Spain - Russia

[Diamond]

I'm really looking forward to this one. Spain played some very nice footie in 2006 and I expect more of the same. However, as a Gooner, I'm a bit miffed that Cesc can't get near a starting berth.

So, Spanish football experts, what are your top tips for scoreline, goalscorers and performers?

 

[kained&able]

Im picking russia as my dark horse to win the championships.

If spain dont bottle it the likes of xavi, iniesta, torres, villa, are virtually unstopable. Think they have at least one amazing winger as well(joquiem is spanish isnt he?)

But i have evry confidence in the spainish team fucking up and thier coach is a cock of epic proportions so im hoping russia get at least a draw.

dave

 

[Dillinger4]

Im picking russia as my dark horse to win the championships.

If spain dont bottle it the likes of xavi, iniesta, torres, villa, are virtually unstopable. Think they have at least one amazing winger as well(joquiem is spanish isnt he?)

But i have evry confidence in the spainish team fucking up and thier coach is a cock of epic proportions so im hoping russia get at least a draw.

dave

Joaquin? Yeh he is Spanish, and a brilliant winger.



I reckon Spain will fall apart, myself.

 

[Diamond]

But Joaquin didn't make the cut. Which is surprising when you look at Spain's squad. No matter how miserable his season was, wingers are seemingly very scarce. In fact looking at their squad I can't see a single player who would be expected to hug the touchline.

That's the strange thing about international tournaments. Managers usually pick players based on their form over a season but it's often the case that the best teams or players tend to manufacture their own form over the tournament and surprise everyone.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Spain always do. Fall apart, that is. You'd have to be mad to bet on them to win a tournament. Their team isn't considered all that important in Spain from what I've heard, and most people have only a vague interest in how they do. Donna may be along to correct that, of course.

It may even be worth betting on Russia to get something in this game, maybe a draw.

Who remembers the Spain v Greece game in euro 2004? Spain started really well, and it looked as if they would slaughter greece, and it ended up a very frustrating 1-1.

 

[TrippyLondoner]

Russia have a very good manager and i think that could be key for them in this tournament, got a feeling this will be a draw.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Betfair offering 3.75 for the draw and 6 for the russia win :eek;

 

[g force]

But Joaquin didn't make the cut. Which is surprising when you look at Spain's squad. No matter how miserable his season was, wingers are seemingly very scarce. In fact looking at their squad I can't see a single player who would be expected to hug the touchline.

That's the strange thing about international tournaments. Managers usually pick players based on their form over a season but it's often the case that the best teams or players tend to manufacture their own form over the tournament and surprise everyone.

Why on earth would we want a fat winger who's had the worst season of his career. Glad he didn't make it TBH - no one should live on past glories. Same deal for Raul we've got to move on.

This is a tough game but I think we'll do it. The starting team looks strong plus the bench with Villa and/or Guiza (40 odd goals between them this season) and Cesc.

Just hope we don't over do it in midfield....Senna should play the holding role to give Xavi more space to go forward.

But i'm sure we'll be robbed by the Ref again this tournament

 

[Diamond]

Fair enough but are there any wingers in that squad? Where's the width?

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

But i'm sure we'll be robbed by the Ref again this tournament

To be fair, you blew it all by yourselves at the last world cup and euro 2004. How you didn't beat greece about 4-0 in that group game in the last euros I'll never know...

I agree about world cup 2002 though, that was one of the single most scandalously refereed games I've ever seen, or am ever likely to see again.

 

[Donna Ferentes]

Spain always do. Fall apart, that is. You'd have to be mad to bet on them to win a tournament. Their team isn't considered all that important in Spain from what I've heard, and most people have only a vague interest in how they do. Donna may be along to correct that, of course.

Well, everybody's keeping pretty quiet about it so far, and it's hard to judge anyway since people here don't find it necessary to drape flags all over the place to show how in-your-face they can be.

Also, everybody's aware of the historical tendency to fuck it up and so nobody's going to go mad about it yet.

Of course, if they sweep through the qualifying group with ease that will presumably all change.

Can I observe that all comments about whether bets would or would not be "mad" depend on what odds are available.

Come on Russia.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Well, everybody's keeping pretty quiet about it so far, and it's hard to judge anyway since people here don't find it necessary to drape flags all over the place to show how in-your-face they can be.

Also, everybody's aware of the historical tendency to fuck it up and so nobody's going to go mad about it yet.

True. But isn't it also that, due to the much greater regional identification in Spain, there isn't much affiliation to the national team at all, and club football is far more important? I remember someone comparing the Spain team with what it might be like if we had a "UK" team instead of the home nations ones...

 

[belboid]

Spain will start superbly, sail through the group, and then go out to a French team just starting to find their feet.

 

[E.J.]

Looking foward to see how the Spanish will get on against the Russians. It wouldn't suprise me in the least if the Russian's get a draw, even without Andrei Arshavin - suspended for two matches & Igor Pogbregniak (who's out of the tourament). Plus of course the crafty tactical acumen of Guus Hiddink.

 

[belboid]

True. But isn't it also that, due to the much greater regional identification in Spain, there isn't much affiliation to the national team at all, and club football is far more important? I remember someone comparing the Spain team with what it might be like if we had a "UK" team instead of the home nations ones...

many regions are meant to like the notion of 'Spain', but the best players are catalan or basque and don't give a fuck.

 

[g force]

That's sort of true...but also far more complex than I have time or energy to explain right now. So yes, "Spain" is sort of like a UK team in terms of different languages, affiliations etc.

However, right now the team is more balanced/diverse than I can ever remember between different clubs whereas before there have been very definite periods of it being dominated by Barca, Madrid (Real and Atleti).

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Would you say that the team is more supported than in the past because of that?

 

[g force]

Not sure "more supported" would be correct, perhaps more people following it is closer to the mark....like looking vaguely in the direction of the TV while in a bar.

If you're use to going down the pub to watch and England match you'd be amazed if you went to La Coruna or Bilbao while Spain are playing at the number of places where no one is bothering to watch. It's much less of an event to many people.

Of course that doesn't stop every single person in said bar having an opinion on the team

 

[tommers]

Not sure "more supported" would be correct, perhaps more people following it is closer to the mark....like looking vaguely in the direction of the TV while in a bar.

If you're use to going down the pub to watch and England match you'd be amazed if you went to La Coruna or Bilbao while Spain are playing at the number of places where no one is bothering to watch. It's much less of an event to many people.

Of course that doesn't stop every single person in said bar having an opinion on the team

yeah, I remember being in a bar in bilbao when the spanish team were playing. I can't remember if they were just not bothered or actually booing them.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Quite decent thus far...

 

[Balbi]

Good goal. Villa FTW.

 

[Dillinger4]

get in!!

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Very well worked

 

[TrippyLondoner]

Great goal.

 

[g force]

We fucking rule*




*I know this will come back to haunt me

 

[TrippyLondoner]

We fucking rule*




*I know this will come back to haunt me

It nearly did just then with russia hitting the post.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Pulsating game, like a (good) premiership match.

 

[g force]

*covers eyes*


This is gonna be a tough match to watch

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Best game so far IMO

 

[Relahni]

Best game so far IMO

not that difficult though.