Spain will WIN the next World Cup in Brazil

I know they just got thrashed 3-0 in Brazil, by Brazil, ending an amazing run of god knows how games played without losing. However, this is NOT the end of Spain.

Some may compare to how France were on top of the world a few years back, winning both World Cup and Euro's in subsequent fashion. They had the cream of the crop - Makelele, Desailly, Anelka, Henry, Lizarazu and Zidane, who in my opinion, was the greatest footballer of our generation, better than Ronaldo and Messi, comparable to Maradona and Pele.

But Spain is not France. They will endure, and for the very simple reasons that i have listed down below. I have no doubt you will agree with me.

Why Spain will win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil:

1. Brazil were clearly MORE 'up' for it in the Confed Cup final. They were clearly more motivated to win it, and you can understand why. Brazil needed to send a message out, not to everyone else, but to themselves, that they CAN beat the best teams. Will Brazil be as up for it next year? Yes, you can count on it. The question though, is will Spain be more motivated to win the World Cup 2014 as compared to the Confed Cup? Seems obvious. So motiviation wise, both teams will be equals.
2. As clichéd as it sounds, the weather had a serious effect on the Spainards, and also the Italians. This is not an excuse, simply a fact. But Spain would have learnt from this. The experience of playing in this Confed Cup serves as a preperatory exercise not only for the Brazillians, but also for the Spanish. The Spanish team would now a better idea of what to expect, and be better prepared.
   Some might say that the weather should not have an effect, these are professional players that should rise above petty excuses, and also point to the fact that Brazil have won plenty outside the South American heat. But that is to be expected, when you consider that at least 60%-70% of the Brazillian players over the years have played their club football in Europe and have adapted to the colder weather.
3. Spain are still U-20 and U-21 champions. That itself is a scary thought for. The old guard of Xavi, Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Torres will be eventually phased out. 2 of the top European footballers of last season - Juan Mata and Javi Martinez - are bench warmers for Spain. Other wonderfully talented footballers like Santi Cazorla and Daniel Cavarjal have yet to be integrated into the team. The young guns who are making headlines like Isco and Thiago Alcantra will definitely be in the next World Cup squad. In short, the Spain production line is still rolling out world class footballers in every department. 
4. Tiki-Taka is not dead. Contrary to the recent evidence of this Confed Cup final, and also of Bayern outmusclining Barca in the Champions League final, let me say it again, Tiki-Taka football is not dead.
   Teams all over the world are STILL trying to emulate the Tiki-Taka style. A full strength team playing Tiki-Taka will overwhelm a full strength team playing aggresive, counter-attacking football. 

Will we see similiar celebrations come the next World Cup?

Do you still disagree? 

McFadden steals victory from the Frenchies!

The Brits suffered a mixed bag of results last night. England, Wales and Scotland all record impressive victories while the only blemish was the Irish games. Both Ireland and Northen Ireland lost their games to Czech Republic and Iceland respectively. Northend Ireland somewhat surprising loss to Iceland was the more unexpected of the results. The Icelandish players seem to be on a sort of mini revival, after comfortably holding Spain last week to a 1-1 draw.

Though the headlines will all be stuffed with praises for the English demolision of 'Mother' Russia, i think Scotland's result was by far the best and most impressive. They went to France with a simple plan, to frustrate and hold their more illustrious opponents. It worked to a charm, with the French unable to break through the stubborn Scottish defence, even with them camped in the Scottish half for most of the game. The stats says it all:

	France	Scotland
Possession	72.00%	28.00%
Shots On Goal	7	2
Corners	16	3

Enigmatic Everton striker, James McFadden, provided the Scots with that little bit of luck, skill and flair upfront, as he scored a glorious 30 yard drive to stun the French crowd. Now the Scots top Group B, and have silenced all doubters. Can they do a Greece and go on to win the Euro 2008 without having any big name players?

Italy vs France? *YAWN*

They have some of the biggest names in Football. The likes of Viera, Ribery, Anelka, Henry make up some of the talent on show for the French. Their Italian compatriots are no less distinguished; del Piero, Pirlo, Gattuso, Cannavaro and Nesta. However, the very thought of watching these big stars battle it out, just brings tears to my eyes.

No my friends, not tears of joy, but tears that come when one has yawned too much.

Too often, these games between big names just turn out to be defensive tactical battles. So worried are they of making mistakes, that they simply end up playing like Houllier's one side Liverpool teams. I can just imagine the team talk:

"Everyone behind the ball! Wingers, dont you dare do any winging, just tuck into center midfield! Strikers, we don't need you anywhere near the enemy goal, just run back and get behind the f****** ball! We're gonna whoop them 5-0 with an amazing tactic like this boys!!! They'll never know what hit them!!! HOO HAAA!!"

Ah yes, international football, it is a cauldron of intense excitement. Yay. Frankly speaking though, i'd rather watch Mexico.



They may not have won much lately, but they will be soon. Awesome open attacking team play, and they do not have big stars, other than Rafael Marquez, but they do have some players with the potential to be superstars; Nery Castillo and dos Santos.

Prediction: Italy 1 - France 1