We have not done too much coverage of one of the biggest soccer tournaments in Europe, but today we will talk briefly about the first game of the final four of Euro 2012.
Tomorrow is the first game between Portugual and Spain. A clash of Iberian penninsula rivals, this should be a great game because one of the worlds best (Christiano Ronaldo) will be playing against arguably the best team ever in Spain. Spain is blessed with players such as Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Busquets (whom all play on the same team Barcelona), Xabi Alonso in the midfield which allows them to dictate every game to fit their style. Now some have called the tiki-taki style Spain play boring but the truth is that it is a beautiful show a soccer at its most perfect form.
Portugal on the other hand rely heavily on Christiano Ronaldo, not to say others do not contribute such as Moutinho, Nani and even Pepe but the truth is that he is the alpha male on this team. If he plays up to his potential they normally win, if not things get ugly. The defense of this team is very solid and has loads of experience. Many of the players on Portugal's roster play in the Spanish La Liga against the best (including Barcelona) so they are used to having to deal with not having much possession, which is how Spain beats teams.
More After the Break
Tomorrow is the first game between Portugual and Spain. A clash of Iberian penninsula rivals, this should be a great game because one of the worlds best (Christiano Ronaldo) will be playing against arguably the best team ever in Spain. Spain is blessed with players such as Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Busquets (whom all play on the same team Barcelona), Xabi Alonso in the midfield which allows them to dictate every game to fit their style. Now some have called the tiki-taki style Spain play boring but the truth is that it is a beautiful show a soccer at its most perfect form.
Portugal on the other hand rely heavily on Christiano Ronaldo, not to say others do not contribute such as Moutinho, Nani and even Pepe but the truth is that he is the alpha male on this team. If he plays up to his potential they normally win, if not things get ugly. The defense of this team is very solid and has loads of experience. Many of the players on Portugal's roster play in the Spanish La Liga against the best (including Barcelona) so they are used to having to deal with not having much possession, which is how Spain beats teams.
More After the Break
It is not uncommon for Spain to have 70% of the possession. Imagine if an NFL or NBA team had the ball 70% of the game, wouldn't they win most of the time as well? Spain is beatable, the U.S. was able to knock off Spain in 2009 at the Confederations Cup (a year before Spain has won the Euro 2008 tournament). The following year Spain won the World Cup. Spain is beatable, they do not always win. To many times a challenger to Spain will sit in a defensive shell and allow Spain to freely pass around them. Teams challenging Spain need to play their own style and attack Spain head on, be physical and get in their face. Spain is truly one of the best teams to ever play the beautiful game, but the beauty of sports is that on any given night a team like Spain can be beaten. That is why the game is played.
Further Reading:
-http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1115698/bennettis-spain-too-good.html
-http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1113649/bennettspain-smothers-lackluster-france.html
Further Reading:
-http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1115698/bennettis-spain-too-good.html
-http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1113649/bennettspain-smothers-lackluster-france.html