Spain vs. Who?

Last night we went to see an exciting game at Ellis Park Stadium. This stadium is famous for being the home of the South African Springbok Rugby Team. It is featured in the movie Invictus. Having now seen both the stadiums in Joburg, I can compare them to our hometown venues. If Soccer City is like the new refurbished Soldier Field, Ellis Park is definitely the Wrigley Field of Joburg . . . it is old-school, classy, and awesome!

The match we went to see was Spain vs. Honduras, but it really didn't seem like Honduras showed up to play. Spain controlled the ball the vast majority of the game passing triangles (not circles) around Honduras. Spain's team is made up of a tight group of players that play together on Barcelona, and they really showed that they know how to play together well. Watching them play really made you appreciate the beauty of the game.

Ultimately, Spain won the game 2-0, but it could have been a much higher score if they only would shoot more often. Instead of thinking about the Spain vs. Honduras match that we watched, I kept finding myself comparing the two best teams we have seen so far: Spain and Brazil. In terms of passing, both teams are amazing. Only perhaps Argentina can compare. Passing is a tie. In terms of finishing, both Luis Fabiano and David Villa had some pretty astonishing finishes. So shooting is a tie. But, I gotta say there is one thing that tilts the scale in Spains favor . . . they had the more appealing fan section.