Tuesday, June 15, 2010

The European Champs


Spain come flying into the World Cup as the most heralded side in Europe having taken the European title in style in Euro 2008. If you don't believe the hype take a look at the numbers...

Since 2007 they are 44-1-3... a run which included a world record breaking 35 game unbeaten streak (which the US snapped in last year's Confederations Cup), and a perfect 10 wins in their World Cup qualifiers. They won their last WC warm-up match against Poland 6-0 with six different goal scorers.

Why are they so damn good? Of their 23 man roster, 5 play at Real Madrid and 8 play at FC Barcelona. This means they've played together... a lot. They have a team chemistry that no other national side can match. And this cohesiveness is evident in their style of play. They are the current mantle holders of the all-out-attacking, beautiful one-touch passing game widely regarded as the most attractive form of the sport.

All this said, La Furia Roja have never won a World Cup and up until recently were seen as perennial underachievers. If they could win it this year it would cap off what has been undoubtedly the most storied era of Spanish football and place their names in the debate of best national sides of all time.

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