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Taking a moment to admire Spain

Spain Team (AP) 

Some teams are easy to hate, but some teams are just so good at what they do that you can only admire them.

Spain is one of those teams.

Playing a beautiful brand of skillful and deadly attacking soccer, the Spanish have been on an absolute tear over the past two years as a golden generation of stars came together to form a team for the ages. Torres, Villa, Xavi and Fabregas are just some of the superstars who fill out this dream squad (a squad so deep that you have barely noticed the absences of Andres Iniesta and Marco Senna).

Although it was been a year already, few will forget how Spain rolled to a European Championship last summer. They have shown similar form in these Confederations Cup.

With today's Confed Cup semifinal vs. the United States just three hours away, let's take a look back at Spain's Euro championship run (be sure to click the HQ button):

Did the video make you more excited about today's match, or more nervous?

Comments

  1. Spain didn’t really play anyone in that tournament – Russia twice, Sweden, Greece and Italy.

    We could have won that tournament playing that competition (if we could keep 11 players on the pitch against Italy).

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  2. Sergio Ramos is my favorite player on the team. He’s a great right back but he brings so much else. Great crossing, good at 1v1, smart passer, fantastic control.

    Xavi is also another one of my faves. He orchestrates everything. He’s a better version of Pirlo.

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  3. Spain is so good and deep, especially at midfield that a player as talented at Mikel Arteta of Everton hasn’t even had a sniff with the national team. He is probably going to end up playing for England sometime in 2010 when he becomes eligible after living there for 5 years.

    He would be the US’s best midfielder now as far as passing and possession.

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  4. I hope that after watching the clip, the stupid threads about athletes like Lebron playing football end.

    Xavi, Iniesta, Cazorla, D. Silva are 5’7″
    Senna, D. Villa are 5’9″
    Fabregas, Puyol are 5’10”
    Capdevilla, Güiza are 5’11”
    Ramos, X. Alonso, Marchena are 6′
    Torres, Casillas are 6’1″
    Reina, Busquets are 6’2″
    Pique, Lopez are 6’3″

    Cheers

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  5. Memrook
    “Does anyone else think that Iniesta looks like the Spanish version of Donovan (or if you like, Donovan looks like the American version of Iniesta)???”

    I totally agree. I always thought that if Donovan and Ron Howard’s brother (The ugly one) had a kid Iniesta is what it would look like.

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  6. Eh, I know it was their old coach but its hard to not put them on my hate them forever list after the Henry comments. Their basketball team’s Olympic picture didn’t do them any favors either.

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  7. COME ON YOU YANKS! Show some heart, courage, and the willingness to attack and I’ll be happy. A win, I will… go something crazy!

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  8. Wow- those goals are amazing. However, they are missing Iniesta who is arguably the best of the best on their team. Also, Villa is not playing at the same level he did in the Euro Cup, that’s not to say he is playing bad but during that tourney he was absolutely amazing. It will be an extremely tough game against the best team in the world but we are not getting them at their absolute best.

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  9. plz. no need to kiss up to Espana’s glory. you know what they say:

    “The Bigger they are…”

    Posted by: Leonardo | June 24, 2009 at 12:33 PM

    …the harder they pound you into the ground??

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  10. At the risk of sounding biased, I’m not all that sure this Spain team is as good as advertised. They weren’t much better than Germany at the Euro, slipping by on a pure effort goal from Torres. If this was Germany we were playing against, do you think anyone would be so assured we would lose?

    The individual talents of La Roja cannot be argued against, but as a team they frighten me considerably less than a squad like Brazil. They can be beaten if we play disciplined and avoid any needless fouls or bookings. Sure, we will likely have to play a very boring, anti-football style to have a chance, but we can do it.

    Beating this Spain team isn’t really an option in my mind, because as overrated as I think they might be, our team is still a 3rd tier program that is capable of playing up to better competition.

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  11. Its true…

    You really cannot hate Spain.

    To be able to play a team at the height of their power is a sight to behold.

    USA 2 : Spain 1

    haha.

    Reply
  12. All I have to say about this post is…

    USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA

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  13. Jim.. you just missed the 82 Brazil team. In my opinion (since I’ve been watching)they are the best and most entertaining team I’ve seen. I count this Spain team as #2. Not comparing the US to Italy 82.. but the lesson is.. Brazil didnt win that tournament.

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  14. Does anyone else think that Iniesta looks like the Spanish version of Donovan (or if you like, Donovan looks like the American version of Iniesta)???

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  15. I’m excited. I’ve been following soccer diligently since the 86 World Cup (I was a little too young for 82) and I think this is the best team I’ve ever seen. Even if the US loses, you’ve got to love a chance to test yourself against the best. Hear that Lil’ Bradley? If you want to show us something, show it today.

    Reply
  16. Did you hear? The ref for today’s game is the same one that did the ill fated Italy vs US 2006 WC game. That’s right. Ugggh! Then the fourth official is the same one from the Brazil vs US that red carded Sasha.

    Talk about conspiracy!!!!!

    Reply

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