Spain in the World Cup

[Ben]

So world cup time is nearly apon us and most Spaniards are wondering which team they are going to support this year after Spain get's knocked out in the quarter finals - some things never change... or do they? Can they do better this year? :rolleyes:

[ValenciaSon]

Well Opa, I can't wait for the mundia! Catchy tune. It''l be in my head all day now.

[Ben]

Which version (http://www.notesfromspain.com/419/)? ;)

[Marbella]

Very uncharacteristic of Spaniards to play down their chances although I prefer this modest approach to that of England, team and fans alike, who seem convinced that their name is on the trophy. England will not be without support looking at the proliferation of flags and whatnot in the area where I live.

Even the government have felt the need to get involved:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday 01 May 2006 15:36
Department for Transport (National)


DfT ANNOUNCES PUBLIC DRIVING STANDARDS RECOGNITION SCHEME
Due to the decreasing quality of driving in England the Department for Transport has devised a scheme to identify poor drivers whilst giving good drivers the opportunity to recognise them whilst on the highway.

Thus from the middle of May 2006 those drivers who are found to be driving badly which includes:
· overtaking in dangerous places
· tailgating
· braking sharply
· speeding in residential areas
· failing to indicate at junctions
· parking on footpaths
· performing U turns inappropriately in busy high streets
· taking up more than one lane on multi-lane highways
· anything of a furry nature hanging from a rear-view mirror
· lowered suspension on family sized car
· driving with a stereo system on maximum volume with windows wound down

will be issued with flags coloured white and bearing a red cross, signifying their inability to drive correctly.

These flags must be clipped to a door of the car and be visible to all other drivers and pedestrians.

IMPORTANT: Those drivers who have shown particularly poor driving skills will have to display two flags, one on each side of their vehicle, to indicate their greater lack of skill and general lower intelligence to the general public.

Please circulate this to as many other motorists as you can so that all driver’s and pedestrians become aware of this initiative and the meaning of the flags.

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk (http://www.dft.gov.uk)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

[Vincent]

:D

... and don't forget the song (http://mfile.akamai.com/22865/wmv/multiprensa.download.akamai.com/15381/2006/05/31/231.asx?obj=1) performed by the Spanish players (http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/125912/0/aragones/seleccion/mundial/)!

I like the lyrics ;D

[ValenciaSon]

Which version (http://www.notesfromspain.com/419/)? ;)

"Y con Espana vamos a ganar" The optimistic version.:thumbs-up:

[neskadebilbao]

Can someone please explain to me how the world cup teams are organized? I played soccer in the past, but I was wondering how the Spanish team is formed. Who chooses who is goingto play for Spain?

[greytop]

Who chooses who is goingto play for Spain?
If they lose the team manager takes the blame, if they win Zapatero takes the credit

[ValenciaSon]

Refresh my memory, when does the world cup start?

[ValenciaSon]

Which teams in Spain will be contributing towards the world cup team for Spain?

[greytop]

Which teams in Spain will be contributing towards the world cup team for Spain?
This was a couple of weeks ago. Some may have been replaced since

UPDATED: 08:07, May 16, 2006
Spain squad for World Cup
Following is theSpain squad for the World Cup announced by coach Luis Aragones:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Santiago Canizares (Valencia)
Defenders: Antonio Lopez (Atletico Madrid), Pablo Ibanez (Atletico Madrid), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Juanito (Real Betis), Asier del Horno (Chelsea), Michel Salgado (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia)
Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Joaquin (Real Betis), Luis Garcia (Liverpool), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), David Albelda (Valencia), Marcos Senna (Villarreal)
Forwards: Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Raul (Real Madrid), David Villa (Valencia)

Get around do they not?

[Ben]

Refresh my memory, when does the world cup start?

June 9th I believe.

[Ben]

Who chooses who is goingto play for Spain?

The team manager (coach).

[ValenciaSon]

Does anyone have a schedule for world cup games yet?

[guapo]

Does anyone have a schedule for world cup games yet?

you can find all the details at www.fifaworldcup.com. Opening game is the 9th June between Germany (the hosts) and Costa Rica. The final takes place on the 9th July.
One whole month of football :clap:

[ValenciaSon]

Thanks for the link and the info, Guapo,

[Netsirksmada]

I don't know about you guys, but I just bought this http://www.fifaworldcupstore.com/images/catalog/productimages/300/503243.JPG

[ValenciaSon]

Just in time for fathers' day! Is fathers' day celebrated in Spain?

[Marina]

Fathers' day in Spain is on the 19th of March.
Mothers' day is the first Sunday of May

[guapo]

So world cup time is nearly apon us and most Spaniards are wondering which team they are going to support this year after Spain get's knocked out in the quarter finals

one thing that strikes me as odd is that the English are often seen as pessimistic and cynical. Yet here we are again, willing to suspend disbelief and seriously believe we can *win* the world cup.

Is there something about the Spanish that makes more them more willing to accept reality? Still with Rooney making a comeback (http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060602/6/71ee.html) maybe this time.....

[Brian]

There was a big article in the Chicago Tribune this weekend about Spain's prolific scorer, Raúl, being healthy enough to play.

[Ben]

I think he's definitely in the squad now. But he hasn't been very prolific in Real Madrid over the past few years...

[ValenciaSon]

Realistically, who do you think has the best chance of winning? I think Brazil.

[guapo]

I think Brazil will be most peoples favourite to win (aren't they always?). But just maybe the weight of all those expectations will be too much for them....

[ValenciaSon]

I think the world cup will be very telling on where in the world do the richest professional teams acquire their best talent.

[Alan]

If they lose the team manager takes the blame, if they win Zapatero takes the credit
Or to put it in the words of Dilbert's Pointy Haired boss:

"Credit travels up, blame travels down"

[Brian]

I think the world cup will be very telling on where in the world do the richest professional teams acquire their best talent.

aka the best teams that money can buy. Is there any sort of salary cap in the European Football leagues, such as do exist in some American professional sports?

[Marbella]

Is there any sort of salary cap in the European Football leagues, such as do exist in some American professional sports?

No, not yet.

[guapo]

this is actually becoming an interesting point since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Abramovich) bought Chelsea FC a couple of years ago. He has since spent several £100million on players and they have won the league two years in a row. Most people were quite pleased I think when they lost to Barcelona in the champions league.

Just in the last couple of weeks they have signed German captain Michael Ballack, top striker Andriy Shevchenko from AC Milan and Feyenoord forward Salomon Kalou. Latest is that they will sign Roberto Carlos from Real Madrid sometime after the World Cup.

[Brian]

There's great benefit to a salary cap and revenue sharing, as it somewhat levels the playing field. However, it can create too much parity, producing a lot of mediocre, crappy teams that are saddled with salary restrictions.

[Marbella]

The BBC news ticker just flashed up with "Wayne Rooney's plane has just taken off en route to Manchester for his crucial scan".

I'm not switching on the TV to see if they are covering it live but I'm expecting "Wayne Rooney's plane lands in Manchester..." and later "Wayne Rooney takes off sock...".

I love football and we want him to play but come on.

Sorry for the rant.

[Ben]

4-0 opening match win against Ukraine, here we go!!!

[Brian]

4-0, wow, perhaps the most dominant first round match so far. Of course, I want the US to win, but let's be frank- they're pretty much done after going down 0-3 against the Czechs.

[cubix]

I woke up and watched the game this morning, Spain did mighty well, but what do I know, I know almost nothing about soccer or Fifa or whatnot

[hrsaucedo]

Oye Ben,

Ya ves que como eso espana en el primer partido del mundial cuando jugaron contra ucrania? cuatro a 0. fijate!!

[cubix]

I really want to hang my Spanish Flag outside, cept that I leave tomorrow

[ValenciaSon]

:smug:FELICIDADES, ENHORA BUENA, HIGH-5!

Opa could Spain actually win the mundial?!:thumbs-up:

[Brian]

:smug:FELICIDADES, ENHORA BUENA, HIGH-5!

Opa could Spain actually win the mundial?!:thumbs-up:

Don't say it! :)

I videotaped the match and banned myself from all tv and radio news until I got home to watch it. The first 75 minutes were pure torture- the last 20 minutes, pure heaven!

[Alberto]

Hola chicos:
Los equipos que más jugadores aportan a la selección son: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid y Liverpool. Este año llevamos auténticas estrellas mundiales, jugadores muy jóvenes con mucha calidad. Mi favorito es Fernando Torres que de momento es el pichichi del mundial. La canción de guerra de este año es : A POR ELLOS OOOEEE, A POR ELLOS OEEE.

[Ben]

Si, la verdad es que Torres lo esta haciendo muy bien...

[guapo]

Can they do better this year? :rolleyes:

well with the 1-0 win over Saudia Arabia today that is three straight wins for Spain. Not too bad a start! Looks like they will playing one of Switzerland, Korea or France in the next round (27th June).

By the way, does anybody know any good bars in Barcelona to watch the football. I know there are a ton of "Irish pubs" just off Las Ramblas but are there any better options? I will be travelling out to Barcelona on Sunday for a few days work and have managed to schedule my flight for more or less when the England v Ecuador match kicks off (Doh! How stupid am I!!!!). Still it would be some consolation to see the Spain game whilst I am there.

[Marbella]

Tough one in the next round. A great game in prospect that's for sure!

And if Spain win they'll probably have to face Brazil in the next round.:eek:

[guapo]

And if Spain win they'll probably have to face Brazil in the next round.:eek:

If things go to plan there is now the prospect of Spain playing England in the Semi-Finals. Now that would be fun ;D

[Marbella]

I'll be a sore loser for a change - France played dirty, the referee was weak with them (penalty excepted) and I hope Brazil beat them heavily on Saturday. :(

[ValenciaSon]

I wonder if Koala is recording a new song?:rolleyes:

[Jimmy]

Hmmmmm - there's been a huge increase to the membership of the sad loosers club here in Australia - if you wish to join, membership is cheap !!

Anyway - we've got 3 other codes of football to fallback on - so back to Aussie Rules Footy for me !!!!!! No more late nights at least ;) !!!

[Ben]

Jimmy, you were robbed by the Italians, I was gutted to see the Ozzies go out - I had such an amazing trip to Sydney/NSW a couple of years ago that you guys will always be right behind England and Spain in my 'who to support list'.

[Jimmy]

Thanks Mate - the whole country is a bit disillusioned - but i guess that's what happens.....anyway I went to a spanish speaking group on wednesday and they're all cranking up for the Argy vs. German night coming up - they are hoping all members dress in Argy colours and turn up to the pub for the game - however, very quietly mind you, they also mentioned that the german speaking club would also be going to the same pub !!!! Sounds like no one is going to get out alive...me thinks best to watch it at home.

How's the rivalry between Spain and France ???? Does it also exist outside of football?

[Ben]

The Spanish are a pretty condescending about the French, not a huge rivalry though. Argentina - Germany is a hard one for an Englishman to call - there is massive football antagonism/rivaly on both sides there... all in all though many Brits will possibly back Argentina in the knowledge that the Germans will suffer most if they loose as it's their world cup!

[Edith]

Argentina - Germany is a hard one for an Englishman to call - there is massive football antagonism/rivaly on both sides there...

Holland-Germany would have been worse! ;) Some Dutch people still like to taunt younger Germans about World War II and the feelings run deep. A historical 1974 match between Holland and Germany, which was won by the latter, was a disaster for the Dutch and people in Holland still feel bad about it. Personally, I don't give a toss about a football match which was lost more than 30 years ago! :D

[guapo]

Jimmy, you were robbed by the Italians, ...
Have to agree with Ben, a terrible referee decision robbed the Aussies. There was a strong piece in German magazine Der Spiegel on how the Italians are a bunch of Mummies boys and greasy liars.

It caused a big reaction in Italy and got carried by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera (http://www.corriere.it/). The article got pulled from the German web site - or at least I can't find it - there is a strange gap (http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/0,1518,k-6928,00.html) where the article from 27.06.2006 should be. There is still a copy you can reach from the Italian article (http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Cronache/2006/06_Giugno/28/spiegel.shtml) if you can read German.

One piece that was quoted in the Corriere that made me smile was this description of the typical Italian playing beach football (my translation):

After laborious preparations, Mr. Fiorello shows off in a game not lasting more than 5 minutes, shouting and waving his arms around just like the football players seen on TV. He rarely manages to kick the ball, more often kicking the shins of the other players. At the minimum contact with an opposing player he falls heavily to the ground