Metal Reviews

wow! ok

Fridge: Portugal is reliant on Ronaldo, but calling them a one-man team is unfair. the win over Denmark showed just that, and even his goals vs. the Netherlands and the Czech Republic were the result of team play. Coentrão would be a starter in just about any team as a left-back, Pepe is a brilliant defender when he doesn't lose his head, and Nani is fucking awesome, easily United's best winger, and one of the best in the world. that's 3 world-class players right there besides Ronaldo who is in a league of his own, how many teams can boast that?

the best attackers are in the Eridivisie? LOL! dude. Dutch teams fucking suck. the Netherlands are like Portugal, weak league, strong squad, but i'd bet on Benfica, Porto or even Sporting over PSV, Ajax, Twente, AZ or Feyenoord, any day.

and what does physical exertion get you? one team that dragged its way to Champions League victory? the shitty British national sides?

Spain is not super exciting to watch, but only a fool would deny their incredible skill. it's fucking retard to compare them to teams like Greece 2004 or Chelsea 2012, who really did try to kill football. their brand of football isn't unstoppable, but i still can't see any team beating them if they score first. look at how hard Portugal had to play to keep them at bay, and how exhausted they were come overtime. if more teams start focusing on skill and teamwork, like Spain, it can only be good for football.

You're missing my gripe with Spain. I'm not denying their talent, but what really pisses me the fuck off is that despite this talent, they play in a way that renders it completely irrelevant.

I don't agree. They play in a way in which their talent is basic, not irrelevant. No other team in euro can paly that way (Italia sometimes) because you really need a lot of talent and technical to play that way. The problem is that they use that talent to defend, not to attack.
And I really think that's because the players are in really bad physical shape after an extenuating year, they need to do nothing almost 60 minutes in order the opposite team gets tired, and destroy then with the speed of Pedro / Navas / Torres. They maximize the possession in order to get their objective: to win the eurocup.

This is true. Spain's tactics in the group stage and knock out stages were geared towards preserving strength for the next match. Physically they are all almost done. So, since the final is the last game, I expect them to give everything. There is no tomorrow as far as the tournament is concerned.

Personally, I would like for Italy to win this tournament.
BUT, I have a feeling it's gonna end 1:0 in favour of Spain ( after a boring match of course ). Italians could be emotionally empty after victory over Germany and Spanish could play they usual stuff.
Hope I'm mistaken. I want to watch some fine football tomorrow.

The final is going to be crap, as usual. I'm somewhat for Spain because of my roots, but I like what Italy recently displayed. Both would be rock-solid European champions, so, you know. Whatever.

Meanwhile, Laurent Blanc quits. France is now looking for a new coach, probably Didier Deschamps will get the job.

Chances are it's going to be Paul Le Guen as Le Graët, the federation's president, will not want another world cup winner leading France's national selection.

Paul Le Guen, of Rangers infamy? Jesus XD

I'm solemnly making the following oath: I will systematically and wholeheartedly cheer for the other team if Le Guen is appointed.

@Holy Terror it's the last match in two ways - 1. it ends the season and 2. it's the biggest match of the season. 2. it matters most of all. when is the last time you saw an international cup final played aggressively? it just doesn't happen. it'll be a boring match for sure, as in, good football, negative tactics.

and Fridge, what ganeshaRules said. just watch the game against France. sure they didn't play to win 3-0, but even the 1-0 scoreline was ridiculously secure - there was no way on earth France would get anything in, save for a miracle long-distance shot, and even then they'd be lucky, since Spain would probably put 2 men on any guy who managed to receive the ball past midfield.

at one point, no team knew how to counter it, now the secret is out, but Spain are still excellent.

More FM regen awesomeness.












The Pollock dude was more for wanting some more Scottish players. I realized my squad was becoming a bit ridiculous.

YES. Tell me Spain are boring now! :p

It's the final. Physical shape and reserving forces aren't important now. It's now or never, and spanish team nows that... Now, Pdro must be out in second half to shock Italy with his speed.
Alba is an incredible player, the best one to substitute Abidal in FC Barcelona.

Sorry boys, I hit the wrong button... The following:



was actually meant to be a reply from me. I edited Zad's post by mistake. Anyway, great final. Alba is fantastic, he won't be Abidal's substitute only for long.

2-0 and one man short, impossible.

4-0, poor guys.

I'm glad Balotelli got back to his usual level.

The Spanish team's kids... :')

Massive beat down from the best team in the world. Boring. Kiss my ass. They were saving the best for last.

4-0, has a team ever been dominated that badly in a final?

They nay sayers have all been made to look like utter fools. DOubt SPain at your peril.

VIVA ESPANA!

Spain were very good, as expected, but it's like Italy didn't learn anything from Portugal's match. so passive in defence, and especially, so slow.

Actually, only one person has been made to look like an utter fool: look in the mirror.

Congrats to the Spanish though, incredible performance.