numerology for Xabi Alonso

22:00 EST            22 June 2012

Spain 1-0 France (7.45pm)

Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Silva (Pedro Rodriguez 65), Fabregas (Torres 67), Iniesta (Santi Cazorla 84).
Subs: Valdes, Albiol, Javi Martinez, Juanfran, Negredo, Mata, Llorente, Jesus Navas, Reina.

Goals: Xabi Alonso 19.

France: Lloris, Reveillere, Rami, Koscielny, Clichy, M’Vila (Giroud 79), Debuchy (Menez 64), Cabaye, Malouda (Nasri 65), Ribery, Benzema.
Subs: Mandanda, Evra, Valbuena, Matuidi, Diarra, Martin, Ben Arfa, Carrasso.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)

90min: PENALTY (SPAIN)

88min: There we go. Ribery wins a corner on the byline, but Nasri’s looped cross to the far post is headed wide by Adil Rami. You do wonder if the French know they are losing, they are really going out with a whimper.

87min: Oh come on France! You’re 1-0 down and going out of a major tournament, show some fight!

This game has all the pace, passion and urgency of a dead rubber group stage game.

84min: Iniesta makes way for Spain’s final change as the defence minded Santi Cazorla comes on.

82min: It’s been a while since we have seen Spain pass the ball forward but it nearly results in a goal as Fernando Torres beats the last line of defence to put himself one-on-one with Lloris. Only problem is he doesn’t beat the offside flag.

79min: A final switch from France as the seemingly Arsenal bound Olivier Giroud replaces M’Vila.

76min: It’s France still doing the majority of the attacking but they are still struggling to put the Spanish under pressure. Menez pushes over Jordi Alba inside the box and is booked for showing dissent straight after the foul.

74min: From OptaJoe:

5 – France have won more games from losing positions than any other team in the history of the European Championships. Chance.

71min: Half-chance but no more. Ribery manages to charge into a wide area inside the box but his low powerful cross is too hard for Casillas to catch first time. The keeper has to quickly react to gather the ball at the second attempt with Menez racing in.

69min: Once again Koscielny saves the French. Pedro Rodriguez leaves Reveillere trailing on the left, and his low byline cross is heading straight for Torres a couple of yards out before the Arsenal defender slides the ball behind for a corner.

68min: From OptaJoe:

17 – Spain have been ahead in 17 previous games at European Championships and have never lost (15 wins, two draws). Resolute.

67min: Wow, changes o’clock here. Now Fernando Torres comes on as a slightly dejected Fabregas makes way for Spain.

65min: Two changes from the French. One is a no-brainer as the hopeless Florent Malouda is replaced by Samir Nasri, while Jeremy Menez comes on for Debuchy.

For Spain, Pedro Rodriguez takes the place of Silva.

Denied: Lloris races off his line to deny Spain’s Cesc Fabregas

62min: Spain nearly hit a sucker-punch at the other end though as Fabregas is slipped through on goal by Xavi. But Lloris is quick off his line to intercept by diving low – top keeping that could have ended in French tears.

60min: And there it is! Ribery does well on the left to avoid a challenge from three Spanish defenders, before his cross is narrowly headed over by Debuchy. Good effort.

58min: You just sense France are gaining confidence here. Spain have lost most of their finesse from the first half but credit to France who have upped their game by getting into far more threatening positions down the flanks. Next up, a cross perhaps.

55min: It’s a work in progress as Ribery and France begin to see more of the ball. They still haven’t tested Casillas from open play but Spain have become more sloppy on the ball in recent minutes.

52min: Xabi Alonso only has eyes for goal today as he hits a strike with the outside of his right foot just wide of the post from 25 yards. Lloris had it covered however.

51min: From InfostradaLive:

The last goal in a knock-out match against Spain was scored by Zinedine Zidane in Hanover, 27 June 2006.

Since then, neither Italy (120 minutes) nor Russia (90), and Germany (90 + 90) nor Portugal (90), and Paraguay (90), and Holland (120) have been able to overthrow the Spanish goal in a knock-out match.

48min: France continue to chase shadows at the start of the half as Spain knock the ball around. Plenty of empty seats inside the ground and the atmosphere lacks for it.

This may as well be a glorified friendly judging by the lack of noise being generated.

Testing times: France boss Laurent Blanc (right) looks on during the first half

Second-half: No changes as Spain restart.

20.45: So far it’s only been a continuation of the other two quarter-finals- massively one-sided.

France are going to have to go for this at some point though, even Greece at least went down fighting against Germany.

20.40: From InfostradaLive:

The last time Spain failed to win a match despite scoring the opening goal was on 6 September 2006 in Euro qualifying: Northern Ireland – Spain 3-2.

20.35: The million euro question then. How on earth do France get into this game?

Spain are keeping the ball and making light work of this so much that you sense if Blanc’s side do surge forward they are going to be picked off.

No penalty: Play on was waved after Cesc Fabregas (left) and Gael Clichy clashed early in the game

Half-time: Spain 1-0 France

45min: Spain win a free-kick 35 yards out to the left, but Xavi’s inswinging delivery was only ever heading for the grateful arms of Lloris. One added minute.

42min: Cabaye is the first Frenchman booked after lunging in late on Busquets as Ribery puts on a new shirt at the touchline.

40min: Still Spain apply the pressure as Ribery sports a ripped shirt under the arm. It’s about the only thing France are tearing through so far.

38min: Top defending from Koscielny, as a neat Spain one-two sees Fabregas chip a lofted ball over the defence for Iniesta, before the Arsenal star slides the ball wide.

From the corner, Gerard Pique heads over unmarked. Big let-off for France.

Over and out: Karim Benzema fires a France free-kick off target

35min: Full credit to France who have kept their concentration to deny the Spanish any other opportunities, but outside of free-kicks they can not force an attack.

A few cynical fouls are creeping into their game as they become frustrated at Spain’s passing game.

32min: A better effort comes from Yohan Cabaye, as the Newcastle midfielder’s shot is heading for the top corner until Casillas tips over.

The Real Madrid keeper also collects the resulting corner.

31min: Another France free-kick 30 yards out as Sergio Ramos is booked for a foul on Benzema.

28min: Well that isn’t a good sign. A Mexican wave has started, which as history proves only begins when nothing is really going on.

26min: Chance for France as they win a free-kick 25 yards out, but Benzema blows it by firing way over the bar. Rubbish.

25min: And still it continues. France are still giving Arbeloa enormous space on the right flank but even he bites off more he can chew when he is flagged for offside. No excuse when he had the whole line to look across.

22min: But it won’t be yet and that’s mainly because Spain won’t give them the ball. The Spanish are well in control at the moment, denying Ribery any chance to create chances for the French.

Headmaster: Xabi Alonso’s cleaver header across goal opened the scoring for Spain

 

19min: GOAL! SPAIN 1-0 France

Now the game really starts! Jordi Alba escapes down the left flank and leaves Mathieu Debuchy on the floor as he skates to the byline.

His cross to the back post is perfect for an unmarked Xabi Alonso, who heads down across goal into the corner to leave Hugo Lloris with absolutely no chance. France have to come out and play now.

18min: A minor surge forward from France as Franck Ribery makes his way into the penalty box, but he is quickly tackled as Spain clear the eventual corner.

15min: From InfostradaLive:

Of the 62 opponents Spain have faced in competitive matches, there are only four they have failed to beat: France (1 draw and 5 losses), Uruguay (2 draws), Argentina (1 loss) and Nigeria (1 loss).

12min: Spain are attempting to attack the flanks, and more specifically the right.

But the French are refusing to stretch their compact 4-5-1 across the width of the pitch and are happy to let Alvaro Arbeloa have free reign on the wing. It’s working so far for the French who have made the central area of their half a no-go zone.

9min: Xabi Alonso looks back to his Liverpool days as he attempts to catch Hugo Lloris off his line with a long range lob, but no other action so far apart from pass, pass, pass etc.

6min: You’re not having that Cesc! Fabregas desperately appeals for a penalty after being brought down by Gael Clichy, but replays show the Barcelona midfielder simply collides with his ex-Arsenal team-mate.

3min: Pass, pass, pass, but what do you expect? Spain going at it early on but France have coped easy enough so far.

Fancy footwork: Spain’s David Silva (left) attempts to shake off a challenge from France’s Yann M’Vila

Kick-off: Away we go.

19.41: No signs of any split in either camp as the French and Spanish players make their way out in the Donbass Arena, linking arms around the shoulders for their respective anthems.

19.36: Final thought has to go with the French mental spirit.

Player/manager rifts infamously saw them crash and burn at Euro 2008 and the last World Cup.

And more internal rifts after the Sweden defeat has left a big question marks on whether the wheels are about to fall off the French wagon again. It’s starting to become a regular occurrence.

19.32: Italy showed how it was done by hitting the Spanish on the counter, but the big test will be how this new look France defence will cope with Xavi and friends.

Parking the bus seems to have worked in the last few months against wave-after-wave of attack.

19.29: Spain have continued with their famous tika-taka in this tournament but France also play a style of football where they like to play patient passing.

Don’t expect to see many long balls then but can France out-play Spain or will they need a Plan B?

19.24: And for different reasons, a big night for Karim Benzema.

The France striker has had the most shots without scoring in this tournament with 16, but to end on a positive note at least 12 have been on target – only Ronaldo has more with 14.

We are No. 1: French fans show their support before the game

19.21: Big night for Xabi Alonso as he wins his 100th cap. To this day I’m still puzzled as to why Liverpool let him go so easily.

19.16: See that statistic at 19.01? That was the last time Spain were knocked out of a major tournament.

It seems a long time ago now, but Spain were still considered big-stage flops back then.

Five of the Spanish squad that started the 3-1 loss to France at the 2006 World Cup also feature tonight.

Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi and Xabi Alonso all have old scores to settle.

19.11: A pretty tasty tie will be set-up no matter who wins this clash.

A first major triumph over France for Spain would of course set up an Iberian derby with Portugal in the semi-final.

If the French progress, then we are in for a rematch of the Euro 2000 semi-final, where Portugal didn’t just lose the game but their heads too.

19.06: There are some chin-scratching selections from Spanish boss Vicente Del Bosque too it must be said. Fernando Torres is dropped as Spain elect to go with the same strikerless system that failed to get the job done against Italy.

19.01: From OptaJoe:

25 – In their last 25 games at major tournaments, Spain have only once conceded more than a single goal; versus France in 2006 (1-3). Wary.

Finishing touches: Iker Casillas’ girlfriend and TV presenter Sara Carbonero takes a seat pitchside

18.58: Also making his Euro 2012 debut is Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny.

A quick stat-attack for you is that France have not lost in all 12 games Reveillere has played for his country.

18.55: Interesting sections from France boss Laurent Blanc. Anthony Reveillere makes his first tournament appearance at right-back, replacing Mathieu Debuchy who moves into right midfield. It looks like a double man-marking job on Andres Iniesta, but we will see.

18.50: If the first two quarter-finals were slightly predictable outcomes, then at least this one isn’t as clear cut.

I know France stumbled through Group D but Spain have hardly been on their A-game so far. They have only thumped a below par Republic of Ireland side, while Italy and Croatia did a comfortable job of containing the holders.

Croatia only lost because they had no choice but to throw everyone forward in the final moments – knowing anything less than a win would eliminate them from Euro 2012

How we Gunner pass the time? Former Arsenal team-mates Samir Nasri (left) and Cesc Fabregas chat before the game

18.45: Just to get you warmed up, here are some shot-tastic stats from our good friends at InfostradaLive:

Spain and France had the most shots in the group phase but Spain scored six goals (the most) and France three (the joint least).

In their last 13 matches at major tournaments (Euro & WC) #Spain have kept 10 clean sheets and conceded only 3 goals.

18.40: France starting XI:

Lloris, Debuchy, Rami, Reveillere, Koscielny, Clichy, Cabaye, Ribery, Malouda, M’Vila, Benzema.

18.35: Spain starting XI:

Casillas, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Arbeloa, Jordi Alba, Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas, Xabi Alonso, Busquets, Silva.

18.30: And to think this could have been England. While Roy Hodgson’s side face a difficult enough test against Italy tomorrow, I don’t think anybody would have preferred a quarter-final tie against the passing machine that is Spain.

That honour instead falls to France who after losing to Sweden will have to improve if they are to defeat the European champions tonight.

You wouldn’t put it past them though – team news on the way.

Up against it: France will be underdogs when they take on Spain in their quarter-final

from:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/euro2012/article-2163306/Spain-v-France-live.html#ixzz1yePVz9YJ

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Xabi Alonso was born on November 25th, 1981 according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xabi_Alonso

November 25th, 1981

11 + 25 +1+9+8+1 = 55 = his lesson = Mind-blowing.

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comprehensive summary and list of predictions for 2012:

http://predictionsyear2012.com/

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http://numerologybasics.com/

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https://www.createspace.com/3411561

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numerology for Xabi Alonso

July 11, 2010

The drama that’s captivated the sporting world for a month reaches its climax on Sunday, but for Spain, who will face the Netherlands in Johannesburg for the 2010 World Cup, the journey has lasted over three years.  That’s how long the Spaniards have been the world’s best, and while that’s a status that wasn’t affirmed until two summers past, the expectations that they would end Spain’s World Cup void were cast upon them the second they were crowned Europe’s champions.

Like Spain, the Netherlands have never won a World Cup–though they’ve been on the cusp, having reached the 1974 and 1978 finals.  Unlike Spain, the Dutch don’t carry two years’ worth of expectations into Sunday’s game.  On the contrary, after the Dutch dominated group stage at Euro 2008 only to flame-out in the knockout round, there was a decided same ol’ Dutch feel to it all.  Those were the mixed expectations the Netherlands carried into South Africa, but thanks to an unanticipated change of style, those expectations quickly became inapplicable.

This year’s Dutch team is consistent, stable, if stoic (relative to the days of Total Football), yet it’s a style that’s brought the Netherlands back to the finals, where this year’s team will have a chance to succeed where their more romanticized predecessors failed.

It’s difficult to imagine a better final.

Spain versus the Netherlands, Johannesburg (Soccer City), 2:30 p.m. Eastern, ABC

Where They Stand: The Netherlands come into Sunday’s match perfect, each of their last five wins by one goal, and although they are being criticized for their conservative play, the Dutch are averaging two goals per match, having scored multiple goals in each of their knockout phase games. Their defending, however, has not been as stellar, allowing five goals in six matches.

How They Got Here, Netherlands:

Group F

June 14: Netherlands 2-0 Denmark
46’ – Daniel Agger (o.g.)
85’ – Dirk Kuyt

June 19: Netherlands 1-0 Japan
53’ – Wesley Sneijder

June 24: Cameroon 1-2 Netherlands
36’ – Robin van Persie
65’ – Samuel Eto’o (pen.)
83’ – Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

Round of 16

June 28: Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia
18’ – Arjen Robben
84’ – Wesley Sneijder
94’ – Robert Vittek

Quarterfinals

July 2: Netherlands 2-1 Brazil
10’ – Robinho
53’ – Wesley Sneijder
68’ – Wesley Sneijder

Semifinals

July 6: Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands
18’ – Giovanni van Bronckhorst
41’ – Diego Forlan
70’ – Wesley Sneijder
73’ – Arjen Robben
92’ – Maxi Pereira

While that total’s not bad, consider the Netherlands’ counterparts: Spain. The Spanish have allowed only two goals in six matches and carry a scoreless streak of 313 minutes into the final. Spain, however, have shared the Netherlands’ habit of one goal wins, stringing together four in a row, the last three all 1-0 results where Spain was never ahead before the 63rd minute.

Both teams are expect the be at full health and strength for the final, with the Netherlands seeing the return to the lineup of Nigel de Jong and Gregory van der Weil, both of whom were suspended for the semifinal against Uruguay.

Player(s) To Watch, Netherlands: In the formation the Dutch are employing, the most important player is always the advanced midfielder: Wesley Sneijder. The 26-year-old attacker is having his second successive, eye-opening, major tournament. Sneijder’s five goals (tied for tournament lead) and his team’s performance make him one of the leading contenders for the Golden Ball.

Those accolades aside, the Netherlands’ best player is right wing Arjen Robben. He is the one Dutch player that can score when nothing else his working, his left foot the singularly most dangerous weapon in world football. As evidenced by his 18th minute goal against Slovakia in the Round of 16, sometimes all the Dutch need to generate goals is a 60 yard punt to Robben. His ability to turn the match at any moment enables coach Bert van Marwijk to play as conservatively as he has been.

Other players of note for Holland: goalkeeper Maarten Stenkelenburg, central defender John Heitinga and left back Giovanni van Bronckhorst must be more stalwart against Spain’s attack than they’ve shown throughout the knockout stage; the key to protecting them may be defensive midfielders Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel, the backbone to the team.

How They Got Here, Spain:

Group H

June 16: Spain 0-1 Switzerland
52’ – Gelson Fernandes

June 21: Spain 2-0 Honduras
17’ – David Villa
51’ – David Villa

June 25: Chile 1-2 Spain
24’ – David Villa
37’ – Andres Iniesta
47’ – Rodrigo Millar

Round of 16

June 29: Spain 1-0 Portugal
63’ – David Villa

Quarterfinals

July 3: Paraguay 0-1 Spain
83’ – David Villa

Semifinals

July 7: Germany 0-1 Spain
73’ – Carles Puyol

Player(s) To Watch, Spain: What Robben is to the Dutch, forward David Villa is to the Spanish, but whereas the Netherlands has advanced to the final without dominant play from Robben (who has supplied only two of their twelve goals), the Spanish are hapless without Villa. Of Spain’s seven goals in the tournament, Villa has scored five and assisted on one (he seventh was off a corner kick). Every open play goal Spain’s recorded in the tournament has had Villa at its center.

But if Villa is Spain’s most dangerous player, Xavi Hernandez is their most important.  In some ways, he is to Spain and Barcelona’s variety of Total Football what Johan Cruyff was to the Clockwork Orange’s: the player around whom everything is build and all the success depends. Hernandez leads the tournament in completed passes (still ahead of Bastian Schweinsteiger despite the German having now played an extra match), and given the margin by which Spain has been winning their matches, it’s confoudning to think of where La Roja would be were Xavi not the tournament’s most prolific distributor. Over the last two years, both Spain and Barcelona have built their teams around him, with both Spain and Barcelona finding unprecedented success.

Other players of note for Spain: Deep-sitting midfielders Xabi Alonso and, particularly, Sergio Busquets can stifle the Dutch if they control Sneijder; right back Sergio Ramos has been key to providing Spain with width on the right side, but on Sunday will be marked by notoriously hard-worker Dirk Kuyt; goalkeeper Iker Casillas will have the pleasure of dealing with Robben-plus-Jabulani should Joan Capdevila give the Dutch winger the same room he afforded Piotr Trochowski in the first half of Spain’s semifinal.

Prediction:  While it’s true the Dutch are averaging two goals per match, that’s a statistic that’s been built on opportunism more than skillful play.  Between the own goal(s), a goal off a goalkeeper’s arms, a offside goal allowed and goals scored against sides chasing late, the Dutch have created very few goals of their own accord.  Now, they face a team that’s only allowing a goal everything three matches, one which, as exhibited against Portugal and Paraguay, have found ways to scored against the most ardent defenses.  Having shown against Germany that they are capable of adapting to go around a pair of good central midfielders (albeit, a pair less defensively stalwart than the Dutch’s), Spain should be able to avoid the Netherlands’ strength.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the Spain’s performance against Germany was their ability to raise their game with the quality of opposition.  All the adoration adorned upon the Spanish since their semifinal has made many overlook how well Germany was playing coming into that match (and how much Spain struggled against Paraguay).  Yet, Spain controlled what had been the best team in the tournament.

While the Dutch’s talent combined with the lessons the Germans had to learn (the hard way) could see the Netherlands to their first World Cup, Spain have to be considered strong favorites, and if they show the same determination they exhibited at the onset of their semifinal, the Spanish could give us a Spain 2, Netherlands 0 final.

from:  http://www.sbnation.com/2010/7/11/1563542/world-cup-2010-final-spain-vs-netherlands-preview-long-wait

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Xabi Alonso was born on November 25th, 1981 according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xabi_Alonso

November 25th

11 + 25 +2+0+0+9 = 47 = his personal year (from November 25th, 2009 to November 24th, 2010) = Famous.  Name & fame.  Notoriety.  Name recognition.  (Inter)nationally known.  High profile.  VIP.  Well-known.  Household name.  Public life.  Limelight.  Legendary.  Notable.  Noteworthy. 

47 year + 6 (June) = 53 = his personal month (from June 25th, 2010 to July 24th, 2010) = Offense.  With one deft stroke.

53 month + 11 (11th of the month on Sunday July 11th, 2010) = 64 = his personal day = Conclusion.

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