Spanish Soccer and the Art of Tiqui-Taca
If you are reading this you probably know that Spanish football, or soccer, as we call it in the States, is red hot.
La Roja, the Spanish national team, are reigning FIFA 2010 World Cup champions after defeating the Netherlands in overtime 1-0 in South Africa.
You may also know that Spain's La Selección (another name for the national team) are the reigning UEFA 2008 European Cup champions, having defeated Germany in the final by 1-0.
Only West Germany (Euro Cup in 1972, World Cup 1974) and France (World Cup in 1998, Euro Cup in 2000) have held these two most important international trophies simultaneously.
Spain has a chance to be the first soccer nation to win three consecutive major international trophies if it manages to defend its title and win the 2012 European Cup.
How have they been able to do it? By perfecting the possession, quick pass, often one-touch style of play that wears down a defense.
What the Spanish media calls tiqui-taca.
It almost sounds like the name of a child's game, but right now, and for the past several years, there is no more deadly style of play in the world of international soccer.
Other teams have tried to practice this possession game, but against Spain no one has succeeded.
The style requires highly skilled intelligent players who work and think as a team, rather than as individuals.
The style requires immense patience, confidence, and a spirit of sacrifice.
And this generation of Spanish footballers has many such players.
If you look at the rosters of both Spanish championship teams, you will notice there are no immense soccer names on the list, no Pelé, no Beckenbauer, no Maradona, no Zidane, no Messi.
But Spain does have excellent players, and great depth at most positions.
Goalie Iker Casillas may be the best in the world between the posts, and David Villa, the historical leading goal scorer for La Roja, is a lethal player who performs his best when matches hang in the balance.
Defenders Puyol, Ramos, Capdevila, and Piqué were almost unbeatable after the opening match loss to Switzerland in South Africa 2010.
But it is the little midfielders,Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta, who are the blood of La Roja.
Their playmaking makes it possible for strikers Villa and Fernando Torres or Fernando Llorente, to score goals.
Or when needed, they themselves take on the responsibility.
Who could forget Iniesta's championship-winning goal against the Dutch late in extra time? Tiqui-taca has a funny, child-like sound to it, like something we shouldn't take all that seriously.
Opponents of La Roja know better.
It is true the Spaniards have lost a pair of international friendlies since raising the World Cup, but when it has mattered most, they have called upon the focus, humility and spirit of sacrifice that has made them dual champions of Europe and the World.
It is noteworthy that they have won all of their group qualifying matches leading up to Euro Cup 2012 and they are a cinch to qualify for that tournament.
They will be looking to not only defend their crown, but to continue their international soccer reign and become the first nation to win three consecutive major international championships.
La Roja, the Spanish national team, are reigning FIFA 2010 World Cup champions after defeating the Netherlands in overtime 1-0 in South Africa.
You may also know that Spain's La Selección (another name for the national team) are the reigning UEFA 2008 European Cup champions, having defeated Germany in the final by 1-0.
Only West Germany (Euro Cup in 1972, World Cup 1974) and France (World Cup in 1998, Euro Cup in 2000) have held these two most important international trophies simultaneously.
Spain has a chance to be the first soccer nation to win three consecutive major international trophies if it manages to defend its title and win the 2012 European Cup.
How have they been able to do it? By perfecting the possession, quick pass, often one-touch style of play that wears down a defense.
What the Spanish media calls tiqui-taca.
It almost sounds like the name of a child's game, but right now, and for the past several years, there is no more deadly style of play in the world of international soccer.
Other teams have tried to practice this possession game, but against Spain no one has succeeded.
The style requires highly skilled intelligent players who work and think as a team, rather than as individuals.
The style requires immense patience, confidence, and a spirit of sacrifice.
And this generation of Spanish footballers has many such players.
If you look at the rosters of both Spanish championship teams, you will notice there are no immense soccer names on the list, no Pelé, no Beckenbauer, no Maradona, no Zidane, no Messi.
But Spain does have excellent players, and great depth at most positions.
Goalie Iker Casillas may be the best in the world between the posts, and David Villa, the historical leading goal scorer for La Roja, is a lethal player who performs his best when matches hang in the balance.
Defenders Puyol, Ramos, Capdevila, and Piqué were almost unbeatable after the opening match loss to Switzerland in South Africa 2010.
But it is the little midfielders,Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta, who are the blood of La Roja.
Their playmaking makes it possible for strikers Villa and Fernando Torres or Fernando Llorente, to score goals.
Or when needed, they themselves take on the responsibility.
Who could forget Iniesta's championship-winning goal against the Dutch late in extra time? Tiqui-taca has a funny, child-like sound to it, like something we shouldn't take all that seriously.
Opponents of La Roja know better.
It is true the Spaniards have lost a pair of international friendlies since raising the World Cup, but when it has mattered most, they have called upon the focus, humility and spirit of sacrifice that has made them dual champions of Europe and the World.
It is noteworthy that they have won all of their group qualifying matches leading up to Euro Cup 2012 and they are a cinch to qualify for that tournament.
They will be looking to not only defend their crown, but to continue their international soccer reign and become the first nation to win three consecutive major international championships.