Village Idiot

Nothing in the Spanish press regarding Hernández today.

They are usually drawn mid-July, so should be fairly soon.

He's finished, he'll still look like a superstar in that league and protect his "brand" that way, instead of looking like a lame duck in some European league.

Zidane only won two major titles in 5 years at Madrid. Xavi has a bigger trophy cabinet actually.

Puyol has retired from the Spanish NT. Best way to do it

Spain lead the Total Shots stat, however. I presume half of them are Xabi Alonso sending the ball a mile over the bar from 40 yards, though. EDIT: Just checked and we also lead the shots on goal stat, but Argentina has a better average.

Xavi ain't a #10, very different players. Xavi can't do what Zidane did, but certainly Zidane couldn't do what Xavi does either.

I also checked Diario As (same conglomerate as Ser) and can't find anything there either. Might get updated in the morning, though.

Pablo Hernández is immense, no way you can afford him, to be frank. Source is Cadena Ser... I'll do some research.

I don't want to hijack the thread more with this so I'll just post this Barça training one, if only for the girly laughs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWd6ycUxPjw

Again, he's just a squid man, I doubt he keeps up with the current balance of power in international football Best thing I can think of is that he tended to go for the German box due to it always being there and him knowing that the food inside was good. That doesn't explain him nailing the defeats but maybe he got confused since the Serb, Spanish and German flags probably look alike if you're color-blind (but then so would Holland and Argentina)

To be frank Spanish players are rarely featured in this kind of videos, although you do see some fine trickery on the pitch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOnh2CNuLWU 7 I never see English players showboating like that. Is it frowned upon?

A few players whinged about boredom, getting used to tournaments early on in their careers will help them. I thought what Mesut Ozil said brilliant "if you find the greatest tournament on earth boring, then you probably shouldn't be there." Özil is the new Zlatan. Same Balkanic face, fun comebacks, same tricks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLi3fMpRFQo

Great movie.

Every time I change my avatar it takes a while to show up.

I haven't seen him play, but apparently has had an incredible season with Villarreal B, and has been one of the top players of that division. He will be with the main squad this season.

He just scored the winning goal of a WC, he's the most popular man in Spain right now.

To be honest I think Newcastle should go for Tuncay. I think he's a very good player and the kind creative forward they can use.

Assulin was a great prospect two years ago, but has had a couple bad seasons and to be honest when I have watched him he's been pants. Lots of trickery but no end product and always running into blind alleys. Surprised he doesn't have a team though. Arsenal, Chelsea, even Madrid... were sniffing around him a year ago. Maybe he's waiting for a big club offer that probably won't arrive.

Andrés Iniesta has restarted posting on Facebook again

Obinna was immense for Málaga this season, gutted if he ends up at Stoke.

Yes, for Germany - England http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74PWmVHwqPY

Torres out for two months. Man, what has happened to him? Spotless fitness record until last year.

We "nearly signed" Zidane, Beckham, Di Stéfano... Real "nearly signed" Pelé, etc...