Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Lorenzo
Trad climber
Oregon
|
|
|
Jun 14, 2014 - 09:37pm PT
|
The Word Cup...where dynasties go to die.
Well...
If you call one WC championship a dynasty, yeah. You have a better case with Uruguay.
|
|
tuolumne_tradster
Trad climber
Leading Edge of North American Plate
|
|
|
Jun 14, 2014 - 10:20pm PT
|
In addition to winning the 2010 world cup, Spain shares the record with Brazil for the longest undefeated streak (35)for international matches between 2007-2009. They also won the 2008 and 2012 UEFA European Championships. So I'd say Spain's recent dynasty lasted from 2007 until yesterday when the Dutch, mainly van Persie and Robben, so convincingly exposed the weaknesses in their defense and style of play. But hey, they're not dead yet...they could still make it out of their group.
The last time Uruguay won a world cup was in 1950.
|
|
Lorenzo
Trad climber
Oregon
|
|
|
Jun 14, 2014 - 11:38pm PT
|
In addition to winning the 2010 world cup, Spain shares the record with Brazil for the longest undefeated streak (35)for international matches between 2007-2009.
That was ended by the USA at the confederations cup, so the streak ended long before the Netherlands match, against a team that is hardly a world power.
They also won the 2008 and 2012 UEFA European Championships. the USA , Brasil, and Argentina weren't eligible for those competitions. They were just neighborhood dust ups. UEFA teams are still looking for their first Cup in The Western Hemisphere.
So I'd say Spain's recent dynasty lasted from 2007 until yesterday when the Dutch, mainly van Persie and Robben, so convincingly exposed the weaknesses in their defense and style of play. you can say it, but the facts are that Spain was exposed long before yesterday. They lost to the USA in the knockout round of a FIFA championship tournament, for god's sake, and in that game Jose Altidore and Clint Dempsey of all people, helped make Capdevilla an ex Spanish National team player. Remember vuvuzuelas?
[Click to View YouTube Video]
I'm not sure it says anything about style of play anyway. It might just say Spain isn't the same team without Puyols, Xavi being 34, Casillas being 33 and both coming off an injury, and Iniesta being 30. Italy looked unbeatable when they won and they kept their players a cycle too long.
But hey, they're not dead yet...they could still make it out of their group . No they aren't, any more than they were after the Confederation's Cup, which along with the WC, is one of only two official FIFA competitions for men.
Spain in fact lost its first match in the last cup against little Switzerland. did you write them off after that match? Did you predict greatness for the Swiss?
The last time Uruguay won a world cup was in 1950.
The USA beat England that year to kill their cup hopes. England still has never beaten the USA in a WC.
Spain didn't win that year. They came in fourth and didn't even qualify for four of the next six cups. Their very best finish other than 1950 was fifth place....ever, until South Africa.
They were in 9th place in 2006.
The USA's highest finish ever was also fourth in 1930.
That record doesn't scream dynasty. Brasil was dynasty.
Uruguay still has two, and they have identical chances to win the next one.
|
|
this just in
climber
north fork
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 15, 2014 - 06:40am PT
|
Spain has been ranked #1 by FIFA since 2008, I'd say that's a pretty good run. Good points that South American teams don't play in the Euro, but that tournament is definitely worthy. I don't see them continuing their #1 rank after the Cup, but who knows they could still win the damn thing.
|
|
stevep
Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2014 - 07:25am PT
|
England need to sit Rooney. That was a great cross for the goal, but otherwise, he was a liability. One of Lallana, AOC or Barkely should start instead. Rooney comes on for Welbeck as a sub.
That said, it was a better, higher-intensity game than what I expected.
Yay for the Ticos. Arsenal should bring Joel Campbell back from loan (and sign Balotelli and Serge Aurier).
|
|
tuolumne_tradster
Trad climber
Leading Edge of North American Plate
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2014 - 09:04am PT
|
Lorenzo: you bring up some good points but as stated above, Spain was ranked #1 since 2008 coming into this world cup. That's 6 years of international dominance. Spain has 1485 pts. Germany is 2nd with 1300 pts.
The ranking is based on the following formula
P = M x I x T x C
M = match won or drawn
I = was the match important? (Friendly vs World Cup)
T= how strong was the opponent? (Based on their ranking)
C= what confederation was the opponent from? (UEFA ranked highest)
Are you saying Uruguay losing to Costa Rica in 2014 is the end of a dynasty that began in 1950? But Spain's international dominance during the last 6 years doesn't rise to the level of dynasty?
|
|
Lorenzo
Trad climber
Oregon
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2014 - 09:55am PT
|
Spain has been ranked #1 by FIFA since 2008, I'd say that's a pretty good run. Good points that South American teams don't play in the Euro, but that tournament is definitely worthy. I don't see them continuing their #1 rank after the Cup, but who knows they could still win the damn thing.
It is a good competition but says nothing about standing in the World. And fifa rankings are byzantine and skewed. The current Elo rankings have Brasil, Germany, and the Netherlands all ahead of Spain.
The South American equivalent to the Euros is the Copa America, the oldest such competition. Uruguay has won that competition 15 times. Argentina has won it 12 times and Brasil 8. Uruguay is the current champion, which they won in Argentina in 2011. Neither Brasil nor Argentina finished in the top 4.
Unlike UEFA, COMNEBOL does invite teams from other confederations, though they have never won. The best finish for an outside team was a second place for Mexico.( twice) The USA best record in 1995 was fourth.
In 2011 Spain was invited but declined to attend at the last minute when too many Barça and Real players were tied to their clubs for European club tournaments. They went for money instead of glory. I think Japan is one of the foreign invitees for the next cup. The others are not yet determined. Maybe the Netherlands could accept an invite.
There will be a hundredth anniversary edition in 1916 (Copa panAmericano Centenario) to be held by Combebol in the USA. I wonder if UEFA will ever do that.
And so far in this cup no Euro team has beaten a Western Hemisphere team.
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2014 - 09:58am PT
|
Suisse #6 in the world? BwaHaHaHaHa! You've big strong lads, the Ecuador keeper is an
adventure and yer taking short corners? Really? Shaqiri isn't gonna get no damn $50 million
transfer if he keeps puting his crosses in 10 yards beyond his targets. I predict the Suisse
will finally pressure the Ecuador defense and keeper into making a mistake but maybe not two.
Really good commentary by Alejandro Moreno.
Edit:
Ha! That didn't take long! Now Ecuador is in trouble. That defense is really suspect.
I'm impressed with the Uzbek ref so far.
|
|
Lorenzo
Trad climber
Oregon
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2014 - 10:54am PT
|
Wow, what a finish with two teams going toe to toe.
Curious the network isn't interested in showing the offside possibility. Looked very close
Europe breaks the ice.
|
|
tuolumne_tradster
Trad climber
Leading Edge of North American Plate
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2014 - 10:55am PT
|
a missed opportunity at one end of the pitch leads to an opportunity at the other...
Switzerland 2 Ecuador 1
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2014 - 10:59am PT
|
Major kudos to the Uzbek ref for letting play continue!
A pity Seferovic doesn't play for Bosnia.
Why was that stadium barely half full on such a gorgeous day?
|
|
Lorenzo
Trad climber
Oregon
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2014 - 11:58am PT
|
WTF? I like the French but they can be pretty nutty sometimes...
Domenech is not "the French"
He was nutty when he was their coach.
Is Dennis Rodman " the Americans?"
|
|
Jingy
climber
Somewhere out there
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2014 - 12:47pm PT
|
Switzerland vs Equador - Proof positive its not over tip its over. Awesome job team Switzerland.
You cannot take your eyes off this game until the final whistle..
|
|
SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2014 - 03:59pm PT
|
Wow! Lots of own goals this cup too!!!!
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2014 - 04:10pm PT
|
Wow, Bosnia is certainly holding their own against Messi & Co.
|
|
Lorenzo
Trad climber
Oregon
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2014 - 04:28pm PT
|
Looks like Messi ended that concept. Wow!
I'm with Ray Hudson.
Pure naked genius.
|
|
tuolumne_tradster
Trad climber
Leading Edge of North American Plate
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2014 - 05:06pm PT
|
Vintage goal by Messi but I thought Bosnia held their own for their 1st WC appearance. If it wasn't for the own goal this match could have been an embarrassing 1-1 tie for Argentina, especially since Bosnia was playing a man down. IMO too many lost balls by Argentina in the midfield during transition. They'll have to improve on this if they want to make it to the final.
|
|
this just in
climber
north fork
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 15, 2014 - 08:51pm PT
|
Sounds like I missed some good games today and not going to get to watch any games till Friday. F*#king work. Go Germany and USA tomorrow.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!