Football old order restored?

[MIGkiller]

The final stages of Germany'06 have that feeling of a classic World Cup. I think since WC70 there isn't a round of 8 with so many football powers, and from now on there will be only classic match-ups, with the exception of Ukraine (though some would argue they represent the old USSR). All former world champions have survived, with the exception of Uruguay who didn't even make it to the WC. A complete turn of events since WC2002 when only Brazil vs England was worthy of a WC quater-finals match. Do you think the old world football order has been restablished, and the most exciting finals in a long time are about to come?

[Caesar]

Not really. The old powers are there, but they're pretty ho-hum. Brazil haven't played much of the beautiful football we've come to expect of them (though granted they're getting better and better as the tournament progresses). England are playing great defence and not much else. Italy have some of the best talent around, but have squandered it by resorting to some catenaccio-reminiscent tactics against mediocre teams. France's old men looked better against Spain, but they're still just a shadow of the golden generation. Portugal aren't bad but their match against the Netherlands was the worst World Cup matches I've ever seen. Ukraine... well, less said the better.

The only two teams left who are playing truly wonderful and exciting football are Argentina and Germany, and by a cruel twist of fate they're due to knock one another out.

It's a far better tournament than 2002, but that ain't saying much.

[endy]

I agree with your sentiments and frankly it is an exciting prospect. But there is a but...the Dutch are absent. Without wishing to stir a pot, I do lament the days of free flowing, non-theatrical, firm-though-fair football. And there is no denying that they do personify an important part of the historical mix.

[Mike123]

I agree with your sentiments and frankly it is an exciting prospect. But there is a but...the Dutch are absent. Without wishing to stir a pot, I do lament the days of free flowing, non-theatrical, firm-though-fair football. And there is no denying that they do personify an important part of the historical mix.

What do you mean? Please, not another "Portugal only won by cheating":( .
If you hate chating then you should be happy they left. Portugal and Italy are arguably the ones that most use the "odd tumble" style of play, from the teams that are left but neither reach the level of the mighty Dutch on that sector.

[Plxix]

I agree with your sentiments and frankly it is an exciting prospect. But there is a but...the Dutch are absent. Without wishing to stir a pot, I do lament the days of free flowing, non-theatrical, firm-though-fair football. And there is no denying that they do personify an important part of the historical mix.

Agreed.

[TxFan]

It should be fun to see the old powers knock it out amongst themselves this time. Still, I don't think that England, Portugal, France, Germany or Brazil are as good as they have been in the past. And, frankly, I kind of miss seeing the surprise teams of 2002... (USA, Turkey, S. Korea)

[endy]

Please, please, I have no desire to stir a pot here. I was thinking of Brazil as much as any when I made this remark. In fact, in each quarter-final group there is one team that "milks the titty". Guess who?

[z187 Portugal]

Its because

The 2002 world cup was a different kind of tournament.
alot of teams didnt prepare properly for the asian world cup so there was alot of surprises.

[Sinter]

I honestly believed this would happen even before this cup started. However, I think this will be a last hurrah for the old powers before a new trend such as 2002 emerges. There are some rising soccer powers out there and come 2010 they will be ready to take on the big boys I believe.

[endy]

And here is an example of what I mean -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddI_ncNa-AU

- and listen to the nonsense of the commentators. ABC/ESPN have a long, long way to go. But then again, this is the same network that employs Joe Morgan!

[grapedog]

why is the old football order being restored a good thing? if the same 4-8 teams are almost always in the finals, how is that good for soccer programs around the rest of the world, or soccer fandom in general.

I think FIFA would make just as much, if not more money, in the WC by getting new teams into the final stages. How many of those people wearing Argentina or Brazil jerseys bought them during THIS world cup...vs. a previous one?

I'd rather see new teams take the Cup as opposed to the old clubs, the same old thing does nothing to pump up my excitement...

[endy]

It might seem that way but actually its not - see below. While you may get 2 or 3 repeaters, each Cup years usually sees some new faces in the final rounds - warranted or not.

2002 -

Germany 1, United States 0
Turkey 1, Senegal 0
South Korea 0, Spain 0 ( 5:3 penalties)
Brazil 2, England 1

1998 -

France 0, Italy 0 (4:3 penalties)
Brazil 3, Denmark 2
Holland 2, Argentina 1
Croatia 3, Germany 0

1994 -

Italy 2, Spain 1
Brazil 3, Holland 2
Bulgaria 2, Germany 1
Sweden 1, Romania 1 (5:4penalties)

1990 -

Argentina 0, Yugoslavia 0 (3-2 penalties)
Italy 1, Ireland 0
W. Germany 1, Czechoslovakia 0
England 3, Cameroon 2

[Gold is the Colour]

I think the old order had it just as tough this time, but due to a bit of luck and some of the refereeing they mostly made it through. The rest of the world has still shown that they are catching up. I also think it is good to have a few underdogs make it through, and the romance has gone out this time. Especially as Ukraine (the only "non-power" left) has not IMO been as deserving as Ghana, CIV, Australia, Ecuador, Mexico or others.

[benztown]

In 2002, the European season was much longer and so the big teams had hardly any time to prepare.

For the traditional powers, the 2002 World Cup was a mix of bad preparation, bad luck and bad refereeing.

That said, I also agree that the other countries are catching up. This time even more so than in 2002, even though their efferts haven't really paid off.

[naus]

Still, I don't think that England, Portugal, France, Germany or Brazil are as good as they have been in the past.
You sure? I guess it depends on how far back you are going with the "past." Germany is playing attacking football now! Even Beckenbauer is impressed with the development of the German team.

[groefy]

It might seem that way but actually its not - see below. While you may get 2 or 3 repeaters, each Cup years usually sees some new faces in the final rounds - warranted or not.

Really interesting! Including 2006, there are indeed VERY FEW really consistent nations:

Germany 5/5
Italy 4/5 (actually should be 5/5 IMO if you recall the 2002 loss vs. S. Korea)
Brazil 4/5
England 3/5
Argentina 3/5
Holland 2/5
Spain 2/5
France 2/5

All the others (even Portugal, the Czechs, Sweden) made it to the quarterfinals just once in five tournaments. And beside Argentina and Brazil in five attempts not a single other South American team made it to the last 8...

And Germany is indeed a tournament team, I think they are in fact 15/15 since 1954…


2006 –

Germany vs. Argentina
Italy vs. Ukraine
England vs. Portugal
Brazil vs. France

2002 -

Germany 1, United States 0
Turkey 1, Senegal 0
South Korea 0, Spain 0 ( 5:3 penalties)
Brazil 2, England 1

1998 -

France 0, Italy 0 (4:3 penalties)
Brazil 3, Denmark 2
Holland 2, Argentina 1
Croatia 3, Germany 0

1994 -

Italy 2, Spain 1
Brazil 3, Holland 2
Bulgaria 2, Germany 1
Sweden 1, Romania 1 (5:4penalties)

1990 -

Argentina 0, Yugoslavia 0 (3-2 penalties)
Italy 1, Ireland 0
W. Germany 1, Czechoslovakia 0
England 3, Cameroon 2

[Gregoriak]

You sure? I guess it depends on how far back you are going with the "past." Germany is playing attacking football now! Even Beckenbauer is impressed with the development of the German team.

It's the best Germany since 1990, at least from an attacking point of view.

[eliostar]

2002 was a fluke, this is the way it should be, the best sides going through. It makes for better matches. Who would you rather see? Arg - Ger, Bra - Fra, Eng - Port , or would you rather see Brazil play Turkey or Germany S. Korea. The pretenders have a very long way to go before being a serious challenger for the World Cup.

[guri]

It's the best Germany since 1990, at least from an attacking point of view.

We'll see about that on Friday

So far they've beaten Costa Rica, Poland, Ecuador and Sweden.

Whoop dee dooo!

[guri]

The pretenders have a very long way to go before being a serious challenger for the World Cup.

Right on.

We won't have a new champion for at least the next 50 years.