's, Cagliari's, Nordsjaelland's or Japan's of this world. And that's it.

[Lebowsky]

Jasi, how much do you think a Fiorentina jersey might be?

[MMM]

So I'm not a hardcore soccer fan but how exactly did Spain build such a dominant team??? From what I remember they were considered perennial under achievers before this current run.

[LJJ]

- Prandelli likes to have a midfield with complete players who are good with the ball in their feet, are flexible and can contribute both defensively and offensively. In other words, no Gattusos anymore. Other than Pirlo who is the clear cut playmaker, all other midfielders can rotate positions almost indifferently

:applause:

I like this too.

[Lebowsky]

Btw, Aquaman has to be the coolest last name ever.

[LJJ]

Open question that just came to my mind. Who is everyone's favorite player to watch from an aesthetic point of view? Mine is probably Iniesta.

Homer pick perhaps, but for me it's Litmanen.

[Jasi]

Jasi, how much do you think a Fiorentina jersey might be?

Official jerseys (replicas) are usual around 70-80 euro here.

Here's the official store (http://www.fiorentinastore.com/gara_1/maglia-gara-2012-13_1): the 2012-13 kit is 70 now.
If you wait a few days, the new ones (2013-2014) will be announced *, so you will have the choice to take those (at around the same price I guess), or the old ones at a lower price.

The third jersey from the 2012-13 kit is awesome and is offered at 55 euro only.
http://www.fiorentinastore.com/images/products/270/img2.jpg
Of course it will not work if you are interested in a straightforward "viola" jersey, but it did have a lot of commercial success because it's made after the very first Fiorentina jersey, so there's a lot of history/emotion attached, at least for the Fiorentina fans. Also, it is actually quite nice aesthetically - but I guess no one in Spain (or Slovakia) will know you are wearing a Fiorentina jersey.


I do not know if you can find Fiorentina kits in stores in Spain but I would think so, since the provider is spanish itself (Joma); so maybe you can even find it at a lower price in Madrid... I am not sure though.


* nothing is know about them yet, except the third one will be dark grey.

[Jasi]

So I'm not a hardcore soccer fan but how exactly did Spain build such a dominant team??? From what I remember they were considered perennial under achievers before this current run.

A combination of a lot of factors of course, but I think these are the most relevant:
1) An extremely talented 1984-1988 generation (grown up in excellent football schools). Torres, Iniesta, Navas, Silva, Ramos, Pique, Fabregas, Pedro, Mata, Busquets, Javi Martinez are all in that age group. (Xavi is the "outlier" since he's an 1980).
2) The adoption of the tiqui taca style of play perfected during Guardiola's tenure at Barcelona (from 2008 on).

In my (maybe biased) opinion, the turning point was the win vs Italy at Euro 2008.
It doesn't matter that it only came after penalty kicks, because it was the sheer point of getting past Italy that mattered.
Italy were the reigning World Champions (in 2006) and Spain were considered, like you said, perennial underachievers. Spain's team in 2006 was already talented, featuring a lot of stars of the current winning generation (Casillas, Xabi Alonso, Villa, Torres...) but they were eliminated by France, who would then reach the finals only to be beaten by Italy.
So I think a huge psychological "block" was removed when they got the best of Italy in 2008. And that's were they started to dominate, exploiting the tiqui taca style.

[imnew09]

another penalty for Italy :roll:

[RagaZ]

Lets hope we get a great final.

This has to be the first time in many years, where Spain arent clear cut favorites in a match.

[kNIOKAS]

When does the finals start? Shouldn't it be now? I'm missing a stream, it feels like the game is not planed to start soon :confusedshrug:

[alenleomessi]

i think 1-1 and spain wins in extra time

[falc39]

anyone have a link to a good live stream??

[b1imtf]

i think 1-1 and spain wins in extra time
Let's hope for penalties

[qrich]

There we go

[b1imtf]

Well, that escalated quickly

[CeltsGarlic]

quick one

[Mr Clutch Melo]

Why so passive Casillas ?:facepalm :confusedshrug:

[CeltsGarlic]

Paulinho is such a skill, no wonder dude learned to play in lithuania.

[b1imtf]

****ing flopper

[Scoooter]

The acting in this sport is so embarrassing.

[CeltsGarlic]

The acting in this sport is so embarrassing.

yeah, makes me sad

[Bosnian Sajo]

yeah, makes me sad

Makes me angry :oldlol:

[alenleomessi]

Shouldnt ramos be sent off already?

[brownmamba00]

brasil is dominating that ass

[falc39]

wow david luiz!!!!

great save

[b1imtf]

Damn son

[Black Joker]

whew, Neymar with the awareness to get back onsides

[BrickingStar]

Neymar too good. If this is the worst Brazil team like some have said then Brazilians should be worshipped as gods at football because no country comes marginally close their lineage.

[brownmamba00]

what a pass by oscar

[The_Yearning]

Neymar

5 star weak foot
5 star skill moves

This dude is legit. And that play that Oscar just made... there is a reason he doesn't play like that at Chelsea.

[b1imtf]

This is getting bad

[b1imtf]

Neymar

5 star weak foot
5 star skill moves

This dude is legit. And that play that Oscar just made... there is a reason he doesn't play like that at Chelsea.
Because he's deployes in the wing... He "sucks" there

[falc39]

lol weak foul leads to penalty and they cant even get that

[b1imtf]

Ball don't lie

[BrickingStar]

Brazil :bowdown: :bowdown: Too easy

[alenleomessi]

Horrible year for spanish football. Brazil are obviously the favorites for wc now. They will only get better

[The_Yearning]

It's Germany's to lose

[alenleomessi]

It's Germany's to lose
based on what? what have they won? they lost it at home and you think its theirs to lose in south america? what kind of retarded logic is that?

there is still one year though a lot can change, i think del bosque should seriously consider getting xavi out of the starting lineup

btw

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/q71/1005429_10151723458325469_980935675_n.jpg

[The_Yearning]

based on what? what have they won? they lost it at home and you think its theirs to lose in south america? what kind of retarded logic is that?



At home... you mean 8 years ago? When only 1 or 2 players from that squad will actually be there in 2014? Stop slurping on that Spanish dick so hard.

[baseketball4life]

what a peach by Neymar. Brasil looking flawless. What a backline + GK combo they have, and many playmakers in midfield. Even their scrubbiest guy - Fred - fits great on this team with his experience and calm demeanor. He just sits up there and passively sets people up, and provides a change of pace (or lack there of) from guys like Oscar, Neymar, Hulk, Danny Alves.... this team looks primed for not only this CONFED Cup but next year at the WC in Brasil big time favorites.


6/15/2013 at 10:11PM yerrr :cheers: :cheers:

[Sarcastic]

Brazil got this 2014 :rockon:

[9erempiree]

Proud to be an American because of Brazil. They just killing it.

Spain always gets own by American teams. First it was U.S. and now it's by Brazil.

[Jasi]

It's just a Confederations Cup guys...

Spain and Germany are still the WC favourites if you ask me.

[9erempiree]

It's just a Confederations Cup guys...

Spain and Germany are still the WC favourites if you ask me.

:facepalm

[LJJ]

It's just a Confederations Cup guys...

Spain and Germany are still the WC favourites if you ask me.

True that. Many competitive teams though. That's the fun part of a WC, teams only need to get it together for one tournament.

[alenleomessi]

ehh spain and germany probably have more quality and more experience but the tournament is in south america so i think brazil and argentina are the slight favorite i would give them around 25% both.. spain and germany 20%... 10% for a surprise italy, england, belgium, france..

[East_Stone_Ya]

ehh spain and germany probably have more quality and more experience but the tournament is in south america so i think brazil and argentina are the slight favorite i would give them around 25% both.. spain and germany 20%... 10% for a surprise italy, england, belgium, france..

england is a hyped up by their media every time :facepalm

truth is they are average..have been like that for past 4-5 years already

[alenleomessi]

england is a hyped up by their media every time :facepalm

truth is they are average..have been like that for past 4-5 years already
well they have some quality players and their league is great so what do you expect

they were unlucky to play brazil in 2002 i think they could have made the final ( and still get beaten by brazil, but final>1/4 final )

im not writing off a team with that kind of players i dont care how much they have failed in the past ( if that lampard goal against germany wasnt disallowed who knows what could have happened.. or if they didnt choke in 2006 on those penalties against ricardo )

not favoruites obviously, but good enough to be a dark horse.

[BrickingStar]

well they have some quality players and their league is great so what do you expect

they were unlucky to play brazil in 2002 i think they could have made the final ( and still get beaten by brazil, but final>1/4 final )

im not writing off a team with that kind of players i dont care how much they have failed in the past ( if that lampard goal against germany wasnt disallowed who knows what could have happened.. or if they didnt choke in 2006 on those penalties against ricardo )

not favoruites obviously, but good enough to be a dark horse.
A league in which only 30% are eligible to play for the England NT.