Football (Soccer) I believe, is the most popular sport in the world and may be the second best in India after cricket. This second spot may be due to the fact that India has no spot in the football map. The second largest populated country in the world has no talent good enough to compete! Thats a bit astounding.
The European and Latin American nations lead in the football world even if there were some occassional resistance, very acute ones from some Asian and African nations. I believe that the best football teams are the ones below. My review is much inspired from the recently concluded Copa America and Euro Cup. But their overall performances in the past are also considered when I rate them.
1.1) ARGENTINA
I preferred Argentina not only because they are my favourites, but the way they played against Brazil in the finals of Copa America was just outstanding. They were not outplayed by Brazil, but by luck only. The ball was in the Brazil’s half for almost all time and the Brazillian goal keeper had more work to do than ever. Argentina surely is the unluckiest team in the world and the penality shootouts doesn’t seem good for them. The nation of the all-time great Diego Maradona has got lots of honours in long football run. Gabriel Batistuta was my favourite player, but he has retired, but Argentina is riding on the shoulders of the younger players now.
1.2) BRAZIL
Brazil is called the best, but their performance in the finals of Copa America doesn’t seemed much impressive as they seemed to be opportunists as they were not doing much to win the match. They waited for an opportunity and used it well when they got it. That really was an effective method even if it was too bad to look at. The best players Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos were missing, but they still managed to win all matches except one. That surely was impressive. I think that I may give them the first spot if they win the next world cup when the stars come back. I will not disagree if I say that Brazil is the best, but they can improve.
I will let the above two share the first spot.....
3) PORTUGAL
Well, Portugal was put in the third part after seeing their play in the Euro Cup. They were amazing in the Euro Cup with nice aggression and some good keeping by the goal keeper Ricardo - he really has got some talent. But their defense could have been a bit better. They earned a self goal in the semi finals and poor defense also cost them the first goal against England. Louis Figo may retire at any moment and I am not sure a bout Rui Costa. Deco and Manishe have got some good talent. Keep up the good work, Portuguese, the next world cup is waiting for you.
4) ITALY
Italy has my favourite defense. If we look at their performance in the last performance, it was much better than many other teams. The sad thing is that Italy didn’t lose any match they played, but they are still out of the tournament in the very first round. What happened to this great team? Was the Denamark - Sweeden match an adjustment? How could they get correctly 2-2? We can avoid it saying that it was the fate of Italy and nothing planned. The team with Vieri, Totti and Del Piero will be a force to watch out for the next world cup. I hope they come back strongly in the next world cup.
5) GERMANY
Germany, one of my favourite teams. Two team world champions have one world class goal keeper in Oliver Kahn. There is Klose and Ballack to strengthen the attack, even if it has not been very impressive. But apart from them grtting into the finals of last world cup, they has not been able to fo much and that is why I dropped them from second to fifth. They were out of the Euro cup in the very first round like Italy but they were embrassed more as they couldn’t even win against the worst team in the group. Germany, please come back. You can do wonders to the football world.
6) FRANCE
The French seemed to be heading to the Euro cup confident in winning the cup once agian and their match against England showed their determination and fighting spirit. But it just evaporated when they came against Greece. It took them only a few days to change from heroes to zeroes. Even one of the best - Zinadene Zidane couldn’t do anything in front of the Greek power - everything just went in vain. They followed the best teams which went out of the tournament. But their other performances lest them stay in the sixth spot.
7) ENGLAND
England is blessed with some of the most valuable players of the game. Even if David Beckam is not in his real form, Michael Owen continues to be fighting force in the team. Roonie is a talented youngster in the team. When we consider their recent performance in the Euro cup, they could have done much better, especailly their captain David Beckam. The lose against France was just because they took it easy in the end and that against Portugal was because they couldn’t stand the high pressure. Well, better luck next time, England. Don’t lose your hearts.
8) SPAIN
The Spanish doesn’t have much problems. But still they can’t be among the best in the world. They are not winning enough tournaments. They have a good league, but their national team has failed miserably in the Euro cup just like Italy and Germany going out in the very first round. Whats tormenting them? Are they lost in bull fights? Why can’t they win a major tournament? Do something, Spain! The fans should have something to cheer about. You will go down in the ratings. Atleast I can think about Real Madrid. It sounds good. Is the Spanish team cursed? My once favourite team only seems to be a shadow of itself.
9) GREECE
This was the spot of Japan or Korea if I had written this review after the last world cup and Greece would not have been in even the first 20. But this is written after the last Euro cup and these team earned a much deserved victory under large amount of pressure against some big teams. They seemed to be supported by the Greek legends when they came to play. A team without big superstars like England, France etc managed to win the cup. That was quite amazing. They seems to have got their body language right with a lots of team spirit inside themselves. Keep going Greece! You are on the top of the Europe.....can you be on the top the world by winning the next world cup?.....may be.....
10) CZECH REPUBLIC
Czech, a team which I didn’t care for has become a considerable force in the football world and they are really quite impressive. Their wins, especialy those against Germany with the secondary team and the one sided win against Denmark showed that they are an unavoidable force in the tournament. The ideas of Carl Brooner (the spelling may be wrong) did work well until the match against Greece where they dominated until one single shot made the difference. Even if they played better than Greeks, they failed to get to the finals. Better luck next time, Czechs. You were just amazing in the whole tournament.
I am not avoiding the League teams as my favourites are
1) ARSENAL
2) BAYERN MUNICH
3) MANCHESTER UNITED
4) REAL MADRID
5) CHELSEA
I hope that one day, the Indians will be somewhere near the list.....
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