Comment from Tom
Time: June 27, 2008, 9:11 am

Yes, they played really well, especially in the second half when Russia just fell apart…

Let’s hope the Spanish supporters don’t tolerate the Franco-era flags on display as they seemed to last night.

Comment from Jonk
Time: June 27, 2008, 10:16 am

Vamos España!!! Voy a mirarlo en mi trabajo a las 5am!

Comment from Parubin
Time: June 27, 2008, 10:31 am

What a display of class footie last night!!!.

How good this sport is when skilled intelligence overcomes physical superiority.

It will be tough but we deserve it. If we keep up the good work in the final, with a bit of luck, we’ll have a good chance of lifting the trophy. Let’s hope so, because after what I’ve seen in this Eurocopa, should Spain win it, in my opinion, it would be one of the best European Champs in history (at least for what I’ve seen) along the likes of Holland in 88 and Zidane’s France.

¡ Vamos España !

Comment from Tom
Time: June 27, 2008, 11:44 am

Wow, Luis and Waldo seem to be echoing eachother’s views. Either that or they’re the same guy.

Spain are now (surprise, surprise!) the odds-on favourites for winning the championship. I reckon they thoroughly deserve to win. But those Germans can be tricky customers…

Comment from Stephen
Time: June 27, 2008, 11:54 am

Let’s hope Aragonés has the sense to put Fabregas on the pitch from the start so the Arsenal maestro can put Liverpool’s Torres in on goal.

Of course if Spain win it will be a victory for England really.

Comment from Beckett
Time: June 27, 2008, 12:06 pm

Yeah, and “Waldo” and “Luis” seem to be suffering from the same “posteritis” that “Hellin” was struggling with yesterday. Posteritis is a terrible malady that causes the writer to post multiple inane comments in a row.

Message to “Waldo”, “Luis” and “Hellin”: You can be cured of your illness. It’s very simple. Take a deep breath, get a glass of tinto de verano, and smile for 10 seconds. If that doesn’t cure you of your insolence, I don’t know what will. Suerte.

Comment from Dean Hunt
Time: June 27, 2008, 12:07 pm

Gary Linker once said “football is a simple game, 22 players, 90 mins, 1 referee, and at the end of the game, the Germans always win”.

He is pretty much right. But if anyone can beat them, it is this year’s Spain team.

Podemos!!!!! Si!!!!

Comment from leftbanker
Time: June 27, 2008, 1:09 pm

Spain is the best team of the bunch, they are the most interesting team to watch, and they all look like they are having a freaking blast doing it. Fabrí¨gas looked like some sort of circus performer last night and the ball was one of his props.

Some friends and I are driving to Madrid to watch the game in the Plaza de Colon. It’s not my idea, and I’m not sure I want to fight the crowd, but I’d feel like a killjoy if I didn’t go. My living room just isn’t big enough for this game. Someone save me a spot by the screen.

Comment from Ben
Time: June 27, 2008, 3:29 pm

Luis, hellin and waldo all share the same ip address… all their comments are gone, and will continue to be deleted.

Comment from Graham Tappenden
Time: June 27, 2008, 8:15 pm

“I think they really could even beat the Germans in Sunday’s European Cup Final…”

You’ll understand that I have to disagree

Comment from Bill
Time: June 27, 2008, 9:30 pm

@leftbanker - if you go to Colon I recommend taking lots of water with you. I walked past there on Thursday and it was like a furnace with people fainting all over the place!

Comment from Jonk
Time: June 28, 2008, 6:53 am

I would very much love to be in the Plaza de Colon for this game! So to those that can be there, please enjoy it on our behalf and get hoarse for España!

Comment from frank
Time: June 28, 2008, 9:44 am

See? These “nice” threads don’t generate much traffic, much interest, only a dozen or so replies! The more controversial ones get up in the thirties and forties!;-) No more mister nice guy!

Comment from luke
Time: June 28, 2008, 10:45 am

Is the 44 year wait for a trophy over?
Sergio Ramos has started playing well, strong in the midfield. Puyol and Senna are like brick walls, no one can get past them and if they do Casillas is probably the best goalie the tournament. Fí bregas is delivering balls brilliantly (I’m biased as a life long Arsenal supporter). But Torres has been a bit of a disappointment and I hope Villa comes back to form. But Spain have got so many good players like Xabi Alonso who can take their place.
!Podemos!
My prediction is 2-2 until full time then Spain win 3-2 in extra time.

Comment from Ben
Time: June 28, 2008, 11:57 am

@Frank - just because they don’t generate so many comments doesn’t mean they don’t hold so much interest. A number of the comments on the controversial threads I could live without anyway! (Namely those which involve insults, provocation, or telling me I should go back to the UK. Oh, and those that say they have the god-given right to smoke wherever they like)

Comment from Ben
Time: June 28, 2008, 12:08 pm

Oh, and Frank, here is proof that positive threads can generate a lot of interest - despite the first negative comment there
http://www.notesfromspain.com/2008/02/07/the-essesnce-of-spain/

Comment from Bill
Time: June 28, 2008, 5:30 pm

@Luke - Villa won’t be playing I’m afraid (still injured). I agree that Torres has been a disappointment - but I expect he’ll start on his own up front, with 5 in midfield. I imagine he’ll get substituted for Guiza again - 4-2 to Spain!

Comment from Maria S.
Time: June 28, 2008, 6:33 pm

Hi Ben and everyone,

We watched the game last night in a small Cretian tavern in a tiny village called Gavalohori.
I rooted so much for the Spanish that a Welsh guy came up to me and asked if I were Spanish:))
We will be looking forward to Sunday’s game - either way. Even though the Spanish team is very good, I think the Germans’ winning mentality will win them the game!

Comment from Thomas S.
Time: June 28, 2008, 6:58 pm

If Germany plays like they did against Portugal, I think they stand a good chance of winning the game. On the other hand, if they play as conservatively and passive as they did against Turkey, they could lose. Anyhow, I hope that Germany wins. And yes, I am German (and American).

Comment from Ray
Time: June 28, 2008, 9:05 pm

I didn’t comment on this post, yet.
It is only because I don’t understand soccer very well, and I didn’t want to sound ignorant.
Too late for that I suppose.

Comment from luke
Time: June 29, 2008, 1:34 am

@Bill Yeah, it’s a shame about Villa. I hope they start with Fí bregas for the final, instead of bringing him on in the second half. I think he can be pivotal to the fluidity of play.

Comment from Edith
Time: June 29, 2008, 1:06 pm

I don’t care much for football, but this time I’ll make an exception - ¡vamos España!

Comment from Graham Tappenden
Time: June 29, 2008, 9:42 pm

Half time 1-0 for Spain!

The German commentator said “Ballack ist am Boden, Deutschland ist am Boden” - Ballack is on the ground and Germany is as well (ie. it’s not going good…)

Spain’s goal was amazing - Lehmann was there on time and gave it everything he had, but Torres just flicked the ball over him!

Comment from Graham Tappenden
Time: June 29, 2008, 10:39 pm

"I think they really could even beat the Germans in Sunday’s European Cup Final…”

… OK, maybe you’re right

Comment from We Are Never Full
Time: June 29, 2008, 10:43 pm

CONGRATS SPAIN!!! Well deserved win!

Comment from faemino
Time: June 29, 2008, 11:01 pm

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment from ValenciaSon
Time: June 29, 2008, 11:28 pm

Dame la bota Benia!

Comment from ValenciaSon
Time: June 29, 2008, 11:28 pm

Benita

Comment from Parubin
Time: June 30, 2008, 12:00 am

Oeeee Oeeee Oeeee!!!!
Hoy es Noche Buena y mañana Navidad !!!.

Gracias Luis, eres grande !!!

CAM - PE - O - NES !!!

Comment from Jonk
Time: June 30, 2008, 12:09 am

Campeones campeones ole ole ole!!

(Ben that previous comment was an accident! Didn’t mean to look like a spammer!)