I want to know what people think in Big Soccer about which countries were the best teams in this decade. For this purpose I'll make this process: a) I listed 6 NTs that I'm guessing are fixed in the top-10. b) I listed in the Poll 10 candidates for the remaining 4 spots to make the top-10. Vote for 4 NTs or mention another team that isn't listed.
First Tier NTs - 2000s Argentina Brazil France Italy Netherlands Spain Listed alphabetically. The tiers is only for the purpose of the thread. The Second Tier is for the candidates. If you think that some 1st tier NT doesn't belong to Top-10, your reasons will be welcome.
First Tier NTs achievements ARGENTINA - (CA04 final, WC06 QF, CA07 final) BRAZIL -- (WC02 win, CA04 win, WC06 QF, CA07 win) FRANCE -- (Euro00 win, Euro04 QF, WC06 final) ITALY -- (Euro00 final, WC06 win, Euro08 QF) NETHERLANDS - (Euro00 SF, Euro04 SF, Euro08 QF) SPAIN -- (Euro00 QF, WC02 QF, Euro08 win) Second Tier NTs achievements CROATIA -- (Euro08 QF) CZECH REP. - (Euro04 SF) DENMARK -- (Euro04 QF) ENGLAND -- (WC02 QF, Euro04 QF, WC06 QF) GERMANY - (WC02 final, WC06 SF, Euro08 final) MEXICO -- (CA01 final, CA04 SF) PORTUGAL - (Euro00 SF, Euro04 final, WC06 SF, Euro08 QF) SWEDEN -- (Euro04 QF) U.S.A. -- (WC02 QF) TURKEY -- (Euro00 QF, WC02 SF, Euro08 SF)
Top 10 NTs in the 2000s by ELO average Brazil --------- 1998 France -------- 1988 Netherlands - 1970 Argentina ---- 1964 Spain ---------- 1958 Italy ----------- 1945 England ------ 1921 Germany ----- 1895 Portugal ------ 1890 Czech Rep. -- 1881 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Football_Elo_Ratings#Averages_by_decade
First tier NTs Head-to-Head records against: (W-D-L) Argentina vs first tier: 5-3-9 vs second tier: 7-8-4 Brazil vs first tier: 8-3-4 vs second tier: 17-9-7 France vs first tier: 6-4-7 vs second tier: 18-4-2 Italy vs first tier: 2-6-8 vs second tier: 16-7-3 Netherlands vs first tier: 6-4-1 vs second tier: 12-14-5 Spain vs first tier: 6-2-4 vs second tier: 17-3-5 Games defined by PK shoot-out are considered Draw. http://www.11v11.com/internationals/
Second tier NTs Head-to-Head records against: (W-D-L) Croatia vs first tier: 3-3-4 vs second tier: 7-3-7 Czech Rep. vs first tier: 4-2-5 vs second tier: 7-6-7 Denmark vs first tier: 1-3-8 vs second tier: 11-9-8 England vs first tier: 3-8-10 vs second tier: 12-7-10 Germany vs first tier: 1-7-12 vs second tier: 14-1-10 Mexico vs first tier: 6-5-11 vs second tier: 5-4-14 Portugal vs first tier: 6-4-9 vs second tier: 9-8-5 Sweden vs first tier: 1-6-8 vs second tier: 8-13-10 Turkey vs first tier: 0-5-8 vs second tier: 3-9-7 U.S.A. vs first tier: 1-2-13 vs second tier: 13-3-13 Games defined by PK shoot-out are considered Draw.
Looking at your poll before this post mate, I was thinking I'd definitely vote for those 4 at the bottom of this list. So I'll go and do that now (I assume I'm not missing a NT that will come to mind later anyway).
Yes, I see that at the moment only I have voted. I haven't thought of a reason to change the vote yet anyway!
Going strictly by the record...... ......giving 3 points for a championship win, 2 points for a finalist and 1 point for a semi final appearance..... ......one gets: 1 -Brazil 9 points (won WC 2002, won CA 2004, won CA 2007) = 3 titles won 2 - Italy 5 points (Euro 2000 finalist, won WC 2006) = 1 title won 3 - France 5 points (won Euro 2000, WC 2006 finalist) = 1 title won 4 - Germany 5 points (Euro 2008 finalist, WC 2008 finalist, WC 2006 semi finalist) = 0 titles won 5 - Colombia - 4 points (won CA 2001, CA 2004 semi finalist) = 1 title won 6 - Argentina 4 points (CA 2004 finalist, CA 2007 finalist) = won 0 titles 7 - Portugal 4 points (Euro 2000 semi finalist, Euro 2004 finalist, WC 2006 semi finalist) = 0 titles won 8 - Greece 3 points (won Euro 2004) = 1 title won 9 - Spain 3 points (won Euro 2008) = 1 title won 10 - Mexico 3 points (CA 2001 finalist, CA 2007 semi finalist) = 0 titles won 11 - Uruguay 3 points (CA 2001 semi finalist, CA 2004 semi finalist, CA 2007 semi finalist) = 0 titles won 12 - Turkey 2 points (Euro 2008 semi finalist, WC 2002 semi finalist) = 0 titles won 13 - Netherlands 2 points (Euro 2000 semi finalist, Euro 2004 semi finalist) = 0 titles won 14 - Czech 1 point (Euro 2004 semi finalist) = 0 titles won 15 - Russia 1 point (Euro 2008 semi finalist) = 0 titles won 16 - S. Korea 1 point (WC 2002 semi finalist) = 0 titles won 17 - Honduras 1 point (CA 2001 semi finalist) Croatia 0 Denmark 0 England 0 Sweden 0 USA 0
I try to show different angles, it's interesting the cummulative points you show. Some questions: Do you think, that WC, CA and Euro should have the same weight this decade? What about an "one season wonder" having more points than a consistent favourite in the tournaments?
Going by the same criteria (success at the major tournaments)....and going strictly by the record...... ......giving 3 points for a championship win, 2 points for a finalist and 1 point for a semi final appearance..... here at the top teams for each decade: 1950s (top ten) Tournaments : World Cup (3), Olympic Games (2). 1 - Brazil 5 points (WC 1950 finalist, won 1958 WC) = 1 title won 2 - W. Germany 5 points (won 1954 WC, 1958 WC semi finalist, 1952 Olympic semi finalist) = 1 title won 3 - Hungary 5 points (1954 WC finalist, won Olympics 1952) = 1 title won 4 - Uruguay 4 points (won 1950 WC, 1954 WC semi finalist) = 1 title won 5 - Sweden 4 points (1950 WC semi finalist, 1950 WC finalist, 1952 Olympics semi finalist) = 0 titles won 6 - Yugoslavia 4 points (952 Olympics finalist, 1956 Olympic finalist) = 0 titles won 7 - USSR 3 points (won 1956 Olympics) = 1 title won 8 - France 1 points (1958 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 9 - Austria 1 point (1954 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 10 - Spain 1 point (1950 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 1960s Tournaments: World Cup (2), Euros (3), South American Championship (2) 1 - USSR 7 points (won Euro 1960, WC 1966 semi finalist, Euro 1964 finalist, Euro 1968 semi finalist) = 1 title won 2 - Yugoslavia 5 points (1962 WC semi finalist, 1960 Euro finalist, 1968 Euro finalist) = 0 titles won 3 - Brazil 4 points (won WC 1962, 1963 SA semi finalist) = 1 title won 4 - England 4 points (won WC 1966, Euro 1968 semi finalist) = 1 title won 5 - Spain 3 points (won Euro 1964) = 1 title won 6 - Czech 3 points (1962 WC finalist, 1960 Euro semi finalist) = 0 titles won 7 - Uruguay 3 points (won 1967 SA) = 1 title won 8 - Bolivia 3 points (won 1963 SA( = 1 title won 9 - Argentina 3 points (1963 SA semi finalist, 1967 SA finalist) = 0 titles won 10 - Paraguay 3 points (1963 SA finalist, 1967 SA semi finalist) = 0 titles won 11 - W. Germany 2 points (1966 WC finalist) = 0 titles won 12 - Chile 2 points (1962 WC semi finalist, 1967 SA semi finalist) = 0 titles won 13 - Portugal 1 point (1966 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 14 - France 1 point (1960 Euro semi finalist) = 0 titles won 15 - Hungary 1 point (1964 Euro semi finalist) = 0 titles won 16 - Denmark 1 point (1964 Euro semi finalist) = 0 titles won 1970s Tournaments: World Cup (3), Euros (2), Copa America (2) 1 - W. Germany 9 points (1970 WC semi finalist, won 1974 WC, won 1972 Euro, 1976 Euro finalist) = 2 titles won 2 - Brazil 7 points (won 1970 WC, 1974 WC semi finalist, 1978 WC semi finalist, 1975 CA semi finalist, 1979 CA semi finalist) = 1 title won 3 - Netherlands 5 points (1974 WC finalist, 1978 WC finalist, 1976 Euro semi finalist) = 0 titles won 4 - Peru 4 points (won 1975 CA, 1979 CA semi finalist) = 1 title won 5 - Argentina 3 ponts (won 1978 WC) = 1 title won 6 - Czech 3 ponts (won 1976 Euro) = 1 title won 7 - Paraguay 3 points (won 1979 CA) = 1 title won 8 - Italy 3 points (1970 WC finalist, 1978 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 9 - USSR 2 points (1972 Euro finalist) = 0 titles won 10 - Uruguay 2 points (1970 WC semi finalist, 1975 CA semi finalist) = 0 titles won 11 - Colombia 2 points (1975 CA finalist) = 0 titles won 12 - Chile 2 points (1979 CA finalist) = 0 titles won 13 - Poland 1 point (1974 WC semi finalist) = o titles won 14 - Belgium 1 point (1972 Euro semi finalist ) = 0 titles won 15 - Hungary 1 point (1972 Euro semi finalist ) = 0 titles won 16 - Yugoslavia 1 point (1976 Euro semi finalist) = 0 titles won 1980s Tournaments: World Cup (2), Euros (3), Copa America (3) 1 - Uruguay 8 points (won 1983 CA, won 1987 CA, 1989 CA finalist) = 2 titles won 2 - W. Germany 8 points (1982 WC finalist, 1986 WC finalist, won 1980 Euro, 1988 Euro semi finalist) = 1 title won 3 - Italy 5 points (won 1982 WC, 1980 Euro semi finalist, 1988 Euro semi finalist) = 1 title won 4 - Argentina 5 points (won 1986 WC, 1987 CA semi finalist, 1989 CA semi finalist)= 1 title won 5 - France 5 points (1982 WC semi finalist, won 1984 Euro, 1986 WC semi finalist) = 1 title won 6 - Brazil 5 points (won 1989 CA, 1983 CA finalist) = 1 title won 7 - Netherlands 3 points (won 1988 Euros) = 1 title won 8 - Belgium 3 points (1980 Euro finalist, 1986 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 9 - USSR 2 points (1988 Euro finalist) = 0 titles won 10 - Spain 2 points (1984 Euro finalist) = 0 titles won 11 - Chile 2 points (1987 CA finalist) = 0 titles won 12 - Paraguay 2 points (1983 CA semi finalist, 1989 CA semi finalist) = 0 titles won 13 - Poland 1 point (1982 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 14 - Portugal 1 point (1984 Euro semi finalist) = 0 titles won 15 - Czech 1 point (1980 Euro semi finalist) = 0 titles won 16 - Denmark 1 point (1984 Euro semi finalist) = 0 titles won 17 - Colombia 1 point (1987 CA semi finalist) = 0 titles won 18 - Peru 1 point (1983 CA semi finalist) = 0 titles won 1990s Tournaments: World Cup (3), Euros (2), Copa America (5) ...5 vs 2, huge advantage for the South American teams. 1 - Brazil 15 points (won 1994 WC, won 1997 CA, won 1999 CA, 1998 WC finalist, 1991 CA finalist, 1995 CA finalist) = 3 titles won 2 - Germany 8 points (won 1990 WC, 1992 Euro finalist, won Euro 1996) = 2 titles won 3 - Argentina 8 points (1990 WC finalist, won 1991 CA, won 1993 CA)= 2 titles won 4 - Uruguay 5 points (won 1995 CA, 1999 CA finalist) = 1 title won 5 - France 4 points (won 1998 WC, Euro 1996 semi finalist) = 1 title won 6 - Mexico 4 points (1993 CA finalist, 1997 CA semi finalist, 1999 CA semi finalist) = 0 titles won 7 - Denmark 3 points (won Euro 1992)= 1 title won 8 - Italy 3 points (1990 WC semi finalist, 1994 WC finalist) = 0 titles won 9 - Colombia 3 points (1991 CA semi finalist, 1993 CA semi finalist, 1995 CA semi finalist) = 0 titles won 10 - Czech 2 points (Euro 1996 finalist) = 0 titles won 11 - Netherlands 2 points (1998 WC semi finalist, 1992 Euro semi finalist) = 0 titles won 12 - Sweden 2 points (1994 WC semi finalist, 1992 Euro semi finalist) = 0 titles won 13 - England 2 points (1990 WC semi finalist, Euro 1996 semi finalist) = 0 titles won 14 - Bolivia 2 points (1997 CA finalist) = 0 titles won 15 - Chile 2 points (1991 CA semi finalist, 1999 CA semi finalist) = 0 titles won 16 - Bulgaria 1 point (1994 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 17 - Croatia 1 point (1998 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 18 - Ecuador 1 point (1993 CA semi finalist) = 0 titles won 19 - Peru 1 point (1997 CA semi finalist) = 0 titles won 20 - USA 1 point (1995 CA semi finalist) = 0 titles won
2010s (so far) Tournaments: World Cup (2), Euros (2), Copa America (3) 1 - Spain 6 points (won 2010 WC, won 2012 Euro) = 2 titles won 2 - Germany 6 points (WC 2010 semi finalist, won 2014 WC, Euro 2012 semi finalist, Eiro 2016 semi finalist) = 1 title won 3 - Chile 6 points (won 2015 CA, won 2016 CA) = 2 titles won 4 - Argentina 6 points (WC 2014 finalist, 2015 CA finalist, 2016 CA finalist) = 0 titles won 5 - Portugal 4 points (won 2016 Euro, Euro 2012 semi finalist) = 1 title won 6 - Uruguay 4 points (won 2011 CA, 2010 WC semi finalist) = 1 title won 7 - Netherlands 3 points (WC 2010 finalist, WC 2014 semi finalist) = 0 titles won 8 - Paraguay 3 points (2011 CA finalist, 2015 CA finalist) = 0 titles won 9 - France 2 points (Euro 2016 finalist) = 0 titles won 10 - Italy 2 points (Euro 2012 finalist) = 0 titles won 11 - Peru 2 points (2011 CA semi finalist, 2015 CA semi finalist) = 0 titles won 12 - Brazil 1 point (2014 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 13 - Wales 1 point (Euro 2016 semi finalist) = 0 titles won 14 - Colombia 1 point (2016 CA semi finalist) = 0 titles won 15 - Venezuela 1 point (2011 CA semi finalist) = 0 titles won 16 - USA 1 point (2016 CA semi finalist) = 0 titles won
Going back to the Jurassic age.... 1930s Tournaments: World Cup (3), Olympic Games (1) 1 - Italy 9 points (won 1934 WC, won 1938 WC, won 1936 Olympics) = 3 titles won 2 - Uruguay 3 points (won 1930 WC) = 1 title won 3 - Austria 3 points (1934 WC semi finalist, 1936 Olympic finalist) = 0 titles won 4 - Hungary 2 points (1938 WC finalist) = 0 titles won 5 - Czech 2 points (1934 WC finalist) = 0 titles won 6 - Argentina 2 points (1930 WC finalist) = 0 titles won 7 - Brazil 1 point (1938 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 8 - Yugoslavia 1 point (1930 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 9 - Sweden 1 point (1938 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 10 - Germany 1 point (1934 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 11 - Norway 1 point (1936 Olympic semi finalist) = 0 titles won 12 - Poland 1 point (1936 Olympic semi finalist) = 0 titles won 13 - USA 1 point (1930 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 1940s Tournaments: Olympic Games (1).... Only 1 tournament held, thanks to our German friends. 1 - Sweden 3 points (won 1948 Olympics) = 1 title won 2 - Yugoslavia 2 points (1948 Olympics finalist) = 0 titles won 4 - Denmark 1 point (1948 Olympic semi finalist) = 0 titles won 5 - Great Britain 1 point (1948 Olympic semi finalist) = 0 titles won
So, your top-10 in the 2000s are: 1) Brazil 2) Italy 3) France 4) Germany 5) Colombia 6) Argentina 7) Portugal 8) Greece 9) Spain 10) Mexico Over the likes of Uruguay, Turkey, Netherlands, Czech, Russia, S.Korea, Honduras, Croatia, Denmark, England, Sweden and USA
Since, this is recent history, I guess most people have in mind the peaks or iconic teams in the 2000s. For example, in case of Argentina. I rate 2 teams as the best: Argentina in Copa America 2007 with a squad full of talent, making a impressive run to the final. Featuring players as Riquelme, Zanetti, Verón, Ayala, and younger Messi, Mascherano and Tevez. The other great era was the WCQ 2002 series, under Bielsa coaching. They topped back to back the series, reaching the record for the most points obtained in Conmebol qualifiers. The stars were Ortega, Crespo, Simeone, Verón, Batistuta, Samuel.
In the case of Brazil, their better moments were: 1) World Cup 2002, winning the 7 matches with a team featuring stars as Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Cafú. 2) Copa America 2004, with a great victory over favorite Argentina, in a team led by Adriano and supported by Diego, L.Fabiano, Julio Cesar and Maicon
France enjoyed their golden generation this decade. Euro 2000 showed a great and experienced team with stars as Zidane, Henry, Thuram, Vieira, Blanc, Desailly. At World Cup 2006, they loss the final in penalty shootout, with a great tournament by Zidane, Thuram, Vieira, Henry and Ribery.
Italy had two great moments. At Euro 2000 they lost the final with a golden goal at extra-time. Their stars were: Toldo, Maldini, Cannavaro, Nesta, Albertini and Totti. Their peak came with the 4th title in the WC 2006, with a strong core of players in Pirlo, Buffon, Cannavaro, Gattuso and Totti.
The first great moment for Spain came at WC 2002, where they were stepped outside of the semifinal after a controversial game. Their representative players in this tournament were: Mendieta, Hierro, Casillas, Puyol and Raúl. The glory and the beggining of the spanish golden era came with the title at the Euro 2008, with a new generation of great players as Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso and Villa joined the experienced Casillas, Xavi and Puyol.
Netherlands was a tough challenge at every tournament they atended but missed that extra factor to win something bigger. In the Euro 2000, they came to semifinal with four straight wins (also beating France), in this instance Italy beat them at penalty shootout. Some representative players were: Bergkamp, van der Sar, de Boer, Cocu, Stam, Davids, among others. Again at Euro, this time the 2008 edition, the Orange were the sensation at Group Phase, but lost in the quarter final at extra time. This time the representative players were: Van der Sar and the offensive line with van Nistelrooy, van der Vaart, Sneijder and van Persie.
Now, let's check for Germany. The Mannschaft take part in every big tournament in this decade. The first great achievement was at WC 2002 being runner up. The main stars were Kahn, Ballack, Klose and Linke. Another very good team was present at WC 2006 being the third best team. In that world cup starred players as Lahm, Klose, Podolski, Schweinsteiger, Lehmann and Ballack.
One of the most entertaining teams this decade was Portugal, who joined their Golden Generation, with players as Figo, Rui Costa, Couto, Pauleta, Nuno Gomes and Joao Pinto. In the first big tournament, Euro 2000, they were close to make the final, losing at extra time by a Zidane's PK. Then in the Euro 2004 played at home, they were surprisingly beaten by Greece in the final match. A new pool of great players come to scene at World Cup 2006, where they lost in the semifinal by another penalty by Zidane. To a veteran Figo joined new stars as C.Ronaldo, R.Carvalho, Deco and Maniche.
A traditional top side, England qualified to 4/5 big tournaments this decade but failing to reach the final stages, the closest were at Euro 2004 and WC 2006, in both cases, beating by Portugal in penalties shootout. Maybe the three lions deserved a better luck to the talented pool of players they had in Beckham, Lampard, Gerard, Campbell, Scholes, Ferdinand, A.Cole, Owen, Rooney and Terry.