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, Jun 21, 13:41:34