This was posted before the match but i didn't have the time to translate it for obvious reasons. Very good piece by Rafa and a great pre-match analysis. The last part will bring a few smiles i'm sure, Nostradamus like
Spain doesn't walk alone
Ever since we arrived in England, four years ago, there’s been many times that I’ve heard talk about an affinity, parallels and mutual affection. Whether it was the “Spanish Liverpool”, or that the Anfield club was the adopted team of many Spaniards, or the massive television audiences tuning in to the Premier…The latest, as a result of the Euro Cup and after England’s failure to qualify for the finals, is that there is a general feeling of support towards the Spanish national team that is perceived in numerous types of situations on a daily basis here in Liverpool.
Everyone from English friends who shout “we’re going to win” with heavy emphasis on the verb, to text messages that fall in the same line of uncontrollable euphoria, and even special situations that I would like to expand on. One of our captains,
Jamie Carragher, owns a restaurant at the heart of the city. Across from Eleanor Rigby’s statue, perpendicular to Mathew St., you can see today two huge Spain flags that hang from each of the side windows at the entrance. Here, he has changed the name from Café Sports England to a circumstantial, I believe, Café Sports Spain.
Inside, where hundreds of English fans meet up to watch on the numerous tv sets spread all over the establishment’s walls, you can spot the photographs of
Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso and, now, especially, Fernando Torres. But this is not all. If you ask for the menu, you will find dishes like these: “Torres’s Tortilla Omellete”, “Pepe’s Pepperoni Pizza”, “Alonso’s Spicy Chicken Wings” or “Arbeloa’s Barbecue Ribs”. Not to mention the reporters from all the different English TV stations, wearing a Spanish shirt, asking for people’s predictions for the final. They’ve been doing it since the start of the Euro Cup.
But let’s speak about today’s final. Spain, even without Villa, seem like
the favourites on everyone’s mind. I believe that they’ve earned that right. Our play, based on controlling the ball and supported by the quality of many of our players, is a difficult thing to counteract by the opposing teams. Little by little they begin to give way to the Spanish push and, when they concede a goal, they lose control of the situation, and their subsequent lack of order gives way to conceding more goals. Germany possess order, physical prowess and quality in some of their players. But, honestly, I believe that if Aragones’s men impose their style of play,
the Germans will suffer. Specially their central defenders who are way too big and corpulent. If Silva, Iniesta or Fabregas receive the ball in between lines, Torres will receive more than one promising ball.
Back to the German team,
Lahm’s runs forward, surprising from the back,
Schweinsteiger, on the right, and
Ballack, as an attacking midfielder if he finally plays, are their best weapons. Acknowledging, like I said before, that Spain are the favourites, the only ‘but’ is something that all managers are aware of. And that is that the Germans are incredibly competitive and very difficult to beat. One last thing.
I don’t know what Luis’s plan is for tonight, or whether Torres will play. But I want to speak about Fernando for a moment. First there was talk of his good understanding with Villa but when he got to play alone up front, his sole presence was a constant threat for the opposing defences, creating space between the lines that was other players were able to take advantage of. For this reason, I’m shocked by some of the ruthless critique he has received for his overall contribution. Hopefully he will shut them up tonight. http://www.elmundo.es/eurocopa/2008/2008/06/29/columna_rafa_benitez/1214723668.html
