Comments on: Spain 1-0 Turkey; “Game, Set, and Match”

By: Denise

Denise — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:46:07 +0000

I was very happy to see Spain come away with the win. It wasn’t a very exciting game though. The reson as to why this happened is most likely due to the fact that we had Xavi, Xabi Alonso, and Senna in midfield. These are our more tactical midfielders in my opinion, and I think that when the midfield is being very meticulous, the game pace tends to slow down. I’m glad that we proved that even in a tough game with a team like Turkey, where we didn’t play as well as we should have, we still were able to come away with the win. The midfield set-up was to blame for the draggy pace of the game. When Silva and Mata came on, the pace definitely became quicker. Midfielders like Fabregas, Silva, Mata, and Jesus Navas (who I wish was also called up) bring a faster game, not saying Xavi and company aren’t great midfielders. Against Turkey, we needed a faster game, and Silva and Mata proved to be the solution, just a little too late. Tomorrow’s game will be different I think. I think Spain will have to use a fatser pace against the unpredictable Turkey, and will have learned this lesson from the previous match. We can’t linger with a tied game for too long, because the Turks will score out of nowhere. If we use Villa and Torres, and incorporate some midfielders that deliver faster pace, we should be fine, and get the 3 points we need.

In response to what’s been said about Spain possibly losing or tying with Estonia, Bosnia, Belgium, and Armenia, I highly doubt it. This is very unlikely, I doubt Spain will carelessly drop points against teams like that. Turkey was our hardest match. We won the first, and tomorrow is the second. I think if Spain incorporates the right players, there’s no reson for us to lose. Even if we did, we’d still be the top team. As for the rmaining matches, I think Spain will gain the victories over them. Honestly, I can’t see them losing to a team like Armenia, who they had scored 4 goals against in the beginning. While I understand every game is different, I just don’t see it happening. A team like Spain should not lose to these other teams. I’m confident that Spain will finish top of their group

Wishing the best of luck to Spain tomorrow. Viva Espana!!!

By: Anthony

Anthony — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:07:02 +0000

Alessio, it was boring really, there was a lot of possession but nothing to show for it and because of del Bosque’s strange lineup we had no width to our play, something that we definitely valued in the Euro’s.

And I agree with Jose, Shazback, you have quite the scenario developed there but I still don’t see it happening. I see your point though, its not impossible, I never said it was but the bias in me says we’ll qualify with ease.

To touch on your reference to our losses to Northern Ireland and Sweden as well as our draw against Iceland – remember at that time we also had Raúl, Guti and Albelda in the squad, thats enough said really. It was the bump before our enlightenment.

By: Jose

Jose — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:11:26 +0000

Wow, Shazback, that’s one heck of a scenario, hehehe. I’m on the lookout for Asia’s Group 1… we could have the first truly “mathematically qualified” team in the world (apart from South Africa) if Australia beats Uzbekistan and Bahrain vs. Qatar is a draw.

By: Shazback

Shazback — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:42:55 +0000

Antony : even though losing to Bosnia, Belgium, Estonia or Armenia would be a surprise, Spain lost to North Ireland and Sweden in the Euro qualifiers as well as drawing to Iceland. For Spain to not make the playoffs at this point would be a massive surprise, but it wouldn’t be impossible for them to miss direct qualification : Spain loses to Turkey, Spain draws against Belgium, Turkey and Bosnia draw their match against each other, and both Spain, Turkey and Bosnia win all their other matches before the last matchday (Bosnia-Spain)… The Group would be : 1st Spain (7W, 1D, 1L) 22pts; 2nd Bosnia (6W, 1D, 2L) 19pts, Turkey (5W, 3D, 1L) 18pts. So if Bosnia beat Spain, Spain would be tied on points and the playoff would go to the team with the lesser goal-difference.

If Spain “slip up” more (I mean, say Spain loses to Belgium instead of drawing, or draws against Estonia or Armenia) then Turkey could also leap-frog Spain on the last matchday.

It’s highly improbable, but not impossible.

By: alessio

alessio — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 07:56:01 +0000

I went to the game at the Bernabeu…….and what a boring game. Blah. Turkey played well. It´s too bad the only sell San Miguel and other alcohol-less drinks at the stadium.

By: alexa

alexa — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:32:38 +0000

Well, Antonio Round Water, this was a well-written & pretty accurate analysis of the match. I must say, you are right on about the madridista & the man of the match. ;D Brilliant choice.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:16:22 +0000

Of course my real name is Antonio but when I moved to Canada it kind of got changed to Anthony. Much easier for English speakers to say, at least properly.

By: Bobo

Bobo — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:02:14 +0000

^ Hmm, are you Anthony or Antonio? Can’t recall having met too many Spaniards named Anthony.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 03:23:00 +0000

The lack of goals is one thing, but who dominated the possession and build up? Turkey had a couple good chances but other than that did not test Iker at all.

Utku, this is a Spanish national team blog written by a Spaniard, of course there is going to be massive bias in my writing. Lack of professionalism? I’m not writing a professional match report for Sky Sports or any massive European sport website, I do this for free as a passionate fan, by no means am I professional.

Jose, it’s basically a bit of wishful thinking and some obvious observation. Realistically I can’t see us losing to Bosnia, Belgium, Estonia or Armenia, the only team that will give us a run out is Turkey and we play them on Wednesday. Even if we lose to them (doubt) we’ll still be ahead by three points and in the pole position to qualify.

By: Jose

Jose — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:26:23 +0000

Hey Anthony, how is Spain “mathematically qualified” for the final? They’re only half way through the qualifying stage and Turkey could definitely overtake them if, tomorrow on, absolutely everything fell apart.