EUROS and UNITED

UEFA EUROS 2012 - Ireland Vs. Spain
Yesterday we witnessed a shameful, predictable upset as the Spanish eliminated the Republic of Ireland from the UEFA EUROS 2012 tournament. The Irish went into the game after loosing their first group stage game against Croatia, 1 - 3, only to be slaughtered by the current World and EUROS champions with a tremendous score of 4 - 0. Spain opened the game up within the fourth minute, Fernando Torres scored the quickest Spanish goal of tournament history, only two seconds quicker then the last record holder (). Richard Dunne was able to tackle the ball away from David Silva but Torres went sharply for the open ball, goes in deep then strikes the ball past goal keeper Shay Given from a right angle.
Before the half time came by, Irish captain and L.A. Galaxy striker Robbie Keane was shown the Yellow Card from referee, ten minutes later Glenn Whelan as well. Four minutes after the second whistle was blown, David Silva gets a goal in past three Irish defenders which went to the right of Shay Given, landing gracefully into the bottom of the net. 70 minutes in, Fernando Torres gets a second goal after a brilliant pass from little man Silva to onside Torres who easily beats past Dunne once again. Four minutes past, Torres gets relieved of his duties allowing Cesc Fabregas to play for his country. Later into the game, 83rd minute, Fabregas scores from a short corner sent straight to him, humiliating the Irish with a final result of 4 - 0. Statistics showed this game was all in favor of Spain, producing 26 shots in total, 20 of them on target. The Irish made only 6 attempts with 4 of them needed to be saved.

 Conditioning and Talent Differences
 Now to my knowledge, the Irish have been playing the beautiful game for just as long if not longer then the Spanish. The talent Ireland have is no different then anyone else within Europe, but is it a question of player training and conditioning that separated these two teams? Perhaps life-style factors in as well, do the Spanish live and breath nothing but Football? it would seem so after the result they got against hot headed Republic of Ireland who produced almost double the bad challenges on Spain with only one extra Yellow Card being shown. (Spanish Fouls: 9, Ireland: 16, Yellow Cards:2,3.) It's not like it could be considered an easy task to debunk Spain off their current throne as champions, but one would figure that after qualifying to get into the group stages, Ireland would have been able to at least get a goal or two in. The attempts were strong but none able to get past Spanish Goalkeeper and Captain Iker Casillas. This question is one the English FA have been asking themselves for a few years. Why does it seem that the Spanish are always a step ahead of them when it comes to talent even though the English like to believe themselves the originators of the modern game. I'm not saying that England or any other European team are not "athletic" enough to compete with Spanish players, but the obviousness that Spain as a team are almost impossible to match up with, especially when it comes to passing and moving the ball into the final third. It has always been my thought that the only way to defeat Spain in a competitive game is to play and pass just as they do, all players must keep aware of the ball position and be ready at any given moment to receive and deliver. I wonder honestly if the Irish players even had the will to make a strong attempt against Spain. Did they go in with a defeat behind them with their tails already in between their legs? It seemed so to me. It's been said within the British media that the faults mainly on the current Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapatonni who has been said that he did not play the right talent the team had at its disposal. None the less, its up to the team that walks onto the pitch to have the will and determination to put on a show and strive for a victory. The team I watched yesterday did none such things. Is it because they are not as fit, not as ready as the Spanish or Croatians? If that is the case, Italy will have no problem defeating them to give themselves a chance for promotion into the quarter-finals. Italy vs Ireland will be a game the Irish go into already aware of their fate, however pride is now at stake.  

My Personal Thrills
I am currently in favor of three teams. The obvious is Germany. It would be outstanding to see them take on and over throw Spain, being the only team that seems to stand that chance. Second I favor England. Who wouldn't enjoy seeing England push on and make it to a final? After many dry years without a major tournament honors, I believe with their current talent they can show Europe they are contenders for the World Cup. Third and finally I have mixed emotions between two different teams. Last year I kept an eye on Robert Lewandowski and became a fan. If he is able to take Poland to the final and give the co-hosts a fighting chance, I would be delighted and would surely enjoy seeing him enter the English Premier League. However, I am an 8th Swedish, and have a hidden, forsaken love for my majority bloodline. Sweden with Ibrahimovic take on England and Andy Carrol today, so what I see will consider who I would like to see move on out of the two.

 Meanwhile, in Manchester
The transfer rumors and facts never end when it comes to Manchester United. Currently United have two signings, Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund, and Nick Powell of Crewe Alexandra. The rumors are Luca Modric and Robert Lewandowski may be in route to Manchester as well. It is obvious for Sir Alex that they are in desperate need to strengthen their Mid-Field presence, with Modric being the best option if he is to leave Tottenham. Kagawa was a good option for United and the young Japanese international admitted it is his dream to play at Old Trafford. I believe that the combination that him and Lewandowski have already displayed for Bundesliga Title Holders Dortmund would bring a great amount of assurance for United.