When
the world cup 2006 was won by Italy, every thoughts lingered far and
wide whether they will establish their superiority in the world of
football for many years to come. But the new Spanish generation had
other ideas. Vincente del Bosque took over and he created an empire
using youngsters who were determined to end the agony they have had for
years. Come Euro 2008, they simply decimated every opponent they walked
into. Xavi and Iniesta were dwelling on their new found tempo and
Fernando Torres was in red-hot form. They cruised into the semifinals as
Italy was left to ponder what went wrong when everything did. In the
finals, the two present super powers collided, Spain and Germany.
Germany proved hot but El Nino Torres proved hotter as his goal leveled
the things that was boiling over. Deserved victory for playing total
football. This form took over to the club football. Barcelona appointed
Pep Guardiola and they never stopped. They went on to become the only
side to lift all 6 trophies in a calender year! Next year they tried to
repeat the same but Inter Milan rocked their party (by a certain Jose
Mourinho) as they were ousted despite winning the match at Camp Nou.
But
they had a bigger task, World Cup, the most prestigious title in the
world which they never could hold in hands. But the youngsters were
adamant. They went over as favorites only to be beaten by Switzerland in
the very first match. VdB shook his team off and prepared them harder,
as they sent ever other team packing away. In the semi finals, their old
foes were renewing the rivalry. But Spain dominated and a 73rd minute
header by the phenomena named Carles Puyol ended German hopes. In the finals, magical Iniesta's famed killer goal
ended their agony which they had to condemn for years. First world Cup
ever!! Again Barcelona took over, this time along with Real Madrid,
competing for every glory along with battering down the opponents. These
two were resoundingly named the two best teams in the world, which
ended with Barcelona securing La Liga and Champions League trophy in
style. The year followed when the system appeared shaky. Barcelona lost
against Chelsea and Real Madrid were knocked out by Bayern Munich but
the Germans couldn't overcome a sturdy Chelsea defense even at their own
ground. Was this the beginning of English supremacy? Sadly England
couldn't make into the semi finals of the Euro 2012. Spain and Germany
were on a final showdown but Balotelli led Italy sprung up-board and
created the biggest upset of the season by beating Germany, but their luck ran out in the finals as they couldn't limp across a 4-0 killer blow from Spaniards.
Spain were in course of becoming the greatest generation in football
history. This time, they couldn't carry the form on to the club. Even
though Barcelona and Madrid finished 1-2 in the league, both were
battered throughout the Champions League tournament. Was it a signal of
end of an era? This year the twp German teams stole all the thunder and
Bayern were deserving winners. Will German generation be able to garner
enough strength to rule football for a decade? There is no short of
talents and future is safe in the hands of Gotze, Reus, Hummels, Kroos,
Neuer, Ozil and Khedira. Or will Spaniards force back next season to
hold on to the title of world champions? There is no denying that if
World Cup 2014 in Brazil is won by Spain, they will go down as the
greatest team in the history of football. Germany for sure are No.2 in
the list but can they muster enough to upstage Spain at the biggest
stage of them all? All eyes have to be on the season 2013/2014 which
will give us the answers to the buildup. Barcelona would be hoping to
bounce back as the best team in the world meanwhile Bayern would love to
extend their run with former Barca coach Pep at helm. Next season
promises to deliver us crucial answers as to who will dominate football
and carry the tag favorites to the World Cup 2014.
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