The Greatest Sports Team Ever

With Spain poised to eliminate Portugal in the Euro Semis this week, is it too soon to start calling Spain the greatest sports team ever? They won the Euro in 2008, the World Cup in 2010 and they are 2 wins away from a second consecutive Euro.

That's assuming they beat Portugal and Germany. If so, thern yes, they certainly deserve arguments in their favor.

Speaking of germany, they have consistently made finals/semifinals of every major tournament over the last 4 decades. No small achievement.

It can certainly be argued that they are the most consistent national team in world football.

Didn't the Buffalo Bills make 4 straight Super Bowls? At some point they underachieved. Similarly, Germany should win more Finals.

Maybe, but is interesting to note that not all of the fans are excited about the tiki tak style of play that is often lauded by those on this board.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/spain-s-deliberate-style-easy-to-criticize-but-hard-to-stop-as-it-rolls-past-france-and-into-the-semis.html

I agree that the Spanish and Barcelona style is probably the best style for winning but I also agree it is boring at times. I wander if this will ever have an effect on the Spanish coaches if they start to hear fans are not interested in the style they are playing. At the highest levels, the game is for entertainment.

I agree the point of sports is to entertain the masses. Regarding soccer, my father didn't care for the sport, but he did prefer the British style of serving up the long ball. For me, as a forward, I enjoyed the long ball because I was constantly on the move and shooting on the net. As a coach, I prefer a passing game with a build up to a shot on target.

My guess is that more Spaniards prefer the passing game over the long ball. Especially considering their current run of success.

If we're talking about a national team across all sports, I dont think there's much comparison to the USSR mens hockey team... they dominated world championships and olympics for decades.

You guys must've been reading the Wall Street Journal...

SOCCER June 7, 2012, 6:38 p.m. ET

Is Spain's 'La Roja' The Greatest Team Ever?

Not just the best in soccer: the best of all time in any sport. Why the Spanish national team could make history.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303918204577448383166444226.html

Come on!! Really??!! The best team ever?? I can name 3 other teams right now that are arguably better than Spain and 1 definitely better.... And this is only Soccer National Teams.

Arguably: Cruyff's Neatherlands of the 70's. Ronaldo's Brasil of the 90's. Beckenbauer's Germany of the 70's... (come on, push me for more!!)

Definitely better ("Da" best of all times): Pele's Brasil of the..... actually, there were 3 different "Pele's Brasil-s that won World Cup Championships, so pick one!!

It is very difficult (rather impossible) to compare teams by virtually facing them, so I believe you have to consider the impact in history, dominance (during their time) and innovation, to name some criteria. Spain is not even close to any above; they are not dominant, there is no impact in history, yet (at least not greater than some of the ones I mentioned), and they are not innovators (you can see Cruyff's fingerprints all over the place, via Barcelona). I even read somewhere they are dead-last in the list of World Champions, on goal scoring during their Championship run....

Now, Barcelona does excel in many of those aspects... I don't like their system (I like more vertical play), but I don't see why they could not be considered the best "CLUB" ever.

....but Spain?? Come on, I didn't even mention Italy or Argentina!!

I vote for Hungary. Lost one game in 6 years. 46 wins - 6 ties - 1 loss.

Gatorz wrote:Maybe, but is interesting to note that not all of the fans are excited about the tiki tak style of play that is often lauded by those on this board.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/spain-s-deliberate-style-easy-to-criticize-but-hard-to-stop-as-it-rolls-past-france-and-into-the-semis.html

I agree that the Spanish and Barcelona style is probably the best style for winning but I also agree it is boring at times. I wander if this will ever have an effect on the Spanish coaches if they start to hear fans are not interested in the style they are playing. At the highest levels, the game is for entertainment.

You need to stop "wandering" so much because what you pose is absurd. Barcelona style of play boring..........really? Tell us what style of play you prefer? Perhaps you are a Chelsea fan, pack 10 in the box and lets pray for break-aways.

Axxman wrote:

Gatorz wrote:Maybe, but is interesting to note that not all of the fans are excited about the tiki tak style of play that is often lauded by those on this board.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/spain-s-deliberate-style-easy-to-criticize-but-hard-to-stop-as-it-rolls-past-france-and-into-the-semis.html

I agree that the Spanish and Barcelona style is probably the best style for winning but I also agree it is boring at times. I wander if this will ever have an effect on the Spanish coaches if they start to hear fans are not interested in the style they are playing. At the highest levels, the game is for entertainment.

You need to stop "wandering" so much because what you pose is absurd. Barcelona style of play boring..........really? Tell us what style of play you prefer? Perhaps you are a Chelsea fan, pack 10 in the box and lets pray for break-aways.

Actually, it is BORING at times. It appears I am not the only one that thinks that way either. You can't dispute that if you have the players to hold the ball most of the game and lull the other team to sleep it has been successful. I prefer the EPL style of play that is more direct with playing the ball wide and then switching the field quickly, taking on the outside back or crossing it in for a challenge in the air. In my opinion, it is more exciting to watch and entertaining than the BARCA/Spain style.

Gatorz wrote:

Axxman wrote:

Gatorz wrote:Maybe, but is interesting to note that not all of the fans are excited about the tiki tak style of play that is often lauded by those on this board.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/spain-s-deliberate-style-easy-to-criticize-but-hard-to-stop-as-it-rolls-past-france-and-into-the-semis.html

I agree that the Spanish and Barcelona style is probably the best style for winning but I also agree it is boring at times. I wander if this will ever have an effect on the Spanish coaches if they start to hear fans are not interested in the style they are playing. At the highest levels, the game is for entertainment.

You need to stop "wandering" so much because what you pose is absurd. Barcelona style of play boring..........really? Tell us what style of play you prefer? Perhaps you are a Chelsea fan, pack 10 in the box and lets pray for break-aways.

Actually, it is BORING at times. It appears I am not the only one that thinks that way either. You can't dispute that if you have the players to hold the ball most of the game and lull the other team to sleep it has been successful. I prefer the EPL style of play that is more direct with playing the ball wide and then switching the field quickly, taking on the outside back or crossing it in for a challenge in the air. In my opinion, it is more exciting to watch and entertaining than the BARCA/Spain style.

Interesting. I guess people can look at something and see things very differently. I'll take the Barca way anyday, after all, They play the game as God meant it to be played...

Didn't you see Barca play live with Messi? Who did they vs?

finish1 wrote:Didn't you see Barca play live with Messi? Who did they vs?

I did get to see Barca play vs Sevilla in May 2010 and the experience and soccer were simply amazing. Probably the best sporting venue I have ever experienced. Got to see Inter Milan play AC Milan live a month ago as well, quite good, but not like Barca soccer.

AC v Inter. Great rivalry. Like seeing the Subway Series Mets vs Yankees. Generations of passionate fans.

Gatorz wrote:

Axxman wrote:

Gatorz wrote:Maybe, but is interesting to note that not all of the fans are excited about the tiki tak style of play that is often lauded by those on this board.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/spain-s-deliberate-style-easy-to-criticize-but-hard-to-stop-as-it-rolls-past-france-and-into-the-semis.html

I agree that the Spanish and Barcelona style is probably the best style for winning but I also agree it is boring at times. I wander if this will ever have an effect on the Spanish coaches if they start to hear fans are not interested in the style they are playing. At the highest levels, the game is for entertainment.

You need to stop "wandering" so much because what you pose is absurd. Barcelona style of play boring..........really? Tell us what style of play you prefer? Perhaps you are a Chelsea fan, pack 10 in the box and lets pray for break-aways.

Actually, it is BORING at times. It appears I am not the only one that thinks that way either. You can't dispute that if you have the players to hold the ball most of the game and lull the other team to sleep it has been successful. I prefer the EPL style of play that is more direct with playing the ball wide and then switching the field quickly, taking on the outside back or crossing it in for a challenge in the air. In my opinion, it is more exciting to watch and entertaining than the BARCA/Spain style.

I totally agree. I like the ManU or Madrid type of game better, which is -again- more vertical and powerful. I like the teams that let the opponent play, attack, battle for the ball, not the ones that avoid contact, prefer scoring from within the box and keep the ball away from the other team by system, not with the purpose of scoring the quickest and more often....

But then again, this is what I like and respect others... And that is why I can "buy" that Barcelona is the best Club level team ever.

Axxman wrote:

Gatorz wrote:

Axxman wrote:

Gatorz wrote:Maybe, but is interesting to note that not all of the fans are excited about the tiki tak style of play that is often lauded by those on this board.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/spain-s-deliberate-style-easy-to-criticize-but-hard-to-stop-as-it-rolls-past-france-and-into-the-semis.html

I agree that the Spanish and Barcelona style is probably the best style for winning but I also agree it is boring at times. I wander if this will ever have an effect on the Spanish coaches if they start to hear fans are not interested in the style they are playing. At the highest levels, the game is for entertainment.

You need to stop "wandering" so much because what you pose is absurd. Barcelona style of play boring..........really? Tell us what style of play you prefer? Perhaps you are a Chelsea fan, pack 10 in the box and lets pray for break-aways.

Actually, it is BORING at times. It appears I am not the only one that thinks that way either. You can't dispute that if you have the players to hold the ball most of the game and lull the other team to sleep it has been successful. I prefer the EPL style of play that is more direct with playing the ball wide and then switching the field quickly, taking on the outside back or crossing it in for a challenge in the air. In my opinion, it is more exciting to watch and entertaining than the BARCA/Spain style.

Interesting. I guess people can look at something and see things very differently. I'll take the Barca way anyday, after all, They play the game as God meant it to be played...

Seriously? Some prefer the English style over Barca? Glad Italy won in PK, because I don't think I can watch another English game of packing the box and little creativity. #9 was a sight for sore eyes, but still, I'm sure the men got nothing out of it.

cds3 wrote:

Gatorz wrote:

Axxman wrote:

Gatorz wrote:Maybe, but is interesting to note that not all of the fans are excited about the tiki tak style of play that is often lauded by those on this board.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/spain-s-deliberate-style-easy-to-criticize-but-hard-to-stop-as-it-rolls-past-france-and-into-the-semis.html

I agree that the Spanish and Barcelona style is probably the best style for winning but I also agree it is boring at times. I wander if this will ever have an effect on the Spanish coaches if they start to hear fans are not interested in the style they are playing. At the highest levels, the game is for entertainment.

You need to stop "wandering" so much because what you pose is absurd. Barcelona style of play boring..........really? Tell us what style of play you prefer? Perhaps you are a Chelsea fan, pack 10 in the box and lets pray for break-aways.

Actually, it is BORING at times. It appears I am not the only one that thinks that way either. You can't dispute that if you have the players to hold the ball most of the game and lull the other team to sleep it has been successful. I prefer the EPL style of play that is more direct with playing the ball wide and then switching the field quickly, taking on the outside back or crossing it in for a challenge in the air. In my opinion, it is more exciting to watch and entertaining than the BARCA/Spain style.

I totally agree. I like the ManU or Madrid type of game better, which is -again- more vertical and powerful. I like the teams that let the opponent play, attack, battle for the ball, not the ones that avoid contact, prefer scoring from within the box and keep the ball away from the other team by system, not with the purpose of scoring the quickest and more often....

But then again, this is what I like and respect others... And that is why I can "buy" that Barcelona is the best Club level team ever.

Did you happen to catch the Barcelona vs. ManU Champions League Final where the result meant something? It was almost embarrasing how Barca toyed with them. Keep away??? When Barca loses a ball it's amazing how quickly they get it back, why don't the English just go take it away? Foot skills and moving without the ball might be a couple clues. English soccer is horrible, period. I like the vertical and power game too on occasion, which is why I'll catch an NFL game on any given Sunday.

Have to put in my vote for possession style of play. Barcelona is in no way boring to watch as I feel their style represents the beauty of the game. Skill, creativity and teamwork.

It is interesting that even here in NTX, kids group into teams based on preference for possession/skill versus strength and speed. I guess that is why we have so many teams, something for everyone!

My vote is for Barca style of Tiki-Taka.

Parking the bus, smash-ball, and play for the counter-attack shows a lack of imagination and creativity. Its brutish.

Pele, Maradona, and Messi would've never been discovered in the USA. As kids, they would've been pummeled into smithereens on the pitch. Or worse, labeled as too small.

I shake my head when I watch our '01 games and the other team clears a ball 30 yards out of bounds with a mom screaming, "Well done, Preston!" English style football was on display yesterday. Anybody think the English will ever win a World Cup? Why do we have so many English coaches in this country? Bring in the German, Dutch, and Spanish coaches.

PG-Boy wrote:My vote is for Barca style of Tiki-Taka.

Parking the bus, smash-ball, and play for the counter-attack shows a lack of imagination and creativity. Its brutish.

Pele, Maradona, and Messi would've never been discovered in the USA. As kids, they would've been pummeled into smithereens on the pitch. Or worse, labeled as too small.

I shake my head when I watch our '01 games and the other team clears a ball 30 yards out of bounds with a mom screaming, "Well done, Preston!" English style football was on display yesterday. Anybody think the English will ever win a World Cup? Why do we have so many English coaches in this country? Bring in the German, Dutch, and Spanish coaches.

On my way.

LOL!

Axxman wrote:

cds3 wrote:

Gatorz wrote:

Axxman wrote:

Gatorz wrote:Maybe, but is interesting to note that not all of the fans are excited about the tiki tak style of play that is often lauded by those on this board.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/spain-s-deliberate-style-easy-to-criticize-but-hard-to-stop-as-it-rolls-past-france-and-into-the-semis.html

I agree that the Spanish and Barcelona style is probably the best style for winning but I also agree it is boring at times. I wander if this will ever have an effect on the Spanish coaches if they start to hear fans are not interested in the style they are playing. At the highest levels, the game is for entertainment.

You need to stop "wandering" so much because what you pose is absurd. Barcelona style of play boring..........really? Tell us what style of play you prefer? Perhaps you are a Chelsea fan, pack 10 in the box and lets pray for break-aways.

Actually, it is BORING at times. It appears I am not the only one that thinks that way either. You can't dispute that if you have the players to hold the ball most of the game and lull the other team to sleep it has been successful. I prefer the EPL style of play that is more direct with playing the ball wide and then switching the field quickly, taking on the outside back or crossing it in for a challenge in the air. In my opinion, it is more exciting to watch and entertaining than the BARCA/Spain style.

I totally agree. I like the ManU or Madrid type of game better, which is -again- more vertical and powerful. I like the teams that let the opponent play, attack, battle for the ball, not the ones that avoid contact, prefer scoring from within the box and keep the ball away from the other team by system, not with the purpose of scoring the quickest and more often....

But then again, this is what I like and respect others... And that is why I can "buy" that Barcelona is the best Club level team ever.

Did you happen to catch the Barcelona vs. ManU Champions League Final where the result meant something? It was almost embarrasing how Barca toyed with them. Keep away??? When Barca loses a ball it's amazing how quickly they get it back, why don't the English just go take it away? Foot skills and moving without the ball might be a couple clues. English soccer is horrible, period. I like the vertical and power game too on occasion, which is why I'll catch an NFL game on any given Sunday.

Did you happen to read what I wrote? Today's Barcelona could well be the best Club-level team of all time.... that doesn't mean I have to adore it like you. I'll take ManU's and Madrid's play-sets, powerful attacks from Rooney and Ronaldo over Messi & Co scoring style any day.... but that's just me.

Per the title of this thread, "The Greatest Sports Team Ever", Despite having a lot of love for soccer I'm going to have to go with Basketball and say the original Team USA Dream Team was The Greatest Sports Team Ever. That was a level a domination Spain hasn't come close to reaching. And due to the fact that soccer is more spread out globally and Basketball talent is more concentrated I doubt any team will ever be as dominant as that again.

The NBA Dream Team was the best of American basketball at a single point in time for a given event. Not hardly the greatest sports team ever. I would put the 1980 American hockey team above the NBA Dream Team. Still a single event, but they dislodged Russia's dominance and ended an era.