FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 - Official Discussion Thread

[Velasco]

Everybody here is aware that Spain sometimes has problems with finishing.  Even people -without questioning the principles, because they are successful by the moment- criticize some "contemplative tendencies" when Spain abuses of passing game without hurting too much. There's no problem with that, it's just a comment about an aspect of the game.

And, of course, respect (not adoration) for rival teams was the point that I was pretending to remark.

[Keystone Phil]

I don't want to tell you how people felt when Italy was winning tournaments with that orthodox catennaccio philosophy. That was really a boring way to win, but at least most people conceded that Italy had a great defense and was an extremely competitive team, although some found catenaccio disgusting.

Uh...

1) I already know that.
2) I don't care. I'm not the one being childish and throwing a fit because people don't like my team's style. I acknowledge that people can rightfully dislike it. You, meanwhile, are a prima donna.

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...I'm honestly not sure if this is just a serious language barrier or you're just a moron but I have never failed to acknowledge that it's impossible to win with another style. It obviously is since...uh...Spain has been winning. If I "mixed my phobias with my objectivity," I'd be saying something idiotic like "Spain hasn't been successful. Their style has been a failure." I have never, ever said that. And I acknowledge their accomplishments but let me spell this out a little more clearly:

I. Am. Tired. Of. Spain. Dominating. The. Game.

It. Is. Boring. Me. And. Many. Others.

Many. People. Don't. Like. It.

Get. Over. Yourself. And. Your. Team.

Maybe that will help with a language barrier. I think you're just trolling though.

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But you're not commenting on the tournament. You came here to whine about me not liking your team. You came here to make up this idea that I don't acknowledge Spain's success. You had to put on the now typically Spanish routine of being a prima donna in this sport.

"Wah! They didn't water the pitch! WAH! They were too physical!"

Get over it, bro.

[Keystone Phil]

Oh, and by the way: You can be a fan of your team, an at the same time respect other teams, and admit it if  the other team was better.  

I was never denying that. I simply don't like them. What our Spanish friend seemingly fails to realize is that someone can strongly dislike his team but still concede that their style has led to success. He's dreaming up that disliking a team and calling them disgusting means one does not acknowledge their success. I'd say the same about people disliking the Italians. Many, many do. That doesn't mean that I whine about people not recognizing their great performances.

[Franknburger]

Can I take from your comments, Andi & Phil, that you both would be happy if Germany became World Champion in 2014 (which means, somebody, probably Spain, needs to take Italy out of the tournament first, as Germany vs. Italy is a hopeless case for Germany) ?

[Keystone Phil]

Can I take from your comments, Andi & Phil, that you both would be happy if Germany became World Champion in 2014 (which means, somebody, probably Spain, needs to take Italy out of the tournament first, as Germany vs. Italy is a hopeless case for Germany) ?

No! I'd literally cry during the lead up and throughout a Spain vs. Germany Final. My views on the Spanish are known and as an Azzurri fan, you should know how I feel about the Germans. We cannot allow them to tie us in total titles!

Sadly, I'm very worried that Germany will get their fourth star next year.

[Franknburger]

We will probably be thrown out in the group phase, after losing 1:2 to a team from ex-Yugoslavia (how about Bosnia this time?), and getting a last-minute Ibrahimovic equaliser in the deciding match against Sweden..
It should have been 2010 - Germany really played the best football, and could have beaten Spain (unlike the 2008 Euro final, when Spain was definitely better, and had played superbly throughout the whole competition). Most likely, we will have to wait for the next tournament hosted by Italy ..

[Keystone Phil]

Well, you'll be waiting at least twenty years until another World Cup hosted by Italy since 2018 and 2022 are decided, 2026 is going to a CONCACAF country and 2030 is supposedly going to Uruguay-Argentina for the 100th anniversary.

Also, Germany can't go out in the group stage as you describe it. You can't have three European nations in a group.

[Franknburger]

Well, you'll be waiting at least twenty years until another World Cup hosted by Italy since 2018 and 2022 are decided, 2026 is going to a CONCACAF country and 2030 is supposedly going to Uruguay-Argentina for the 100th anniversary.

Also, Germany can't go out in the group stage as you describe it. You can't have three European nations in a group.

Well, in that case, what about the following scenario..

France somehow manages to contain internal rivalries long enough to throw out Brazil in the round of 16, before breaking apart against Ghana. Argentina beats Spain 3:1 (2 goals Messi, 1 goal Di Maria), but is subsequently defeated in penalty shoot-out by Uruguay. Also in the round of 16, Italy loses 0:1 to Portugal (Christiano Ronaldo free-kick), while England surprises the Netherlands. England-Portugal is ultimately decided by penalty shoot-out (hard to predict who would win it). Meanwhile, Germany gets a nice walk through via South Korea and Mexico (not that they are playing a bad football, but they are the kind of teams Germany usually does well against). Under that scenario, I thing Germany might get another star ..

[Insula Dei]

I think you will find Germany is to be booted out in the round of 16 by Belgium.

[Franknburger]

I think you will find Germany is to be booted out in the round of 16 by Belgium.

Yep, that is equally likely as my scenario above .)

[Velasco]

Can I take from your comments, Andi & Phil, that you both would be happy if Germany became World Champion in 2014 (which means, somebody, probably Spain, needs to take Italy out of the tournament first, as Germany vs. Italy is a hopeless case for Germany) ?

I'd be glad with a Spain vs Germany final in 2014 (or Spain vs Brazil) and then... que gane el mejor

It. Is. Boring. Me. And. Many. Others.

Many. People. Don't. Like. It.

Some. People. Like. It. And. Enjoy.

This reply is trolling, actually, but there's no other way with you (I.can.repeat.it.to.you.with. periods.in.between)

[NewYorkExpress]

All I know is that neither the no CONCACF Team will make  it out of group play in 2014...

[Keystone Phil]

First Semi final prediction:

Brazil -  3
Uruguay -  1

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

And Phil whines about real sports having ungodly long season.  Ugh.

[Keystone Phil]

And Phil whines about real sports having ungodly long season.  Ugh.

...huh? First of all, this is a separate tournament (and made up of different types of teams) so this wouldn't count as part of a "season." Secondly, where have I "whined" about other sports having ungodly long seasons? In most places (or at least the confederations worth a damn), the leagues run essentially all year with the exception of June, July and half of August. I wouldn't have any room to talk about other sports having long seasons when Soccer league play takes up almost 75% of a year. What you might be thinking of is me complaining about a sport having too many games in an individual competition. Even still, I don't recall "whining" about it and certainly don't do that here.

[Keystone Phil]

Julio Cesar saves an early penalty kick!

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

And Phil whines about real sports having ungodly long season.  Ugh.

...huh? First of all, this is a separate tournament (and made up of different types of teams) so this wouldn't count as part of a "season." Secondly, where have I "whined" about other sports having ungodly long seasons? In most places (or at least the confederations worth a damn), the leagues run essentially all year with the exception of June, July and half of August. I wouldn't have any room to talk about other sports having long seasons when Soccer league play takes up almost 75% of a year. What you might be thinking of is me complaining about a sport having too many games in an individual competition. Even still, I don't recall "whining" about it and certainly don't do that here.

Hmmm. Maybe I'm thinking of waltermitty whining about how long the real sports season are. 

[Tender Branson]

Rob Stark Fred scores the 1:0 for Brazil and Cavani equalizes for the Urus.

[Keystone Phil]

Oh, heart breaking!

[Lief 🗽]

Ugh, hopefully Italy stops the bad guys tomorrow. Brazil won't stand a chance against the Spaniards.

[Franknburger]

Ugh, hopefully Italy stops the bad guys tomorrow. Brazil won't stand a chance against the Spaniards.

Definitely not. Uruguay is difficult to play, but Brazil was still pretty disappointing. A lot of talented individuals, but not much playing together.

[Keystone Phil]

Well, here we go...

Spain -  2
Italy -  2


Italy wins in a penalty shoot out.

[minionofmidas]

It should have been 2010 - Germany really played the best football, and could have beaten Spain (unlike the 2008 Euro final, when Spain was definitely better, and had played superbly throughout the whole competition). Most likely, we will have to wait for the next tournament hosted by Italy ..

I do think the quality of the German team is beyond it's ca. 2011 peak now. Certainly the attractiveness of their play is as well.

[Gustaf]

It should have been 2010 - Germany really played the best football, and could have beaten Spain (unlike the 2008 Euro final, when Spain was definitely better, and had played superbly throughout the whole competition). Most likely, we will have to wait for the next tournament hosted by Italy ..

I do think the quality of the German team is beyond it's ca. 2011 peak now. Certainly the attractiveness of their play is as well.

Do you mean it is above the previous peak or do you just mean to say they peaked in 2011 and are now in decline?

[minionofmidas]

The latter. I'm hazy about where exactly I'd put the peak though.