After the watching the first game of group stages I knew Germany and Spain were the best teams of the tournament, and all the other powerhouses were underwhelming this time around (you know this is the case when England is the best of the bunch). After the group stages finished I put Spain slightly ahead of Germany, so I an not surprised about today. It is a shame that they had to meet each other so early. At this stage it becomes too tough to call, but I think a Spain vs England final is most likely (though Switzerland can maybe beat England), with Spain more likely to win (it would be unlikely but nowhere near impossible for England to beat Spain, Spain vs England will somewhat be a replay of today's game against Germany, but England have Kane and Bellingham who can always pull some tricks out of nowhere, and Spain's defense is not 100% solid). I really hope this France side doesn't advance over Spain on penalties though, that would be annoying for any neutral.
Spain may be too battered after their win over Germany to overcome France, with Carvajal (and Pedri) missing the France game a particularly significant blow to Spain's chances IMO. But Nico Williams and Dani Olmo, especially, along with Lamine Yamal and a few others, have given Spain tools outside their repetitive tiki taka which will be valuable to them beyond this tournament.
Portugal had a great opportunity to win this tournament but they torpedoed themselves by carrying Ronaldo in the team, they might as well have been playing with 10 men most of the time and I doubt Martinez was even allowed to sub him. The English FA did the same with Rooney at the back end of his career, continuing to play him well past his sell by date at the expense of the team just so that he could achieve becoming England's highest ever scorer (which Kane has already smashed).
Never count out France. They often don't always look dominant but can get past teams they need to. Even in 2018 World Cup, I don't remember any real game they looked super convincing besides maybe the Final.
Turkiye played well and put out a valiant effort against Holland. The Dutch were very fortunate to win this game. Anyway, the semifinal cast has been decided: France v Spain; England v Holland.
Navas just can't compete at this level anymore, sadly. 15 minutes in he is responsible for a goal, an injury and picked up a yellow card. Yikes! Its a bit frustrating too because the yellow card that resulted in Carvajal's suspension was BS.
Ah, how the "own goal" tables turn. thrilling match so far! edit: on replay, I'm not 100% sure that technically an own goal. Looked headed for the side-netting without a touch from the defender edit2: on the Fox broadcast right around 40' they said that the FIFA technical committee has awarded the goal to Olmo
Spain has deserved to be in the final. I consider Spain as the best team of this Euro. Many favorites has been MEDIOCRE like France, Belgium and England. I've liked teams like Turquey, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany.
Even though I had fully expected Spain to stumble before the final, they have certainly been the most impressive team in this tournament. And a very refreshing side with many young and exciting players.
They surprised me for sure. I never even heard of Nico Williams before the tournament started. I was also impressed by the way they passed so well in the midfield. They seemed to have become a bit more tactically flexible as well. I really didn’t expect a lot from Spain coming into the tournament, considering the recent history, but they could be very well back to their 2008-2012 form with a new golden generation.
Perhaps this argument could be made if Spain were on the other side of the bracket. But they ran into probably the second-most impressive side in this tournament in the quarterfinal. They were also the only ones to come up against the real (maskless) Mbappe, which led to France playing their most complete game of the tournament against Spain. Frankly, it was really only France's front 3 that were disappointing before the semis. Everyone was talking about how good their midfield and defense were playing before they came up against Spain.
If I'm being real, there are very few teams worldwide that have "improved" post World Cup. An argument can be made for Colombia, but pretty much everyone else is WORSE.
Come on, there's no argument for Germany being worse now than 2022, 2021 or any year since 2014. Its a bit difficult to "see" a trajectory in 18 months, imo. Especially if the baseline is the WC where every little success gets hyped because of the tournament's importance. If you compare last Euro to this Euro/Copa to Copa, it is undebatable that Germany, Holland, Colombia, Turkiye, Austria and Spain improved. The rest I wouldn't say are all worse either. Many simply levelled-off at a pretty good level, including France & England.
I would like to separate countries playing below their standards, not because of the players, but because of the coach'es tactics. Deschamps and Southgate and Koeman say hello.
Germany IMO isn't worse, but they aren't even Really much better, about the same. People think Germany were poor in 2022 because they got grouped, but they weren't poor, Spain and Japan were just better. I didn't see Germany do anything this Euro that their 2022 team wouldn't have done. I'll give you Turkiye and Austria. The Turks though are so up and down historically that I doubt they keep this level for long, and whatever "this level" even is, it was pretty mediocre other than their victory over Austria. The Dutch? Hell no they are not better than their 2022 team. Barely beating Poland, losing to Austria, almost losing to Turkey, then getting beat by a piss poor England. Sorry nope. Spain, again probably about the same, maybe a little better but not by much. Everyone else is just worse.
That's why I suggested looking over the past 3 years to help better see a trajectory one way or the other. Sure, one can always say "Japan were simply invincible" but disappointment for Germany doesn't just boil down to that one game or one tournament. They've looked meh for a while. This Euro has clearly been a step up that can't just be explained through home advantage (which in any case they had for most of their games at the last Euro). They went out from the last Euro in feeble fashion. Similarly for Spain.
Back from vacation. Glad to see Spain in the Final. They were my favorite going in and they are making me look good. England on the other hand seems like they have woken up at the right time and took advantage of their draw. Should be a good match but Spain should win. Way too much talent and play makers. They will also keep the ball away from England like no team they have faced in years.
NOT Netherlands. Netherlands 2022 was very good, might’ve even been third best team in the World Cup. They never compared post-Van Gaal. I highly doubt that Van Gaal’s Netherlands would’ve lost to England.
Germany is definitely better but maybe not by a lot. The 2022 team really lacked chemistry in areas, especially in the attack. This German team still has weaknesses, but I think they’re more organized and better team play now than in 2022. Spain also greatly improved. Spain in 2022 really struggled to score or do anything with their possession. Besides Costa Rica, they were very predictable in attack. Also this Spain has more pace than 2022. I think Spain improved a lot actually. I would also add Uruguay, Denmark, and Portugal to the list. Portugal in 2022 were a bunch of individuals and they’re way more team play since Roberto Martinez took over. I don’t think they improved a lot, but definitely a bit better. I definitely agree with you about the Dutch. Louis Van Gaal’s Netherlands were arguably the third best team in the 2022 World Cup. No way are they better now.
Switzerland as well I’d say slightly improved from World Cup 2022 by a bit. Although the Swiss can be inconsistent; it’s hard to say. That thrashing loss vs Portugal was humiliating though and that Portuguese team really wasn’t that good.