Maradona37
Well-known member
Yamal's dad is younger than Navas 
Euro 2024
- Thread starter BerkeleyBernie
- Start date
Loki
Well-known member
His grandpa is probably younger than PepeYamal's dad is younger than Navas
Maradona37
Well-known member
Hahaha.
Maradona37
Well-known member
Yeah they have done well - since it became a 16 team tournament in 1996 (and now 24) no team has gone 6 games without needing a penalty shootout I believe i.e. no team has won it without needing penalties at some point. I am pretty sure that is correct.
jamrock
Senior Member
Yep true, didn't need PKs to win any game, against those teams, incredible stuff.
Maradona37
Well-known member
Someone like Leao has insane hype in the media because he looks flashy and runs fast, despite being an average player. Olmo isn't as flashy but definitely a more impactful player, but has nowhere near the hype of a Leao or Felix. Leo and Felix aren't smart enough to do that touch Olmo did and 100 percent fire that shot into the stands on their left foot. It's that decision making that counts. That's part of the reason for me that teams like Portugal were so overhyped coming into this tournament, and people slept on Spain - overrating of some players in some squads and undervaluing of other players in other squads.
It was strange how fewer people were talking about Spain pre-tournament than France or England or Portugal. Spain have struggled in recent years, but they have the best DM in the world, a hard-working number 9, other good midfielders, solid enough CBs, and in Carvajal (who was suspended tonight) a full-back who has been there and done it all. And they now have cutting edge with the two players on the wing, one of whom could be the best player in the world in the future.
On top of all that - they PLAY like a cohesive team and unit, which is rare in international football. Their movement in the first half pulled apart the French and then they controlled the ball in the second. These will always mean more than what Portugal have - a collection of hyped up 'names' thrown together with no clue how to progress the ball or play cohesive football, and relying on counter-attack to feed a past it geriatric.
It was strange how fewer people were talking about Spain pre-tournament than France or England or Portugal. Spain have struggled in recent years, but they have the best DM in the world, a hard-working number 9, other good midfielders, solid enough CBs, and in Carvajal (who was suspended tonight) a full-back who has been there and done it all. And they now have cutting edge with the two players on the wing, one of whom could be the best player in the world in the future.
On top of all that - they PLAY like a cohesive team and unit, which is rare in international football. Their movement in the first half pulled apart the French and then they controlled the ball in the second. These will always mean more than what Portugal have - a collection of hyped up 'names' thrown together with no clue how to progress the ball or play cohesive football, and relying on counter-attack to feed a past it geriatric.
Maradona37
Well-known member
Would be even cooler if they had beaten Germany in 90 minutes, but yeah, even doing it without penalties would be a huge achievement.
El Ilusionista
Active member
If Flick flops, De La Fuenta would also be a very good manager for us. Imagine what he could do with Gavi, FDJ, Gundo, Pedri etc.
Daring and direct football too nothing of that boring side pass Lucho football.
Daring and direct football too nothing of that boring side pass Lucho football.
jamrock
Senior Member
He does know our core of players very well.
Gnidrologist
Senior Member
He stops being daring once one nil up, so no. The worst thing that always happen to naive Barca or Spain - trying to defend a one goal lead.
Maradona37
Well-known member
They're in the final now which is really good, and they clearly play like a Pep team. But yes, Spain were at their best when Del Bosque basically copied Pep by playing all his Barca players and aping his style of football (minus Messi). Pep has influenced everything - no way Spain win those three tournaments in a row without his blueprint. Pep had the tools in Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta, and he molded them into amazing players, took them up a level or two, then Del Bosque took advantage after Aragones. He built his midfield and the heart of his team around them, the two Barca CBs (before Puyol was too old and Ramos moved there from RB), and supplemented it with some players from Real Madrid and other clubs.
Only one player who started the 2010 WC Final (Capdevila) didn't play for a Clasico team. And 7 of the starting lineup were Barcelona players. That was the blueprint that led to success.
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FinBarcelonafan
Well-known member
In the end, you have to take in account Spain's past few tournaments, they couldn't create **** without Yamal and Williams. They needed these gamebreaking wingers to do anything. That's why they are surprise of the tournament. Nobody expect this sort of performance from either of them.
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