UEFA u21 Football Championship

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

the Spain u21 team would probably be the 4th or 5th best international team in the world if they were separated from the senior team

Not a chance. As good as they look in this tournament, it still would be boys against men on your scenario.

Real defenders would crush them.

[d_phaneuf]

how is it boys against men?

their starting XI are all mostly 22 or 23 and played in huge roles in their teams last year

the reigning European player of the year is 23 (Messi) and the reigning PFA player of the year is 21 (Bale), Alexis Sanchez was one of the 2 or 3 best players in Italy last year and he is 22

it's a young mans game

[GirlySports]

Those are individuals, a men's national team strategically has a different dynamic.

Spain the World Champions rely on men like Xavi (30), Iniesta (27), Villa 29, plus veterans like Pujol and Casillas.

You put this Spain U21 team against England for example.. against the backline of Johnson, Terry, Ferdinand and Cashley, and a midfield of Gerrard and Lampard...Spain wouldn't even touch the ball.

Brazil used to send their U23 team to the Gold Cup from time to time (when the Gold Cup invited teams) and Mexico/USA would beat them handily most of the time.

[d_phaneuf]

Brazil finished runners up twice and 3rd once at the gold cup...

of coarse Spain rely on Xavi, he is the best player in the world

but with the comparison to England, there are 4 or 5 players in that u21 side who would be good enough to start for England

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Brazil finished runners up twice and 3rd once at the gold cup...

of coarse Spain rely on Xavi, he is the best player in the world

but with the comparison to England, there are 4 or 5 players in that u21 side who would be good enough to start for England

But going by your argument a Brazil U23 team should wipe the floor with the crappy CONCACAF teams, not finish 2nd or 3rd.

We'll have to disagree. You under-estimate your English team!
I don't think anyone on the Spanish U21 team, as good as they are, would play for England. They can barely even make their club teams. There such a big gap experience-wise between under-21 and a full national team.

To me, the center defenders (the classic #5 and #6) of every top 30 country are amazing in the way they anticipate the play. Put these under-whatevers against a Terry, Pique, Marquez, Lucio, Vidic, Kompany, Pepe etc... The kid forward would totally be marked out of the game.

They would look like Hernandez in the Champion's League final

[d_phaneuf]

Brazil aren't Spain, they don't produce the same amount of quality players, they produce probably the better players but not the same amount

I think this Spanish u21 team would win the gold cup that is going on right now

[d_phaneuf]

but I also think the English u21 team would win this gold cup as well