Round of 16 | England vs Slovakia | Spain vs Georgia

Gotta give props to de la Fuente. Took what had been a successful formula for Spanish football the last two decades, and made space for talented fast wingers that might have been blocked by a more conservative manager. Wonderful stuff.

Perfect balance because they still have the technical players in the middle but the dynamism up front that previous teams didn't have since Villa retired.
 
I just love how Georgia are 4-1 down, out in their feet, yet when they get the ball on the halfway line their first thought is “chaaaarge!” :devil:
 
Spain are like rabid dogs; constant attacking. Such a turn around for what is usually such a conservative, safety first nation.
 
Don't think Spain were really that boring in 2008 or 2012? They destroyed Italy in the 2012 final.
2008 was still entertaining, 2010 and 2012 was focusing so much on keeping possession that they became boring.
 
Don't think Spain were really that boring in 2008 or 2012? They destroyed Italy in the 2012 final.
They were ultra possession based and weren't that entertaining imo. Quality, but not exciting. This is amazing to watch, just direct attackers who love dribbling with the ball and their possession is just focused for creating.
 
Why isn't Yamal just called Yamal instead of Lamine Yamal by commentators?
I don't know, I guess it's because his shirt includes a first and last name. I embarrassingly (and the commentator on Spanish TV) sometimes call him Yamine Lamal.
 
Don't think Spain were really that boring in 2008 or 2012? They destroyed Italy in the 2012 final.
2012 was the only year they were boring, despite that final. Passed everyone to death without a striker. 2010 myth they were boring as they won every knockout game 1-0. 2008 they were far from boring.
 
Spain are really good . The only team I can see beating them is France . Contrasting styles .
 
PSG ruined him. This guy is fecking awesome

He hasn't been ruined, players are sometimes better with their national team. The same has been true for the likes of Giroud, Podolski or this year Morata.
 
I don't know, I guess it's because his shirt includes a first and last name. I embarrassingly (and the commentator on Spanish TV) sometimes call him Yamine Lamal.
Really annoys me, but I wondered if there was an actual reason for it.
 
An emphatic win by Spain to guide them into the quarter finals. They’ll be facing the hosts in the quarters, in a rematch of the 2008 Euros final and one of the semi finals of the 2010 World Cup.
 
Germany vs Spain, what a game that will be. France vs Portugal will be another brilliant QF. That side of the draw is fantastic for the neutral.

Other side, England vs Switzerland will be tight, and not too entertaining. Fancy England to squeak through, and face Austria in the semis. After that it’s a 50/50.

Think final will be England or Austria vs Spain or France. On form it’ll be Austria vs Spain. But somehow I think England will grind their way to the final. Spain will take some stopping. They aren’t the team with the best players, because on paper their defence isn’t very good, but they, along with Austria, are easily the team that has clicked the best. And they have the attacking talent to go all the way.
 
Well done Spain, they look the side to beat.

I’ll miss Georgia though. They’ve been such a good watch all tournament.
 
spain peaking way too early in the tournament. england are timing it brilliantly, and will be on fire come november.
 
Germany vs Spain, what a game that will be. France vs Portugal will be another brilliant QF. That side of the draw is fantastic for the neutral.

Other side, England vs Switzerland will be tight, and not too entertaining. Fancy England to squeak through, and face Austria in the semis. After that it’s a 50/50.

Think final will be England or Austria vs Spain or France. On form it’ll be Austria vs Spain. But somehow I think England will grind their way to the final.

Unless England make serious changes, I just don’t see where they hurt Switzerland.

The Swiss are such a well balanced side. They’ll eat that one paced, conservative play up for breakfast.
 
Georgia have done well. Played every game to win instead of trying not to lose like too many teams this tournament. This mentality and football they showed is going to elevate them further up the rankings and perhaps out of having to rely on Nations league qualification playoffs.
 
Spain looking truly fantastic right now, seems we are on the verge of another great Spanish generation. Can we break the bank for Williams and Yamal? That's the kind of winger duo I want us to have.
Williams … unreal
 
Yamal playing the full 90 mins is child abuse

I read an article that it is against German law for kids under 18 to work past 23:00. It is 23:00 right now in Germany but if he also has to extra time, he is breaking German labour laws.

Actually the showering and media stuff after a game is also part of the work so he is breaking German law :lol:
 
Ruiz was playing much better before he joined PSG though. It happened to too many players over there

Not really, he had some good seasons but the last ones weren't particular good. There is a reason why he was a late buy and no big club actually came for him in spite of being cheap.
 
Gotta give props to de la Fuente. Took what had been a successful formula for Spanish football the last two decades, and made space for talented fast wingers that might have been blocked by a more conservative manager. Wonderful stuff.
He's done an incredible work. Spain are a brilliant team and I think that the winner of their next round will get their hand on the trophy.