and then add in the short series/one match pressure, (i.e. not a long series where a better team is likely to win like baseball and basketball)

plus playing on a neutral site where the underdog is often going to get more support (also helping in early ncaa tourney rounds)

of course, sometimes this isn't enough, but i think if a top team doesn't come out and score first or early enough it gives the lesser team confidence.

swiss also tout big defenders and had great keeping (as have we seen a few other keepers make a big difference in games).

spain was also pretty unlucky...really they dominated the ball.

PresIke wrote:i've been wondering if in a game like football/soccer, similarly to hockey, where you don't get so many goals, it's not as difficult for a lesser side to defeat a better side...

and then add in the short series/one match pressure, (i.e. not a long series where a better team is likely to win like baseball and basketball)

plus playing on a neutral site where the underdog is often going to get more support (also helping in early ncaa tourney rounds)

of course, sometimes this isn't enough, but i think if a top team doesn't come out and score first or early enough it gives the lesser team confidence.

swiss also tout big defenders and had great keeping (as have we seen a few other keepers make a big difference in games).

spain was also pretty unlucky...really they dominated the ball.

That's all true, but each team has an equal opportunity to win. If you are so good, you have 90 minutes to prove it. This is far more exciting than the drag of a best of seven format. Only american pro sports uses that. It i true tat anyone can win on a given day, but that just ads to the charisma of these events.