Wahl_grant

David Villa = Man of the Tournament (So Far)

Views
23009
Comments
21
  • 02:39 PM ET  06.10
Three things we learned from Spain’s convincing 4-1 victory over Russia in Innsbruck:

• David Villa isn’t just the Man of the Match, he’s the Man of the Tournament (so far). It wasn’t just that the Valencia striker had the first hat-trick in a European championship since Holland's Patrick Kluivert in 2000, it was the way in which Villa pulled it off. Each of his three goals showed a different part of his vast skill-set. The first showed Villa's desire and willingness to run as a trailer on the break (big ups to Fernando Torres for the pass-back). The second showed Villa’s ability to make an incisive run and hit a killer one-time shot through the legs of ‘keeper Igor Akinfeev. (Credit the weaving run and assist from Andrés Iniesta.) And the third showed Villa’s skill on the ball as he beat Roman Shirokov and ripped his shot past Akinfeev once again. What a remarkable clinic on how to finish--the rarest and most valuable skill in the game (as the U.S. showed in its recent zero-goals-in-three-games tally). Villa’s transfer value was already high before today, but now it has to be up in the stratosphere.

• We’re seeing some classic case studies on how to run the counter-attack. First it was Holland on Monday; now Spain shows exactly how to run the fast-break like the Showtime Lakers in their heyday. The Russians looked like they had a chance until the 44th minute, down 1-0, when Konstantin Zyryanov made a complete hash of a short corner-kick (have we told you how much we hate short-corners?), skying his cross over the box and right to David Silva on the left side. That’s right: the key pass in Spain’s second goal was made by a Russian. Silva knew exactly what to do, hitting Joan Capdevila, who hit Iniesta, who hit Villa. Boom! 2-0. Game over.

• The Cult of Guus took a big hit today. I still have a t-shirt that I bought in South Korea in 2002; on the front is a caption-free photograph of Guus Hiddink, the miracle-working Dutch coach who led the Koreans to the World Cup semis that year. Since then Hiddink has worked further magic with PSV Eindhoven (Champions League semis) and Australia (World Cup second round), causing SI staffers to have a saying for the former Washington Diplomats player: In Guus We Trust. Today? Not so much. Yes, Hiddink got Russia into the finals, which is saying something. Yes, the Russians are playing fun (read: Dutch) attacking soccer. But now the Russians are looking at a big fat minus-3 in goal differential. And what was up with Hiddink’s treatment of Vladimir Bystrov, who came on as a sub at the start of the second half only to be taken off 24 minutes later? When was the last time you saw a coach take such a mulligan on a substitution?

Through-balls:

For what it’s worth, Cesc was offside on the fourth Spanish goal (if Russia gets aced out on goal-differential, however, it could be worth a lot) ... He may not get a lot of credit, but Capdevila was a genuine offensive factor today for Spain. It was Capdevila who sent the marvelous ball to Torres for Spain’s first goal, not Xavi (who was given the credit on ESPN). Capdevila also made a perfect link pass to Iniesta in the counter-attack that led to Spain’s second goal ... Russian defender Denis Kolodin had the single worst game of any player in Euro 2008 so far: his muff in back led directly to Spain’s first goal, he got worked time and again by Torres in the box, and he was directly responsible for Spain’s fourth goal too, firing the moronic pass that was easily intercepted by Villa. An absolute shocker of a game at this level ... Separated at Birth (courtesy of Blog pal Craig Stouffer): Portugal’s Nuno Gomes and Karate Kid-era Ralph Macchio ... Anyone know why the back of Villa’s jersey reads DAVID VILLA instead of just VILLA? Isn’t that like Kobe Bryant’s jersey reading KOBE BRYANT? ... We’re splitting hairs here, but I was still slightly more impressed with Holland than Spain. The Spanish defenders had some inexplicable give-aways deep in their own end ... We’re taking nominations for finest performance by a Brazilian-born player in the tournament. Where does the performance by Spain’s Marcos Senna stack up with Poland’s Roger Guerreiro, Portugal’s Pepe and Deco and Turkey’s Mehmet Aurélio? And does anyone find it slightly odd that three of those five naturalized Brazilians are (of all things) defensive midfielders?

Please post your comments below, and I’ll see you again after Greece-Sweden...

Comments (21) Add A Comment

June 10, 2008  03:00 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

I agree, the Dutch were more impressive considering the competition. Shaping up to be a great (attacking) tournament.

June 10, 2008  03:05 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

I want to see how Modric's injury affects Croatia's play.

As a Celtic fan, I'd like to see Boruc and Poland advance from the group.

June 10, 2008  03:13 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Yup, the Oranje were more complete than Spain, and against better competition. The Spanish defense looks shakey, they gave up a lot of opportunities to a Russian side missing several key players.

Don't get too high on Spain, they wiped the floor with Ukraine 4-0 to open the last World Cup, won all 3 group games with top goal differential in the field... and then crashed out in the first knockout game. Look for more of the same.

June 10, 2008  03:47 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Goal Differential isn't the first tiebreaker. Head-to-head result in the group game is first.

June 10, 2008  03:47 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Greece is making my eyes hurt.

June 10, 2008  05:16 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Interesting point that three of the five Brazilian-born players are defenders. Brazil sure could use them now ! As a Brazilian, I do see many good defenders develop in the Brazilian leagues due to the high level of talent found in the strikers. See Fluminense's Thiago Silva for example (who will soon transfer to Europe).

I do agree that Holland's feat of throttling Italy's vaunted defense was more impressive than Spain's dismantling of Russia, considering the opponents each team faced. Spain's defense was very weak and it was only the lack of Russian offensive talent that kept them ahead in the game.

Spain has an easy group. Sweden suffered to beat Greece and Spain shouldn't have a problem getting out first in their group. Which interestingly will potentially put them in the path of Italy, as second in their own group to Holland.

June 10, 2008  05:20 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

How has the US squad been doing thus far?

June 10, 2008  05:25 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

David Villa has "DAVID VILLA" on his shirt because his surname is actually Sanchez, in the same way that Sergio Ramos has "SERGIO RAMOS" on his shirt despite his surname being Garcia. it's a Spanish thing, Raul always just had "RAUL" on his shirt, but his name is Raul Gonzalez.

hope that clears it up

June 10, 2008  05:33 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

a bit more on what i posted above, it's to do with Spanish naming customs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_naming_customs

June 10, 2008  05:53 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Was it me or did it sound like Derek Rae was calling the one guy "****"?

I have it to say, that made me giggle

June 10, 2008  06:12 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Tam syndrome you are wrong. In spain we have to surnames not one like english speaking cultures. David Villa is David Villa S??nchez, Villa is his first surname and S??nchez his second surname. "Villa" is not a middle name or something like that, middle name concept doesn't exists in spain. Sergio Ramos is Sergio Ramos Garc??a, Ramos as first surname and Garc??a as second surname. And Ra??l is Ra??l Gonz??**** Blanco.

June 10, 2008  06:13 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

And that article is a complete mess. I'm a spaniard sorry for my english.

June 10, 2008  06:16 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

David Villa is David Villa Sanchez. Villa and Sanchez are his surnames and David his name.
Sergio Ramos Garcia, Segio is his name and Ramos and Garcia his surnames.
And Raul's full name is Raul Gonzalez Blanco.
There is no reason why Villa's jersey read David Villa instead of simply Villa. He only wants to be known by his name and his surname instead of be known only for his surname.

I mean that the article in wikipedia is a complete mess. Not this article.

June 10, 2008  06:46 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

portugal 08 baby!

but spain has a great team

so far the outcomes have been quite unpredictable apart from portugal and spain's win

June 10, 2008  11:51 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Craig Stouffer!! What a gem!

June 11, 2008  12:09 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Spain looked sharp, but their defensive lapses, especially in the first half, will be exposed by stronger competition. Let's not get too excited- this is the same team that beat Ukraine 4-0 in their first game two years ago.

June 11, 2008  10:39 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Well, I'll give you that Villa played very well, anytime a hat trick is concerned that goes without saying but then again, he's in a very prominent position similar to a quarterback in american football. I'd give it to Von Bronckhorst. Absolutely magnificent. I know Tommy Smythe picked this guy on ESPN, but I must agree. Not only did he score, but the second goal he headed away fom an Italian cross and then beat the entire Italian 11 on the counter to crucially setup the second goal. Maybe we're splitting hairs here Wahl, but I gotta give it to Gio. Man of the tournament. (With Villa a VERY lose second.

June 11, 2008  11:05 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

please, wasn't impressed at all with the Dutch defense. even though Italy couldn't finish, they had many opportunities. Spain didn't put up the best defense, but i'm more comfortable with Puyol and Sergio Ramos than all of Holland's backline.

June 11, 2008  08:19 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

What a crappy blog! How did this get so many views in one day?!! Are you kidding me?

 
June 11, 2008  08:20 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

It's obvious there are more soccer fans on fannation.com then basketball fans. the basketball community is dead here. I'm finished with fannation

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


Stub Hub

The 2009 schedule has been released. Search for tickets!

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    No Favre Vikings jersey -- yet
    Views
    1605
    Comments
    1706
  2. 2
    Indians open to trading Lee, Martinez
    Views
    23957
    Comments
    286
  3. 3
    Yankees chasing Cuban prospect?
    Views
    20288
    Comments
    155
  4. 4
    Celtics putting full-court press on Rasheed
    Views
    9178
    Comments
    56
  5. 5
    Marbury's Celtics run over?
    Views
    7739
    Comments
    48

Most Active Users

Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns

  1. 1
    Porkins: NOT BILLY MAYES!!
  2. 2
    RobertMenn: Alves Rd3 TKO
  3. 3
    Perfectpats
  4. 4
    Sassafras
  5. 5
    Oso New Jack City

Message Boards

  1. NFL > Chicago Bears

    Bears ranked 14th on NFL…
    Views
    453
    Replies
    52

  2. MMA > General MMA

    Dana White
    Views
    31
    Replies
    7

  3. MLB > General MLB

    King Albert
    Views
    16
    Replies
    0

Blogs

SI.com

Swimsuit

Tori PraverTori Praver
Kayla ObergKayla Oberg

SI Photos

Back in Time: July 3Back in Time: July 3
Manny Being MannyManny Being Manny