those who hate Spain's game are a being hypocrites bcuz we all know this is the type of passing game every player n coach is longing for. And let's not take lightly the fact that they have the best man to possibly have in goal wit Iker Casillas, they play world class soccer n should be rewarded as such

Silva and Iniesta Rocked the Frenchmen, Silva's invading runs down the right hand side, and iniesta's masterclass dominated the French throughout the game, poor France, it had to end for em', GoodLuck Spain for the Semi-finals.

LOL u dogs..if spain wins the tour are you all gona bark around about the boring passing games again? dude seriously if spain is good they are good..football is also about passing its not futsal dont expect every player to dodge like messi..if every player are like messi there's no more messi

So yall want a "24" second shot clock rule like the NBA to stop teams like Spain from having 80% possession? Is that what you want?

Sad to see Ribery not be rewarded for his efforts, but I think it's fair to say the deserving team won. Spain's short passing game is SO entertaining to watch. It simply leaves me in a trance..

Spain won, not too much of a surprise. France had some suspensions and didn't start Nasri either. I'm bit surprised they didn't score, and disappointed in Benzema not scoring one goal in tournament, had him in my dream footy as star striker as well. But ya Spain did well whole game, Alonso nice header goal off great cross and then finishes off penalty late in game. Good stuff, should be a great game between Spain and Portugal. I'm thinking its Spain vs Germany in final rematch of Euro 2008, except germany wins!

The thing about Spain is:

- They're, technically, better than you; and
- They're not gonna let you play and they're not gonna give up the ball in favor of a hopeless cross or a shot from 40 yards out; and
- Other teams come on and act all scared from the very beginning, trying to force a 0-0; but
- If Spain score, at whatever point of the game, as usually they do, the opponents are completely out of ideas.

The fact that people are now talking about changing the rules shows desperation on the part of those who either just don't like Spain or don't see that it's the opponents who force them to play square, play back, pass, pass, pass, pass. If you did change the rules to basketball, you'd invite more bus-parking against Spain and force long-range shots.

It's hypocrisy to blame a team for its opponents' squeaky-bum tactics. And it's especially ironic that these opponents are sometimes lauded for their defensive performances whereas Spain's defense (best of the tournament so far) is ignored and their permanent struggle to find gaps in the opposition's 9-0-1 systems is met with derision and with jealousy when they do find an opening.

Italy took a relatively open game to Spain and it was an exciting match with a fair result. Everyone else was passive and lost. I think that's pretty fair. If Portugal or Germany or again Italy take the game to Spain and win it, fair enough and much respect to them. But teams who just stand around the box and try to pull a Chelsea-Barça have nothing to bicker about when they're stifled by a team that at least does its best to find SOME way into attack.

(And yes, an "essay" from a Barça fan; post your funny line here if you have nothing to contribute :) )

Logic result between one team who played with experience and another tream who was too shy to hope something

on france, i think tthe team is at the right place. the principal objective was the quarters, it's done. but i think it's a little deception as france should and could have shown a lot more in this match. too shy in the first half, too clumsy. this generation needs to grow up (particularly the "tantrum" nasri) and will maybe the team to beat in 2014

on spain, there are the clear favorites and played with intelligence. they never really panicked but it was because of france lack of ambition more than a real spirit. if i was a spanish fan , i would be worried by the lack of efficiency and the boring aspect of their game. it won't work vs a teams like germany

who won?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwJHGOoHfzo
Wooooooo Xabier!

pass
pass
pass
dive
pass
pass
pass
dive
pass
goal
pass
pass
goal
pass
dive

People who blame Spain for being boring simply don’t understand that it’s not them who are boring, but their opponents who choose ultra defensive tactics forcing Spain to work very hard to break through their bunker defense. People talk about a lot of square passes, but how else do you find holes in an 11-men defense? Play the ball forward to whom exactly? The opposing goalkeeper? When Spain's opponents stop being terrified of them and actually try to play football you'll see a very exciting game with Spain likely scoring 4, 5 goals. The latter is what managers of other nations understand well which is the reason they choose to play very cautiously against Spain. They simply don't believe they are capable of beating them in an open game of football. Blame them, not Spain.

refs alaways seem to favor the spaniards ,im not trying to be a c**t here but its pretty clear. shame coz they dont realy need it ,easy freekicks and penaltys(that others would never get ) are on the daylie menu. should assign them a premier league ref so he dont blow the wistle everytime some1 takes a dive ..french were sure victims after that performance against the sweeds

Breaking News:

Del Bosque replaces Alba and Arbeloa with Pedro and Navas with Cesc as false nine for match against Portugal

New formation

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Does any else feel like the quality of play has been lacking in this years Euros? like I was really like forward to this match and what a disappointment on both sides. But I guess I should have expected it with Spain and the way their opponents have to play them.