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05/07/2026

Spain- Who thinks Spain is a formidable team to lift the cup?🙋I do. Why? It's simple, there's quality in every position. Spain is a force, nature hasn't seen since "La Roja" of 2008-2012. They don't hold on to the ball and manage a 1-0 game throughout the 2010 tournament. Spain scored 2.14 goals per game, in the 20224 Euros. Spain from 2010 also scored an even 1.14 goals, exactly one goal les per game in the tournament. The difference is, that these goals, come from everywhere. Outside back, center forward, midfielder and if Lamin Yamal is back in time, you will be in trouble. He singlehandedly destroyed France in the 2024 European Semi-Finals and he was 16! Yes sir, there are hurricanes, earth quakes, tornadoes then this is a world-wind with good ball movement and movement off the ball. You are looking at probably the top five players in their positions, in each position. If Joan Garcia (FC Barcelona) is the choice Luis de la Fuente goes with, the back line will feel a bit more secure I think. He's good with his feet, and great reactionary close range stopper. Like Neo in the Matrix he will stop bullets. But aside from the great shot stopper and initiator for Spain, you have a solid defensive line. Dani Vivian (Atletitico Bilbao) and Pau Cubarsi (FC Barcelona) probably the starting Center Backs, who are solid all around. Cubarsi is a phenomena young talent out of the "La Massia" of Barcelona. At 18, plays like he's a veteran. Covers really well, has good angles, has recovery speed, initiates offense and assists in goals. Fantastic! He is has very good outside backs, and companion in the back line Iñaki Martinez, perhaps as well. But you have Porro (Tottenham)RB, Cucurella (Chelsea)LB, and Carvajal (Madrid). The midfield is full of quality is so great that well, pick your poison, Balon de Or' winner, Pedri (Man City) or 2021 Golden Boy winner Pedri (FC Barcelona) and most likely Fabian Ruiz (PSG), just pure quality in midfield. Maybe Portugal has just as good midfield. But we will get to them soon. Forwards we already covered perhaps the best winger in the world (although Olise would have something to say), and scoring threat at anytime including big games. Lamin, performs. So does Nico Williams (Atletico Bilbao) if he doesn't see the field it would surprise me. He took a decline with club but there's something that goes along playing with Lamine that brings out the better in everyone. I wouldn't be surprised if Spain eventually starts Nico Williams. Probably Dani Olmo (FC Barcelona), Mikel Oryazabal (Real Sociedad) is lethal, specially with, "La Roja". He is proficient in front of the web and finds it with regular Google Maps.

La Roja, which means "The Red", will leave everyone in re"a"d like an old message from an old toxic girlfriend. They are lethal and precise. They can defend all around the field and with this young bunch, there's no tiring them. They don't just out-skill you, they out run you. They are all mostly under 25. Youth is not wasted on these younglings at all, no cap.

Look for Spain to find themselves in the final.

veteran.co

04/23/2026

As the world cup is ascending upon our continent, let’s begin to dissect the teams, fans, coaches, and players. Oh, someone in my ear mentioned broadcast groups as well.

First let’s start with the potential winners:France, England, Spain(although we’re going to visit that one very hard), Argentina, Croatia and of course the forever dangerous, Netherlands. Honorable mentions; South Korea and Japan.

Let’s start with the obvious, France. powerhouse of a country in international Futbol. 1998, and 2018 World Cup winners, 2006 finalists (and could have won it had Zidane not lost his head) and 2022 finalists against Argentina.

France, has power upfront with the Balon de Or winner, Ousaman Dembele and of course Kylian Mbappé. Scoring goals for this team is like the sun rising from the East. Midfielders? Well really don’t have to mention anyone else other than N’Golo Kante back on the French Squad. At 5’6 Kante was credited with them winning the 2018 World Cup. Proving that size doesn’t matter in a Sport played with feet. His tenacity in the midfield and astute thinking makes him the deadliest Frenchman of them all.

The defense includes top talent such as William Saliba (Arsenal), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), and Jules Koundé (Barcelona). Rounding out the squad are versatile full-backs and defenders including Theo Hernández, Lucas Hernández, Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, and Pierre Kalulu.

Their attacking formation usually a 1-4-3-3, Allows the wingers speed of Dembele and Mbappe to use the wide space and attack 1 v 1.

France scores an average of 2.79 goals opposed to 1.78 conceded. Now with Kante back in defensive midfield, that stat might go down a few decimal points.

PTL definitely sees France making it to the final at Metlife, perhaps a rematch of 2022 but Argentina has an aging team that will struggle to make it to the finish line.

France still young and vibrant, will be there knocking on the door and looking to take the third trophy home and celebrate at the top of the Eiffel Tower.