Yes it's always easy to feel bad when your favourite NT loses, but what about teams that played that you weren't initially fans of and found yourself rooting for them at a WC/EURO/COPA tournament from a neutral standpoint. Whether it be the beautiful way they played or how gutsy they were in defeat, or just sheer bad luck. I'd definitely have to pick the Czech Republic from EURO 2000. Unfortunately placed in the Group of Death. I really believe this team was capable of advancing from the group stage. Nedved was in prime form, and they fought Holland tooth and nail However (I feel) they were robbed by a De Boer dive in the opening match (yes Collina got calls wrong too) which pretty much hastened their exit and took the steam out of the much anticpated France/Holland match.
Valencia losing on penalties to Bayern in the CL final. For such an unheralded team (and a good footballing side) to make it to the final two years in succession and lose both was hard to watch.
Talk about a hard luck side. That Rivaldo bicycle kick that kept them out of the CL didn't help either.
Actually, if Spurs finish fourth this season and get kept out of the CL because Arsenal win it, I'm going to be livid (as I would have been last year if Everton had been denied their place).
Just recently I watched highlights of this match, and recall being amazed at Collina's ability... Because it was a penalty. The replays showed De Boer's shirt was held.
As hilarious as it was I did feel sorry for the Dutch against Italy in Euro 2000. I also felt sorry for the Czechs against Holland in the same tournament. Edit: Oh and the Cameroon in the WCQ's.
Was like they finally got their chance, and they were unfairly screwed. When I watch highlights of that World Cup I have to skip that match... too depressing for Spain. Yeah, how many times did they hit the post? Ouch. I almost want to bring up the DPRK North Korea in 1966 against Portugal. I guess it was a fair game and all, but a bit heartbreaking after 3-0 up. THough even with that loss they had an amazing tourny. I liked their style - seemed to show a weakness in European football, which was overrated at the time ... the Koreans were way smarter in passing, and if they had more experience against tough opposition they may have been able to do a lot more. I liked their morale - they were a prime example of how important mentality can be in big football matches. Brazil in 1978. One of the goals Peru gave up against Argentina made it obvious the fix was in (the way the CB gave away possession). PSV in last season's CL semifinal... they deserved to lose, with that poor mistake at the end, but it was sad after a team of less individually skilled players put in such a hearted performance against Milan.
Italy 1990-present. They have gone four World Cups without being eliminated in regulation. Honorable mentions: Algeria 1982 Bayern Munich 1999 CL final Bayer Leverkusen, the year they came in second in everything (2001?)
milan in last year's cl final leverkusen 02 cl final bayern munich 99 cl final czechs in euro 04 lastly.. algeria in 82.. they got screwed
Italy 1994 -- perhaps only for Baggio. The Czech Republic in 2000 Bayern Munich 1999 -- by far, the better team that night.
That's the heartbreaking part for me... I've been an Azzurri supporter since 1994 and it never ever gets easier, the way we crash out of tourneys is absolutely GUTTING at times, brought me to tears many a time, its a painful thing!
Good God, that Leverkusen team should have won the freaking league, the CL and most players the WC that year...it's a godamn shame.. Neutral or not, I'll never forget Bayern in 99. I also felt bad for Juve against Milan and Madrid in the CL finals.
I don't know it that makes me feel better or even worse because so many people thinks we actually had a chance.
If it helps I think you were lucky to get by us on penalties in the first place - we should have finished you off earlier