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On to the Quarters…

June 14th, 2008 | By: elisa | 13 Comments »

Well, my voice is back, my nerves have calmed and my migraine is gone. What a game! We have a little time now to reflect on matchday 8 and La Furia Roja.

5 Things we have learned about matchday 8:

1) Villa is GOD! That wicked golazo at the end. That beautiful flick between the defender, that David clinically parked in the corner of the net a la Thierry Henry. Pure brilliance. Mara-Villa carried the pressures of the game and the team on his back and executed perfectly. Kudos to Joan Capdevila for having the foresight to send that long ball (YES long ball) out towards Villa. What more can I say!

2) We can win ugly! It wasn’t the prettiest of games, goals, or defending. It was frustrating and yes we suffered. The midgets in the midfield passing clinic approach didn’t work this time. Our corner kicks vs the giants were appalling. And frankly, I felt that the team was trying to play to Torres’ strengths with the long balls, to make him feel wanted. In the end, we got all 3 points with a little suffering and grit. Still not convincing, still questions. Shame on Sweden for playing for the draw.

3) Sergio Ramos can have two consecutive bad days at the office. Whodathunk? What is going on with Sergio? Has the ego landed? Is he still in disco dolly heaven? I don’t know but his decisions and performance of late, have been poor. Aliens have taken the real Sergio. We need him back. We all know that he is a world class player. But has it gone to his head a bit? He is definitely due for a stellar performance. He just needs to relax….

4) Lucky Gus is still Lucky Gus and we like it. Russia beat the Greeks, which means Spain is on top of the group and advances to the quarters. One can only hope that more havoc rocks the Group of Death. Snicker Snicker. The old man can rest our key players and give some playing time to Guiza, Xabi Alonso, etc. It’s a good thing because…

5) Carles Puyol is TBD. Our rock in the center of defense has hurt his foot. I am very concerned. Please let it be a minor fracture. I hope all the boy needs is pain killers. This is potentially a big blow to our future success in the tournament. The Valencia gruesome twosome, Marchena and Albiol, were serviceable, but we sorely need our rock and roll defender. Let’s all pray that he returns for the quarters.

A special round of applause for David Silva. I thought he was amazing. He created the first goal and held possession quite well against the Swedes. Our little energizer bunny was playing with heart and passion. He never gave up and constantly worked at creating space and opportunities. He may have been the smallest guy on the pitch, but he wouldn’t let anyone push him around. And yes that was a penalty! Silva was slammed ala WWE by Elmander. But what can you say about this ref? A ref who cared more about his power and position, then the rules of the game, IMO. Just plain awful.

That said, 3 more critical games, only 3. We’ve made it to the quarters. Let’s break the cycle. Vanamos!

Tags: Carles Puyol, Carlos Marchena, Dani Güiza, David Silva, David Villa, Euro 2008, Fernando Torres, Joan Capdevila, Luis Aragonés, Raul Albiol, Sergio Ramos, Spain, Xabi Alonso

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Comments

By Luisao | June 14th, 2008 at 11:16 pm

On to the quarters??? Dumb-asses, you guys haven’t even finished the group stage yet!!!

By bunchapooha | June 14th, 2008 at 11:40 pm

A small fracture? Woah. If that’s a good scenario, then it could very well be the end of Puyols tournament. Don’t think Barca likes it if he keeps playing with a broken foot, lol..

Posted from Netherlands

By elisa | June 14th, 2008 at 11:45 pm

Yea small fracture is probably a bad word. More like sprain. We shall see tomorrow.

Luisao – hullo we qualified to the next round. Thank you.

By matarro | June 15th, 2008 at 1:20 am

So much expectations with this Spanish team and look @ Sweeden….they lost but they left some football lessons with the Spanish.
Spain if u wAnT improve your soccer u should learn with your Portuguese neighbors

By muhabbet | June 15th, 2008 at 6:35 am

hımm very good

By bob | June 15th, 2008 at 1:07 pm

this is comedy writing at its best,keep it up,you guys have talent, gifted insight and cutting analasyss ( cant spill that word )

Posted from Spain

By Elisa | June 15th, 2008 at 1:09 pm

OK here’s the scoop – Puyol and Santi Cazorla both have post traumatic arthritis in the foot. Both players were not able to train with the team today. Silva also has a problem with his toe nail, but that didn’t preclude him from training today. In the case of Puyol and Santi, it appears that there is nothing to worry about. According to the staff doctors, Puyol and Santi will rest for a week and will be able to play in the quarterfinals. Let’s all breathe a sigh of relief. No worries.

By Ghear | June 15th, 2008 at 1:20 pm

Well thats good to hear about Cazorla and Puyols, when he came off during last game I got a little worried, but good news is always welcome. Also, Im always curious why people come in here, waste their time and bash on the team when they honestly either have limited knowledge or none. The only thing I can think of is either their team didn’t qualify and they want to justify themselves, or their team is already considered out and thus still want to justify themselves.

By Daniel | June 15th, 2008 at 1:38 pm

I agree with you fully Ghear, if you losers want something to occupy yourselves try http://www.despair.com A lot of these may apply to you. Great article elisa, onward to the Quarter finals!

By Pablo | June 15th, 2008 at 1:41 pm

Spain definitely deserved the win, they were determined, they did not give up, and as much as I quite fancy Sweden as well, they were very obviously playing for the draw. With Ibrahimovic out, they were hardly attacking at all, Spain dominated the second half. And I don’t think it’s fair to talk about the referee not giving any free kicks to Sweden, Spain deserved not one but two penalties in my opinion. The first one was more obvious, the challenge on Silva. Silva had a clear chance and he was pushed. Simple as that. The second one was less obvious and more contentious, so I wouldn’t be too bitter about it. It was a handball in the Swedish penalty area, accidental or not, there was contact with the arm. If Spain had not gotten the winner, there would be many complaints about the refereeing.

The main worry of course is the defence, as much as I would like Albiol to be given the exposure, playing him in place of Puyol in this tournament should be avoided. But since Puyol is set to come back, I am quite relieved. Also, I do wonder about Ramos as well, but I have faith in him and I think he will step it up.

Was very pleased with Silva’s work in the game, had some very amazing footwork. I expect Valencia is going to have a busy summer considering they have already publicly said they will sell Villa and Silva at the right price. Being a Valencia fan, I am of course very proud to see them both at such a level but it is sad knowing what might happen in the summer. Now’s not a time to worry about that though lol.

Posted from Singapore

By Timothy Lakefront | June 16th, 2008 at 5:15 pm

Hey Dominic, I take it from your last name that you’re Italian. If so, awesome Euro Cup so far–top class. And if not, I’d only listen to criticism from a Dutch fan, as they are the only team, perhaps Port, who look capable of beating Espana. Don’t come back to this blog; you’re wasting our time.

By Jonathan Dilan | June 16th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

Dominic, you’re Italian, a European? Why comment on the origins of the Spaniards without knowing too well their true origins? You only mentioned a part of their origin. Please, review the history of Spain. You are the kind of people that make this world chaotic. Always so critical about the origins of people. So discriminating.

Posted from Australia