Spain crashed out the World Cup … but don’t feel sad for them.

Spain, the world champions, the double European champions, the team of the decade, are out of the World Cup . The reign of Spain is over because they were plain, uninspired and out-played. With Spain’s shocking exit from the FIFA World Cup 2014, I felt a little sad for them.
The Spanish were perennial underachievers in every World Cup, always a “dark horse” or underdog … no one ever gave them the footballing respect they deserved until they won in 2010.

However, when I think about the Spanish football team, I don’t feel sad for them because they get to go back to super model girlfriends, eating amazing food and being back in their own beautiful and safer cities than those of Brazil. Let’s think about this starting squad and where they get to go back to …

Madrid

The home of Casillas, Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Koke and Diego Costa is a gorgeous old city along with having two semi decent football clubs in Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid. I’m pretty sure while they’re playing along in this fine stadium, they won’t be thinking about the loss and embarrassment felt by their Spaniard countrymen around the world.

… still feeling sad for them? How about those who go to …

Barcelona

If wandering back to Madrid wasn’t a nice enough start, there are those like Gerald Pique, Iniesta, Xavi, Sergio Bousquets and Pedro Rodríguez who get to head back to Catalan country and Barcelona. If you don’t love the warmth of a beachside city, then you have the nightlife off Las Ramblas and if not nightlife, then you have the food and architecture.

… still feeling sad for them? How about those who go to …

Seville

Sevilla isn’t one of the glamour clubs in Spanish football, but I thought that I had some of the best food in Spain here … even better than Barcelona. Seville has some seriously incredible food…and it’s cheap! I spent a lot of time finding tapas bars and ordering lots of tasty dishes to sample. As much as I love Barcelona, I have to admit this is one thing Sevilla does better – way better. Two places to try are Tapas Viapol (C/José Recuerda Rubio 5) and Bodega Dos de Mayo (Plaza de la Gavidia 2). The Andaluzes are loud people who eat tapas, dance flamenco, go to bullfights, and sometimes even shout “¡Óle!” … I’m sure that Alberto Moreno won’t be crying in his Clara con Limon to go back home.

While you’re there crying for La Roja (“The Red [One]”), La Furia Roja (“The Red Fury”), La Furia Española (“The Spanish Fury”) or simply La Furia (“The Fury”) or whatever you want to call those Spanish football pretenders … you must also visit the Real Alcázar de Sevilla. Hands down my favorite thing to see in Sevilla. It’s modeled on the famous Alhambra in Granada, and I actually liked it even more. Every inch of the palace is covered in intricate detail, the mix of architectural styles is fabulous, and the gardens are stunning.

So in the end, Spain crashed out the World Cup … but don’t feel sad for them … I certainly don’t!