Confederations cup 15th-30th june

Gbear

Nigeria seem to follow a slightly more refined style of the technically solid, athletic but somewhat erratic archetype of African football.

There's some tidy looking players there. It just breaks down a bit when they get in key positions.
Mikel has been interesting. He's looks better running with the ball and driving forward than he does as a deep lying DM.

citytillidie

7-0 Saurez

GTR63

citytillidie wrote: »

7-0 Saurez

Ah Luis' good twin.

Gbear

citytillidie wrote: »

7-0 tyrannoSaurez

What with both of them being a bit bitey I suppose it's easy to confuse them.:pac:

citytillidie

GTR63 wrote: »

Ah Luis' good twin.

Yep or damn iOS auto correct

aindriu80

long ball great goal.

miralize

Alba, Alba, Alba. Fantastic, best left back in the universe. He has a long future as a player, coach, manager & president of Barcelona & Spain!!!!

MD1990

Jordi Alba just never stops running
best attacking LB in the world

Fowler87

Left back :eek:

Andersonisgod

Goal! Goal! Goal! Alba gets his second! Quick thinking and lively delivery from Villa with a quick freekick, the pace and composure of Alba never fails to impress. Such a high quality player.

miralize

MD1990 wrote: »

Jordi Alba just never stops running
best attacking LB in the world

This. Up there with Alaba.

keith16

Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! For URUGUAY! The two time champions of the World now hold a commanding 7-0 lead over their Oceania counterparts. The imperious Luis Saurez, only on the pitch a matter of minutes, goes on a mazy run, to the utter bewilderment of the Tahitian defender, sending him one way, and then another, before brilliantly sliding the ball home past the despairing desperate dive of the luckless Tahitian goalkeeper.

Surely this will set the platform for Uruguay to go on and claim a third World Crown, and few will surely bet against such an outcome next summer when the modern day footballing aristocrats of South America descend on neighbouring Brazil next year. A team whom they famously defeated in their own back yard to famously take the Jules Rimet back across the Amazon.

History, is simply destined to repeat itself - Libertad o Muerte

citytillidie

8-0 Suarez 2nd and now Uruguays top goal scorer

miralize

Andersonisgod wrote: »

Goal! Goal! Goal! Alba gets his second! Quick thinking and lively delivery from Villa with a quick freekick, the pace and composure of Alba never fails to impress. Such a high quality player.

Sorry lad, I've replaced you.

citytillidie

All over for Tahiti

Knex*

miralize wrote: »

Sorry lad, I've replaced you.

I took his job way back when they played Uruguay but he refused to resign.

GTR63

keith16 wrote: »

Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! For URUGUAY! The two time champions of the World

Wait a minute 2>1 therefore Uruguay are a better team than Spain, thats simple mathematics lads.

keith16

Another GOAAALL! Uruguay now lead 8 zip. Suarez is again on target and with men like him, Forlan and Cavani in their ranks, the imposing South American giants of football have sounded out a warning to their rivals for the confederations and World crowns. This is simply irresistible and even now, the Tahitian fans (who ave descended on Brazil in their millions) stand and applaud the sheer brilliance unfolding before them.

The referee mercifully blows his whistle and ends the nightmare for Tahiti - a nightmare that is only starting for those remaining in the confederations cup. Libertad o Muerte

aindriu80

Tahiti conceded 24 goals

Andersonisgod

miralize wrote: »

Sorry lad, I've replaced you.

Good, honestly Spain don't get the appreciation they deserve on here. Tonight they've played in second gear, they've played quite conservatively to save energy and not risk injury with the semi final coming up and yet they've scored 3 goals tonight and not conceded. They've won all 3 group games, they're on a different level to any other team in this tournament and, IMO, any other team in the world. You hear the eulogising of the great Brazilian or Dutch teams of the past, well this Spanish side deserve as much, if not more, admiration. If you want to add to that admiration then I'd only be too happy for that.

keith16

GTR63 wrote: »

Wait a minute 2>1 therefore Uruguay are a better team than Spain, thats simple mathematics lads.

Ridiculous. Uruguay were never going to expose their tactical brilliance to the Spanish so early on in the tournament. Spain will meet the true Uruguay in the final (assuming Spain get there of course).

Then you will all see, Uruguay are an inevitable footballing force.

2 worlds cups > 1

EDIT: I have misread your post, you are indeed correct sir.

MD1990

Andersonisgod wrote: »

Good, honestly Spain don't get the appreciation they deserve on here. Tonight they've played in second gear, they've played quite conservatively to save energy and not risk injury with the semi final coming up and yet they've scored 3 goals tonight and not conceded. They've won all 3 group games, they're on a different level to any other team in this tournament and, IMO, any other team in the world. You hear the eulogising of the great Brazilian or Dutch teams of the past, well this Spanish side deserve as much, if not more, admiration. If you want to add to that admiration then I'd only be too happy for that.

they didn't concede because Nigeria left there best strikers at home or were injured
i think Brazil or Italy can beat Spain as there poor in defence

DenMan

I would like to say well done and congratulations to Tahiti for qualifying and taking part in the Confederations Cup 2013 in Brazil. Well done boys! You've done your country so proud! For a nation who are amateur to have even qualified for a professional soccer tournament is a tremendous achievement. So much so that the President of Tahiti suspended the parliament and gave everybody a half day in work so they could see the opening game! It's all about making progress! I hope FIFA encourages and supports the game in Tahiti and that you grow and develop as a footballing nation! Keep those heads held high boys!!! Well done again!!!

Fowler87

aindriu80 wrote: »

Tahiti conceded 24 goals

Back to their Tropical Island now with their Eva Mendes lookalike wives. Tough aul life

klose

Very tastey semi finals, really enoying this tournament

keith16

klose wrote: »

Very tastey semi finals, really enoying this tournament

So it's:

Brazil v Uruguay

Italy v Spain

That right?

Andersonisgod

MD1990 wrote: »

they didn't concede because Nigeria left there best strikers at home or were injured
i think Brazil or Italy can beat Spain as there poor in defence

Prepare to be surprised. Honestly I never understand where the idea that their defence is poor comes from. They usually have over 60% of the ball (a form of defence) and they've got a world class keeper, back four and holding midfielder. They don't concede that easily.

Turtwig

Andersonisgod wrote: »

Goal! Goal! Goal! Alba gets his second! Quick thinking and lively delivery from Villa with a quick freekick, the pace and composure of Alba never fails to impress. Such a high quality player.

Hmm meh! 6.5/10

miralize wrote: »

Alba, Alba, Alba. Fantastic, best left back in the universe. He has a long future as a player, coach, manager & president of Barcelona & Spain!!!!

Great stuff! 8.9/10

Fowler87 wrote: »

Left back :eek:

Utterly fantastic! Short and concise and full of emotion! 10/10

Knex*

Fully agree with that analysis, Jernal. The emoticon really just takes it on to the next level.

World class stuff.

SlickRic

bollocks to the notion Spain don't get the credit they deserve. absolute bollocks to that. don't talk that shíte.

it's whenever their status as deities is questioned, that seems to be when the familiar cries of "they don't get credit" come out.

kills me.

keith16

Knex. wrote: »

Fully agree with that analysis, Jernal. The emoticon really just takes it on to the next level.

World class stuff.

The lack of punctuation and context also adds a layer of depth not yet seen before on these boards.

Andersonisgod

SlickRic wrote: »

bollocks to the notion Spain don't get the credit they deserve. absolute bollocks to that. don't talk that shíte.

it's whenever their status as deities is questioned, that seems to be when the familiar cries of "they don't get credit" come out.

kills me.

Honestly I disagree. You hear Kenny Cunningham before the game insinuating that their style of football is boring and that he enjoys making tea during their games. He then goes on to say that he'd rather Germany and the way they play. Ridiculous. Were pundits talking like that about Brazil in 1970? I doubt it. You saw it all over the British media last Summer during Euro 2012. This is the greatest team of their generation, a nation that's creating so many technically gifted footballers at all levels. Personally I think they warrant more praise than they receive and I think that all of us can almost sometimes be passé about the regular brilliance which they produce.

keith16

Andersonisgod wrote: »

Honestly I disagree. You hear Kenny Cunningham before the game insinuating that their style of football is boring and that he enjoys making tea during their games. He then goes on to say that he'd rather Germany and the way they play. Ridiculous.

He's entitled to his opinion of course.

Andersonisgod

keith16 wrote: »

He's entitled to his opinion of course.

Of course, I simply found it rather disrespectful of a team that have won Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, Euro 2012 and are now into the semi final of the Confederations Cup. All of it playing a style of football that has changed the game.

Nuri Sahin

Sending offs aside, highlights of the Uruguay game:

Turtwig

The team that wins stuff doesn't necessarily have to be the most entertaining. Just look at Donegal. (sorry:o)

I do think people are misguiding in saying Germany are entertaining. Bayern Munich maybe but Germany not so much. There is a caveat there and that's that Munich need teams to actually go at them and attack them for the game to be entertaining.

Italy and Spain should be entertaining because Italy have the technical ability to openly face Spain. Whether they choose to do so though is another question. Don't expect a 4-0 hovering again. (Hovering? I'm sure I've heard that word used in a context like this.)

klose

Andersonisgod wrote: »

Honestly I disagree. You hear Kenny Cunningham before the game insinuating that their style of football is boring and that he enjoys making tea during their games. He then goes on to say that he'd rather Germany and the way they play. Ridiculous. Were pundits talking like that about Brazil in 1970? I doubt it. You saw it all over the British media last Summer during Euro 2012. This is the greatest team of their generation, a nation that's creating so many technically gifted footballers at all levels. Personally I think they warrant more praise than they receive and I think that all of us can almost sometimes be passé about the regular brilliance which they produce.

Spain get plenty of plaudits world wide and are recognised as the best national team ever perhaps by most people if not all. Just cause kenny likes to make tea while watching them and the rest of us dont wax lyrical about every pass they make dosent mean they get enough credit.

SlickRic

Andersonisgod wrote: »

You hear Kenny Cunningham before the game insinuating that their style of football is boring and that he enjoys making tea during their games.

some of the games are boring. not Spain's fault, but their keep ball produces some boring games.

He then goes on to say that he'd rather Germany and the way they play. Ridiculous.

his opinion, plus, Germany's style is more direct. some people prefer that.

Were pundits talking like that about Brazil in 1970? I doubt it.

what a random, unsubstantiated point to make.

You saw it all over the British media last Summer during Euro 2012.

not really now. everyone fawns over Spain. one or 2 pundits finding them a bit boring does not mean it was "all over the media".

This is the greatest team of their generation, a nation that's creating so many technically gifted footballers at all levels.

more power to them. that fact is admired by everybody.

Personally I think they warrant more praise than they receive and I think that all of us can almost sometimes be passé about the regular brilliance which they produce.

what the holy fúck do you want? weekly parades? medals?

i've never seen more mass public gushing over a team or nation than I have Spain over the last 5 or 6 years. actually, no, maybe Barcelona actually.

honestly, what more do you fúcking well want?

GTR63

Fowler87 wrote: »

Back to their Tropical Island now with their Eva Mendes lookalike wives. Tough aul life

Wait WHAT!
I need pics to prove this and then a one way plane ticket to Tahiti.

Andersonisgod

SlickRic wrote: »

some of the games are boring. not Spain's fault, but their keep ball produces some boring games.



his opinion, plus, Germany's style is more direct. some people prefer that.



what a random, unsubstantiated point to make.



not really now. everyone fawns over Spain. one or 2 pundits finding them a bit boring does not mean it was "all over the media".



more power to them. that fact is admired by everybody.



what the holy fúck do you want? weekly parades? medals?

i've never seen more mass public gushing over a team or nation than I have Spain over the last 5 or 6 years. actually, no, maybe Barcelona actually.

honestly, what more do you fúcking well want?

I think Richie Sadlier said it at the top of the show, I don't understand how anyone can find watching a team so technically brilliant boring. Even Spain tonight in second gear demonstrate more technical brilliance and produce high quality football than you see from so many other teams, club or country.

Perhaps, though I'd also argue that people should appreciate a technically brilliant side over a side that are technically good and rely quite a bit on physicality.

It was more of a question given that I wasnt alive. Certainly when you hear people now talk about that team you rarely hear any negatives.

It was certainly more than just 1 or 2 journalists.

As it should be.

Maybe but I'll settle for not having to see "zzzzz" before every Spain game or listen to the tea-making timetable of a pundit whose been paid to watch them.

Debatable but I don't think the players have gotten the credit they deserve. I don't want to derail the thread because that's where this paragraph could go so I'll leave it at, individually and collectively they should be appreciated more.

Ulysses Gaze

Vahirua aside, are any of the Tahiti lads good enough to play in a professional league in Europe do you think?

How Soon Is Now

Andersonisgod wrote: »

I think Richie Sadlier said it at the top of the show, I don't understand how anyone can find watching a team so technically brilliant boring. Even Spain tonight in second gear demonstrate more technical brilliance and produce high quality football than you see from so many other teams, club or country.

Perhaps, though I'd also argue that people should appreciate a technically brilliant side over a side that are technically good and rely quite a bit on physicality.

It was more of a question given that I wasnt alive. Certainly when you hear people now talk about that team you rarely hear any negatives.

It was certainly more than just 1 or 2 journalists.

As it should be.

Maybe but I'll settle for not having to see "zzzzz" before every Spain game or listen to the tea-making timetable of a pundit whose been paid to watch them.

Debatable but I don't think the players have gotten the credit they deserve. I don't want to derail the thread because that's where this paragraph could go so I'll leave it at, individually and collectively they should be appreciated more.

You don't want to derail the thread...... Ha.

Every time I open it its you jizzing over Spain or someone debating it with u.

There a great team grand but they play like the annoying prick you find online on fifa who plays it around his own area as soon as he score s!

They bore me at times piggy in the middle is not exciting ha.

miralize

How Soon Is Now wrote: »

You don't want to derail the thread...... Ha.

Every time I open it its you jizzing over Spain or someone debating it with u.

There a great team grand but they play like the annoying prick you find online on fifa who plays it around his own area as soon as he score s!

They bore me at times piggy in the middle is not exciting ha.

Ha. The one word that adds so much to a conversation.

You can find Spain boring (I dont personally), but what they do with the ball very few teams can do. One thing I will argue you with is the fact that when they keep the balls, its more than often in the opposition half. They're just looking for an opening.

How Soon Is Now

miralize wrote: »

Ha. The one word that adds so much to a conversation.

You can find Spain boring (I dont personally), but what they do with the ball very few teams can do. One thing I will argue you with is the fact that when they keep the balls, its more than often in the opposition half. They're just looking for an opening.

Like I said there a great team no doubting that I'd just find more often than not there style of play bores me. I like exciting football I don't find them exciting they have a game plan and that's that there style of play rarely changes

I'd be curious to see how they would adapt if a team broke down there style of play.

Corholio

miralize wrote: »

Ha. The one word that adds so much to a conversation.

You can find Spain boring (I dont personally), but what they do with the ball very few teams can do. One thing I will argue you with is the fact that when they keep the balls, its more than often in the opposition half. They're just looking for an opening.

Theyre a great, great team. People are mixing up saying theyre play can seem boring as not appreciating their quality.

Of course when theyre passing it around they are destroying teams, but watching it relentlessly over 90 minutes can be tough going sometimes. I hate the notion that if someone says they can find it boring they don't appreciate good football. Appreciation and an opinion of the total excitement of a 90 min match are two very different things.

miralize

Corholio wrote: »

Theyre a great, great team. People are mixing up saying theyre play can seem boring as not appreciating their quality.

Of course when theyre passing it around they are destroying teams, but watching it relentlessly over 90 minutes can be tough going sometimes. I hate the notion that if someone says they can find it boring they don't appreciate good football. Appreciation and an opinion of the total excitement of a 90 min match are two very different things.

Fair point. Sometimes Spain can slip into cruise control and that can be boring at times, especially when you know that they're not going to willingly go for another goal - but even in those moments, you see things from iniesta, silva etc that can make you smile and/or weep with uncontrollable adoration.

Andersonisgod

miralize wrote: »

Fair point. Sometimes Spain can slip into cruise control and that can be boring at times, especially when you know that they're not going to willingly go for another goal - but even in those moments, you see things from iniesta, silva etc that can make you smile and/or weep with uncontrollable adoration.

That's more like it Miralize, I think you e been spot on with your last couple of comments.

miralize

Andersonisgod wrote: »

That's more like it Miralize, I think you e been spot on with your last couple of comments.

Thank you. For making my point mean f*** all :pac:

~Rebel~

The current Spain reminds me of Michael Schumacher at his best in Grand Prix. Incredibly good, efficient and ruthless, but it just got tedious over time.

Corholio

miralize wrote: »

Thank you. For making my point mean f*** all :pac:

I genuinely LOL'd