what do Europeans think of the CONMEBOL qualifiers?

[fredrick]

Are those of you who are in Europe only focus on the European WC qualifiers? or is there at least a little bit of interest in the South American games?

[daniel81]

I really like South American football, and I think many Europeans like. Different style of play (more offensive) is very nice to watch. When you watch S.A. games in qualifiers or in their continental championships you can think that they are more focused on beauty of playing than on tactic. Most of Europeans like Argentina and Brasil national temas, I think. I'm not one of them, my fav is Uruguay :)

[fredrick]

THe only thing I dont like about the CONMEBOL qualifiers is that they are spread out over such long periods of time. It is difficult to see a national teams real level when they only play 2 games every 2 months. after tomorrows set of matches they wont play again until next year!

[daniel81]

I think it's because of so small number of countries. If they play more often they will finish qualification too fast, and european clubs menagers will not be happy with so often players missing in their squads.

[martytasso]

i think the conmebol is better than the european one

[Evaldo]

It's tougher for sure.

[Oscarito87]

I love the South American football and try to watch so many games as possible thus also the qualifiers.
However it's hard to follow it here, mostly the matches are played when it's night in Europe and if you're planning to watch it you must have a satellite or Canal+. Because of this not many people know a lot about South American football except for Brazil or Argentina.

As for the level of playing, I think it's pretty high comparing to the European qualifiers. No Luxembourg, Malta or San Marino to play against.

[Grindizer]

very long man. they should divided them into 2 groups of 5 teams.

[opaloka]

what is really bad for us Europeans is the broadcast time (early in the morning) and the lack of proper channels to broadcast it. Personally i dislike the fact that big teams present their second team in this tournament...

[Quaresma_7]

That's because there is a large number of matches to play and you need to save some energy. Plus the star players already play too many matches so you need to give them a rest.

[gonzalorafael23]

Sometimes the qualifiers in America is better than Europe... I think a Brazil-Argentina Game is more interesting than other game between European Teams..

[Quaresma_7]

What's happening in the CONMEBOL world while Euro 2008 is being played? Are there some interesting friendlies?

[joanlui74]

I'd prefer to see South American Teams divided into 2 groups of 5 team each: less matches to play and maybe an easier way to see from time to time a surprise-qualifier (like Bolivia in '94, just to name one)

[Nabukadnezar]

gonzalorafael23 is right. Brazil - Argentina is the best match

[oknbnf]

Apart from Brazil and Argentina I am not to familiar with South American football. I am interested why teams which are able to be at the same level as Brazil and Argentina during qualifiers are not doing so well at World Cups?

And the second thing, how come Brazil had only three titles before 89 at Copa America?

[volcom1350]

Theses match are really interesting but we didnt see much of them; there is not many tv channels who presents theses matches.

[volcom1350]

The main to teams are still and always will be Argentina and Brazil. I cant see any other team compete with them. Its strange cause they can play at 50% of their potential and still win. For the other teams, i think they are pretty much at the same level. Over the years, its pretty much random for which teams qualifies for the world cup.

[corinthians]

I have to disagree with the message above. Each different team, apart from Brazil and Argentina, which qualified for world cups had their reasons rather than a random thing. Bolivia 94 (mentioned in some posts above) was their best ever team. They had Etcheverry as their mastermind. And also Erwin Sanchez. Colombia also had their great time, with Valderrama, Rincon, Asprilla to mention just a few. In Aguinaga era, Ecuador was a great team and he also had some good supporting teammates. One team that has really fallen into the dark is Uruguay, but still good level. Venezuela has been getting ahead over the years. Slowly but steady. They reached excellent results at club level in the past Libertadores Cup, but still far from reaching a semifinal. Talking about Libertadores, now that more teams from all countries are granted an entry, you can see that champions are not as diversified as they were. You can see that Peñarol, for example, has 5 titles, but it has to be mentioned that sometimes Brazil and Argentina clubs were put together in the same group in the first stage and only two would progress to second stage. No intention to dishonor some clubs, but that's a fact. Until very recently it was a must (a rule) that four different countries were represented in semfinals.

[corinthians]

I really can't explain why Brazil had only two tittles, but about Libertadores tittles I can say this: In some countries there are some big teams which are always there. So they get used to it, they get enough experience to reach a winning level. In Brazil, things are different. First, there is a cup, which always enables a smaller club to win and advance to Libertadores. That's the case of Sport Recife this year. In other countries, except for Colombia and Chile, there are no national cups. Besides that, There are 12 historical big teams in Brazil, and only 2 spots (some time ago) and 4 or 5 now. That means that you can participate this and be away from some years and that would still be natural. Unthinkable when it comes to River or Boca, for example. That makes it for a Brazilian team to appear less frenquently in Libertadores. Of course, São Paulo, seems to have a been a fixture there, and Palmeiras has had quite a number of participations but the two biggest giants (Flamengo and Corinthians/ 1st and 2nd in fan support) have struggle to participate over the years. Corinthians, despite being first to win FIFA World Club Championship, yet to win their first Libertadores.

[oknbnf]

Which teams have reputation of playing attractive, which are more defensive etc. (in Libertadores)?

[oknbnf]

Just watched Brazil-Paraguay game, Brazil's counterattacking looks quite impressive. The only problem is that they don't have as good finishers as they used to and missed many chances.

[oknbnf]

Also, Brazilian defense did well against Paraguay, but they were attacking with just a few players and it would be interesting to see how Brazilians would have coped with a stronger pressure on their back line.

[gonzalorafael23]

Hi oknbnf, I am really interest in Conmebol qualifiiers, because I am from Venezuela and obviously I want to my country for once in history will go to a World Cup. I think is the most difficult quali in the world because you have to win to three of the World Champions, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay... But is not only this three teams, we have to fight with dificults elevens like Chile and Paraguay...
I am sure if Venezuela plays it´s games in another Region, sure we was go to a World Cup...

[oknbnf]

Yes, that qualification format tends to be tough. At this moment, even Argentina doesn't look that stable, if they loose next game against Brazil who knows what could happen.

How would you rate other teams (Paraguay, Ecuador...)?

[gonzalorafael23]

Paraguay was the best team in this part of America, but in the last three games they can't win anymore. Ecuador is very good too,they are in fifth position at the moment. Argentina's team are in a problem right now, because Maradona I think is not ready for coaching at this level... You can see huge tactical errors just like put Aguero as number 9. He is not a center forward, he need a center forward to have a better performance... Messi the same case. Only is enough see them in their clubs, Messi with Eto´o and Aguero with Forlan...
Sorry if my english is very bad, but I am trying to get better...

In this moment I read the name of the topic and I see the question is what think " European" and I am from Venezuela, but I feel good saying something here..

[oknbnf]

yup, I watched Argentina against Colombia and they didn't look too well and were very lucky.

[gonzalorafael23]

Yes only a Stop Ball play let Argentina won that game...