Summary: Anto is joined by world-recognized Spanish football journalist Sid Lowe from Donetsk where two monumental clashes now await the Spain National Team in its chase with history, trying to complete what no other team has done - winning back to back European titles as current holders of the World Cup. We examine the Italy and Croatia matches in the group stage along with the approach that Spain has taken under del Bosque who has taken the Barcelona approach into a more pragmatic and defensive version, revealing an uneasiness more amongst supporters than the team itself, a team which seems to be on its own bell curve while the other teams in the knockout rounds are being measured on their curve simultaneously. We gauge the truly defensive nature of this version of tiki-taka and how the wide football audience has largely misinterpreted the approach and has only failed to live up to misleading expectations, as the statistics bear out in all key areas. That starts with how every team Spain faces largely designs its approach on the basic premise of stopping them. We also examine the loss of David Villa, the absence of Carles Puyol and the current lack of width in the Spain attack and how the use of two holding players has clearly impacted how the Spanish lineup has emerged in 2012. We also discuss the massive match between Portugal and Spain and how it might just be the biggest match in this tournament as cultural and press loyalties will become incredibly divisive given that three Real Madrid starters, including Cristiano Ronaldo, will drive a certain wedge in how this contest is promoted and covered. Loads more here on emerging Spanish football economics including bank failures which will affect the price of capital, a new EPL TV contract with certain consequences both inside Spain and across Europe and whether rumblings between Barcelona and Real Madrid with UEFA for more midweek games might find even brighter inspiration. We also look at Malaga and its resolve this summer with Champions League football and the sad and tragic demise of Villarreal after relegation and what it might just mean for its future on the heels of losing its recently managerial appointment who passed tragically a day after being announced. A complete Spain supershow including a Lenin and McDonalds ideological collision straight out of Donetsk, Ukraine.
