Chapter 203 Matador Legion
Chapter 203 Matador Legion
On the second day after Belgium eliminated Turkey, the European Cup ended the second semi-final competition. With the goals of Xavi, Guisa and David Silva in the second half, the Spanish team finally won 3-0 Russia made it to the final again after 24 years. The defeated Russian team ended their miraculous journey, but reaching the semi-finals of the European Cup is already a very rare achievement for Russian football, which has been in a trough for many years.
The 61-year-old Dutchman Guus Hiddink is undoubtedly the biggest contributor to Russia's miracle. He led the Russian team to step on the England team to qualify, and Sweden advanced in the group match, and defeated the favorite to win the championship in the quarter-finals The Dutch team created a miracle that is difficult to replicate, but they failed to get past Spain in the end. The Russian team, which lost 1:4 in the group stage, lost again by three goals in the semi-finals. Reluctantly ended their 2008 European Cup tour.
At the press conference after the game, Hiddink commented on the game: "We lost a well-functioning team against the Spanish team. The Spanish team performed very well in the game. They deserved this victory. No doubt I'm disappointed with the outcome of the game, but I'm still very proud of our team."
Russia's wonder coach then added: "One of Spain's plans was to keep us on the run, and in the second half we really couldn't do enough to win, but we should still. Proud to be here today, unfortunately we faced a very strong opponent tonight."
Hiddink specifically talked about the strong midfield strength of the Spanish team, especially the midfield commander Xavi of the Spanish team: "The Spanish team controls the midfield very well, which is fatal for us. We fell into a passive position, especially Xavi, who was very active in the midfield and was very smart when handling the ball, which can be said to be the key to the Spanish team's victory."
"In his position, Harvey is definitely among the top three in the world." Calagones also highly praised his disciple's ability to control the midfield. The heavy rain was originally quite unfavorable to the technical Spain, but Harvey's existence , but let the matador become the master logically.
Villa's accidental injury disrupted Spain's tactical deployment. Torres, who is not good at single strikers, squandered golden opportunities again and again. If Russia is dragged into overtime, Spain, which has one less day off, will face a huge crisis. It is Harvey who stands up to save the team at this time.
In the 50th minute, Harvey scored the ball to Iniesta and went straight into the penalty area. Xiaobai swept the left side of the penalty area in front of the goal. Harvey appeared outside the small penalty area in Russia like a heavenly soldier. His tackle made the new generation of goalkeepers stand out The player Akinfiev was also helpless, this goal seriously hit the morale of Russia, and the Matador then went down two cities to completely seal the victory.
The long-term "behind the scenes work" made Harvey considered a pure organizer, but in fact, Harvey's offensive power should not be underestimated. Harvey scored seven goals in the league this season, setting a new career record. In the European Cup qualifiers, Harvey also scored four goals for the Spanish team, becoming Spain's second shooter after Villa.
Before the European Cup, Calagones changed the formation from 4141 to 442. Harvey's responsibility in the midfield has also become heavier, but there are fewer opportunities to hit the goal. After five games now, Harvey scored his first goal in this competition.
"We played a great game." Harvey also looked very excited after the game, "We are very happy, we are still continuing to make history, now we have reached the final, I like the tension of the knockout game, a small mistake can be the result Likely to be kicked out. It will not be an easy game against Belgium, but we are ready for everything and now Spain deserves the title and we are here to win it. Although then we are not the people Great favourites, Spain haven't won anything for a long time, and Belgium beat us and caused us a lot of pain, but this will be an incentive for us, I don't want to put this match Defined as revenge, but we must get back what we have lost!"
Regardless of whether Spain can win the championship in the end, this team has created the best record in 24 years. For the qualitative change of the team, Harvey gave his own explanation: "I don't like to confuse politics and sports, but every Spanish Everyone knows what this national team has done, whether he is from Catalonia or Basque Country, everyone in this team is very good and united, before the players sometimes disrespected each other, this is what I have stayed in One of the best teams."
Like the former Belgian team, the original Belgian team has been unable to improve because of the struggle between the Walloons and the Flemish people. The same is true for Spain. The Catalans and the Basques are hostile to each other. This star-studded and talented team has never been able to break through in the international competition, but now, they seem to have solved it all, just like Degan kneading Walloons and Flemish people into one whole , The current Spanish team is also united.
The defeated Russian team should not feel too sad. From Zenit St. Petersburg winning the UEFA Cup all the way to the amazing performance of the national team in the European Cup in 2008, Russian football has made people feel the infinite potential , perhaps they will soon be able to bring fans even bigger surprises.
Also worthy of congratulations are today's winners, Spain, who reached the final of the major for the first time in 24 years, and the Spanish team made history.
And on this rainy night in Vienna, Calagones will forever be recorded in Spanish history together with the new record he set. It is the stubborn, stubborn and even sometimes irritable Calagones that has made this matador army popular all over the world with artistic football. You must know that in this era of winners and losers, even Argentina and Brazil Has embarked on the road of utilitarianism.
This game is also the 21st consecutive unbeaten game for the Spanish team since losing to Belgium and being blocked from the World Cup finals in Germany. This has almost become a myth that cannot be replicated in today's football.
Spain's opponents include Italy, England, France and other powerful teams. The Matador's undefeated quality is quite amazing. Of course, this is not the personal record of Calagones. After the European Cup entered Spain in 2004, Zhisou led the team immediately Played 25 unbeaten games, this record did not end until the 2006 World Cup qualifiers lost to Belgium.
The longest unbeaten record of the national team in history is maintained by Hungary. In the four years from 1950 to 1954, the Hungarian national team had created 29 consecutive unbeaten games. However, considering the current level of football development, the gold content of the Spanish team's unbeaten record has actually surpassed that of Hungary in the past.
After the victory over Russia, this is the third time Spain has reached the European Cup final. In 1964, the Matador won the championship at home, and in 1984, Spain lost to the host France.
Being able to reach the final of the European Cup again, Spanish fans should thank Calagones, but Calagones' coaching road is not easy. Three years ago, Calagones' Spanish team won the World Cup qualifiers. After losing to Belgium led by Degan, he was widely questioned. Almost everyone hoped that he could leave. Public opinion pushed the old coach to the forefront. Even the Spanish Football Association is planning to find a new coach, but the old man insists Shengsheng withstood the pressure. The biggest doubt about him was that he fired Raul on the grounds of "new and old replacement". Zhisou had to endure the abuse and insults of the fans for a long time in the next two years.
Spain lost 0:2 to Sweden in the third round of qualifiers, and the qualifying situation is in jeopardy. Under pressure, Calagones submitted his resignation after returning home, but this time the Spanish Football Association stood by his side and rejected his resignation. The road of modernization, technology and speed is getting smoother and smoother, and this is how the Spanish team is now brilliant.
In this sense, Raul's departure from the team is indeed an opportunity for Zhisou to turn around. However, the old coach still needs to beat Belgium to reach his peak. No matter what results Spain achieves in the final, Aragones will be in Europe. He left after the World Cup, and his brilliance will forever be recorded in the annals of Spanish football.
Calagones said: "Now that we have reached the final, this is the result that all of us in Spain are looking forward to. I am happy for my players. I think the fans will also applaud our performance, but this is not the time to celebrate. We There will also be a match against Belgium in the final, which is a powerful challenge, and such a strong dialogue is like flipping a coin, and both teams have the possibility of winning."
However, despite being promoted, bad news came out of the Spanish team after the game. In the 34th minute of the first half of the semi-final, Villa, who left the field early, will miss the final due to a thigh strain. This news has been received by coach Carla Confirmation by Gunness.
Villa has scored four goals in this cup and is currently tied for the top scorer list with Degan. In the first match between Spain and Russia in the European Cup, Villa scored a hat-trick. Hiddink again won the semi-final. In the match against the other teams, Villa still performed positively. In the first half, a long-range shot from outside the penalty area was quite threatening, and the ball was saved by goalkeeper Akinfeev.
However, in the 34th minute, Villa applied to end due to injury. The Spanish team had to replace Villa with Cesc Fabregas. Calabash left the field with a look of frustration. After the game, it was confirmed that he would miss the match with Belgium. finals.
At the press conference after the game, Aragones also confirmed the news, the coach said: "Yes, Villa will not play in the final, but this is not a serious matter for us. "
Villa is a recurrence of an old injury, but at present, Torres and Guisa are currently in good condition, and they can both replace Villa's position.
Since Cesc Fabregas came off the bench with two assists to seal the victory, Spain is likely to form a 4-1-4-1 formation in the final. At that time, Torres is expected to serve as the arrow, Guiza will be the substitute, and Villa will be absent. Losses have been minimized.
Due to the absence of Villa in the final, if Degan, who also scored four goals before, can score in the final, the top scorer of this European Cup will be Degan.
Degan watched this game in a hotel in Vienna. After seeing David Silva score the third goal to seal the victory, he was in no mood to continue watching.
Not long after, Degan received a notification from officials of the Belgian Football Association. Some Belgian domestic media and reporters from other countries asked to interview him.
Digan didn't refuse either, and followed the Football Association officials to the lobby of the hotel, where more than 30 reporters were already waiting.
Seeing Degan coming down, they gathered around and asked Degan about the match. In the final, Spain played against Belgium. After Spain advanced to the final, some people have already thrown out fatalism.
Of course, those who hold this view are more Spaniards. Belgium, led by Degan, defeated Spain in an away game when it had already appeared in advance, and Spain was blocked from the German World Cup finals. At that time, there were Spain. The media is clamoring that one day there will be revenge, and now the opportunity for revenge has come.
"Fate!? I don't think this is what a devout Christian should think. Spain is my favorite opponent. Although many people hope to meet Russia in the final, what I want to say is that Russia is no better than Spain is poor, and we don't know much about the Russians, and I think it's a good thing that we can face a more familiar opponent in the final!"
Immediately, a reporter asked Degan what chance Belgium had of winning the final.
"I don't like this kind of boring prediction. The football game is either lost or won. The Spanish team is indeed very strong, but we also have our advantages. Before the game starts, everyone hopes to be the final winner, but football is round. Yes, in what direction it will roll in the end, who can say for sure!"
"Are you not confident when you say that?" a reporter asked provocatively.
Degan glanced at his work card, which was from "Marca", and immediately sneered: "Okay! Since you said so, I will do what you wish. In the final, I will take the Spanish Back to the original, you Spaniards want revenge on me, boy! Don't be so naive! I can bet you right now, if Belgium loses, I crawl back to Belgium, and if you lose, you too Crawl back to Spain for me!"