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Spain 3-2 South Africa; Third Place isn’t such a Great Place

July 3rd, 2009 | By: Anthony | 18 Comments »

Sorry for the delay on this but I was on vacation and really didn’t have much access to the blog. But like they say, better late than never – here it goes.

Despite not being able to write anything about the match, I definitely did watch it and although it was only the consolation match and not the final, I’m happy we pulled off the victory – albeit in interesting fashion.

Just a personal observation but I think that the World Cup next year is going to fail miserably. The stadium for our matchup was barely filled and I just think that if South Africans won’t even go see their own team playing, who will they pay to see? I know it was only for third place but regardless, you would think a nation would get out and support their team. But who am I to talk? We’ll have to see.

Anyway back to the important stuff which is the match.

A Katlego Mphela goal put the hosts ahead in the 73rd minute and at this point I was seriously scared. Not only had we not advanced to the dream final to play Brazil but we also were looking as if we were going to lost the consolation match! Not to worry though as my man Dani Güiza who has previously come on as a substitute scored in the 88th minute to level us up. Two minutes later with a bit of luck, Dani added another and being the 90th minute I said to myself “okay, definitely time to relax now”. But there we went again with our complacency and Mr. Mphela grabbed another in the third minute of stoppage time to crash our party and send the home fans (or lack of) crazy.

Credit to South Africa as they came out strong in extra time and controlled possession although they didn’t have many dangerous chances. We however, created the more dangerous opportunities through the likes of Riera, Capdevila, Llorente and even David Silva when his shot was blocked by the South African defender’s clear handball but the referee seemed to be uninterested and kept on playing. Finally though we got what we deserved in the 107th minute when Xabi Alonso hit a perfect freekick past the South African keeper and put us ahead which was eventually for good.

With the exciting 3-2 victory, we clinched third place in the FIFA Confederations Cup and while that is a feasible achievement for any other nation, for us it is a great disappointment. We went into the tournament as favourites and failed to live up to all the hype losing out (possibly choking) against the U.S. in the semifinals.

Now sure, it isn’t the World Cup and had little significance but when you have every continental champion as well as the world champions and the next host nation, it is definitely a chance to prove your worth. Unfortunately we didn’t and as a result we have slipped to second place in the FIFA World Rankings. We’ve occupied the number one spot for the past year and to lose it is someone uncomforting.

All we can do from here is focus on our World Cup qualifying campaign in which we have a flawless record. We may not have a 35 match undefeated streak or a 15 game win streak but I still think we’re a solid powerhouse in world football. All excuses aside, no Iniesta, Senna and Silva (for most of the tournament) certainly does limit your options. We still have a class lineup but it was evident that we weren’t playing with the same confidence that we had during the Euro’s.

See you in South Africa.

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Tags: Brazil, Dani Güiza, David Silva, Fernando Llorente, FIFA Confederations Cup, FIFA Rankings, Iniesta, Joan Capdevila, Marcos Senna, Match Recap, Riera, South Africa, Spain, team news, United States, World Cup 2010, Xabi Alonso

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Comments

By Don Omar | July 4th, 2009 at 2:26 pm

Observen la falta que hizo el Negro Senna! Sin el Negro Senna, Espana es una mierda y nada mas!

By porchettaaaaaaa | July 8th, 2009 at 4:14 pm

it is hilariious to see spanish posters regarding their team as world class..Spain struggled against an ordinary Italia in the euros, it was italia who looked likelt to get the winner, if not for casillas´lucky/superb save after getting wrong footed on a camoronesi drive..Spai nwill never win anything in future..senna is ur best player

Posted from Spain

By Timothy Lakefront | July 11th, 2009 at 5:53 pm

It’s even more hilarious to see italian fans even attempting to talk trash to spanish ones. You lost to Spain, who dominated the Euros, not to mention the fact that you were embarrassed at the Confederations Cup. You’re national team looks more like a retirement home than a football squad. You’re not going to win anything in the foreseeable future. Deal with it.

By Timothy Lakefront | July 17th, 2009 at 3:46 pm

Actually, I used to live in Spain, smart guy, and have been a supporter years – way before 2008, back when the only hardware they had was the 1964 euro cup. There was a lot of room on the bandwagon. But that’s beside the point. One would have to be an idiot, or Italian, apparently, to think that Italy is close to Spain. The recent record speaks for itself. Can’t wait for 2010.

By Timothy Lakefront | July 19th, 2009 at 6:09 pm

Wow, that illiterate diatribe does not even warrant a response. That being said, I’ll just address two points. One, as I explicitly said, no, I’m not Spanish, but I used to live there and I fell in love with the country, the culture, and the football team. It is not glory hunting, as I’ve been a fan way before 2008 – when they had only won one competition in their existence! How is that glory hunting? Yes, right now they are a fashionable team to support, but I was a fan before this recent meteoric rise and I’ll be fan when it subsides. How many Italy jerseys did one see after their fluke of a World Cup victory in 2006? Second, yes, Senna is an important player. But we can and have won without him. And he’ll still play a role in 2010, despite his age. I’m not preordaining Spain as the WC winners, as anything can happen in these competitions, but they will do very well, and I will wager any amount that they will advance farther than the elderly Italy.

By Anthony | July 21st, 2009 at 4:07 pm

Timothy, this guy is a joke, clearly he is still living off Italy’s success almost 4 years ago which they have failed to follow up with anything significant since. Just a question though since he is questioning your heritage (I have no idea what this has to do with football); Am I not a Spaniard either since my last name is Rondeau which is a French name?

Aside from all that, what are you trying to get at really? Your response was that of about the capacity of a 12 year old so before you speak, please think, it would be greatly appreciated.

As for Italy, well I’m not sure where to start if I’m being honest. Italy is clearly an aging squad and despite possessing numerous talents within your youth, they are not being called up. WC2010 isn’t that far away, you don’t have much time to get your act together.

Posted from Spain

By Timothy Lakefront | July 22nd, 2009 at 1:23 pm

I honestly don’t know why I dignify your utterly ignorant tirades with responses. Don’t denigrate my country – and learn some history. If you really want to start comparing countries, I’d love to. Only in Italy would a man as corrupt as Berlusconi be PM three times. Owning the media and being a politician isn’t a conflict of interests in your country? Enough said.

By Timothy Lakefront | July 22nd, 2009 at 1:29 pm

I regret my last comment, Porchetta got me to come down to his level. This racist, nationalist nonsense has nothing to do with football, which is what this forum is all about. I apologize for deviating from that.

By Timothy Lakefront | July 23rd, 2009 at 10:10 am

Anthony, is there any way to ban this idiot? He doesn’t seem to want to own up to football reality, so he throws out these racist and nationalist slurs. Actually, I’m a descendant of puritans and those who sought a better life in the United States. Not to trumpet my own country or denigrate any other, but I’d say we’re doing pretty well – most powerful country in the world, with a GDP of 13 trillion. Not bad for a “descendant of criminal/rapist/begger/loser/flops” – whatever that means. But enough with this nationalist nonsense, let’s get back to football. Although since Italia is garbage in that area at the moment, I’m sure you’ll just resort to racist epithets.

By Cesar | July 23rd, 2009 at 12:34 pm

What I find is comical is that this guy has sooo much time on his hands to write this garbage year in and year out.

He was here last year when I was writing this blog and he’s here now.
So why isn’t he banned already? Why is he getting his ego kicks by writing on this football blog?

Who ever runs this blog (TheOffside, etc) needs to get their act in gear and filter this person’s comments … it’s beyond frustrating trying to debate someone who hides behind their computer and spouts this disgusting nonsense when all we want to do is talk football.

He’s getting his ego kicks out of our attention being focused on him instead of the national team.

By Maxx | July 23rd, 2009 at 12:45 pm

Now Now, let’s not resort to racism because your national team suck. Yes Cassano is gifted, but he’s no way near Villa/Torres. Lippi would’ve picked him for the Confeds. Mix of youth and experience? It’ll be all 30+ players, Rossi might make the bench, and of course they’ll be Che. So that’ll be 2/30.
Italian football sucks right now and is behind England, Spain, Holland, Germany, Russia, Belgium and France. You’re all living off your 06′ win and that wouldn’t of happened if Grosso didn’t dive against Austrailia as they were outplaying you. You’re also thank Materazzi for being a thug and a racist. Zidane was toying with your team the whole game. Tell me, do you still think Buffon is the best? He can’t jump any more because he has been packing on weight, wether it’s a bun in the oven or the wonderful Italian food you keep mentioning. Either way, he sucks and wouldn’t be ahead of Reina/Casillas.

Posted from United Arab Emirates

By adimente | July 23rd, 2009 at 2:30 pm

1) —>Italy’s recent lost to Brazil was testament of their dramatic state. Aging players accompanied with a stubborn old school coach will destroy any chances for Italy to reach their former glory.

—>You said: “Also, Iam deadly sure that Lippi will kick out useless finished aged players and will mix the talented youth with experience and ofcourse we have the most naturally talented footballer in cassano who will be in the squad for 2010″
Well, for your information, during the Confederation Cup, I did not see much of Italy’s youngsters playing.

—>There, read this article (even though it’s from Goal.com, read it Porchetaaaaa):http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/06/22/1339976/this-is-the-worst-italy-i-have-seen-since-taking-charge-marcello-

2)You said:”it is hilariious to see spanish posters regarding their team as world class..Spain struggled against an ordinary Italia in the euros, it was italia who looked likelt to get the winner, if not for casillas´lucky/superb save after getting wrong footed on a camoronesi drive..Spai nwill never win anything in future..senna is ur best player”

Well, during the Confederation Cup, Italy had so much problem wit Egypt that I pitied them. Is it a problem if Senna is “our best player”? How ca it harm us? If I’m referring with “us” it’s just to simplify my writing that’s all.

Maxx said: “You’re all living off your 06′ win and that wouldn’t of happened if Grosso didn’t dive against Austrailia as they were outplaying you. You’re also thank Materazzi for being a thug and a racist. Zidane was toying with your team the whole game.”
Which is correct. Italy’s ways of winning were outrageously suspicious. They were awarded of penalties that they did not deserve. Their 1-2 touch was sublime though. However, they had to rely on dirty tricks to squeeze their way out.

You said:”SEnna will be another year old and with him waning, spain will not achieve anything”
Well, you should look at the mirror: Italy have a very high age average. What can you achieve with Cannavaro or Zambrotta? Aren’t they old? Not to mention the currently retiring Maldini. The guy had 34 years old when he participated in the 2002 world cup. So,what is your point?

3) You said that youngsters will come. I don’t see Serie A filled with youngsters. In fact, Serie A is the home of retiring players. Italians teams are being poached from their uprising star because they cannot measure themselves agaisnt the English teams and Barcelona is particular.

4)You said:
—>” not a racist here ” but you comments are filled with racist comments or heinous remarks:”an american thrash” Hey! For yor information, Giuseppe Rossi was born in the United States, but decided to play for Italy because of his Italian heritage. So, it seems that even thou you consider “thrash” you cannot keep your noise out of their “garbage”.

—>”not a true europeaN, U R A DESCENDENT OF A FLOP/CRIMINAL/BEGGAR ” What is the meaning of such a comment? Recent studies have shown that the human being has originated from Africa. So whether he’s a European or a “DESCENDENT”, we all come from the same land. LOL Such a rudimentary answer for such a stupid insult.

—>”timoty a descendent of criminal/rapist/begger/loser/flops who ran away to great pastures has really had nothing to cheer for in his pathetic, petty life…” Well, a lot of Italians immigrated in different after world war two. So, your statement has been nullified by your own blindness to admit that citizens of your own country do the same action that you are mocking at.

—>”blah..blah..blah from the descendent of a flop/rapist/criminal..whatever..Purist my pink arrse..facts r facts r facts..America is just an institution formed by the ancestors of classless/historyless” Well, Italians that have immigrated in South America were serving under the order of Mussolini. Now, their lineage are from this dark era of Italy. do we really need to discuss about history on a website dedicated to football?

—> Then, you keep saying: “sorry not a racist here” but you “unleash” comments such as:”Malouda from the african nation of Europe, France..”. What were you trying to tell us by underlining this? I really don’t understand where you’re trying to go. What if France has a lot of African immigrant in their country and that their national team is composed a lot of them?

All in all, I could have continue to reject all you statement. I must say that you’re quite a phenomenon “porchettaaaaaaa” or “9 champs leagues Milan target” as if it wasn’t obvious that you two are the same person. To cover yourself of the embarrassment that your national football team is suffering recently, you’ve attacked on, a blog spot, a cybernetic place designed to respectfully share and debate our opinion, an unknown person by saying racist comments. The funniest part of it it’s that you’ve been doing this repeatedly.

As far as I’m concerned, I have nothing with the Italian culture. This is the reason why I did not blasphemously talk agaisnt this country. However, you shouldn’t be allowed to type such preposterous posts. If this is the way you think, may it be your will. But, you should not poison this blog sot with you negative thoughts.

By vic | July 23rd, 2009 at 4:06 pm

wow..what have we got here..a football blog or an anthropology class (prof Porchettaaa seems to be very biased here)…

I have been(and will continue to be) a fan of the Italian football team from the first time I watched them play..right now they might not be on top but that doesn’t mean anything…the history of Italian soccer would fill libraries and surely their future would do to..right now it’s a transition phase for the Italian team and once they send some old folks packing and sort out the new blood they will be right up there with Spain and Brazil

..but prof Porchettaaa u don’t seem to be talking about the Italian football team..u seem to be more interested in slandering and thrash talking..this isn’t the place for it prof(In fact this isn’t the place for the Italian team as well)…go find some other place mate..this place is for true football fans..whether they be spanish fans or Italian.. quit it dude..racial prejudices show how classless a person is..well, I suppose you won’t understand it anyway..

Posted from India

By Nilton | July 23rd, 2009 at 7:49 pm

Best food? Pizza???????? Hahahaha..

Posted from United States

By Nithin | July 23rd, 2009 at 8:14 pm

The term ‘glory hunting’ is thrown around way to carelessly!

Posted from United States

By Spanish New Mexican | July 27th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

Porchetta u are a descendent of a Spanish Conquistador who came and conquered your meaningless country in the 15th and 16th centuries.Just like pretty much everyone else did including the moros. Spain pimped out Columbus and he discovered the Dominican Republic get it strait. and slandering America hahah we have military bases there I dont see Italian bases in America. As a matter of fact a lot of Itlians moved to America im assuming they are criminal/rapist/begger/loser/flops too right?

Posted from United States

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By Sol | August 7th, 2009 at 4:14 am

quote: “We still have a class lineup but it was evident that we weren’t playing with the same confidence that we had during the Euro’s.”

I would have called it eagerness or concentration.

Sigh, why does it take so long between games… 12 aug. and still a year for the actual WC, I wish Holland wasn’t qualified already or just get this thing started already, whatever.