Lanterne Rouge Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 With the World Cup starting today it got me thinking about previous tournaments and I started wondering if some countries do really have `golden generations`. Not the consistently successful ones like Brazil, Italy or Germany but the more `middling` nations who have a storming World Cup or Euros about once every thirty years or so. Examples Bulgaria USA 94 Denmark Euro 92 Czech Republic Euro 96 Croatia France 98 Turkey Japan/Korea 02 I`m sure there are many more but is it something nations at this level have to get used to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidered abroad Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 England 1966? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltshoveller Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 Spain 2008 to 2012 Holland 1974/ 78 Scotland v Holland 1978!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanterne Rouge Posted June 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 5 minutes ago, cidered abroad said: England 1966? I did think about that but we`re a bit overdue for our next one! Seriously though, I disregarded countries at their home tournaments - South Korea did as well as Turkey but were at home so had that advantage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBCFC Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 3 minutes ago, Red Right Hand said: With the World Cup starting today it got me thinking about previous tournaments and I started wondering if some countries do really have `golden generations`. Not the consistently successful ones like Brazil, Italy or Germany but the more `middling` nations who have a storming World Cup or Euros about once every thirty years or so. Examples Bulgaria USA 94 Denmark Euro 92 Czech Republic Euro 96 Croatia France 98 Turkey Japan/Korea 02 I`m sure there are many more but is it something nations at this level have to get used to? I've been wondering when we last didnt have one. Before my time but we did well in 86 and 90 Poor in 92 and not in 94. So maybe then Then after that is when our 'golden generation' started breaking through. First tournament of my lifetime was 96 when we reached the semis and its been downhill since then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUSSEL85 Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 I know it's a Euro tournament but Greece 2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanterne Rouge Posted June 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 The one that brought it to mind was Bulgaria in USA 94. They were awesome in that World Cup and no-one could live with Stoichkov and co but I don`t think they`ve even qualified for anything since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBCFC Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 1 minute ago, RUSSEL85 said: I know it's a Euro tournament but Greece 2004 Was that a golden generation or a tactically astute manager making the most of what his players could do well? The only time they conceded more than 1 they lost and they didnt concede at all after the groups, player wise. There were no real 'names' in the squad, the best known probably Dabizas, Papadopoulos and Karagounis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanterne Rouge Posted June 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 6 minutes ago, JamesBCFC said: Was that a golden generation or a tactically astute manager making the most of what his players could do well? The only time they conceded more than 1 they lost and they didnt concede at all after the groups, player wise. There were no real 'names' in the squad, the best known probably Dabizas, Papadopoulos and Karagounis. They were possibly the most boring team ever to win a major tournament but they played to their strengths and that`s what you do with a squad of limited players - think Colin`s Cardiff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZiderEyed Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 If this Belgium one isn't then I don't know what counts. Massive underachievers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBCFC Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 Just now, Red Right Hand said: They were possibly the most boring team ever to win a major tournament but they played to their strengths and that`s what you do with a squad of limited players - think Colin`s Cardiff. I certainly agree, but I suspect there have been better quality Greek sides, hence the question, golden generation or coached well enough to overachieve. In 2012 they got to the QFs and in 2014 the round of 16. In 2011 they reached their peak place in the FIFA rankings. But the majority of the 2004 squad was retired by this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanterne Rouge Posted June 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 Just now, ZiderEyed said: If this Belgium one isn't then I don't know what counts. Massive underachievers. Lots of individual stars but not a team methinks. Not as good as the sum of their parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBCFC Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 2 minutes ago, ZiderEyed said: If this Belgium one isn't then I don't know what counts. Massive underachievers. Some great individuals, but awful as a team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanterne Rouge Posted June 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 1 minute ago, JamesBCFC said: I certainly agree, but I suspect there have been better quality Greek sides, hence the question, golden generation or coached well enough to overachieve. In 2012 they got to the QFs and in 2014 the round of 16. In 2011 they reached their peak place in the FIFA rankings. But the majority of the 2004 squad was retired by this point. Half the trouble with Greek football is that it`s a total shambles from top to bottom, riddled with corruption. We moan about the FA but I`m glad we`ve not got their lot in charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBCFC Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 1 minute ago, Red Right Hand said: Half the trouble with Greek football is that it`s a total shambles from top to bottom, riddled with corruption. We moan about the FA but I`m glad we`ve not got their lot in charge. I wont pretend to know much about Greek football. It's a quiet night at work and I've done a lot of googling! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Fleuriot Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 Great topic. I'd not include a squad having a good run in one tournament as a "Golden Generation". I think a "generation" needs to hold together as a squad for at least two tournaments, and often be bookended by failure to qualify for a tournament. Also need at more than one name of real quality. @Red Right Hand, of yours I'd put Croatia in the latter (unlucky v Germany in Euro 96), and Turkey. I'd put Bulgaria and Denmark more in the "Golden Performance" category. I would add Portugal 2000-2004, Ghana 2010-14, Sweden 1994 - 1998, Nigeria 1994-98, France 1980-86 to the list. I think England 1966 a good shout because of 1968 and 1970. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 Poland 74 & 78 Lato, Boniek, Zmuda, Deyna (rip), the Clown, etc. All very useful players in Top Trumps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 The Swedes Of 92/94 Brolin, Dahlin, Nilson, Kennet Anderson, Mjallby, Larsson etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BS4 on Tour... Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 Edit: delete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Junkie Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 Holland '88 was a hell of a side. Rjikaard Gullit Koeman Van Basten Wouters Van Breukelen Muhren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Horse With No Name Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 39 minutes ago, ZiderEyed said: If this Belgium one isn't then I don't know what counts. Massive underachievers. Belgium remind me of Spain. Underachieve for ages, never winning anything then win 3 on the bounce. I feel Belgium , while not winning countless tournaments , will win one soon, probably the Euros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coxy27 Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 1 hour ago, Red Right Hand said: The one that brought it to mind was Bulgaria in USA 94. They were awesome in that World Cup and no-one could live with Stoichkov and co but I don`t think they`ve even qualified for anything since. Their golden generation dragged them to world cup '98 as well, but they drew with Paraguay 0-0, were beaten narrowly by Nigeria, and then got thumped 6-1 by Spain in their final group match. They've been in the doldrums since then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red-Robbo Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 You have to say Scotland had something of a golden generation in the mid- to late-70s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexukhc Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 Peru for me this year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BS4 on Tour... Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 1 hour ago, Red Right Hand said: They were possibly the most boring team ever to win a major tournament but they played to their strengths and that`s what you do with a squad of limited players - think Colin`s Cardiff. Cardiff weren’t boring last season....scored some awesome team goals.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Popodopolous Posted June 15, 2018 Report Share Posted June 15, 2018 Tbh those Croatia and Czech sides were not merely one off tournament wonders- the shock was them underachieving in subsequent years and in Czech's case reached the semis in 04 too, played beautiful football. Those middling nations had bona fide good sides though- particularly those 2. Bulgaria did well indeed from about 92-97, @Tom Fleuriot . They narrowly went out in Euro 96 in a group with France, Spain and Romania- somewhat of a group of death! Belgium? Overrated tbh- how many reach the latter levels of CL? Very good side yes, but some fantastic world beaters? Not yet- too much to prove. Euro 2016 was perhaps their big opportunity to date. Spain first team to win 3 tournaments on the bounce?. Bona fide top side tbh, better than middling- had won a prior Euros too and reached a final (60's and 80's). Turkey? Qualified for quarters in Euro 2000 too, qualified for Euro 96 and the backbone of that side won a UEFA Cup with Galatasaray and performed well in CL with them so again, more than a one hit wonder IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Popodopolous Posted June 15, 2018 Report Share Posted June 15, 2018 What I will add too, is that from early 90's- both at club and at international level- there was a much better distribution, competitive balance IMO. More sides even middling ones had stellar players or at least very good ones- something IMO to consider when thinking about golden generations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBCFC Posted June 15, 2018 Report Share Posted June 15, 2018 7 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said: Tbh those Croatia and Czech sides were not merely one off tournament wonders- the shock was them underachieving in subsequent years and in Czech's case reached the semis in 04 too, played beautiful football. Those middling nations had bona fide good sides though- particularly those 2. Bulgaria did well indeed from about 92-97, @Tom Fleuriot . They narrowly went out in Euro 96 in a group with France, Spain and Romania- somewhat of a group of death! Belgium? Overrated tbh- how many reach the latter levels of CL? Very good side yes, but some fantastic world beaters? Not yet- too much to prove. Euro 2016 was perhaps their big opportunity to date. Spain first team to win 3 tournaments on the bounce?. Bona fide top side tbh, better than middling- had won a prior Euros too and reached a final (60's and 80's). Turkey? Qualified for quarters in Euro 2000 too, qualified for Euro 96 and the backbone of that side won a UEFA Cup with Galatasaray and performed well in CL with them so again, more than a one hit wonder IMO. That early 2000s Turkey side had some cracking players, maybe not any world class ones, but the next tier down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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