Just a question for thought.

We all know that the biggest clubs have been the biggest clubs for awhile, and will probably become even more dominant (barca, Bayern and Man U making a joke of their leagues) - but is anyone else surprised that the national powerhouses are still the powerhouses, for the most part?

What im saying is that with countries becoming more developed, the possibility for countries to put more effort into their youth programs expand, and is generally seen as one of the ways to develop a league and a national team; as well as individuals having more time to focus on sports when their lives are more stable.

semi finals
Euro 2012
Portugal Spain Germany Italy
World Cup 2010
Spain Netherlands Germany Uruguay
Euro 2008
Spain Germany Turkey Russia
World Cup 2006
France Italy Germany Portugal
Euro 2004
Czech Portugal Greece Netherlands
World Cup 2002
Germany Brazil Turkey South Korea(straight up matchfixing)
Euro 2000
Italy France Netherlands Portugal

Semis
Germany 5; Portugal 4; Spain 3; Netherlands 3; Italy 3; Turkey 2; France 2; Brazil 1; South Korea 1; Russia 1; Czech 1; Uru 1
Finals - Italy 3; Spain 3; Germany 3; France 2; Portugal 1; Greece 1; Netherlands 1
Wins - Spain 3; Italy 1; France 1; Greece 1; Brazil 1

Obviously the biggest accomplishment in world football, even bigger than porto winning the champions league, is Greece winning the 2004 Euro cup knocking out Portugal, Czech (who are an extremely underrated side), and France. Still incredibly butthurt about 2004 euro and 2006 world cup - I feel if France won one of those, world cup most likely, that we would have been considered one of the best national side generations of all-time.

Maybe we will see the upcoming teams like the Belgiums and the continued Turkish side to make it into that next category of elite teams, but I am just generally surprised by how dominate the big nations still are even with the expansion of economic freedoms and increased development in their league and youth sides.

I've contemplated this with the MLS a lot, and I am so stoked for the deal that man city and the Yankees struck.

Here in the United States, we have this all or nothing mentality, where we can't settle for second place, or be content taking the back seat. After the 02 World Cup, so many big clubs were at the mls' door asking for our top players, and the league said no to every offer! It was ridiculous, they tried to roll the success of the World Cup into the league and our stars had the same shelf life as our Olympians...you know, they're on wheaties boxes and letterman for like a month and then they're relegated to nostalgia, and aren't heard of again until you're playing trivial pursuit or some shit. these emerging nations should focus on academy models, build a reputable feeder league, and don't get so up their own ass about their league competing with the giants that they don't let their talent reach their full potential, and market the shit out of europe's top leagues for what they are: the places where the best football is played. We used to make our talent stay, now we're letting it to to Europe, we encourage it, finally. We're starting to familarize sports fans with top flight football and make that the most popular brand of football, vice the mls. This is why I think the United States will be great within 10 years. Basically, these countries need to focus on maximizing the amount of players getting to europe's top leagues, not trying to build their league to a top flight level.

honestly, it was a good game and obviously the size of the match on a worldwide scale helped (but not on a relative scale), but even from a biased point i think even 2 of our own last 3 games of the season i watched against forest and then watford in the play-offs were far better and more dramatic from a neutral point of view (i know im not a neutral and most people wouldnt have watched them - i was just using them as an example o very recent and just as relatively crucial games).

but my point is, it was a decent game, but i cant imagine most people would put it in there top 10 games this season, i dont get why just because its a decent wc/cl final it has to be the best ever. other games are just as crucial for their own teams/players and yet tend to get played in a much more attacking style and have far more drama. compare it to the man city vs qpr game a couple of seasons ago whch most people wouldve watched if imagined, which just seemed far better to me.

idk, if you enjoyed the game the best, fair enough, i just cant see it myself. it was probably a good 8/10 game for me, but definitely nowhere near the best ive seen this season, let alone ever.

Interesting post.
I don't really know what to say about it but i'll have a go.
I'm in two minds. On one hand i think what you say will happen more going forwards largely thanks to club sides. Big clubs with the best development programs are getting better and better at finding talent in any corner of the world - where their scouting focus used to be more limited (you can only be in so many places at once). Rise of the internet and globalisation means players from even the most obscure of countries are more visible and able to be spotted by the big clubs... And so much of the development depends on clubs. (e.g. barcelona with messi - argentina benefited from barcelona more than the other way around)

On the other hand i think it used to happen more in the 80's and before than it does now. The playing field was more level back then, nobody was spending outrageous money, and that gap probably still hasn't closed up again...

I agree both with clubs and national sides. It was more open in the 80s. And even for a bit in the 90s, too.

The Bosman ruling is a significant part of the reason why.

3 new managers for the top 3 makes next season's EPL very very interesting. More than anything else, I think it's the best chance Wenger's had in a while to try and push just a little harder for something to silence the critics. Also, Liverpool and Spurs are plenty hungry too. My ideal Top 4 would see Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, but that is really wishful thinking.

Mourinho coming back means I'll be watching the epl more often.

Me too, cause as much as I dislike the guy, I love what he brings to the table. Pellegrini should also provide a lot for City. If United can win the title next season, I'll really hail them as being a phenomenal team. I'll do the same for Barca too actually. I still can't believe we won the Liga this time. We should also really look for a manager, cause a team needs a manager and not one who is hospitalized every month or so. I agree with Cruyff that Vilanova should focus on his health, perhaps become an advisor to Barca, but really, he should not be a first team coach. I'm also obviously excited to see what Neymar can do and whether he lets the pressure become the reason for his downfall. I'm excited to see what Pep can do with Bayern, and whether Jupp chooses to come to Madrid again. So yes, I'm pretty pumped for next season, so say the least.

Neymar going to Barca was a mistake I think. I'm not sure how he is going to fit in at Barca when their system thrives on wing forwards making specific runs to free up Messi. Neymar is used to collecting the ball deep and bringing it up field, with defenders standing off of him. His style of play is way more suited to the likes of Madrid.

It definitely makes them less dependant on messi.
But it's not great work paying 70m for a guy if you can't use him to his fullest.

Did you catch the Japan vs. Australia match, Jose?

I have a feeling that the reason is specifically the reason for Neymar. barcelona could use some change, cause the current barca style is so easy to tackle that a player like Neymar and his abilities might be exactly what we need. More than anything else, having him could allow Messi to move about more freely and have more space due to Neymar taking defenders with him. It's a gamble but one I think Barca needs. I also think Neymar is a player good enough to adjust, he'll probably be playing a role similar to which Villa or Pedro plays now. Regardless, we'll soon see. madrid are getting the better player in Bale anyway.

Also, they paid 57 million euros for him to get full ownership. I think the money they'll make quite easily and in no time. Neymar's bankable image makes his transfer fee that much higher clearly.

I'm not thinking of Neymar's acquisition in terms of how he'll work with Messi, but what other options he will give a side known for not having a plan B.

jose already said it, but why pay that much for a player you can't possibly fully use when the plan is for messi to be healthy and the main guy. i just don't see how they could possibly utilize both messi and neymar, unless they decide to go for a 442, but then what do you do with xavi, iniesta, cesc, sanchez, etc etc etc. i guess i couldn't justify, if i could make the call to begin with, spending that much money on a plan b, no matter how much money is at my disposal.