O
Olyy
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Infern0 @ Nov 7 2009, 12:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
:huh:
Lol you embarrasment, I don't even like football.[/b]
:huh:
Lol you embarrasment, I don't even like football.[/b]
Italy and Brazil, without a doubt.[/b]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Juan VdS @ Nov 6 2009, 09:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Italy and Brazil, without a doubt.[/b]
Which flawed logic is this? You said Spain can't be called the greatest footballing country due to the fact that they lacked the history. Italy have that history so surely they would be one of the top 2 or 3, certainly higher than Argentina.[/b]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (feicarsinn @ Nov 7 2009, 01:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Which flawed logic is this? You said Spain can't be called the greatest footballing country due to the fact that they lacked the history. Italy have that history so surely they would be one of the top 2 or 3, certainly higher than Argentina.[/b]
How convenient to blame all of your past failures on coaching errors. To be honest Juan, you're quite biased towards Argentina in this thread. A great footballing nation, no doubt and one of my favourites( I actually prefer them to the Italians) but they are behind Italy in the pecking order.Originally posted by Juan Vds+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Juan Vds)</div>No one really cares about U-20 world cups. Sure they're nice to win but I'd be surprised if Argentina wouldn't trade them all in for another proper wcFIFA U-20 World Cup Statistics[/b]
No doubt the European sides were taking these pre season warm-up games unbelievably seriously.Originally posted by Juan Vds+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Juan Vds)</div>Don't even pretend that anyone gives a toss about those. The whole point of the confederations cup is to make sure the World Cup hosts have their house in order. A mickey mouse cup of the highest variety. As for the Olympics, well very few countries send teams and its usually a mixture of U-23 and b grade players, hardly one of the greatest tournaments on the planet.Argentina and France are the only national teams that won the three most important men's ***les recognized by the FIFA: the World Cup, the Confederations Cup, and the Olympic tournament. Argentina have won more international ***les than any other nation.[/b]
I don't doubt it. But there have been alot more Copa Americas than European Championships. Also there is usually more than two or three teams competing in Europe ie. Holland, France, England, Italy Spain, Portugal, Germany etc.Originally posted by Juan Vds
Argentina have won more international ***les than any other nation.
Two things about this. Firstly, it's wrong. The Italians have and always have had brilliant attacking players. The likes of Totti, Del Piero, Baggio, Schillaci, Casiraghi, Zola, Donadoni etc. etc. Just because they play a more defensive system doesn't mean they don't have great skillful players with bags of flair. Also I believe this debate is about finding the teams or individuals that come to mind most quickly when we thing of that sport, eg. Ali with boxing, the All Blacks with rugby. Well Michael Schumacher is by far the most famous Grand Prix driver of all time and to be honest he wan't the most stylish of drivers. Why is he considered so great then? Success, pure and simple. Just like Italy.Originally posted by Juan Vds
Now, on to the nations' style. Brazil, Argentina and the Netherlands -- in that order -- champion the best playing style, with flair in attack, skill, technique, control... something the Italians lack.
<!--QuoteBegin-Juan Vds@
This year Boca Juniors toured Europe with a 3rd choice team AND a new coach... yet still won all of their matches, except for one terrible game against Manchester United.
EDIT: forgot something.
<!--QuoteBegin-Juan Vds
Just imagine what would happen if Brazil, Argentina and the Netherlands picked their in-form players in a correct fashion. All of them would burst out in laughter at any other team.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (darwin_23 @ Nov 5 2009, 10:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
continues from Australia versus Wales rugby thread....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Infern0 @ Nov 6 2009, 10:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (darwin_23 @ Nov 5 2009, 09:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Infern0 @ Nov 6 2009, 09:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
New Zealand are not the greatest cricket team - they are only on par with England (who by the way invented the sport). They are only ranked 7th in test (England ranked 5th), and 5th in ODI's (England ranked 7th), however they invariably make it into the semis of most major tournaments (Unlike say England). New Zealand doesn't do that bad considering the entire population is only about half that of the Greater London region! New Zealand is not good at all at 20/20 and don't give it anywhere as much consideration as most countries, so I think you might be a bit confused....Er, no, they are dreadful at Cricket, they are ok at that fake 20/20 sideshow, and so act like that is more important than test matches.[/b]
Like any Australian I can do nothing but laud the way Italians play football/soccer in an almost sexual way, I love them that much. I even have an Italian jersey in my naughty draw that i put on when I'm doing Italian things like eating spaghetti bolognese or kissing men.[/b]
Number four is just a lie. Del Piero is a god.1. The European teams actually did field first choice squads.
2. I don't blame Argentina's failures on the coaches. Sure, there have been coaches that raised my eyebrows but if the players don't play well... (2002 WC for example -- Arg had arguably the best team, but they sucked BIG TIME).
3. People care about U20 WC because it's there to groom players.
4. I can name you at least 20 players based in Arg and Brazil that would make all the players you mentioned look like dummies.
Oh, I know a lot about football because it's some sort of critical affair down here. I've never enjoyed watching European football (European? Take all South American players out of their competitions and the fun would be gone).
And my favourite team is not Argentina, but SA. Those guys really have the passion that most players have lost.
P.S: We all overlooked something. This Infern0 guy claimed he didn't like football, yet his profile unveils he's a devote follower of B. Munich. :mellow:[/b]
Hmmm, clearly you are not familiar with New Zealand's shot-put accomplishments...in the men’s we're not great...in the woman’s division however...I dont understand this thread. Granted I've only barely read it, but qualifying for the world cup by coming out of a group that contains New Caledonia, Figi and Vanuatu (while they actually managed to lose one of those games ). Then beating Bahrain 1:0 over two legs. I'm going to get shot down for saying this and I sincerely am happy to see teams like New Zealand get to the WC, but is the above really something to shout about?
New Zealand are, and always will be THE team in rugby union. That alone is a massive achievement for a nation of that size, but I cant think of anything outside of that really worth talking about. Granted I dont know anything about Netball and Softball but they dont really compete in Cricket and I'm struggling to think of big stars in other sports from New Zealand.[/b]
I dont understand this thread. Granted I've only barely read it, but qualifying for the world cup by coming out of a group that contains New Caledonia, Figi and Vanuatu (while they actually managed to lose one of those games ). Then beating Bahrain 1:0 over two legs. I'm going to get shot down for saying this and I sincerely am happy to see teams like New Zealand get to the WC, but is the above really something to shout about?
New Zealand are, and always will be THE team in rugby union. That alone is a massive achievement for a nation of that size, but I cant think of anything outside of that really worth talking about. Granted I dont know anything about Netball and Softball but they dont really compete in Cricket and I'm struggling to think of big stars in other sports from New Zealand.[/b]