I am reluctant to single out praise for certain players because the entire team had a wonderful tournament, but Torres, Xavi, and Senna really showed up in the final. Senna was a giant in midfield, keeping Ballack quiet for the majority of the match and shutting down multiple attacks. Xavi, having been recently named player of the tournament, set up Torres for the all important goal and ran the midfield. As for Torres, I never expected someone to slip past Lahm so easily, and to still beat an out-rushing Lehman was quite an accomplishment. Casillas showed hes the best goalie in the world right now, but was hardly trouble all night with the Germans only having four shots, three of which were on goal.

As for the Germans the only player that seemed to show up was Frings. While not as effective as he can be, he showed determination the entire match. This brings me to Ballack, I feel for the guy. Hes been runner up to so many things this year I can only hope he takes this in stride and shows up ready to play next season. He carried this team to the final when they needed him, but was unable to do much last night.

The fact that Spain is still a relatively young team means they can only get better. Lets just hope it isn’t another 44 years until the next trophy.

Bookmark to:

Sorry for the sound quality, but Balague recorded his answers while on a plane. The hum you hear in the background is the sound of the jet taking Balague to Espana. Enjoy the interview and of course his new website www.guillembalague.com!

Bookmark to:

Week 43 Results
Numancia         2     Pol. Ejido       2
Gimnàstic         1     Salamanca      2
Sevilla B           4     Granada 74     2
Xerez                 1     Elche               0
Albacete            3     Las Palmas     1
Sporting            2     Éibar              0
Racing Ferrol   1     Castellón        0
R. Sociedad       1     Córdoba        1
Celta                  2     Alavés            3
Málaga               2     Tenerife        0
Hércules            1     Cádiz              1

Final Standings

PTS.   W    D    L    GF    GA
Numancia      78    22    12    9    64    40
Sporting         75    21    12    10    62    40
Málaga           75    21    12    10    60    41
R. Sociedad    69    18    14    11    56    40
Castellón        61    16    14    13    43    38
Salamanca      60    14    18    11    53    45
Hércules         59    14    16    13    67    56
Sevilla B         59    15    14    14    43    48
Las Palmas    57    15    13    15    52    58
Albacete         55    13    13    16    37    39
Xerez              55    13    16    14    48    56
Alavés            54    13    15    15    43    45
Elche           54    14    13    16    44    51
Celta              53    13    14    16    57    57
Racing Ferrol   53    13    14    16    48    51
Tenerife            53    12    18    13    50    59
Éibar             52    14    11    18    43    53
Gimnàstic    52    12    16    15    50    53
———————————————————
Córdoba       51    11    18    14    51    57
Cádiz            50    12    13    18    41    48
Granada74  45    10    16    17    47    63
Pol. Ejido    45    11    11    21    39    56

Bookmark to:

As for Russia they were much tamer than I expected. Don’t get me wrong they had their chances and even hit the post twice, but they never seemed like the team most expected to show up. Lets just chalk this one up to first match jitters. As it stands they are currently at the bottom of the group and need a win to stay in contention. The only positive that can be taken away from this is that the team did not roll over and had brief spells in the second half that showed they are willing to fight. Now weather this is because Guus Hiddink encouraged them or threatened them we may never know.

From a neutral point of view I must confess that this was one of the better games played so far and the only one where both teams scored, which is good to see. Both teams displayed moments of brilliance and slick passing that was very easy on the eyes and hopefully there will be more games like this so we can all enjoy a great tournament.

On a side note I suggest reading the first person account of Netherlands v Italy by our very own Gaffer, you can find that here.

Bookmark to:

• Spain are two goals ahead from David Villa, who looks sharp and full of confidence today. There was no way he could have missed from the setup by Torres, and did well to finish under pressure by the goalie for the second.
• Villa and Torres are starting to combine well, looks like Luis Aragones made the right choice leaving out a midfielder for the extra striker.
• Russia still looks dangerous, especially out on the flanks when Spain goes forward.
• Torres is finally getting free space after being contained for the first twenty.
• Russia needs to cope better with Spain’s speed if they are to get anything from this match.
• Having hit the post twice it just might not be Russia’s night.
• Iniesta has had some very nice slick passes so far.
• Listening to the announcers try and say the Russians names is quite amusing.

Well I’m off to watch the second half, hope Spain doesn’t blow it.

Bookmark to:

With the Worldwide Leader in Sports trying to justify that self-proclaimation, this is news is starting to pick up steam as the feedback they received from their coverage of Euro 2008. Although it is still in the beginning stages, the network is doing a quick about-face as far as shutting down ESPN Classic later on this summer. According to sources, there are talks to switch the network to full out coverage of the Beautiful Game.

Although plans are still vague, some of the considerations range from expanding on their UEFA Champions League Coverage, as well as MLS, and other international events such as the European Championships and of course, the World Cup. The channel would be molded more towards that of ESPN Classic in Europe or for fans state side- more like Fox Soccer Channel and Gol TV.  The main function of this channel is to compliment the other channels’ (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN 360) coverage of the game and further expand on the rights battles in the United States for events like World Cup Qualifiers, and many of the top leagues in the world.  There should be a final announcement expected in the next 30 days.

Stay tuned, football fans as the summer can only get hotter.

Bookmark to:

With that said I am still hoping that Spain will finally shed the tag as underachievers and have a great Euro Cup. The squad of players they posses are extremely talented and with many of them having enjoyed a successful year with their clubs it will be interesting to see if they will continue in the form they have shown. Having been drawn in the group consisting of Greece, Russia, and Sweden it will not be an easy task but they should secure a place in  the quarter-finals. If they do it is here that they will meet one of the teams from the group of death (France, Holland, Italy, Romania) and we will see if they are capable of a serious challenge for the Title. So when Euro 2008 gets under way keep an eye out for Spain and enjoy what is shaping up to be a great tournament.

Bookmark to:

“Negotiations” are underway.  Portuguese superagent Jorge Mendes is going to be a busy week.  After helping Massimo Moratti get Jose Mourinho… he prepares for one crazy summer.

Malcolm Glazer rebutted Real Madrid’s offer by asking for three key players of Real Madrid’s in exchange for Cristiano Ronaldo. Mahmadou Diarra, Sergio Ramos, and Robinho as well as 50 million euros are the bargaining chips that Manchester wants Madrid to put on the table.  Who would have ever thought that the Yank would have thrown such a curve ball (using an American sports term)?  He knew that Madrid had the “liquidity” to handle a signing the magnitude of Ronaldo, but how far would they be willing to go.  Would they compromise their long-term midfield and defensive lines in order to get the Portuguese star?

What next many Merengue fans must ask?  A percentage of the club?  Ownership of the Bernabéu?   Alfredo Di Stefano to walk side-by-side with Sir Bobby every time the Red Devils win a trophy?

This is all part of negotiations.   Calderón went after the Mancunians’  debt, Glazer went after Madridistas’  on the field stability.   Glazer mentioned that the future of the Portuguese international will be resolved in the “next two to three weeks“.

So if Portugal wins the European championship, they will not fade away into the sunset.  They will remain on the radar for quite a while… or at least their biggest star will.

Stay tuned.

Bookmark to:

But let’s be real. We’ve seen these types of whims by Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón. Seems like ages since Kaká was being Photoshopped with a Merengue jersey. To be completely honest, there are other “pressing” needs for Madrid right now. Calderón’s “mental masturbation” now has Pedja Mijatovic tapping his foot waiting for his boss. He had plans to look into getting a player like Didier Drogba in order to shore up the striker position. He also wanted to reinforce the backline as well as obtain a playmaking midfielder. The Ronaldo fever could cost Bernd Schuster a significant amount of reinforcements. Also this means that success is getting to Calderón’s head. If you remember a few years ago, after Florentino Pérez resigned, he was the man that ran on the “anti-Galáctico” platform. It won him the presidency and two titles shortly afterwards. But Cristiano Ronaldo’s effect as a marketing heavyweight would help the club earn once again Galático-type money. If there is one thing that is quite safe to say it’s that in Portugal there are more Ronaldo jerseys being sold than Pepe’s. In Argentina, there are more Messi jerseys being sold than Gonzalo Higuaín, Gabriel Heinze, and Javier Saviola (times 50). I haven’t seen very many Iker Casillas jerseys being sold. My point is that Madrid was built to win titles not merchandising wars. A few years ago that was not the case. Beckham (considered a dirty in Madrid now), Zidane, and their posse dominated that end of the sport.

For many, the arrival of a player like Ronaldo would bring back that era of divisiveness.  For others, it would be a welcome change.  Where would he fit in? Who would have to leave? What about a player like Raúl? Well let’s wait until he is actually taking the flight to Madrid before we star putting him in our fantasy team list wearing white instead of red.

As far as Manchester is concerned, they are willing to drag this out until later on this summer.   Hey they said they weren’t going to renegotiate now.  That doesn’t mean they won’t do it later.  Stay tuned.

Bookmark to: