Date of birth: 23 December 1950 in Salamanca, Spain
Nationality: Spanish
Nickname: Bigoton [on account of his big moustache]
Career as a player: 1969-1971 Castilla, 1971-1972 Cordoba Club de Futbol, 1972-1973 Club Deportivo Castellon, 1973-1984 Real Madrid.
Honours as a player: five Spanish league championships and winner of four Copa del Rey titles. Played in the 1980 European Championship in Italy. Played 441 official club matches and scored 30 goals. 18 caps for Spain. Career as a coach: 1994: Real Madrid. 1996: Real Madrid. 1999-2003: Real Madrid. 2004-2005: Besiktas. Since July 2008: coach of the Spanish national team.
Honours as a coach: three Spanish league championships, two UEFA Champions League titles, two Spanish Super Cups, one Intercontinental Cup and one European Super Cup.
“Football is a sport made up of individual moments”
Under the leadership of coach Luis Aragones, Spain became European champions in June. Vicente del Bosque took over as coach right after EURO 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, and he wants the
team for which he was once a player to keep on winning.
FM: You have said that it is a privilege to coach a national team that has just won the European title, particularly a team that achieved the win in the way Spain did.
Vicente del Bosque: It’s true. If you think about how things would be now if we hadn’t got past the quarter-finals, the siruation would obviously be a lor worse. You have to take a positive view of such a victory that managed to get everyone caught up in the excitement.
But in the short term there are certain risks to such a situation, such as the fact that widespread optimism, if not kept in check, can be more dangerous than it is advantageous, and that the possibility of beating the European champions is now a major incentive for Spain’s rivals.
Del Bosque: Indeed, those are two issues that need to be taken into account, but it’s good that we are respected for being the best, and I don’t think the players are going to get carried away by uncontrolled euphoria. Although it’s true that being a good winner can be very difficult.
You’re making your debut with Spain: you know about playing and training, but maybe coaching a national team is a different matter. How are you handling the transition? Del Bosque: Well … I spent 15
years at Real Madrid and had to apply selection criteria when signing players and young boys. Now, it’s true it might not be the same work as for a national team, where you’re not training every day, but it’s not that different. There are a lot of similarities in terms of the basics, because the aim is always to get the team in shape, to develop a style …
The European champions already have a defined style. Are you going to keep that?
Del Bosque: It’s not a good idea to make distinctions with the previous coach, especially because the team’s style is very clearly defined. Luis Aragones
played a 4-1-4-1 or a 4-1-3-2 formation in order to keep possession and also to counter-attack. Formation is one thing and tactics another. But the objective is always the same, and it all worked perfectly at EURO 2008.
But, of course, everyone has their own way of doing things.
Del Bosque: We will try to bring our own personal touch, reflecting our character, where we feel it’s necessary, but I want to underline the fact that this is a winning team that knows exactly what it’s doing and, what’s more, enjoys it and brings massive enjoyment to the fans.
Are you saying this because you mean it or because of people’s “if it’s not broke don’t fix it” attitude?
Del Bosque: I’m saying it because the Spanish team has to use the players who won the European title in the same way they played in that competition and because the tactical and line-up decisions that were made were always effective.
I believe the choice of players was 100% right and I doubt that the fans will disagree with my line-up either.
Will you favour short or long passes?
Del Bosque: Football is a sport made up of individual moments, and you have to know how to play in each of them. That means playing short passes when it suits, and playing long balls when necessary, the combination of which is beautiful, but always maintaining a balance. The most difficult skill is knowing exactly what to do at each moment.
But things aren’t always going to remain the same, and you yourself have said that football constantly changes.
Del Bosque: We need to be proud of the football we have, but this shouldn’t stop us from looking towards the future.
Are you concerned that the players might cling to a concept and avoid adopting others?
Del Bosque: No, not at all. It’s great for the players to be able to look back on the European championship and enjoy what they achieved, but I don’t think they are going to dwell on the past, simply because they can already be satisfied wit what they have achieved.
But nobody is ever satisfied with what they have …
Del Bosque: I’ve already said several times that we have to set ourselves the highest objectives, but that doesn’t mean we’re smug or don’t have our feet on the ground. We have a team that can continue to succeed.
Spain’s team for EURO 2008 had something special that set it apart from all the others: it responded perfectly to the demands, requests and advice of the person who formed the team, Luis Aragones. Are you and he the same? Del Bosque: No …
Aragones has a reputation for being energetic and having a strong character. I’m not saying you don’t have those qualities, but you seem milder, colder, probably.
Del Bosque: Both personality types can achieve the same results. We [Del Bosque is referring to himself and his team] have never fallen out with anybody or fined anybody and that has worked. I think the players respect their coaches for their character, but also for their knowledge and humanity. Groups gain from human contact, and, what’s more, I’ve never heard of any bad vibes among the team, and that’s how it should be. 1 think we have the right working atmosphere.
The victory in the European Championship achieved something else, not directly related to the game: a huge mass of supporters, including people who didn’t watch football regularly, now identify with the team colours and their country’s flag.
Del Bosque: That has also been fantastic; it was a sporting and patriotic display, which is always a good thing. That is another of the European Championship’s major achievements, because it seemed as though that level of popularity was reserved for clubs, but we’ve seen that the national team can arouse such feelings, too. So things have gone back to the way they should be.
But we are now living in a permanent state of euphoria, and it therefore seems likely that a lot of people will start expecting undisputed victories, and for Spain to beat everyone, because we’re the best, after all …
Del Bosque: That’s not a bad thing.
It’s only natural that people should be so excited about Spain, because the team showed how powerful such a win could be. The optimism is great, but the national team also know that it’s very difficult to be good winners.
It certainly seems as though the public’s perception of the players has changed. They now feel a lot closer to them. The victory was necessary in terms of bringing the players and the public closer together.
Del Bosque: Victories always attract people, but it’s certainly true that the fans really like the players. “This is because of the football they played, the way they celebrated their victories, and also because the supporters realised that they’re not the
distant millionaires you hear about in the media, but normal, approachable guys. It’s important that this sense of normality is maintained, because that’s what people can relate to. Their performances played a large part, but more than that, it’s down to the players’ behaviour, and in that sense it’s been an honour for all of us to have seen this team in action.
Don’t you think that all of this puts you in a very risky position? You’ll have to respond to all these expectations … and respond with wins.
Del Bosque: I think there are a lot of advantages to this situation. No matter what way I look at it, it’s positive. Even if Luis was still here, there’d be no guarantee that we’d win everything, and of course there is no such guarantee with me either. That’s why we’re in a favourable position that we have to manage correctly and take advantage of. This has been very good for the team, for the people, and for the atmosphere surrounding football. It has proven those who doubted that a veteran coach could win a title wrong. Yes, indeed, it’s been good for everyone.
Many of their critics said it could not be done this time, but the US women’s national team managed to mine Olympic gold once again.
For the second consecutive Olympics, the USA were outplayed by Brazil but managed to secure the gold medal with a late goal. Midfielder Carli Lloyd scored the dramatic goal six minutes into extra time en route to a 1-0 triumph at the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing on 21 August. The Americans have defined the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, winning three of the four gold medals (they also won in 1996 and 2004) and taking home the silver in 2000. Four years ago in Greece, the USA managed to win 2-1 against a talented Brazilian side thanks to an extra-time goal by Abby Wambach. The team’s leading scorer (99 international goals) could not play this time after breaking her left leg in a 1-0 win over Brazil in July.
The victory also heralded a resurrection for the Americans, who were embarrassed 4-0 by the Brazilians in the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-finals in China last year – the worst defeat in their history — amid a major goalkeeping controversy. That loss and the controversy surrounding it cost coach Greg Ryan his job. Former Swedish international Pia Sundhage was brought in to hea! the team and bring home the gold.
“When I was six years old, I thought 1 was the only girl in the whole world who played football. I wasn’t allowed to play because I was a girl,” said Sundhage, who became the first foreigner to guide a women’s team to a major FIFA title in eirher the Olympics or Women’s World Cup. “Back then, I could never imagine that I’d be a professional player or a professional coach. Now I’m sitting with a great player, the USA’s captain Christie Rampone, and looking at her gold medal. 1 am so proud.”
“I FEEL GREAT”
So was goalkeeper Hope Solo, who completed a remarkable personal comeback. Almost 11 months before, Solo had left China in disgrace, having been ostracised by her team-mates for controversial remarks she made after being relegated to the bench for the semi-final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Last 27 September, an angry Solo vented her frustration about being benched. Ryan had surprisingly replaced her with veteran Briana Scurry. “There is no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves,” Solo said at the time.
She made them this time, but was quick to play down any talk of vindication. “I don’t even think about that, whatever I said last year,” she said. “I am just enjoying this moment right now. 1 feel great. 1 just won a damn gold medal.”
Solo made seven saves, but none was more important than the one she made from two-time FIFA World Player Marta in the 72nd minute, blocking her six-yard attempt with her right forearm. “1 was ready to get up and celebtate,” said Brazil coach Jorge Barcellos, remembering the save by Solo, who said: “I can’t even recall the saves or how they happened, but all 1 know is that I was playing with a different energy tonight and it just felt so good.”
MARTA’S SADNESS
That set up Lloyd’s late heroics. Amy Rodriguez, who will begin her senior year at the University of Southern California this autumn, set up the goal. Breaking free of the two Brazilians on her back, she waited for Lloyd to make a run before sending her the ball. Lloyd broke in and sent a 19-yard bullet to the right of goalkeeper Barbara, in front of a crowd of 51,612. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would score the goal that would give us the Olympic gold,” said Lloyd.
The win brought a climax to a tournament that the USA were not given much chance of winning. They lost their opening match 2-0 to Norway, surrendering two goals in the opening four minutes, before slowly picking up steam by winning five consecutive matches. They recovered to defeat Japan 1-0 and New Zealand 4-0, thus winning their first-round group and avoiding world champions Germany or Brazil until the final. They outlasted arch-rivals Canada in the quarter-finals, winning 2-1 after extra time, and downed Japan 4-2 in the semi-finals.
This was the third consecutive major FIFA tournament in which the Brazilians have finished runners-up and they have scored only once in the three finals. They lost the 2004 Olympic gold-medal match 2-1 to the USA, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2007 final 2-0 to Germany, and the 2008 Olympic final 1-0 to the USA. “We always play well during the tournament, but in the finals we can’t score,” said Marta. “I also ask myself what happens to us in the finals.”
Brazil went undefeated up to the final and stunned defending world champions Germany 4-1 in the semi-finals, scoring twice from counter-attacks following German corner kicks. Cristiane, top scorer in the tournament with five goals, scored once in each half. Until that loss, the Germans had not conceded a single goal in China, spanning 10 matches in the FIFA Women’s World Cap and the Olympics. Their star striker Birgk Prinz failed to score in the first four matches before breaking her duck against Brazil. Germany salvaged some pride by recording a 2-0 extra-time win over surprise package Japan in the bronze-medal match, with goals by substitute Fatmire Bajramaj.
The Men’s Olympic Football Tournament has become a showcase for Argentina’s latest under-23 sensations. In 2004, Carlos Tevez put on a personal exhibition, leading Argentina to their very first football gold medal in Greece. This year in China it was Lionel Messi’s turn to dazzle the crowd and his opponents.
Messi and his team-mates did not disappoint as the Argentinians won their second consecutive tournament, culminating in a 1-0 victory over Nigeria in Beijing on 23 August. They made history by becoming only the fourth men’s team to win back-to-back Olympic football titles, joining Great Britain (1908, 1912), Uruguay (1924, 1928) and Hungary (1964, 1968). They controlled the proceedings from start to finish, winning all six games (outscoring their foes 11 -2 on aggregate) — something no team had ever previously accomplished.
“We knew coming in that we may never have this experience again, so we arc lucky chat everything went well and we got what we wanted,” said Messi, who finished with two goals and one assist. “This is a great day for the people of Argentina, and for the development of the game there,” coach Sergio Batista added after the final.
Messi almost did not play. His Spanish club team Barcelona won a court ruling that would have allowed them to withdraw Messi. When push came to shove, however, the Catalan club let the man known as “The Flea” remain in China. It worked out well for Argentina and it allowed Messi to return to Spain a contented man with the motivation to perform brilliantly for his club. “People said a Sot of things that annoyed me before I came to China, everyone knows that,” Messi told FIFA.com. “That’s what makes this medal so special.” Nigeria coach Samson Siasia said Messi was the difference between a gold and a silver. “He terrorises not only our team, but all the teams in Europe,” he said.
Dl MARIA’S GOAL
Compared to some of his earlier performances in the tournament, Messi was not anywhere near his brilliant and lethal best in the final as Nigeria focused on containing him. The superstar therefore reverted to plan B — he passed. His most important one came in the 58lh minute to Angel Di Maria, who bore down on goalkeeper Ambruse Vanzeldn from the
left before chipping him from 18 yards in front of a full house of 89,103 at Beijing’s National Stadium.
Di Maria admitted that he first thought of firing in a shot, but changed his strategy when he saw the keeper come out of his goal. “Luckily, it went in,” he said. Messi recognised that Argentina had not performed up to the usual high standards they had set for themselves. “It was a shame that we didn’t play our best game today,” he said.
While Argentina’s triumph was a histotic one, it will not go down as one of the better finals. Perhaps the 42-degree heat was to blame for that. The game kicked off at the National Stadium at noon. FIFA allowed water breaks in the 30lh and 70th minutes as a precautionary measure, which is virtually unptecedented at international level.
Midfielder Javier Mascherano, a member of the 2004 side, became only the 12th player and the first Argentinian to win two gold medals. “It’s a matter of pride to be the first Argentinian to win two gold medals,” he said. “Tt’s a great feeling. Nobody can take this happiness away from me … Today we made history as a team and that is what matters to me the most.”
MESSl’S PREDICTION
In the group stage, Argentina overcame Cote d’lvoire 2-1 and Australia 1-0 before also defeating Serbia 2-0. They needed extra time to beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the quarter-finals to set up what many observers felt was the actual gold-medal match – the semi-final between Argentina and Brazil. Not only did Argentina bury Brazil’s gold-medal hopes, they also stole the beautiful game from their arch-rivalsThe Argentinians played pretty football
and produced their best performance of the tournament – making the Brazilian
game look ugly in comparison – en route to a 3-0 victory. Sergio Aguero, who had failed to score in his three previous Olympic appearances, struck twice within six minutes early in the second half “It was like a final for us,” he said. “Beating Brazil is the best thing.”
Brazil, who have never won a gold medal despite five FIFA World Cup™ triumphs, took home the bronze, defeating Belgium 3-0 in the bronze-medal match. “I feel bad,” said midfielder Lucas. “The hurt is very deep because the Brazilian people were really expecting us to win.” Ronaldinho, hyped by many as the player to watch at the 2006 FIFA World Cup”, continued his fall from grace wirh another ineffective performance in a semi-final that meant so much to his country, The gold-medal triumph meant Argentina have won three major international tournaments in the past three years, including the FIFA U-20 World Cups in 2005 and 2007. When will Argentina next go on a victory lap at an international tournament? The FIFA U-17 and the FIFA U-20 World Cups will take place in 2009, and then the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa. Batista believes that seven or eight of his players will play for the full Argentina side in two years, including Di Maria. “I’m certain our victory in Beijing will help the national team on the road to the World Cup,” he said.
Messi went one step further: “We are aiming to win the World Cup.” Winning another Olympic gold medal has certainly provided the ideal platform.
