I'm wondering, what are some of the biggest Euro flops we have seen over the years, meaning teams that were expected to contend for the title, but didn't advance past the group stage. This year, we have Italy, who were favored 2nd by oddsmakers to win the entire thing before is started, and now have what I would say is only a 40 percent chance of advancing. What is the last team with such high odds that did so poorly?
As well as Argentina and France. I think France were the biggest disappointment ever in the WC. This was the defending champs who only got better in the 4 years since France '98. And they couldn't even score a goal in their 3 group games. Dreadful.
spain, they have so much talent and are always a favorite going into a tournment but never produce. i would say spain as the #1.
It will be Portugal if they lose to Spain. If they fail to advance out of the group as the host nation I can't imagine a bigger flop.
italy plain and simple. although germany's failure to score against latvia is pretty close to flopping as you can get (not to take anything away from Latvia) .
click matchcentre on the left - match photos, 75' http://www.euro2004.com/tournament/matches/Round=1581/Match=1059179/index.html
Not flops from Europe - flops in the Euro Championships. WCs don't matter. Or at least that's what I thought the point of this thread was. Thing is - any country who gets to the Euro finals cannot be considered to be a flop. Going out in the first round at the Euros isn't the same as leaving in the first round at the WC. Obviously there's the holders and hosts issuw but nevertheless nobody there is a flop. Now the Turks on the other hand.... But put a gun to my head and I'll say Italy are the biggest wastes of space so far at Euro 2004 (apart from some of the first half against Sweden).
And pull the trigger too, cuz you appar4ently haven't watched all of the games. No way Italy are at the bottom. Try making a poll and see what you get.
Yep, Spain 2004 is a flop. They were given the third best chance to win it all by the oddsmakers behind France and Italy, although at one point after it began they were 2nd.
definitely agree on spain, blame the idiot saez - sitting baraja and moro wasn't the swiftest move ever
The question is who isn't at least a semin-flop? Greece and Czech? France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Holland, Germany, England... all yet to be really impressive and dominating. Well and the spaniards are totally out.
I'm not making yet another pointless poll to gather the pointless opinions of the likes of you. Italy are among the favourites (infact at one point they were the favourites) yet for a game and a half they've done precisely bugger all. Save for the half against Sweden that I've already mentioned and given Italy credit for, they've looked decidedly less than special. So prior to last night and the Spaniards doing the normal thing and leaving early, who would you have said was the biggest disappointment? Portugal? Disappointing loss to Greece who then inturn showed themselves to be ok against Spain. Plus Portugal were never among the favourites at least IMO. So not that bad. Greece? Not pre-tournament favourites by any stretch of the imagination, good results against Portugal and Spain. Spain? Up until last night they'd got 4 points (well spose they still do) which cannot be considered that bad surely, though obviously them being semi-favourites means that any slip ups will be magnified. Russia? A flop can only be a flop if you expected them to do otherwise. Switzerland? See Russia France? A close one. I'll see what the Swiss do before passing judgement. But a couple of daaaaaammmmnn scabby draws from the pre-tournament favorites doesn't show them in the best light. Croatia? Again a couple of draws but then no-one expected that much from them so whatever happens how can they be considered a failure? Denmark? Currently on 4 points. Sweden? On 4 points, demolished Bulgaria and got a draw against the 'mighty' Italians. Both Denmark and Sweden are 2nd tier teams here. Expectations were always realistic. Bulgaria? Crap frankly, but then who expected much to be different? Italy? Well as I said, not shown their much vaunted class apart from a half hour period against Sweden. So far on 2 points against who they would consider to be lesser opponents. Germany? Flops? Well hard to say, they are being absolutely pitiful but then everyone knew they were woeful coming into these Championships. And pretty much the 3 or 4 years previous for that matter. Holland? Yes disappointing, but that's a damn hard group. Losing to the Czech Rep is no great shame. They played good football but lost. Flops? No because they actually played football worth watching - which doesn't always happen with other teams <cough>Italy<cough>. Latvia? No. Hell they weren't even meant to be there. Anything they achieve is a bonus. Czech Rep? Well, no. Leading the hardest group in the Championships and already through to the next round. Nuff said. So far in the Championships it's inconclusive, we really need to wait until wednesday to figure out who might take the title of 'biggest flop'. Spain have the title at the moment but Italy, Holland, England and even France could all miss the next round.
Is there a point in that blurb? I don't see support for your Italy flop theory pouring in... Hot air...