@Anthony: I agree with you on pretty much everything you said in your comments. In my opinion, Spain did outplay Italy in the Quarterfinal. Italy did play a great defensive game, and that’s why there were no goals, but other than that, Spain dominated the game. I also agree that Holland played an amazing match with Italy, and clearly Holland was the better team. I saw the whole game, and I was glad that Holland won, because that was a win they completely deserved. I also think Italy play too much of a defensive game. Spain play great football and its very fun to wathc, but it also works, not saying that a defensive style doesn’t work, its just boring. If Italy would have ventured from their comfort zone of defensive play against Spain, I think Spain would have scored some.

@John Silver: Well, if we are talking about now, what happened before doesn’t really matter. When I say now, I’m talking of the most recent events and/or competitions, and based on that, Spain are the best team in the world. Many Italy fans are just sour right now because they thought their team can pull it off again. Italy hasn’t been doing to well in WCQ’s either. They haven’t been getting very good results, and one that you mentioned, was the Austria game. By the way, I know very well that Italy has a better International history record than Spain, and believe me, I’ve heard it many times. Sorry, and although you may not like to hear it Italy are not #1, Spain is. I know that if Italy would have won the Euro, all you fans would be harping on it right now, so let us Spain fans enjoy a Euro cup, and a #1 ranking that our team fully and completely deserves.

@lamagica: Well, I’m very well aware that Villa got carded. Villa did not dive. I think its pretty funny, because actually referees let Italy get away with so much. A more Sophisticated (or less blind) observer would have noticed that the referee was clearly letting Italy get away with murder. Even Tommy Gray, who I’m sure you probably know, mentioned the extremely poor refereeing. There were a few times where Villa and Torres, and even Silva were cut down in the box, and no penalties were given. It should have been. Maybe you need glasses or something.

On one of your other posts: Spain are just as much a powerhouse as Italy. Italy may have won more things, yes, and of course that proves that they are a good team, its just very unfortunate that Spain have nothing to show for their hard work and excellent team, although they did deserve it at times. We’re not inferior, in history, maybe, but right now, we are better than you.

Also, on your post to Anthony, I understand what you are saying, and a defense is great, but believe it or not, if given enough time, teams can eventually penetrate a tough defense. Italy played an excellent defensive game, I will admit, but possession is also very important, and Spain were the ones creating most of the chances, not saying Italy did not have their share.

To all:

Please, nobody waste my time with another explanation of time concepts. Let me clear it up now. Look. Italy will be champions of the world until the next world cup, that’s just how it goes. Just like right now, Man U are the best club in the world, until someone else wins the champions league this year (or if they win it again, which I’m not hoping for.) Spain is #1 right now, and they will be #1 until someone else comes and grabs the top spot. They are Champions of Europe now too, until someone else wins the Euro (or they do again, and that would be great). That’s what I mean when I say we are the best right now. Italy hasn’t been doing that well, and as lamagica has mentioned, they tied Austria in a friendly or a WCQ I’m not sure which it is. Technically, right now, we are the best. I’m not making this up, go to FIFA.com and check out the World rankings, and Spain is #1. That is a fact. As much as the Italy fans may not like it, its the truth, and you guys will just have to wait until the World Cup 2010 to prove us wrong.

Actually John yes, it was mostly subjective, with of course a little antagonism thrown in there to fuel the fire. What would you suggest I name my next article?

If all of this was meant just as speculative fantasy football, then it’s perfectly fine and a topic I normally love to read and indulge in myself. Next time you write something like this, though, do yourself a favour and frame the article more clearly as ‘SUBJECTIVE OPINION’ from the outset rather than using ‘no doubt’ in your title and expressions like ‘proof’ and ‘Sorry Italy, your Mediterranean brothers are simply better than you are’ in the body. You’re going to get almost as many readers and you won’t come off as a dickhead.