Hello once again PESheads, first of all sorry for the delay in getting this latest team review out, work has been a nightmare lately and any spare time I had I was busy helping with Ratmundos epic file release. Anyway lets get started, today we focus en "LA ROJA" ESPAÑA.
Spain what a country!!!, great food and drink (Pulpo and Estrella Galicia) , great people, great place to live and of course one of the most pasionate footballing nations in the world.
I knew this was the country for me and moved here in 2002 with my Spanish wife and I can honestly say it was the best decision I ever made.
Now onto the footy...
While the mighty Real Madrid and Barcelona have continually dominated in European competitions over the years the national team has until 2008 mainly underachieved, in qualification for major tournaments they have often breezed through only to suffer dissapointment on the big stage (just like England). There have been moments of controversy, from the defeat against the South Koreans in the 2002 WC after having two legitimate goals ruled out thanks to some dubious refereeing to the wrongly disallowed goal for offside against England in1996 EC and who can forget Luis Enriques blood covered face after getting elbowed by Tassotti in the 1994 WC to name a few. Their recent successes have at least helped to banish those injustices to the past.
Spain became a member of FIFA 1904 but their football federation wasn't founded until 1909. They played their first match in 1920 beating Denmark 1-0 and have appeared at 14/20 WC and 9/14 EC. They are the only European nation to have won the World Cup on another continent beating Holland 1-0 in extra time, a goal from Iniesta was enough for them to lift the trophy in South Africa. They also are the only country to have back to back Euros, winning in 2008 and 2012 which is a remarkable feat. If we look back though their successes have been a long time in coming , their only other mayor tournament win was when they hosted the Euros in 1964, beating the USSR 2-1 in the final. They would have to wait another 44 years to taste glory again.
Considered the great undeachievers of international football before their recent triumphs , they have always produced players of the highest quality from the likes of Suarez,Butragueño,Raul to present day stars who light up the Premier league every weekend Silva, De Gea, Mata and Cesc just to name a few.
Spain lives it's football with a passion and it's great to sit in a bar listening to all the heated discussions. The Spaniards are not shy at giving their opinions which personally I think is great.
PLAYER PROFILE
Luis Suárez Miramontes (Luisito)
Born-2 May 1935 A Coruña, Galicia,Spain
Living in A Coruña I have chosen one of their favourite sons and one of their alltime greats Luis Suárez. Luis started his club career with Deportivo de la Coruña making his first team debut in 1953 , he went on to play 17 times scoring 3 goals for them before moving to Catlan side España Industrial who were playing in Spains second division. His big break came in 1955 when he signed for the mighty Barcelona where he went on to make 122 apearences scoring 61 goals in a spell lasting 5 years. Nicknamed "el Arquitecto " the Architect due to his elegance and grace he showed on the pitch, he started out as more of an inside forward before dropping into a more deep playmaker role in midfield. In 1960 he became the first Spanish Player to be voted Balon d'or and in the following year he made his move to Inter Milan where he became a club legend. Signing for a then world record fee of £142,000 he went on to play for them 256 times scoring 42 goals he helped Inter to 3 leagues and 2 consecutive European Cups. In 1970 he signed for his final club Sampdoria where he played 63 time scoring 9 times. In1973 he ended a great club career of 458 games scoring 115 goals and went on to manage the likes of Inter,Sampdoria,Depor and Spain amongst others.
For the national team he made 32 appearences scoring 14 goals and was part of Spains first ever mayor tournament win in 1964.
Outside the house he was born there is plaque which reads "In this house on 2 May 1935,the architect of football Luis Suarez was born".
Truly one of footballs alltime greats.
Now lets take a look ingame......
With a mix of their renound "tiki taka "and physical strength defensivley Spain are one of strongest nations in the file.
Formation 4-3-3
Star Player=Luis Suárez, with his 97 long passing and low passing at 94 he is the total midfielder.
Flair Player=Francisco Gento, awesome player, his 97 speed and 94 explosive speed makes him a real threat on the left wing.
Impact Player= David Villa, Spains alltime record goal scorer with 59 in 97 games. He's great to bring on late second half when a goal is needed, more of a sub than a starter IMO.
Suprise Player=Estanislau Basora, magical winger, a combination of 90 ball control, 92 dribbling and 94 explosive speed makes him deadly against any defence.
Personal Favourite = Carlos Puyol, one of my alltime favourite players and ingame I love him just as much. 93 ball winning,92 jump and his incredible stamina 92 means he is as comfortable at right as he is at center back. Mega player!!!
Strengths = Great allround ,physically strong in defence with great technical ability in every department.
Weaknesses = When a goal is needed they are not the tallest up front, so high long ball don't really have an impact.
Conclusion =A solid squad which has a bit of everything, just the fact that I've not mentioned Iniesta, Raul, Hierro gives you an idea of the quality they possess throughout.
"Viva España"
Donatoson rating =8.5
