An Analysis of Selected Factors Affecting Success in Football Games (A Case Study of Spain National Football Team Performance)

The aim of this study was to analyze those selected factors affecting football games and therefore the performance of Spain national football team in three events of Euro 2008 and 2012 and 2010 World Cup was studied. Research method was descriptive-analytical and data were observationally collected by a VCD set, 32-inch TV set and recording sheets. Statistical population and sample of the study were the same (N=n) including 19 games of Spain team in the final rounds of these three events. Data analysis was performed by descriptive statistical indexes and inferential statistics tests. The results showed a significant difference between Spain team winnings and ball possession of lower and higher than 50%. A significant difference was observed between the number of goals scored with 0-4 passes and 5 or more continuous passes. Also, a significant difference was observed between the number of goals scored with 0-8 seconds of ball possession and more than 8 seconds. A significant difference was observed between the number of goals scored and taking over the ball in different thirds of the ground and also a significant difference was observed between the number of goals scored according to each six 15 minutes of the games (P≤0.05). In general, some actions such as increasing ball possession to more than 50%, increasing the number of passes to more than 4 continuous passes during the attacks, increasing the time of ball possession to more than 8 seconds in each attack, defensive pressing in the middle of the ground and increasing attacks in the final 15 minutes can result in positive outcomes for teams.