Spain needs to go back on notice
In the early years of this blog, Brian faithfully put Spain on his "On Notice" board every time. Many wondered about its significance. What had this Iberian nation done to earn such negative attention?
What Brian did not wish to reveal at the time has become painfully obvious. The fortunes of the Michigan football and Spanish national soccer teams are inversely related. When one is up, the other is down. The facts do not lie:
From 1969-2007, we won or shared 21 Big Ten championships and won a national title. Over the same timeframe, Spain won zero titles of any kind. However, Spain came close in 1984, reaching the European final. Though they did not win, that run generated enough negative vibes for us to go 6-6, Bo's worst season.
It was in 2007 that Spain emerged as the consensus top team in Europe. And it was that same year that we suffered . . . the Horror. But that was just a warmup for what came next. The following year, Spain had its best season ever, going undefeated the entire calendar year and winning the Euro. We had . . . the season that shall not be mentioned.
2009 was nearly as good for Spain, as they went undefeated save for one game - a loss to the U.S. Likewise, 2009 ended up being nearly as bad as 2008 for us, save for the good memory of the ND game.
It was, therefore, a good omen when Spain lost its opener in the 2010 WC. No team has ever lost its opener and gone on to win the tournament. But now they sit in the quarterfinals after winning today. They are three wins away from the title - and surely wreaking havoc on our football team's chances. (You thought these academic casualties were a coincidence?) There is only one thing to do. They must be put back . . . On Notice.
Interesting thoughts, perhaps a little bit out there.
For your sake, OP, if Spain does defeat Paraguay (like they should), they would most certainly be an underdog to either Argentina or Germany.
While if you look at the other bracket, the Netherlands or Brazil will likely have to face Ghana for a chance at the WC final.
If I had money on Netherlands or Brazil to win it all, I'd be pretty happy at this point.
were the European champions, so they would be favored over Germany and Netherlands for sure. They were the #2 ranked team in the world as of May. #3 was Portugal, the team they just beat. The only team that they would be underdogs to would be Brazil.
Spain lost 2 games out of the last 51 games which is very imrpessive, no matter how you slice it. Sure they lost to USA and Swiss during that stretch, but they have beaten world powers like Germany.
Spain is very fun to watch especially when they keep possessions and passing the ball into tight space without losing it. Xavi and Villa combo is very impressive to watch at the WC, they work together very very well.
I do agree, but Fernado Torres is still not back to 100% and when any team losses one of their best players (Villa makes a case with his WC performance) they are bound to not live up to the #2 ranking. I think they will be the favorites if they play Germany, but Argentina has been looking amazing so far and that would be a close game to call. Also Germany is ranked #6 and Argentina is ranked #7, but Ballack is out for Germany so that makes it tougher to call. Also in Argentina's defense, Messi still has yet to play a great game and they have been dominating. Portugal's ranking also has alot to do with how great their goalie and defense had been playing, it was something like 8 goals in 17 games, which is unreal, but their offense does not match up to some other teams (even with Ronaldo who had a poor showing at the WC by his standards).
No one wants to play Germany right now. Spain would probably rather play Argentina despite all wins on their part.
No one wants to play Brazil either after that systematic execution of Chile.
I have Netherlands losing to Spain in the final. I kind of wish I had reversed this, but Spain looked strong today.
can beat Germany. They have the offensive firepower to score 3-4 goals against anybody. They looked very good thus far in the world cup.
I would bet the Messi would score a goal, he has so many chances to score. Good thing that he created a lot of chances for others to score.
Yes.. unfortunately I have the same result. I say unfortunately, because I was going to go to Spain this summer but decided to delay it until next year when I study abroad. If they win the WC while I would have been there, I might have to go into hibernation and cry. That would be the biggest party I'd ever attend
I have the same final... and also wishing I had it reversed. I had Argentina losing to Mexico in my pre-WC bracket and sadly it didn't happen...
Down with Spain, I say.
They should be on notice for that dive at the end of the match today which drew the red card. Absolutely pathetic. Although you can't say Portugal didn't deserve to have something like that to happen to them after all the stunts they pulled in the last World Cup.
holeeeeeeeeeeeeee crap
That is rather....dismaying
Wow, I can't believe this. Here's hoping they go back to their old traditon of choking in major tournaments.
Michigan's 13.7% unemployment rates is better than Spain's 20%!
And what have we come to when a Michigan football blog is talking about Spanish Futbol?
If this boring soccer talk continues, I might just have Tony shoot me in face after all.