R16 Spain vs France (Game 56)

[Macca_]

Kick off - 5am Wednesday EST.

Another very interesting Round of 16 match.

Spain (the underachievers for so long) have put in some good performances but the standard of opposition (Ukraine/Switzerland) that was on display suggests that this French side (although stuttering) could be a step up for them. They have a lot of young talent (read that Fabregas will start) and will be looking to shrug off that chokers tag.

France haven't put it together at all. The team is simply not functioning in the system they are using. But there is no doubting they have some real talent in the side and on their day if they put it together can beat anyone.

Should be very interesting to see how it pans out.

 

[domdom]

the french have some great talent, but the word on the street is that the coach doesnt have the respect of the senior players, which cant be good.

should be a cracker, as both teams will be pumped for a big performance for different reasons.

i'm tipping spain on this one. 3-1.

 

[Phillips]

Spain 4-2

 

[juggalo_strit]

Spain in a canter.
4-0

 

[Macca_]

Wow - so many goals...

Can't see it happening.

 

[axie]

2 - 1 to Spain, France to get an early goal and try to defend the lead.

 

[willvillain]

France 1-0.

Is Zidane playing? If he is, Zidane in the 63rd minute.

 

[Macca_]

Be interesting to see if he does. Think he will.

As good a player as he was, I believe right now, the team go better without him. And I've always maintained that he and Henry can't play well in the same team as ZZ takes up a role which Henry likes to drop in and do.

Plenty of interesting side notes in this game. Looking forward to it.

 

[joel caine number 1 fan]

anyone watching the game its been some fast paced action so far if it keeps up it will be the best game so far

 

[Macca_]

Finally a 4-5-1 formation from France!!! And they look so much better for it.

1-1 at the break. Villa from the penalty spot in the 28th minute and Ribery equaliser in the 41st.

Good second half ahead.

 

[Blade]

The best first-half I've seen thus far in the tournament.

Here's hoping the second-half is on par.

 

[Macca_]

FT 3-1 to France.

:lol: Bye Spain.

Go you little Frenchies And go the roughies -

$2 bet -
LA Dodgers -1.5 won
Raiders won
Broncos won
England/Ecuador under 2.5 won
Switzerland/Ukraine draw won
France won
$290.89

$1 bet -
Raiders/Raiders won
Broncos 1-12 won
Warriors/Warriors won
England won
Switzerland/Ukraine draw won
France won
$227.25

 

[PB]

Spain, played like the Aussies did aginst Italy in some ways. Controlled the ball, but not the game.

Doesn't matter what the sport, experience in big matches counts. France showed that again today. Their defence will trouble Brazil.

 

[Bob8]

Oh dear, poor Spain.

It seems they go in with the optimism of the perpetually diappointed. How many times have we heard great things about the team and yet every time they leave their fans disappointed and dreaming of what might have been.

Consistant underachievers despite representing a large footballing mad nation.

They have only won a single international soccer tournement and that was in the mid-60's.

I am certainly glad I am English rather than Spanish.

....


....


Oh, hold on..:-s

 

[Macca_]

Agree PB.

And show me the money

 

[Morenito]

:lol: :lol: @ Spain

I was watching the Spanish news on sbs this morning (Which was 5 hours delayed so taped before the match) and geez they were a more then a little confident when talking to Spaniads on the streets..

They were already talking about Brazil...predicting 3-0, 4-0 and 5-0 wins over France today!

Well done Spain!

 

[Macca_]

I think the loss this morning wasn't as much to do with their normal choking they are renowned for.

It is a very young side and the French got home on the back of experience for mine.

It keeps getting said about Spain, all the talent etc. But I think with that crop now they have the players to go close to winning a big one. Watch for them in the coming 4 years. Hey, they gotta be due sometime too

 

[Foz]

Gee I love that passive offside rule(NOT).
Did anyone see the first French goal.
Henry was about 10 yards offside(passive)and Ribery waltzes through the defence to score.
I know its a rule and France exploit it more/better than anyone but if I was marking Henry and he was anywhere within 50 yards of him I'd be worrying about him.
They did get nabbed a heap for offside in this game too.
Henry seems to be under instructions to hang out behind the last defender.
The rules there and they are exploiting it.
Good luck to them but I just dont like the rule.(nothing against France either I'd like to see them knock Brazil off and Brazil have a defence that can be exploited IMO)

 

[Macca_]

I see your point there Foz, but I'm a fan of the rule.

All the players know it, they know if Henry has gone early but stopped and he's not interfering that he can't be called offside. Not for a second did he interfere with the goal. As long as the rule is policed properly I don't have a problem with it.

I'm not so sure he's under instructions to do it. He plays off the shoulder a lot and his timing was a bit out this morning too. However it's also about the timing of the pass too. Had young Cesc been on the other team tonight Henry would have been onside with a few of them as the ball would have been a fraction faster. At club level you get to know your team mates game that well that it comes together. The timing just wasn't there enough this morning, both with the runs and the passes.

 

[Foz]

What cheeses me off most about the rule is the attacker can drift in and out(being offside),one minute there passive the next there on-side and alive.
Its a nightmare for a defender when they are pushing up.
Eventually the defences are just going to get deeper and deeper and provide a boring game.
Spain got found out by it this morning and I doubt they'll be the first team to get nailed.You push up you need eyes in the back of your head at that level.