The best team of all time?

[Hoop Blah]

The Dutch and German sides of the '70s deserve a mention too.

The total football of the Dutch is possibly the closest comparison to this Spanish generation for the impact they're having on the game as a whole.

Just what I was going to post.

Plus a big factor in the belief that the 70s Brazil was so good is that their peak happened to coincide with a World Cup televised in colour. Previous Brazil teams were, I'm told, far better.

I've just been reading a little bit more about the Hungary side (I knew a fair bit of the Puskas story but not so much about the side) and I'm not the above is as true as I thought. I didn't realise they were quite so revolutionary tactically as some comments make them sound. I think it was Wiki that suggests they paved the way for the Total Football as the '70s Dutch side gave us.

I think results hide how good, and different, the Dutch were at the time though, but perhaps I've underesimated the impact of the Hungarians on football ever since.

[TBM]

Just impossible to answer if you haven't seen a team play (more than once and more than just in World Cup replays).

Of international teams I've seen play, France '98 vs Spain '10 would be a pretty decent encounter.

How many times have you seen Spain play live?

Once. But not really the point. How many times have you seen a complete match from that Hungarian side (even on TV)?

well it is the point considering you said

Just impossible to answer if you haven't seen a team play (more than once and more than just in World Cup replays).

[Zaretsky]

How many times have you seen Spain play live?

Once. But not really the point. How many times have you seen a complete match from that Hungarian side (even on TV)?

well it is the point considering you said

Just impossible to answer if you haven't seen a team play (more than once and more than just in World Cup replays).

As in, teams play in more matches than just those at World Cups (which are often some of the few archived for people to watch) and even then it's often just highlights e.g. that Hungary side. Seeing one match at a World Cup wouldn't give you a particular accurate idea of the ins and outs of a team. Unless you're a facking psychic. I didn't say anything about watching live.

[Zaretsky]

I'd this is also a sign of greatness though:

http://www.dump.com/truesportsman/

[Ark Royal]

The Dutch and German sides of the '70s deserve a mention too.

The total football of the Dutch is possibly the closest comparison to this Spanish generation for the impact they're having on the game as a whole.

Just what I was going to post.

Plus a big factor in the belief that the 70s Brazil was so good is that their peak happened to coincide with a World Cup televised in colour. Previous Brazil teams were, I'm told, far better.

I've just been reading a little bit more about the Hungary side (I knew a fair bit of the Puskas story but not so much about the side) and I'm not the above is as true as I thought. I didn't realise they were quite so revolutionary tactically as some comments make them sound. I think it was Wiki that suggests they paved the way for the Total Football as the '70s Dutch side gave us.

I think results hide how good, and different, the Dutch were at the time though, but perhaps I've underesimated the impact of the Hungarians on football ever since.

Hidegkuti ripped the English defence a new one playing in a deep-lying No 9 role with Josef Bozsik as the holding defensive midfielder. With the old-fashioned centre-halves pulled out of position with nobody to mark, Kocsis and Puskas poured through the gaps.

[bobbybottler]

IMO the problem that I have with the Dutchies and the Hungarians was that whilst they were best around at their respective times, they couldn't prove it. The Dutch won nothing because they were happier (seemingly) arguing about money, politics, who lived in the best city etc etc etc, although they still might have won in 1974 without the worst ever display of refereeing in a World Cup final, step forward Jack Taylor.

What I especially like about Spain is that del Bosque has avoided all of this sort of strife. He's got a load of egotistical nutjobs, many of whom utterly detest each other judging by the way they carry on at club level, and they all manage to leave it behind them when they play for the national team. Good work.

[Terminal Boardom]

Hungary were cheated by the West Germans in the 1954 World Cup. The impact,as AR referred to, was immense. The first non UK nation to beat England in England. We were so confident back then.

[SLAMMED]

The 1950's Hungarian team? (google them)

Although Hungary could win the group match against the Germans, lost to 3-2 in the final in Bern at the Wankdorf Stadium

What a name for a stadium

[Handsome Man]

Spain

Best club sides I have seen would include the side Liverpool had while Rush was in Juventus, the Red Star Belgrade team that got to the European Cup Final a couple of years later (not the boring team that won it), Gullit's Milan, Barcelona of a year ago, Spurs with five midfielders in 1987 and Reading in 2006.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Spain have won 2 of the 3 tournaments courtesy of a penalty shoot, the other with 4 1-0 wins. Fine margins. Not really the best team of all time.

Club teams far excel international teams because they play together more and have the continuity to reach higher levels.

So I would say either Milan of the late 80/early 90s, Barcelona 2009-11, or Ajax 71-73.

[Wax Jacket]

Club teams far excel international teams because they play together more and have the continuity to reach higher levels.

and they can play who they want

[Handsome Man]

Club teams far excel international teams because they play together more and have the continuity to reach higher levels.

and they can play who they want

People always say club sides would beat international ones, but if you compare the average boring Champions League game with even the early rounds of a World Cup, it doesn't ring true.

[TBM]

Chelsea v Spain

The current two best sides in Europe.......who would win?!

[Simon's Church]

Well
Chelsea > Barcelona
and
Barcelona > Spain
so
Chelsea>>Spain

[Silver Fox]

Spain would beat chelsea nine times out of ten, generally speaking though I go with the best club sides being better than the best national sides, for obvious reasons

[Hoop Blah]

Club sides should be that bit better really, and if you took each country vs it's leagues best team(s) I think the clubs would usually come out on top.

Barcelona would probably beat Spain. City or United would beat England. Juventus would most likely beat Italy.

You might be able to put good arguements against the German and Dutch teams being better than their top clubs, but that's because neither league is flush with lots of money and high wages.

I've no idea on the strength of the South American league teams compared to the national teams though, perhaps the idea is just biased towards clubs because we see the very best club sides the world has to offer on a regular basis.

[larry1971]

well I think you can throw into the mix the Bayern Munich and Ajax sides of the early and mid 1970's , Liverpool of the late 70's early 80's and the AC Milan side of the late 80's all absolutely fantastic sides.

[AthleticoSpizz]

1970's Brazil

Natural unmanufactured talent, their reputation still goes before them. Spain are still working on it

[bobbybottler]

1970's Brazil

Natural unmanufactured talent, their reputation still goes before them. Spain are still working on it

Bit of a question mark over FeLOLix in goal.

[SLAMMED]

Chelsea v Spain

The current two best sides in Europe.......who would win?!

Spain by at least 2 clear goals.