From: marios@ecs.comm.mot.com (mario smarduch)
Subject: Spain/Poland Final Re:
Organization: trunking_fixed
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 22:27:19 GMT

I don't reme

>I thought I may add my comments to this game since all the postings so far have  
>been pro-poland.

>With respect to the physical play, I invite any Polish player to survive one  
>year in the Spanish first division and still say that Polish players are more  
>physical.

This has nothing to do with surviving in any league (besides if you are going
to talk about surviving you should mention the English, Italian leagues) its
just that the Polish players a taller, wider and stronger therefore its easier
for them to hold their own when it comes to contact.

>With respect to the referee, saying that he was Colombian and favored Spain is  
>a joke. First, in the foul on Alfonso that created the chance for Spain's first  
>goal there was a takedown by the Polish player. It could only be clearly seen  
>in the replay though.

I hope you have the game taped, beacuse if you replay it you will see that 
this is a totally invented foul. Furthermore listen to what the commentators
said about the foul.

>Second, the second Polish goal happened because when a Spanish player went to  
>clear a ball he was taken down (no call) and a polish player then was able to  
>cross to ball for the eventual goal.

I have to see the tape on that.

>Third, it is true that Lopez was grabbing the Polish player by the shirt in the  
>penalty area in the 85th minute. It was also true that the Polish player was  
>grabbing Lopez by his shorts. In a regular, non-crucial game a play where there  
>is no clear control by any player in the area, 99 out of 100 there will be no  
>penalty shot. The one time being the occassional incompetent ref.

What ????, This has to be a joke. There is no daubt that it was a penalty,
the only thing that really amazed me is that Lopez did it so openly, he
didn't even consider that a Columbian referee could call a penalty against
Spain playing at home in the Olympic final. This Lopez guy is quite a
talentless butcher I wonder where he plays at?

>Finally, there was a much clear penalty no call (one that would be called most  
>of the time) that went against Spain. This happened in the 88th minute when  
>Luis Enrique went down having complete control of the ball. The replay showed  
>that the Polish player did go for the ball, but he never touched it!. I'm sure  
>the referee did not want to end such a game on a penalty kick on a play that he  
>did not fully see. I think that overall it took more guts not to give the  
>penalty than giving it to Spain.

Man talking about a biased spectator, I think you are too nationalistic not
watching the game objectively. On the play you mention in the 88'th minute
my only question is if Enrique is in the right sport, maybe he should be
diving and get all 10's. That all I have to say on that.

>You also have to be kidding to say that the Spanish goals were "lucky". Spain  
>was all over Poland during most of the game. Poland was lucky that they were  
>not down 2-0 in the first fifteeen minutes.

My friend you just dont understand football. Being allover a team and exploiting
a couple defensive breakdowns is a completely different thing from actually
creating clear cut scoring oppertunities. I've seen countless number of games
where a team was supposedlly "allover" the other team and lost the game. How's
Denmark vs. Germany game, its the finishing and execution that matters.

>Overall, I think that the best team won but that it was a pretty close match. I  
>wish we could see that type of play in world cups. If Spain can avoid having  
>those kids ruined by Real Madrid and Barcelona, we could be in good shape.

I would agree the best team won but only because of the environment and circumstances.
Spain in a neutral site would be an average team. Wheather these kids get
spoiled or not I just dont see any glory days for Spanish soccer. I think
Spain has to produce more physical players, or else they will be ran of the
field by teams like Germany, Holland, England.


Regards,

mario s.




--
Angel Puerta
puerta@camis.stanford.edu