The current World and European Champions, Spain, will face France in the Stade de France (Saint Denis) in Paris tonight knowing only a win will do to guarantee them qualification for next year’s World Cup in Brazil. La Roja go into the titanic clash having dropped 2 vital home points, in a 1-1 draw at el Molinón in Gijón, against an un-fancied Finland on Friday evening conceding the leadership of Group I to France, who have a two point advantage after their 3-1 win over Georgia. … [Read more...]
English Euro Crisis Boosts Spanish and German Fortunes
With no representatives in Friday's quarter final draw of the UEFA Champions League, can the English Premier League still seriously lay claims to being the best league in World football, or is it time to acknowledge that they have slipped behind La Liga and the Bundesliga (with 3 and 2 clubs representing each respective domestic league). … [Read more...]
Five things we learnt about Spain at the Euros
If you haven't been living under a rock for the past twenty four hours you'd be aware of the fact that Spain have once again been crowned champions of Europe after an awe-inspiring 4-0 victory over Italy in last night's Euro 2012 final. In spite of arduous comments from the media that their 'Tiki-Taka' style of football had become boring, La Roja silenced their critics once again by retaining their European Championship under the lights of Kiev's Olympic stadium with a quite dazzling display of football. Here's five important things we learned about Spain after the successful defence of their … [Read more...]
The reign in Spain occurs mainly on the pitch
Last night Spain rewrote history as they became the first team to retain the Henri Delaunay trophy and in some style too as they thrashed Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final and put forwards their claim to be the best team of all time. Vicente del Bosque's men won their third consecutive major tournament and in an invigorating, attractive way thanks to Silva, Alba, Torres and Mata goals. Spain strode out onto the Olympic Stadium turf riled by growing criticism of their play and a desire to change that. Their dominant and patient traditions of playing had been scrutinised and labelled … [Read more...]
Spain secure second consecutive European final appearance
Spain beat Portugal on penalties last night to reach yet another major international final where they will face either Italy or Germany. The 4-2 spot-kick victory over Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal was preceeded by some pretty mundane activity but nevertheless Spain's quality ensured they prevailed at their Iberian neighbours' expence. Here is what we learned from last night's game. … [Read more...]
Spain’s Euro 2012 Squad
As defending champions and many people's favourites to retain their European crown, Spain head into Euro 2012 under strength. When I say under strength, I don't mean it on England-scale proportions but just that key men, Carlos Puyol and David Villa are absent. Add to that the pressure of holding the 'favourites tag' and playing against 10 man defences and this particular tournament could be Spain's greatest triumph yet. … [Read more...]
Three Spanish bets you should consider for this year’s European Championships
With the titans of Spain, Barcelona and Real Madrid now left with nothing to play for this season following their dramatic Champions League exits and Madrid's La Liga title clincher last night, the attentions of Spain will now turn to their national team, in their bid to win back to back European Championships in Poland and Ukraine next month. España of course go into this competition as favourites with a price of 5/2 with Bet 365 to win the tournament outright but we've highlighted three other bets you might be tempted to place during Spain's defence of their European title. … [Read more...]
Euro 2012: Time for Spain’s unknown quantities to make a name for themselves
Fernando Llorente, Iker Muniain and Roberto Soldado have only 24 international caps between them, yet with David Villa on the treatment table and Fernando Torres and Pedro enduring torrid seasons, these three must be ready to be called upon to join David Silva and Juan Mata in Spain’s Euro 2012 front line. Probably not exactly household names for most, they soon will be if they shine in Poland and Ukraine. Let’s run the rule over the pretenders to La Roja’s attack. … [Read more...]
Denmark 1-2 England: Report And Highlights
England won a tightly-fought contest in Copenhagen after coming from behind thanks to goals in either half from Darren Bent and Ashley Young. Fabio Capello's men vindicated their last 4-1 defeat over Denmark back in 2005 with a confident display and 2-1 victory in front of their travelling fans at the Parken Stadion tonight. It wasn't all plain sailing for England however as the Danes took a shock lead inside the first 10 minutes after Liverpool defender Daniel Affer beat John Terry to a dangerous in-swinging cross and headed home to make it 1-0 to the home side. The lead didn't last long … [Read more...]
Euro 2012 Highlights (08/10/10)
A weekend break for the Premier League meant European qualifiers were back under way this weekend in preparation for the 2012 finals in Poland & Ukraine. England don't appear until Tuesday when they face Montenegro but this Friday still saw the likes of France, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands and Germany all in action. France 2-0 Romania Northern Ireland 0-0 Italy Portugal 3-1 Denmark Germany 3-0 Turkey Spain 3-1 Lithuania Moldova 0-1 Netherlands … [Read more...]