why are the spanish so good

[HowardKennitby]

Champions' League - R Madrid + Barca in semi-finals
Europa League - Valencia, A Madrid & Ath. Bilbao in semi-finals
I don't believe this is just luck.

[SpikeyBush]

So good at what? Never answering the telephone? Doing everything tomorrow? The day that Iberia Cargo in Heathrow burned down I didn't notice any difference in the length of time it took them to answer the 'phone. They never answered it when their office was on fire. But they never answered it when their office wasn't on fire either.

Manuel let me explain. Thing with wires makes a noise, you pick up and say Fawlty Towers, how can I help?

[Arksided]

It wasn't so long ago that four teams from the EPL were in the semi- finals of the Champs league... the Spaniards ain't that special really.... its just that others have taken a dip in form.

[FredPuli43]

In soccer, it's a recent event. Barcelona hadn't won anything important before 2009. Real Madrid were a great side once, in 'ee when I were a lad times. Valencia are a new success, such as it is. Same goes for Bilbao. Barcelona show signs of lasting. Do the others?

How often, in recent years, has an English side been in the last rounds in Europe?

[bibblebub]

It's just phases - the Italian teams were dominant for several years, then English teams, now the Spanish. Could be the Germans next or maybe no one country.

[Hopkirk]

If we had better weather, our youngsters would play outside more.

We might develop more skilled players then.

Also imagine you were a brilliant player. Would you choose to live in warm, sunny Barcelona ........... or Manchester?

I rest my case.

[douglas9401]

They've perfected the art of the dive?

[DTCwordfan]

whose economy would you wish?

[Arksided]

Hopkirk, It could be worse... Liverpool for eg.

[HowardKennitby]

DT

Indeed, given the prices charged I am quite surprised how even the big two can more or less fill up for home games.

[DTCwordfan]

cos most of them are season tickets in the ground and heavily discounted....

[weecalf]

Where is their cricket team ?

[DTCwordfan]

(they do have one - probably as good as Scotland - then there isn't much difference when one considers soccer or rugby....)

http://en.wikipedia.o...national_cricket_team

[DTCwordfan]

sorry - just cricket, but then one could add bowls and lacrosse, as well as hockey

[Wharton]

Scottish women are not bad at curling, and I'd have a wee bet on them if it came to bullfighting!

[Duncer]

Curling? Isn't that just skating with a bit of housework thrown in?

[mickrog]

Won nothing important till 2009??????

European competitions

European Cup / UEFA Champions League[135]

Winners (4): 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11
Runners-up (3): 1960–61, 1985–86, 1993–94

European Cup Winners' Cup / UEFA Cup Winners' C