They were ok, nothing more!

Croatia beat Romania and a truly execrable Germany to get to the semis in 98.
Sweden beat Romania (again) in the QFs in 94.
Belgium beat USSR in the last eight in 86.

They didn't NEED to be good sides.

None of those teams had to get past anyone who was actually any good. They just benefited from good draws - which is my point really.

We got to the semis in 1990 because we topped our group and played Belgium and Cameroon.

If we had topped our group in 98 (a draw against Romania instead of last minute defeat) we would have played Croatia then Germany - semis again if you ask me.

In 2002 we would have played Senegal then Turkey.

In Euro 2004 we would have played Greece then the Czechs for a place in the final.

The draw is SO CRUCIAL and is why (despite being an average side) we really could get to the last four this time thanks to finishing top.

Posted By: The Judge on June 21st 2006 at 13:41:34

Message Thread

What would you have preferred to happen last night ? (Other Football) - Steve in Holland, Jun 21, 13:17:59
- A, obviously (n/m) (Other Football) - Old Git, Jun 21, 13:38:55
- Avoiding Germany is crucial (Other Football) - The Judge, Jun 21, 13:31:37
  - good post, that. (n/m) (Other Football) - Tricky Hawes, Jun 21, 13:54:11
  - I'm not so sure Ecuador are all that easy... (n/m) (Other Football) - Steve in Holland, Jun 21, 13:41:10
    - Nobody is. But they are 100% easier than Fritz. (n/m) (Other Football) - The Judge, Jun 21, 13:42:55
  - also would probably mean Argies in QF even if we beat Germans (n/m) (Other Football) - mr carra, Jun 21, 13:34:11
  - Sweden, Croatia and Belgium were all very good teams at the time, though ... (n/m) (Other Football) - Ottosson Foxtrot, Jun 21, 13:33:41
    - They were ok, nothing more! (Other Football) - The Judge, Jun 21, 13:41:34
      - Hmm ... (Other Football) - Ottosson Foxtrot, Jun 21, 14:02:40
        
        Fair enough, but (Other Football) - The Judge, Jun 21, 14:13:52
      - we'd play Dutch, Portuguese or Argies in QFs, wouldn't we? (Other Football) - Tricky Hawes, Jun 21, 13:55:45
        
        Or Mexico (n/m) (Other Football) - Steve in Holland, Jun 21, 13:59:21
        
        in theory. but can't see them getting past dutch or argies (Other Football) - Tricky Hawes, Jun 21, 14:15:07
- I'd have preferred not to have shagged my ex-wife. (n/m) (Other Football) - tudders, Jun 21, 13:28:39
  - I'd have preferred not to have shagged your ex-wife too (n/m) (Other Football) - Old Git, Jun 21, 13:29:35
    - Tuds was invisible - I think you may have bummed him (n/m) (Other Football) - malkybarkid, Jun 21, 13:31:19
      - Thought she felt a bit loose (n/m) (Other Football) - Old Git, Jun 21, 13:35:56
      - Metaphysical post of the day (n/m) (Other Football) - The Judge, Jun 21, 13:33:33
- A (n/m) (Other Football) - yarmyyarmy, Jun 21, 13:25:57
- Owen hasnt looked that great anyway (Other Football) - conker, Jun 21, 13:25:17
  - possibly solves the whole Gerrard-Lampard thing (Other Football) - mr carra, Jun 21, 13:29:19
  - exactly, but now we are left with Crouch and Walcott.... will jenas play??? NO (n/m) (Other Football) - phrankin, Jun 21, 13:26:24
    - Crouch is OK coming off the bench for the last 15-20 minutes (Other Football) - mr carra, Jun 21, 13:30:59
- i would have preferred sven to have taken defoe over jenas!! (n/m) (Other Football) - bellamys_knee, Jun 21, 13:21:05
  - I'd actually have preferred Ashton to Defoe (Other Football) - mr carra, Jun 21, 13:22:49
    - but ashton was never going to get a look in (Other Football) - bellamys_knee, Jun 21, 13:23:49
      - he clearly can't love him that much (Other Football) - mr carra, Jun 21, 13:25:39
    - Not the question (n/m) (Other Football) - Steve in Holland, Jun 21, 13:23:24
      - a) without doubt (n/m) (Other Football) - mr carra, Jun 21, 13:26:19
      - a (n/m) (Other Football) - bellamys_knee, Jun 21, 13:25:23

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