Spain make history with Euro triumph

Four years ago Fernando Torres looked like the future for Spain, then he went to England where he was taught how to play badly. If he gets a chance tonight he could make a difference.

These big finals always seem to be tight affairs - draw & extra time seems likely.

Fantastic display of football as it should be played - controlled precision in possession and closing down with speed and intelligent movement without the ball - every player with a job to do and every player excelling in that role.

Make the ball work when you've got it - work for the ball when you haven't.

Well done Spain, fine footballers without a "hoof" in sight.

It's like good triumphing over evil - it'll never catch on here though.

Any chance someone could convince him to come to Everton. I would sell my soul and whatnot for that. I really think he has come some way since his Fiorentina days.

Someone, I can't recall who. was quoted in the press today as saying that England were clutching at the straw of being lesser players who over achieved rather than good players who underachieved.

The only plus for the England side was the fact that we were hard to score against and all our best players were in defence.

Tonights display showed the Spanish team are right up there with the great Brazil side of 1970.

When Hungary ripped England apart at Wembley in the 50's they caused us to change our system of play as they introduced the deep lying centre forward game which revolutionized football.

Spain have done the same 60 years later.
Their defence hardly concedes a goal and their passing and moving ability dominates possession.
They do not rely on long throw ins or bustling strikers, they just keep the ball....easy ??????

What I do wish is that every English so-called bloody supporter could have been here in Spain to see how to party properly. A bit like the football - movement and control. Dancing in the street and some fearsome bangers - petards they call them - but trouble? Never. Drinks, but no drunks. The local police were, of course, on hand, but only to divert the traffic so the party could continue in safety.

When they ask me why I don't live here I sometimes find it hard to give a convincing answer. But I will be back for the United game.

( B.T.W. has anyone got any tips so I can recoup my losses ? )

Now with the success of Spain in Euro2012, the pundits are suggesting that all our clubs should adopt the style to be guaranteed overnight success.

We are told that `top managers` like Martinez and Rodgers have shown the way forward (just wonder at their finishing positions last season!) and theirs is the way forward for us all. What arrant nonsense!

Without the signing of Jelavic in the window, Everton would have finished the season scrapping against relegation. Relying on goals across the team is a very dangerous tactic – particularly if most of your team haven't a clue where the net is!

Now I wasn't around to wonder at the skills of Morrissey and Thomas but I bet most ToffeeeWebbers would opt for a good run down the wing and an accurate cross to a big centre-forward over the endless criss-cross passing that too often results in losing possession or a pass back to the keeper. Even Jose at Real Madrid knows his players can't pass it like Barcelona but just look who won the honours in Spain last season.

So, before we follow the experts by screaming for Moyes to pass other teams to death, let's just remember it's goals that count – a good winger and a second striker should remain more of a priority than signing the next Vinnie Samways!

No complaints though, I think Spain were sensational - the run, pass and finish for their second, absolutely sublime (watched it about 12 times last night).

Would have liked to have seen what might have happened if that Italian header just after half-time had gone in (and..er. if Italy had saved a couple of subs).

Thought Alonso should have been booked though (3 or 4 tackles/fouls that might have got him a booking..imo)

Oh and Di Natale needs to learn to look at who is in front and/or behind him.

Just the sort of thinking that has British football scaling the heights at international tournaments.

"if you can't beat them make sure you don't learn from them"

A bumber sticker if ever there was one.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/iker-casillas-asked-ref-blow-final-whistle-early-215402761--sow.html?