(Image source: BBC)
BY JOSH LANDER
Spain is crowned champion again. The Red Fury beat Italy 4-0 to take home the European Cup.
With the lopsided victory, the Spaniards became the first side to win three straight major tournaments, including the nation’s first World Cup title in 2010.
Some are asking if this team is the best national side ever assembled. ESPN’s Alexi Lalas says, no doubt about it.
“History. Best team ever. Not just the winning, but that’s going to help define it. But ultimately, when people ultimately drill down in it, it’s the way that this team has won. And not just today, but consistently over the years.”
So how have they won? An analyst for Fox Sports says they’re the first team ever to win three back-to-back international tournaments thanks to an unmatched style of football.
“They’ve reinvented it. Again they’ve gone back and put every aspect of the game into one. The athletic side, the attacking side, the passing side of the game. And you don’t have to be 6-foot-5 and weigh 250 pounds. As long as you can control that ball.”
Spain isn’t the only team to dominate their era. A writer for the BBC takes a look back at another legendary squad.
“When the template for the all-time great sides is assembled, Brazil's legendary World Cup-winning side in Mexico in 1970 is invariably used...[But] the greatest? It would have to be a very powerful argument against Spain.”
But not everyone is so impressed with Spain and its strategy for success. In fact, one Yahoo! blogger claims Spain’s style borders on arrogance.
“...they starve the opposition of possession and wait for the opportunity to prise them open with inch-perfect passes. However, prior to the 4-0 hammering of the Azzurri, there were claims that La Furia Roja had come to revere style over substance...”
Next up for Spain is the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. A writer for CNN says if Spain hoists its second straight World Cup trophy, crown ‘em the best ever.
“Favorites for the 2014 World Cup? You bet. And if they successfully defend their world title, you might be celebrating the fact the undisputed greatest team of all time played during your lifetime.”
BY JOSH LANDER
Spain is crowned champion again. The Red Fury beat Italy 4-0 to take home the European Cup.
With the lopsided victory, the Spaniards became the first side to win three straight major tournaments, including the nation’s first World Cup title in 2010.
Some are asking if this team is the best national side ever assembled. ESPN’s Alexi Lalas says, no doubt about it.
“History. Best team ever. Not just the winning, but that’s going to help define it. But ultimately, when people ultimately drill down in it, it’s the way that this team has won. And not just today, but consistently over the years.”
So how have they won? An analyst for Fox Sports says they’re the first team ever to win three back-to-back international tournaments thanks to an unmatched style of football.
“They’ve reinvented it. Again they’ve gone back and put every aspect of the game into one. The athletic side, the attacking side, the passing side of the game. And you don’t have to be 6-foot-5 and weigh 250 pounds. As long as you can control that ball.”
Spain isn’t the only team to dominate their era. A writer for the BBC takes a look back at another legendary squad.
“When the template for the all-time great sides is assembled, Brazil's legendary World Cup-winning side in Mexico in 1970 is invariably used...[But] the greatest? It would have to be a very powerful argument against Spain.”
But not everyone is so impressed with Spain and its strategy for success. In fact, one Yahoo! blogger claims Spain’s style borders on arrogance.
“...they starve the opposition of possession and wait for the opportunity to prise them open with inch-perfect passes. However, prior to the 4-0 hammering of the Azzurri, there were claims that La Furia Roja had come to revere style over substance...”
Next up for Spain is the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. A writer for CNN says if Spain hoists its second straight World Cup trophy, crown ‘em the best ever.
“Favorites for the 2014 World Cup? You bet. And if they successfully defend their world title, you might be celebrating the fact the undisputed greatest team of all time played during your lifetime.”
