Official General FIFA Thread

[Chris]

Typically painful day for an England fan. Knew they'd lose that way.

[Natedog24]

Today was a good day

[Smiling Assassin27]

Originally Posted by gyldenlove

Happy to see England go out, I never did like Roy Hodgson.

Right now Germany is looking pretty good as a favourite to win this thing.

Don't sleep on Spain. Even without Villa and Puyol they can own the midfield against any team still. Germany has size, strength and skill, but speed, ball possession and creativity go to Spain. Spain really is the only team that can match Germany's skill at every spot, IMO and they seem to be getting better with each successive game. Granted, they are inferior without Villa and Puyol will be sorely missed against a team like Germany, but I'd rate it a toss up.

[gyldenlove]

Originally Posted by Smiling Assassin27

Don't sleep on Spain. Even without Villa and Puyol they can own the midfield against any team still. Germany has size, strength and skill, but speed, ball possession and creativity go to Spain. Spain really is the only team that can match Germany's skill at every spot, IMO and they seem to be getting better with each successive game. Granted, they are inferior without Villa and Puyol will be sorely missed against a team like Germany, but I'd rate it a toss up.

Speed is definitely favouring Germany over Spain, Khedira, Ozil, Muller, Lahm and Boateng provide a ton of speed on the wings and down the center.

Possession is definitely favouring Spain.

Spain are not going to be able to move the ball around as easily against Germany or Portugal as they have in most of their matches and their lack of goal scoring can really come back to haunt them.

On a side note, interesting to see how groups A and D are no longer in the tournament - it could be an all group B or all group C final.

[brncs_fan]

Germany and Spain are clearly the class of Europe right now. Of those two, I would put Germany ahead of Spain in terms of talent and where I think they will finish in the tournament.

It will be interesting to see if another nation can step up in the World Cup in 2014 and challenge thee two.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by brncs_fan

Germany and Spain are clearly the class of Europe right now. Of those two, I would put Germany ahead of Spain in terms of talent and where I think they will finish in the tournament.

It will be interesting to see if another nation can step up in the World Cup in 2014 and challenge thee two.

I wouldn't count out the Brazilian's home field advantage in '14. In fact, I'd be surprised if they are not in the final. Those crowds in that football crazy country are going to be epic. Plus, home cookin' has it's advantages. I also think the Argentinians will be well supported and tough as well. Pretty close to home for their fans, and they usually travel well where ever the WC is played.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Originally Posted by Dutch

I wouldn't count out the Brazilian's home field advantage in '14. In fact, I'd be surprised if they are not in the final. Those crowds in that football crazy country are going to be epic. Plus, home cookin' has it's advantages. I also think the Argentinians will be well supported and tough as well. Pretty close to home for their fans, and they usually travel well where ever the WC is played.

Speaking of Argentina, Leo Messi is the best footballer playing right now.

[Schism]

Originally Posted by brncs_fan

Germany and Spain are clearly the class of Europe right now. Of those two, I would put Germany ahead of Spain in terms of talent and where I think they will finish in the tournament.

It will be interesting to see if another nation can step up in the World Cup in 2014 and challenge thee two.

Germany ahead of Spain on talent?

This Spanish team is one of the greatest groups of talent ever assembled. Xavi and Iniesta are two of the best midfielders to ever play the game. Fabregas would be the centrepiece of most teams but he barely gets a game for Spain so good are their other options. Germany has some quality in midfield, no question, but the only player they have who could push for a spot in Spain's team is Ozil, and even he'd struggle to get a game with David Silva as his competition.

A year ago Torres was considered one of the best strikers in the world, he's had a bad year in terms of form but ability wise he's comfortably better than the German strikers. Llorente is also very good.

Casillas is one of the best keepers in the game (as in Neuer for Germany, to be fair) and Piqué and Ramos are easily as good as anything the Germans have to offer. The only weakness in Spain's squad is the full back positions, where I'd concede that Germany are better (Lahm s a tremendous player)

Anything can happen in a once off game obviously, but it'll be a tremendous shock if Spain don't go on and retain their trophy.

There's a reason they're gunning for their 3rd major trophy in a row, namely that they're that damn good. We may be waiting a long time to see a group like them again.

[Schism]

Originally Posted by gyldenlove

Spain are not going to be able to move the ball around as easily against Germany or Portugal as they have in most of their matches and their lack of goal scoring can really come back to haunt them.

They'll absolutely dominate possession against every team they come up against, as they have done every game for the last few years.

As a group their first touch is incredible, they almost never miscontrol the ball or misplace a pass. Opposing teams know this which is why they just sit back and let Spain have it, you try and press them and they'll just run you around the pitch and take advantage of the space you leave in behind.

They can be beaten though. As you say they struggle to score goals. I think it's crazy that they've not been playing with a striker, when you have players like Alonso, Xavi, Silva and Iniesta on the field you need a striker who can put the ball in the net, not someone like Fabregas who's just more of the same.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by Mightysmurf

Speaking of Argentina, Leo Messi is the best footballer playing right now.

If he continues at this pace he will be GOAT

[s0phr0syne]

It's been more than a year since Torres was considered a premiere striker, but I agree with the general sentiment of your post.

A real curiosity for me was the failure to play Llorrente earlier on in the tournament. In particular, I really don't get why he wasn't paired with Navas in the closing minutes of some of those games. When you get Navas on the pitch as a fresh winger, it's a disservice not to have a true finisher in the box to capitalize on the opportunities he will generate.

[gyldenlove]

Originally Posted by s0phr0syne

It's been more than a year since Torres was considered a premiere striker, but I agree with the general sentiment of your post.

A real curiosity for me was the failure to play Llorrente earlier on in the tournament. In particular, I really don't get why he wasn't paired with Navas in the closing minutes of some of those games. When you get Navas on the pitch as a fresh winger, it's a disservice not to have a true finisher in the box to capitalize on the opportunities he will generate.

Spain really lacks a true striker who is on form, Villa with his injury and Torres has been disappointing and Llorente wasn't even a top 5 scorer in the league.

I am wondering why they didn't bring Soldado.

[brncs_fan]

Originally Posted by Schism

Germany ahead of Spain on talent?

Probably a bit of stretch there on my part but I really don't think they are that far apart.

Germany was right there with Spain in both the WC and the previous Euro competitions. Their biggest problem is that they get stuck playing their opponents game from time to time and not their own (i.e. the Spain game in the WC). But they do have a lot of really good players, both veteran and young, who could start for any team in the tournament. Some of the people on their bench could be starters for other countries. Even their superstars in Klose and Muller are having trouble finding playing time.

We will see. Spain has to get past Portugal first.

[Schism]

Originally Posted by s0phr0syne

It's been more than a year since Torres was considered a premiere striker, but I agree with the general sentiment of your post.

A real curiosity for me was the failure to play Llorrente earlier on in the tournament. In particular, I really don't get why he wasn't paired with Navas in the closing minutes of some of those games. When you get Navas on the pitch as a fresh winger, it's a disservice not to have a true finisher in the box to capitalize on the opportunities he will generate.

They seem intent on playing a pure possession game which I suppose is why Llorente hasn't gotten a chance.

Personally I wish they were a bit more adventurous in their play, i'd always want at least one striker on the field. But I suppose this style has gotten them this far so why change it?

[Schism]

Originally Posted by brncs_fan

Probably a bit of stretch there on my part but I really don't think they are that far apart.

Germany was right there with Spain in both the WC and the previous Euro competitions. Their biggest problem is that they get stuck playing their opponents game from time to time and not their own (i.e. the Spain game in the WC). But they do have a lot of really good players, both veteran and young, who could start for any team in the tournament. Some of the people on their bench could be starters for other countries. Even their superstars in Klose and Muller are having trouble finding playing time.

We will see. Spain has to get past Portugal first.

Indeed, Portugal will need Ronaldo to be at his very best if they're to upset Spain though. He's been brilliant these last two games, I think this will be a step too far for them though.

Italy are going to give Germany a good game though, very good side from back to front.

[Smiling Assassin27]

Originally Posted by Schism

They seem intent on playing a pure possession game which I suppose is why Llorente hasn't gotten a chance.

Personally I wish they were a bit more adventurous in their play, i'd always want at least one striker on the field. But I suppose this style has gotten them this far so why change it?

Spain does what they do best--walk the ball into the goal. Winning ugly has always been better than losing pretty and every Spanish player will tell you that, although calling Spain's style 'ugly' is sheer lunacy.

Llorente gets his chance tomorrow, i believe, as Spain might be a bit gassed. Dude's a heading machine and can close a lot like Torres used to. I too believe that Italy just may get Germany to PK's.

[Beantown Bronco]

Anyone watching this one? I'll have to wait until I get home......keeping the espn gamecast running in the background, though. Looks like Spain's doing their usual possession thing and Ronaldo will be resorting to his usual diving to try to get free kick chances.

[Schism]

Portugal doing very well so far, Spain struggling to assert themselves.

[OrangeSe7en]

Originally Posted by Schism

Germany ahead of Spain on talent?

This Spanish team is one of the greatest groups of talent ever assembled. Xavi and Iniesta are two of the best midfielders to ever play the game. Fabregas would be the centrepiece of most teams but he barely gets a game for Spain so good are their other options. Germany has some quality in midfield, no question, but the only player they have who could push for a spot in Spain's team is Ozil, and even he'd struggle to get a game with David Silva as his competition.

A year ago Torres was considered one of the best strikers in the world, he's had a bad year in terms of form but ability wise he's comfortably better than the German strikers. Llorente is also very good.

Casillas is one of the best keepers in the game (as in Neuer for Germany, to be fair) and Piqué and Ramos are easily as good as anything the Germans have to offer. The only weakness in Spain's squad is the full back positions, where I'd concede that Germany are better (Lahm s a tremendous player)

Anything can happen in a once off game obviously, but it'll be a tremendous shock if Spain don't go on and retain their trophy.

There's a reason they're gunning for their 3rd major trophy in a row, namely that they're that damn good. We may be waiting a long time to see a group like them again.

There have been some Dutch teams that put Spain's talent to shame. And, for whatever reason, they've come up short. Some of those Dutch teams had players like Overmars, David, and Seedorf. Plus they had a lot more firepower at forward with both Bergkamp and Kluivert.

Spain itself might have had more individual talent in past years. They were kind of similar to the Netherlands for a long time. Talent isn't always what tips the scales.

[Smiling Assassin27]

Portugal is pressing everywhere which has thrown Spain's spacing and timing off. Still, Spain got the better of the on-goal chances but Portugal's doing exactly what all of Spain's other opponents (excluding Italy, who got gassed pressing all game) would not. Can they keep it up for another 45 and 30?

Spain has better bench depth and I think we'll see Llorente/Torres, Navas and/or Pedro which could break the game open. That Spanish back line still worries me, though.

[OrangeSe7en]

Originally Posted by Dutch

I wouldn't count out the Brazilian's home field advantage in '14. In fact, I'd be surprised if they are not in the final. Those crowds in that football crazy country are going to be epic. Plus, home cookin' has it's advantages. I also think the Argentinians will be well supported and tough as well. Pretty close to home for their fans, and they usually travel well where ever the WC is played.

It also brings a lot of pressure with it.

[Houshyamama]

Originally Posted by Schism

Germany ahead of Spain on talent?

This Spanish team is one of the greatest groups of talent ever assembled. Xavi and Iniesta are two of the best midfielders to ever play the game. Fabregas would be the centrepiece of most teams but he barely gets a game for Spain so good are their other options. Germany has some quality in midfield, no question, but the only player they have who could push for a spot in Spain's team is Ozil, and even he'd struggle to get a game with David Silva as his competition.

A year ago Torres was considered one of the best strikers in the world, he's had a bad year in terms of form but ability wise he's comfortably better than the German strikers. Llorente is also very good.

Casillas is one of the best keepers in the game (as in Neuer for Germany, to be fair) and Piqué and Ramos are easily as good as anything the Germans have to offer. The only weakness in Spain's squad is the full back positions, where I'd concede that Germany are better (Lahm s a tremendous player)

Anything can happen in a once off game obviously, but it'll be a tremendous shock if Spain don't go on and retain their trophy.

There's a reason they're gunning for their 3rd major trophy in a row, namely that they're that damn good. We may be waiting a long time to see a group like them again.

That is an understatement. Torres is in awful form, and form is almost everything in soccer.

I think you underrate Germany's talent. Spain is in its own talent class for sure, but Germany is a close second.

[ludo21]

go portugal!!

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by OrangeSe7en

It also brings a lot of pressure with it.

For most teams I would agree with that, with the Brazilians...not so much. They are a pretty loose and laid back group on the pitch as a whole. I was referring to the help the home team gets from the officiating amongst other things. Uraguay are going to be another team to watch from SA. The Argintines and the Brazilians were both early exits at this year's Copa America. Uraguay looked fantastic. Good blend of youth and experience. They finished 4th in the last WC and are probably the soundest squad front to back in SA right now.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by OrangeSe7en

There have been some Dutch teams that put Spain's talent to shame. And, for whatever reason, they've come up short. Some of those Dutch teams had players like Overmars, David, and Seedorf. Plus they had a lot more firepower at forward with both Bergkamp and Kluivert.

Spain itself might have had more individual talent in past years. They were kind of similar to the Netherlands for a long time. Talent isn't always what tips the scales.

The biggest problems for the Dutch in recent history have been infighting and egos. Sucks, as they are my favorite team. I've been a huge fan of the "Total Football" style of play since I was a kid. That said, I was glad to see them lose in the last WC final. That was a pathetic display of all that is wrong with Football.