SPAIN DEFEATS FRANCE 0 - 2 IN FRIENDLY INTERNATIONAL

Spain has defeated France away 0 - 2 in tonight's International Friendly game. Prestigious victory for the Spaniards over an always difficult rival and in Paris. But the protagonist was the "Video Referee" (Technology) as it was used tonight & it played an important part in two goals. The first a Griezmann 47th min header goal given then disallowed for offside after video scrutiny,  & the other the second Spain goal to Deulofeu whistle called offside but later validated. 

The first half was the "old Spain" that ruled World Football, or at least they showed prolonged viewing. Ball domination, anaesthetically pleasing touch Football & plenty of goal opportunities. The only fault? Not to accurate upfront from the Spanish players to have put things in the bag early. Spain went off half time with France still alive, & this is always dangerous.

The second half France started on fire & turned the match around. Extreme pressure that cornered Spain in their own half, & manage to put the ball in the net in the 47th min. While Griezmann was celebrating that he had put France ahead the video was being checked & concluded that Griezmann was offside.

Spain managed to regain their composure & made same key substitutions bringing on Thiago, Silva & Deulofeu. In the 68th min Spain won a penalty & David Silva scored. Later a quick attack found Jordi Alba who found an incoming Deulofeu in the 77th min to score. While initially it was disallowed as offside the "video referee" ruled it as legitimate & put Spain in the box seat.

That´s how it finished with a victory over their neighbours & rivals. Overall a very good performance from Spain tonight that remember past days not so long ago.

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SPAIN LOSES 1 - 0 TO FRANCE | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

Spain lost 1 - 0 to France in their International Friendly in Paris tonight with a "new look" team which begins its reconstruction to attempt to get back to the dizzy heights the Spanish Football Team maintained themselves the last 8 years.

The Spanish starting 11 had new faces as the photo shows above:

David de Gea, Sergio Ramos, San José, Busquets, Raul Garcia, Diego Costa, Azpilicueta, Cazorla, Carvajal, Cesc Fabregas & Koke.

However, some important names were missing due to injury that will be fixed starting players when they return to form like Andres Iniesta, Thiago, Pique & Javi Martinez. Notable was the absence of Iker Casillas, but as 2º Coach Toni Grande said, this Friendly Match was the opportunity to give De Gea playing time.

Overall tonight, the Spanish performance was not at all too bad although the "new pieces" need more time to find themselves as a "side". The team still has the "touch Football" spirit but carries on from Brazil one of its biggest problems: THE LACK OF GOAL OPPORTUNITIES. 

One wonders if Diego Costa is the answer as his style if more situated to the long-ball. Tonight Costa was again ineffective. Perhaps bringing back wingers & a powerful Centre Forward, type Fernando Llorente, may help. Although bad tongues suggest Selector Del Bosque may have a "problem" with Llorente. 

The fact is Spain needs goal, the ability to break up solid defences, like France tonight & shot more at goal.

The absence of key retired players like Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso & even David Villa was noted. But Spain was much better tonight than shown in the last World Cup in Brazil against a solid & very experimented France, which was an excellent sparring partner.

Spain played well the first 45 minutes, with an exceptional Carvajal who was tops all night & a good Fabregas. In the second half Spain made some chances & France lifted to strain Spain defensively. Karim Benzima had a goal disallowed for off-side which may have been legal, but the winner by REMY in the 73rd min from a Valbuena pass was a ripper & not questioned. Spain reacted well after & in the last 10 mins with Silva, Pedro & Isco on created dangerous opportunities & were unlucky to not equalize.

Special mention to French players Varane & Shako who were excellent, along with the powerful Pogba who was outstanding, plus Benzema who although he did not score (at least legally) was always active & constructive. 

Spain will now have to analyse things & find solutions to their "goal problem". They fly back to Spain to play Macedonia in their EURO 2016 Group Qualifier where here things are definitely serious. 
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SPAIN FOOTBALL TEAM LIST OF PLAYERS FOR FRANCE & MACEDONIA

Spanish Football National Team Selector & Coach Vicente Del Bosque has handed in his list of players that will represent Spain in the upcoming Friendly International game against France on the 4th of September & for the Euro 2016 Group qualifier against Macedonia on the 8th of September.

Here is the full list of players:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, David De Gea & Kiko Casilla.

Defenders: Juanfran, Carvajal, Mikel San Jose, Sergio Ramos, Bartra, Raul Albiol, Jordi Alba, Azpilicueta.

Midfielders: Koke, Iturraspe, Busquets, Iniesta, Raul Garcia, Silva, Pedro, Cazorla, Cesc Fabregas & Isco.

Forwards: Diego Costa & Paco Alcacer.

Most observers were expecting big changes after the disastrous World Cup 2014 campaign calling for new blood & new ideas. The novelties are: 

- Kiko Casillas (27 yrs, RCD Espanyol Goalkeeper)
- Mikel San Jose ( 25 yrs, Athletic Club Bilbao Defender)
- Raul Garcia (28 yrs Atletico de Madrid)
- Paco Alcacer ( 20 yrs Valencia CF Forward)

Players like Carvajal, Bartra, Iturraspe & Isco get called back.

A revolution? Not quiet, back at least with younger talented. In my opinion could have called up another forward, especially with Diego Costa under a injury cloud (just a knock they say). 

Those left out are:
Pepe Reina, Pique, Javi Martinez (injury), Xabi Alonso (retired), Xavi Hernandez (retired), Juan Mata, David Villa & Fernando Torres

Notable here is the absence of FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique who is out of form at this stage of the season. 

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SPAIN FOOTBALL TEAM, WHAT NEXT?

The Spain Football Team is back home after a disastrous World Cup 2014 campaign. Their elimination from the Group phase was humiliating & their poor exhibition is still an unknown. But the question now is, what next?

After some reflection & deep analysis some people have to assume responsibility  & embark on making some deep changes & determined decisions . Current Selector & Coach Vicente Del Bosque is meditating his future & there are local critics & pressures that suggest he move over. Some players will not return starting with Xavi Hernandez & more than likely David Villa, but others have a cloud over their International future like Xabi Alonso & Iker Casillas. Others like Pique, Cesc Fabregas & Jordi Alba have been put in doubt due to their undisciplined behaviour & may pay the price of spending sometime in the "Football Desert".

Whatever the decisions are it is a reality that there will be an injection of younger players who are currently knocking at the door for a place. Players like David De Gea, Carvajal, Bartra, Koke, Alberto Moreno, Ander Herrera, Isco, Thiago Alcantara, Javi Martinez... the list is long as Spain has its future well assured.

Spain can begin its "revolution" as of the 4th of September when that have their first official Football date with a Friendly International against none other than France in Paris. Excellent moment to beginning setting the foundations of the future Spanish National Football Team & set course onto the right direction.

Four days - 8th of September - later Spain begins its Group qualification campaign in the European Nations Championship to be held in France 2016 with a game against Macedonia at home. In fact after the Macedonia match Spain will have another 4 Internationals until the end of 2014 including another International Friendly against Germany on the 18th of November in Vigo (Spain). 

As you can see top opponents & important qualifiers to begin testing players & moulding the future of the Spanish Football Team. I have no doubt that Spain will be back on Top of World Soccer as there is another generation of young Spanish Football players in the wings ready to takeover & show their class.

Stay tuned!

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SPAIN 1 FRANCE 2 | U-19 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINAL RESULT

So close yet so far. Spain lost with extra-time 1 - 2 against France in the UEFA U-19 European Championships semi-final being held in Lithuania. A double Spanish defensive mistake in the 105th min of extra-time allowed Frenchman Conte to get onto a ball to score what would be the eventual winner.

A shame really for Spain as they were overall the better playing team, but mistakes are paid for dearly at this stage of the tournament. One may argue that Spain was unlucky not to have been called a penalty in the 17th min on Iker Hernandez & that the physical effort of the 90 mins were noted in the extra-time, but there are no real excuses & France are deserved finalists.

The first goal went to Spain in the 26th min with a penalty that Jose Rodriguez scored, but France reacted rapidly to draw with a 28th min goal by Benzia. Spain then dominated most of the match but could not finish off their good play & opportunities. The Spaniards then showed signs of tiredness towards the end of the 90 mins allowing French some chances to score, this was a signal of what was to come.

Then the moment for France arrived in the 105 th min with the Conte goal & winner. 

France moves onto the final were they will meet Serbia.

Match details:

1 - SPAIN:
Rubén Blanco, Jaime, Borja, Bellerín, Gayá, Pablo Íñiguez, José Rodríguez (Torró m. 79), Fede Vico, Moi Gómez (Traoré m. 72), Vadillo & Iker Hernández (Sandro m. 61).
2 - FRANCE:
Beunardeau, Ikoko, Conte, Laporte, Moreira; Hunou (Gbamin m. 89), Azouni, Rabiot, Jean (Rodrigues m. 62), Benzia & Martial (Nangis m. 94).
GOALS:
1-0: m.26 José Rodríguez, de penalty. 1-1: m. 28, Benzia. 1-2: m. 105, Conte.

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SPAIN 2 FRANCE 1 | FIFA U-20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP A GAME RESULT

Spain won 2 -1 France in its last Group A match of the FIFA U-20 World Championships in Turkey to take Top spot & wait to see which Nation to play next Tuesday. That team will be any of the third placed from Groups C, D or F which will be confirmed.

Spain put in a marvellous 60 minutes of Football & then fell in intensity & could have even lost the game. During the best moments for Spain Paco Alcacer scored the opener in the 23rd min from a Jese pass, & then Jese took full advantage from a French defensive mistake to score the second in the 56th min for the Spanish U-20 Football Team.

From here France lifted substantially & was very unlucky as they hit the "wood-work" twice. Firstly in the 74th min by Kondogbia & a secondly by Sabaly in the 84th min. France was rewarded for their great second half effort with a goal that finally came for them in the 91st min from Vion.

The tournament now enters the "business end" phase & Spain will be tested & will need to attempt to avoid inconsistency in the latter part of their games. Worrying drop in form seen today by Spain that should alert the Spanish technical staff.

Match details: 

SPAIN 2: Sotres; Jonny, Derik, Llorente, Gayá; Campaña (Suso, 46’), Saúl; Jesé (Aketxe, 89’), Óliver, Rubén García (Denis Suárez, 77’); & Alcácer.
FRANCIA 1: Areola; Foulquier, Umtiti, Zouma, Digne; Lemina (Sabaly, 73’), Veretout, Kondogbia; Thauvin (Vion, 78’), Ngando (Bosetti, 60’) & Sanogo.

Goals: 1-0 (23’) Alcácer. 2-0 (56’) Jesé. 2-1 (91’) Vion.

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FRANCE 0 SPAIN 1 | FINAL SCORE GROUP I WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFIER

Objective achieved. The current World & European Champions Spain managed the three points to take the top spot of Group I from France. The final result in tonight's World Cup 2014 qualifier was 0 - 1 in favour of the Spanish Football National Team in a worked, difficult but deserved victory.

Two distinct style with Spain true to its ball possession philosophy & France with tight defending complemented with dangerous counter-attacks that needed severe attention & concentration by all the Spanish defence.

Spain started with a "number 9" this time in David Villa & regained two pivotal elements that were the key in tonight's victory; midfielders Xavi Hernandez & the all present Xabi Alonso. Both of these exceptional players gave Spain a more vertical direction that pushed the balance towards the Spaniards in the end.

The French started strong on a terrible playing field which was uneven & not favourable to the Spanish style of Football. Slowly Spain regained composure & Xavi missed a sitter in the small goal square area that signed the sides recovery. Then in the 32nd min the most controversial moment of the match came when French goalkeeper Loris fouled Spanish forward Pedro in the goal square. To the disbelief of all the Spanish Squad & most observers the referee failed to call a clear penalty & perhaps a red card to Loris.

Things see-sawed as a grand match of Football was unfolding between two great sides playing intense Soccer. Spain decided to make a change to freshen up the forward line & inject new ideas. Jesus Navas came on for Villa who was silent up to this point & the Sevilla FC winger revolutionized the right wing. From Navas started a play that defender Monreal found on the left wing to control, look up & see Pedro running into the space were he connected with the ball to push into the goal. This was the 58th min & Spain had broken through to be finally be rewarded for all their earlier efforts.

Naturally France had to go for it & made the changes to become more offensive, but found tonight a superb Spanish goalkeeper in Victor Valdes who make three-four match saving stops that put him as one of the main protagonists of the night. The French had their chances but failed to convert & to make things more difficult lost Pogba in the 78th min to a red card ( second yellow ).

With France down to 10 men Spain looked to "kill off" their rivals but the French looked more dangerous with one less. Spanish Coach Del Bosque decided to secure the midfield with Cesc Fabregas & preserve the result with more ball control which further wore down the French team.

As expected tense & close shaves for the Spaniards in the last 5 minutes as France attacked & attacked, but important interventions from defender Monreal , Pique & Valdes managed to conserve the result, & most importantly defeat France at home to take the three points & the Group I top position. 

Special mention to Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso who was superb & the "man of the match". The contribution of Xavi Hernandez was outstanding & guiding, defender Monreal was excellent substituting the injured Jordi Alba & Andres Iniesta showed why some call him a Football magician. The Spanish Football side played tonight as a solid team & this made them stronger & more determined in the objective. There was some luck as well as in every game of Football, but also some uncalled decisions - like the clear penalty on Pedro - that were not enforced & could have reinforced the result.

Great match of Football. Thanks to France & of course Spain.

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SPAIN NEW ALL RED UNIFORM AGAINST FRANCE

Thought it maybe of interest to the readers. The Spanish National Football Team will try out a "new look" uniform against France tonight in their Group I World Cup 2014 Qualifier. Well its not exactly new, the novelty is that Spain will dress with red shorts - a first in its History - which will give Spain an all Red aspect. Below is a picture of how Spain will look tonight in Paris

Strong colour that remains us of fire, energy & passion. Three adjectives that we all hope here in Spain that the National Football Team will carry & show against France in a must win game to secure top spot of the Group.

Remidn you that there will be a round up of tonight's match with pictures etc. here soon after the end of the game. See you back!

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SFS FLASHBACKS | SPAIN 1 FRANCE 1 | VIDEO

Here is a Spanish Football Flashback to the first Group I game played in Madrid between Spain & France 5 months ago. The match ended in a 1 - 1 draw with goal from Sergio Ramos , a missed penalty from Cesc Fabregas & a mistake in the midfield by Spanish defender Juan Fran that allowed a French counter-attack that Giroud converted to equalize for France in the end of the match.



The similarities are surprising with the last Friday Group I game against Finland that also ended in a 1 - 1 draw. Spain dominating the game,  not converting their multiple chances, Sergio Ramos scoring ( on both occasions ) & a defensive lapse by Spain in the last moments of the game that allowed the rival to equalize.

History cannot repeat itself in Paris this time around next Tuesday.

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FRANCE vs SPAIN | POSSIBLE STARTING 11 TEAM LINE UPS

Important match for the Spanish National Football Team next Tuesday against France. The current European & World Champions need to win & get the three points to take the Top position of Group I. The first placed Nation gets a direct ticket for the 2014 World Cup competition in Brazil, while second placed has to play a "knock-out" tie with other second Group placed European Nations. This last option is full of risk & is best be avoided.

The debate in Sports media & around coffee tables is which will be the starting 11 team line-ups for France & Spain. Difficult to say as both Coaches are sure to be holding a card or two up their sleeve. But we can attempt to figure it out by intuition & with facts. In the case of Spain we can already eliminate from the team Jordi Alba injured & David Silva who will be side-lined after receiving a yellow card against Finland. Continuing with Spain Xabi Alonso & Xavi Hernandez will definitely be back, so we can more or less put forward a Spain starting 11 team. 

In the French case I think that Coach Deschamps will confide & make limited changes ( if any ) & stick with the starting 11 team that gave his side a convincing 3 - 1 victory over Georgia last Tuesday.
Possible starting 11 team line-up for France:

Lloris; Jallet, Varane, Sakho, Clichy; Valbuena (Remy), Matuidi (Sissoko) Pogba, Ribery (Ménez, m.78); Benzema & Giroud.

In the Spanish case, things are not so clear. One of the big lessons of the Finland game last Tuesday was that 85-90% of ball possession means nothing if you can´t score goals. Spanish Coach Vicent Del Bosque has been using the "false striker" tactic many a time & it seems the novelty effect has worn out. Spain called up 23 players & it called my attention the lack of true strikers in his list, Spain may pay for their over emphasis on midfielders.

Having said,  this Spain is a much better team with much better players than France in all positions. It´s not the first time that talent & class has saved the day & Spain will recover two World Class "maestros" of the ball in Xavi Hernandez & Xabi Alonso. The question is if Spain will start with a Number 9, or alternatively place David Villa as the Number 9 & give a start to a quick winger like Pedro or Jesus Navas to break a possible French defensive wall. One thing is clear Spain will need goals.

This is my speculated possible starting 11 team line up for Spain:

Victor Valdes, Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Monreal, Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, David Villa & Jesus Navas (Pedro).

In all cases, all options are being well noted & studied by the two Coaches who are the true experts. I take it for granted that little will both be surprised as they to have calculated all the possible variations & possible tactics. What I can say with absolute certainty is that next Tuesday game between France vs. Spain will be one of the Top encounters of any of the Groups in action. A game not to be missed.

Good luck to both sides.

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REAL MADRID | RAPHAEL VARANE

Been wanting to give this man space on the blog with a post for some time. RAPHAEL VARANE is a magnificent defender, top notch for REAL MADRID with an extraordinary future. The young Frenchmen came 100% backed by Zidane who spotted him in French Football & then spoke wonders of the 17 year old player when in Lens. Although his inner circle believed to was too early to make the jump to a Club with the dimension of Real Madrid , player was convinced & the Spanish Club only paid 10M€. A bargain seen what has been seen to date.

Tall, agile, cold-blooded, aggressive when needed & talented with his feet the defender is a solid guarantee whether in Liga, Spanish Cup & Champions League. He adapts & fits in well whether it be alongside Pepe, Albiol & Sergio Ramos & if needed will fill the right back position.

Simply amazing for a 19 year old who has already been called up to the French National Team on a few occasions. 

Keep watch on this player, keep notice on his continuing evolution & development. We are talk "top level", class & outstanding.

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SPAIN 1 FRANCE 1 | GROUP I WORLD CUP 2014

SPAIN drew 1 - 1 against FRANCE in their Group I WORLD CUP 2014 qualifier. Bad night overall if you consider that Spain lost the match in the last moment & two players went off injured. To add to all this, Spain failed a penalty & luckily for them, France was disallowed a possible on-side goal that avoided a true "shock" result.

Sergio Ramos

The first half was a Spanish monologue of possession Football - up to 75% - & created many chances. France was pushed into their own half & hardly went forward while the Spanish Football Team was basically running riot.

The first sign of "bad luck" was the injury to David Silva, which with hindsight some may consider an omen of things to come. SERGIO RAMOS put Spain ahead in the 25th min after hitting the post & then getting onto a pass from a team-mate.

From here everything went downhill slowly, CESC FABREGAS missed a penalty & France grew in confidence. So much so that they were unlucky to have been disallowed a goal by Menez that would have put France in a draw at half time

Cesc Fabregas

In the second half Spain was pushed & counter-attacked out of the match. Defender Arbeloa was substituted injured & that changed the field set-up. France left behind the defensive mode & went ahead looking for the goal. Now Karim Benzema & Ribery were in control & Spanish goalie Iker Casillas making important saves along with the defenders to keep Spain breathing & alive.

Ribery

Then in the 94th min with French substitute GIROUD just on, Spanish defender Juan Fran lost a stupid ball in the Spanish half to which France controlled found Ribery who ran at the defence  crossed & found the head of Giroud who scored the equalizer. Spain was shot in the head, Football speaking. 

A deserved goal & draw as France was the dominating team in the second half while Spain for some unknown reason lost control.

For the Real Madrid fans, bad match as well. If the Spanish Club lost Coentrao to injury with Portugal & Marcelo with Brazil, tonight Arbeloa went off injured along with Frenchman Benzema. Four key players during FIFA duties.

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EURO U-19 SEMIS | SPAIN WINS FRANCE IN PENALTY SHOOT OUT

Marvellous run of wins & achievements for SPANISH FOOTBALL National Teams in all levels. The U-21 Team are the current European Champions, SPAIN won 10 days back the European Nations Cup & this afternoon-night the SPANISH U-19 TEAM won FRANCE 3 ( 4 ) - 3 ( 2 ) in the European semi-final. Spain will meet Greece in the U-19 European Championship Final & attempt to pull off a special string of titles, with the permission of Greece of course which will not be easy to beat.

Deulofeu

The semi - final went right down to the wire, with extra-time & then the dreaded penalty shoot out, with Spain ( Campaña ) missing its first shot. But Spanish goalkeeper KAPA stopped two French shots that allowed FC Barcelona youngster DEULOFEU to score the winner.

Goals:
0 -1 Umtiti ( 24 m )1 -1 Deulofeu ( 61 m)
2 -1 Alcacer ( 78 m )
2 -2 Umtiti (91 m)
EXTRA TIME
3 - 2 Deulofeu
3 - 3 Pogba


Spain wins penalty shoot out 4 - 2 . Spanish player Deulofeu obviously starred y goalie Kapa.

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EURO 2012 | SPAIN 2 FRANCE 0 INTO THE SEMI FINALS

SPAIN finally defeated FRANCE in an official game of Football 2 - 0 in the quarter-final of the 2012 EURO. The reigning European & World Champions move on to meet next Wednesday Portugal in the semi-final.

Cesc Fabregas

Spanish Football Team Coach Del Bosque repeated with the same starting line-up as with Italy, that is,  without a true forward. CESC FABRAGAS, winning the name of  "False Forward", again surprised everyone in the line-up. Frankly, the "Del Bosque" experiment is not to my personal liking but my arguments fail if Spain wins & I prefer the latter always to my personal opinion. 

Spain scores with Xabi

Without a true forward, Spain gains a man in the midfield & with France going in with a defensive drawing, Spain dominated the ball all the first half with 75% ball possession. The French, as other teams, ran after the ball as Spain wore them down little by little. The first goal came in the 19th min when Jordi Alba crossed the ball to an incoming XABI ALONSO who headed home the opening goal. 

Benzema - Sergio Ramos

The second half saw France attempt to find the equalizer & Coach Blanc put on Nasri ( surprisingly left out) Menez & Giroud. The plan had some effect as they put the Spanish defence under pressure & forced Casillas do another great save. 


Spain however reacted putting on Pedro & Fernando Torres ( finally a reference upfront) & that counter-balanced the French efforts. The Spanish ball possession had dropped to around 54% & with the changes that percentage again rose as Cazorla can on towards the end. 

Xabi Alonso

It was a Carzola pass to Pedro who was fouled in the goal square that brought on a penalty to Spain in the 91st min which XABI ALONSO scored for his second & thus securing the Spanish victory. Great way for Alonso to finish the night after gaining his 100th International Cap for Spain.

Now its Portugal in the semi-finals & I do hope that Del Bosque does forget about the "false forward" experiment. I think it has lost its novelty effect.
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EURO 2012 | SPAIN - FRANCE POSSIBLE STARTING 11 LINE-UPS

SPAIN has never beaten FRANCE in an official Football match. Tonight in the EURO 2012 quarter-final the SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAM has another chance to break that record when the meet France. In fact, Spain must break this historical talking piece & win if they are not to pack their bags & fly back home tomorrow.

Possible starting line-ups Spain-France

The news locally, as always, is the  SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAM starting 11 line-up against France tonight. The people at "Sportsyou" have made up the above diagram to speculate on what they believe will be the starting 11. Their "bet" is on the same 11 as with Croatia, but there is news coming out of Ukraine is that Spanish Football Team Coach Del Bosque  maybe considering putting on a more attacking line-up. FC Barcelona player PEDRO may surprise & start at the cost of leaving out one of the players that make up the "double-pivot" line-up (Busquets-Xabi), or perhaps leave out Silva or Torres for Pedro.  The idea is clear, more pressure up front & open the French defence with Pedro down the flanks, said differently, more fire-power.

Either way its the "business" part of the Euro 2012 & any mistake or bad calculations will send a team home. From Spain we wish the National Team luck tonight.

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TRIBUTE TO FRENCH SPORTS MEDIA

This goes to all the European brothers, especially to the French media LÉquipe , the populist "Le Monde" & Canal + TV France... France has´nt won anything significant in years.

Please don´t use our Sportsmen & teams...Alberto Contador , Rafael Nadal, the Spanish National Football Team etc & etc...to justify your poor Sports achievements. Absolutely pathetic all the French papers comments, French "has been" Sportsmen  & sick TV insinuations; no wonder 99% of the planet think in recent surveys that the French are "arseholes"... in my particular case , only the French Sports media. By the way, my wife is French so don't go down that road ...

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SPANISH HANDBALL | EURO OPENER : FRANCE 26 - SPAIN 29

The Sport of HANDBALL does not get the space that it deserves here, I am aware of this but as a "one man blogging band" I have to go with the more popular of Sports, being that Football (Soccer), its simple demand.  Said this I take the opportunity to give coverage tonight when something big happens & in this case a victory by SPAIN in the opener of the European Handball Championships.

Spain - France 2012

Apart from a good start in the tournament were the London Olympic Games classification is also up for grabs, the defeated Nation was none other than FRANCE, the Champions of everything in the Sport of Handball: the current Olympic, European & World Champions.

FRANCE lost 26 - 29 to SPAIN which is a fabulous indicator of the current form of Spanish side & a moral (psychological) booster for their aspirations for the Euro title & to secure an Olympic Games place. There is much more left to the tournament with some excellent & strong teams still to face ahead, but its great news for Spanish Handball & Spanish Sports.

Match details:

France - 26 : Omeyer; Abalo (6), Barachet (1), Karabatic (3), Fernandez (7), Guigou (3, 1p) & Bertrand Gille (3), Karaboue (ps), Dinart (-), Guillaume Gille (-), Narcisse (3), Joli (-), Accambray (-), Detrez (-) & Bingo (-)


Spain - 29 : Hombrados; Roberto García (1), Gurbindo (2), Guardiola (3), Morros (1), Alberto Entrerríos (3), Ugalde (4), Sierra (ps), Maqueda (3), Víctor Tomás (2), Raúl Entrerríos (1), Sarmiento (-), Aginagalde (1), Juanín García (2), Romero (2p) & Cañellas (4)


Score every 5 minutes: 3-3, 5-6, 7-9, 8-11, 10-13 y 13-15 (rest). 15-18, 17-21, 20-22, 21-25, 25-27 y 26-29 (Final)

May the good form continue for Spain, go guys!

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SPANISH SPORTS | FRENCH MOTO GP | SPANIARDS VIÑALES - MARQUEZ WIN

SPANISH SPORTS had a more sweet than sour day in the French MOTOGP with victories in the 125 cc  & Moto2 catagories, along with the sour , the unlucky & controversial fall ( more latter) of DANI PEDROSA in the GP catagory which ended in a broken collar bone when in second position.

Spanish Sports Bike rider Maverick Viñales

In the 125 cc catagory the four top places were all for Spanish motorbike riders. The big news was MAVERICK VIÑALES who won today with only 16 years of age claiming the youngest ever rider in Spanish Sports motorbike history to win a GP race. He takes that honour away from Spaniard & current MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo. This is how the race finished:

1. M. VIÑALES (SP/Aprilia)
2. N. TEROL (SP/Aprilia)
3. E. VÁZQUEZ (SP/Derbi)
4. H. FAUBEL (SP/Aprilia)
5. J. Zarco (FRA/Derbi)

The 125cc World Championship table currently stands as follows:
1. N. TEROL (SP/Aprilia) 95 pts.
2. S. Cortese (GER/Aprilia) 59.
3. J. Zarco (FRA/Derbi) 53

Marc Marquez wins Moto 2

More good news in the Moto2 category for Spanish Sports with the victory of last years 125cc World Champ MARC MARQUEZ. The Spaniard has had terrible bad luck coming up to this race with falls & mechanical problems, & today he managed to finally get a "break" to show all his class. The race finished with the following top 3:

1. MARC MARQUEZ (SP/Suter)
2. Yuki Takahashi (JAP/Moriwaki)
3. Stefan Bradl (GER/Kalex)

The current Moto2 World Championship Top 3 table stands:
1. Stefan Bradl (GER/Kalex) 77 pts
2. JULIAN SIMON (SP/Suter) 49.
3. Andrea Iannone (ITA/Suter) 48

Simoncelli causes Pedrosa to fall out

The GP catagory did not go so well for the Spaniards with current World Champ Jorge Lorenzo getting in at the fourth place & Dani Pedrosa falling after a controversial action from Italian Marco Simoncelli that caused an accident, Pedrosa to fall & fracture his collar bone when in second place.

Lorenzo & Stoner had publicly warned this week about the aggressive & dangerous riding style of Simoncelli & that one day his actions would cause a serious accident. Today & with this race,  was the moment as Simoncelli overtook Pedrosa for a second place challenge that Pedrosa had already "won" the path. The late & unexpected incursion of Simoncelli caused Pedrosa to fall & break his collar bone. The race judges punished Simoncelli with a "pit lane" drive through  that gave weight to the "bad action" & what many consider Simoncelli to be, a "kamakazi".

The race was won by Australian CASEY STONER who was brilliant & also had a "moment" with De Puniet during the warm-up with a "flying punch" ( very soft ) that caused a 5.000€ fine for Casey

Final race standings:

1. Casey Stoner (Australia) Honda
2. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda
3. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Ducati
4. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha
5. Marco Simoncelli (Italy) Honda

Current GP World Championship table standings:

1. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 78 pts
2. Casey Stoner (Australia) Honda 66
3. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 61
4. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda 50
5. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Ducati 47

There is a 3 week break with the next race in Spain (Montmelo).

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FRANCE 3 SPAIN 2 | U-21 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY RESULT

The SPANISH U-21 NATIONAL TEAM played FRANCE in a friendly match & lost 3 - 2 to the "Blues". The Spanish side was a bit of an experiment with players lined up who habitually don´t play together, but this is no excuse at all. The French side played better & deserved to win, but suffered towards the end & were nearly equalized.

The French U-21 team were 3 - 0 up by the 35th min thanks to some basic mistakes by the Spanish defence & some bad coordination in midfield. Plus, Spain lost Juan Carlos to a Red Card in a vital moment just after the first Spanish goal & that left Spain with 10 men on the field.

Spain played better - & their Best Football - from the 37th min onwards when FRAN MERIDA scored the Spanish opener & then a second goal arrived with Spain down to 10 men via RIOS in the 60th min. It looked possible that Spain could turn things around & make an incredible comeback but it did not eventuate as France held out & stood firm to the Spanish pressure.

Great win for the French youngsters & encouraging comeback attempt under the circumstances by the Spaniards.

France u-21 defeat Spain in International Friendly: L´Equipe

Match details:

France 3: Gorgelin; Corchia, Stambouli, Mangala, Makonda; Guilavogui, Pajot (Varene, m.70); Saivet, Griezmann (Sylla, m.88), Gueye (Cabella, m.60); Riviére.


Spain 2: Mariño (Robles, m.46); Mario, Bartra, Ayala, Nacho; Camacho (Illarmendi, m.46), Recio (Ríos, m.58), Mérida (Pacheco, m.46), Juan Carlos; Álvaro Vázquez (Falque, m.75), Canales.


Goals: 1-0, m.10: Riviére; 2-0, m.18: Riviére; 3-0, m.35: Gueye; 3-1, m.37: Fran Mérida; 3-2, m.60: Rios
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ENZO ZIDANE | THE DILEMMA : PLAY FOR SPAIN OR PLAY FOR FRANCE?

ENZO ZIDANE is the 15 year old son of World Football French Legend ZINEDINE ZIDANE & is currently lifting eyebrows here in the REAL MADRID junior team & with Spanish Football observers. The youngster has apparently inherited the style & playing finesse of his father & may soon make a serious jump in level in his early career which calls for a mayor decision.

Enzo was born in France in 1995 & also has a Spanish passport thanks to his mother, both her parents are Spanish from El Chive town in the region of Almeria in Southern Spain. The Spanish Football Authorities are thinking in calling up young Enzo for the Spanish U 16 National Team, something that needs serious thought because if he decides to take the invitation the player will shut the door to the French National side. Something similar occured with FC Barcelona player Bojan Krkic who decided in favour of Spain over Serbia.

Apparently the final decision will be taken up & made on behalf of Enzo by his father Zinedine. Which country will they choose?

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