I see most people in this forum seems to start underestimate this Spain team. I don't know is it because you're losing bets on them by taking them more than -1/over on their matches or you indeed already predict it from the start of the world cup.
Why? They may seems not having enough offensive power. BUT, 1-0 is still a win. Like it or not. Defense always have better chance of winning knockout-type tournament on modern football. Example:
- WC2002, Brazil only concede 1 goal in knock out stage
- Euro2004, Greece win all 3 knockout matches with exact scoreline, 1-0
- WC2006, Italy only concede 1 goal (in final) in knock out stage
- Euro2008, Spain win all 3 knockout matches without conceding any goal
See the resemblance of this '10 team with '08? same coach, similar players, solid defends.
Let's see other team chance:
- Uruguay, the loss of Suarez will be explored by Netherland. Not included the expected haunting from Africans.
- Netherland, their main target men, Robben and Sneijder, will have problems with Spain midfields and defenders just like when they're in Real Madrid. Next question, when is the last time Netherland advance to final of major tournament?
- Germany, I've always like to back Germany when they're the dogs and public seems underrated them (see the people comments here when they're against England and especially Argentina) because for me, they're "gold" at world cup. BUT, now after routing England and Argentina, everyone seems think Germany will triumph in this World Cup. This is another stupid thing to do. Yes, the Germans always do well in world cup, but up until semifinals. Because, most teams at this level are not playing the selfish football anymore, each team has its own style and usually the matchup will be decided by single brilliance moment by a player. This is where Germans will stumble the big rock. They're hardworking, disciplined. But the same can be said now for Uruguay, Netherland and Spain. Just see how this German team fail at the hand of the same team in Euro'08. Both hardworking teams, but single goal scored from a brilliance moment from Torres. I will expect the same thing here.
Why? They may seems not having enough offensive power. BUT, 1-0 is still a win. Like it or not. Defense always have better chance of winning knockout-type tournament on modern football. Example:
- WC2002, Brazil only concede 1 goal in knock out stage
- Euro2004, Greece win all 3 knockout matches with exact scoreline, 1-0
- WC2006, Italy only concede 1 goal (in final) in knock out stage
- Euro2008, Spain win all 3 knockout matches without conceding any goal
See the resemblance of this '10 team with '08? same coach, similar players, solid defends.
Let's see other team chance:
- Uruguay, the loss of Suarez will be explored by Netherland. Not included the expected haunting from Africans.
- Netherland, their main target men, Robben and Sneijder, will have problems with Spain midfields and defenders just like when they're in Real Madrid. Next question, when is the last time Netherland advance to final of major tournament?
- Germany, I've always like to back Germany when they're the dogs and public seems underrated them (see the people comments here when they're against England and especially Argentina) because for me, they're "gold" at world cup. BUT, now after routing England and Argentina, everyone seems think Germany will triumph in this World Cup. This is another stupid thing to do. Yes, the Germans always do well in world cup, but up until semifinals. Because, most teams at this level are not playing the selfish football anymore, each team has its own style and usually the matchup will be decided by single brilliance moment by a player. This is where Germans will stumble the big rock. They're hardworking, disciplined. But the same can be said now for Uruguay, Netherland and Spain. Just see how this German team fail at the hand of the same team in Euro'08. Both hardworking teams, but single goal scored from a brilliance moment from Torres. I will expect the same thing here.
I'm willing to put 100 points.
