04/16/24
June 23, 2012
Spain Stomps France in Euro 2012: Xabi Alonso scored two goals, leading Spain to an easy 2-0 victory over France in the quarterfinals of Euro 2012 Saturday -- its first win over France in its history. Spain will face Portugal Wednesday for a spot in the finals and a chance to become the first country to win three successive major tournaments.
Don't hurt yourself rcade
posted by kokaku at 06:41 PM on June 23, 2012
That was an awful match. To quote that Graun's MBM: "Spain are clearly the best team in the world, almost impossible to beat; that's hardly news, and nobody's arguing otherwise. But crowds and audiences are under no obligation to enjoy the spectacle."
posted by etagloh at 12:29 AM on June 24, 2012
""Spain are clearly the best team in the world, almost impossible to beat; that's hardly news, and nobody's arguing otherwise. But crowds and audiences are under no obligation to enjoy the spectacle.""
It's true, but it's also hard to hold it against Spain when, so often, they're the only team that show up to play in their games.
Today Blanc decided to exploit the strength of the French squad - the midfield - by dropping one in favour of playing two fullbacks on the right hand side. A purely destructive move, (that failed miserably), and yet Spain will take complaints about being boring against a team playing five defenders with two midfielders parked in front.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 02:01 AM on June 24, 2012
Spain were just energetic enough to keep their rhythm going and get to the next round, since France never pushed them enough to get the engine into third gear. Portugal ought to be a difference story but I think the result will be similar.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:49 AM on June 25, 2012
Can't wait for tomorrow's match. Until then I'm going to lie back and think of England.