Confederations Cup Round Up

For those of you not in the soccer loop, the Confederations Cup just ended with Brazil winning the tournament after a 3-0 drubbing of Spain in the final.

The CC is a minor tournament that pits the champions of each continent against each other.

It's minor because out of a field of eight teams, half of those may be really competitive. Mind you, some can say of the World Cup since it has added more sports to various federations thus watering-down the quality of teams. These same people will claim it's harder to win Euro (or even Copa America) than the World Cup. While there are some kernel of truths in that, the bottom line is those continental tournaments have one fatal flaw: Euro doesn't have Brazil, Argentina or any strong South American side and Copa doesn't have Germany, Italy, Spain, or any other European power including the Netherlands.

I'll stick with the World Cup. The others are just (albeit respected) details.

Another reason why the tournament can be considered minor is that in an era where soccer players are overplayed, they tend to want to relax and recuperate in the off-season. It's sort of like hockey players who'd rather nurse injuries rather than go play at the World Championships. While teams take the tournament enough to fill the roster with top flight players, managers will not necessary dress them as we saw with Italy who had a few injuries to star players. It's just not worth risking long-term injury with World Cup qualifying still in action and the tournament itself one year away. Not only that, league play recommences in August and September.

So after a long season, players are exhausted having played in their grueling respective leagues as well as competing in prestigious continental club tournaments like Champions League and Europa.

Psychologically, they will be a little 'out there.'

Teams will generally use the CC to experiment with players and formations as a dry run to the World Cup.

Last, the officiating leaves much to be desired and this year was no exception.

With that in mind, this tournament really was contested between Brazil, Spain, Italy and Uruguay. Japan and Nigeria are solid squads but were not expected to challenge. As it happens, the top four finished exactly in that order. I'll briefly offer my thoughts on each team.

Brazil: Brazil won its 4th CC title with the last one coming with enormous pressure. See, Brazil is hosting the World Cup in 2014 and the stakes could not be hire in a country in perpetual social malaise as the protests showed. People believe all the money spent in hosting such tournaments could have been used to improve things like education and health.

Add to the fact Brazil has seen its FIFA ranking slip to 22; something unseen in my lifetime and it's one powder keg of a situation in a soccer-insane country.

And Brazil played accordingly. They were like a pack of wolves determined to devour their prey. It reminded me of Boston Bruins hockey and smash mouth Pittsburgh Steelers grid-iron play.

In fact, Brazil was rather fortunate to not have players sent off for chippy play which brings into question the whole officiating issue. Why, a more conspiratorial mind would conclude FIFA ordered Brazil win.

While I agree Brazil should have been cautioned more I'm not quite prepared to go that far.

Brazil to its credit simply manhandled Spain in the final. In the process possibly alleviate some pressure heading into 2014. All is well in Brasil-land...for now.

Spain came into the final after a rather mundane shoot-out victory and performance against Italy which saw the Italians completely shut down a fluid side and amidst a controversy in which four Spanish players were involved in a strip poker party. Well, when in Brazil do as the Brazilians do, no?

For all intents and purposes it wasn't a great tournament for Spain. Spain has to rethink and tinker with its lineup for 2014 because insisting on not using a pure striker may cost them.

The False IX formation used at Euro is not going to lead them to a 2nd title in 2014 Brazil. Why? I think the 4-0 drubbing of Italy flattered the scoreline. Italy had major injuries and were fatigued in the final. I would have liked to see it against a typical organized and healthy Italy squad. Second, despite popular belief, Spain did not dominate the field with its traditional formation in 2010. People tend to conflate titles with dominance in matches which is simply not necessarily accurate. Spain pulled through but it will take a second look at their resources to repeat in my view.

Spain is absolutely stacked in the middle of the pitch, have one of the top keepers in the world and possess a solid enough defense but still no classic 9 to poach goals. Spain's depth needs to expand to the striker position.

Like Brazil, Italy has to be pleased with its performance at CC. Outside being surprised by the fluid play of Japan (coached by former AC Milan manager Alberto Zaccheroni), Italy followed up with a stellar 2nd half effort against Brazil coming within a crossbar of tying the game before succumbing to the eventual champions. Italy was the only side to have Brazil on the defensive clinging on to a lead. In the semi-finals, Italy put in probably their best game in a long time. Completely shutting down Spain by dictating play, the Italians also held possession in the 2nd half in a 0-0 game only to fall to the Spaniards 7-6 in shoot out.

Italy's performance was fantastic and reminiscent of Portugal's excellent performance against Spain at Euro 2012 only to fall to Spain, like Italy, in shoot out.

The objective for the Azzurri was to show progress in the Prandelli era and Italy fans got that.

The four time world cup champions made it be known they're out to contend for the World Cup in 2014 (gunning to match Brazil's five titles) and that should worry everyone.

Uruguay finished fourth but the 2011 Copa America champions and 2010 World Cup semi-finalists continue to perplex. I can't figure out this team's style but whatever it is, it works. It works largely because they have three world class punishing strikers - ok, Forlan seems to be on the decline but his work rate is key; reminds me of Italy's Diamanti.

The tiny nation of 3 million has a remarkable WC record given its size and while 4th is nothing to brag about, showed they may be a respectable dark horse in 2014.

Although my bet are on Belgium and maybe Colombia.