Silver Road and Golden Stripes, Yet Another Football TL

[Wings]

The Semi-Finals were much closer than the Quarters. The Dutch and Italians were evenly matched, so much that they drew each other twice. In Rome, the Squadra Azzura would manage to score in extra time thanks to Roberto Baggio, and as such advance to the final. the Mannschaft gave themselves quite the fright by losing to Denmark, but the Germans would then absolutely dismantle the Danes at home, scoring four goals to Denmark's lone one.

Germany's Jurgen Klinsmann in action against Denmark during the Mannschaft's home game, during which he'd score two of the four goals of his team.

 

[Wings]

It was an all-European final for 1994-95, but it would be played in South America, in Uruguay's Estadio Centenario. Both Italy and Germany played the first half very cautiously, both defending and not letting the other team take advantage of an error in positioning. Germany would be the most dangerous during this half, with German forward Jurgen Klinsmann forcing Italian keeper Pagliuca to come with two saves, one with a volley from fifteen metres, and the other from an individual run where the german striker dribbled both Berti and Baresi only to see Pagliuca saving the ball.
The second half started well for Germany, with Rudi Voller hitting the bar, but the Squadra Azzura slowly managed to claw back into the game, Maldini finally forcing Illgner to come up with a save on an Italian corner kick. The Italians would be the ones to finally open up the scoreline, Roberto Baggio delivering a perfect ball to teammate Daniele Massaro, who sent the ball flying into the german net. With their goal scored, Italy focused on defending, and didn't let the Mannschaft through, winning their second title in a little more than five years.

Spoiler

German captain Lothar Matthaus and manager Berti Vogts discuss tactics during the first half.

Paolo Maldini and Roberto Baggio celebrate scoring their first and only goal in the final

Italian players celebrate as the final whistle is blown in Montevideo

 

[Wings]

Winners: Italy - 2nd title
Top Scorers: Dennis Bergkamp (NED) & Roberto Baggio (ITA) - 6 goals

1995-96 Participants:
Europe: Norway (4), Spain (39), Germany (41), Italy (40), Denmark (12), Russia (2), Portugal (14), Switzerland (4), Bulgaria (5), Romania (12), Sweden (26), Ireland (8)
South America: Brazil (41), Argentina (40), Colombia (4)
North America: Mexico (17)

Final Location: Wembley, London
Groups
Group A: Brazil, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland
Group B: Spain, Denmark, Portugal, Romania
Group C: Norway, Russia, Mexico, Sweden
Group D: Germany, Argentina, Bulgaria, Colombia

 

[Wings]

Cameroon v Poland 0-1 / 0-3
Zambia v Zimbabwe 1-0 / 1-3
England v Wales 2-2 / 0-3
United States v Bolivia 3-0 / 1-1
Ivory Coast v Austria 2-0 / 1-2
France v Chile 6-1 / 1-0
Greece v South Korea 7-2 / 0-2
Ghana v Czech Republic 2-0 / 1-0
Scotland v Israel 1-1 / 1-1 aet 5-3 pen
Russia v Iceland 1-0 / 1-1
Portugal v Slovakia 1-0 / 0-3
Tunisia v Northern Ireland 0-0 / 3-4
Saudi Arabia v Uruguay 0-0 / 1-1
Egypt v Turkey 3-2 / 2-0
Morocco v Japan 1-1 / 2-4
Belgium v Finland 2-0 / 0-1

Poland v Zimbabwe 2-0 / 3-0
Wales v United States 1-1 / 0-3
Ivory Coast v France 2-2 / 1-2
Greece v Ghana 0-1 / 1-2 aet
Scotland v Russia 2-1 / 0-3
Slovakia v Northern Ireland 5-1 / 2-1
Saudi Arabia v Egypt 3-0 / 2-0
Japan v Belgium 2-0 / 0-0

Poland v United States 6-0 / 1-0
France v Ghana 4-0 / 1-0
Russia v Slovakia 2-2 / 0-0
Saudi Arabia v Japan 2-1 / 2-1

Poland v France 2-3 / 0-2
Slovakia v Saudi Arabia 2-2 / 1-3

France v Saudi Arabia 3-0 / 2-1
Winners: France - 4th title

1995-96 Participants:
Europe: Netherlands (2), France (7), England (2), Scotland (17), Czech Republic (2), Poland (12), Belgium (13), Greece (24), Turkey (12), Finland (6), Slovakia (2), Austria (18), Israel (21), Iceland (2), Lithuania (1)
South America: Uruguay (15), Chile (23)
North America: United States (7)
Africa: Egypt (25), Ghana (17), Tunisia (16), Zambia (11), Ivory Coast (14), Nigeria (15), Morocco (20), Cameroon (19), Senegal (3), Zimbabwe (3), Mali (4)
Asia: Japan (4), Saudi Arabia (7), South Korea (22)

Bracket Order
Egypt v Slovakia
Poland v Japan
Greece v Iceland
United States v Morocco
Belgium v Zimbabwe
Czech Republic v Israel
Scotland v Cameroon
France v Senegal
Netherlands v Nigeria
Tunisia v Saudi Arabia
Zambia v Chile
Uruguay v Lithuania
Ghana v South Korea
England v Austria
Turkey v Finland
Ivory Coast v Mali

 

[Chocolate Raines]

North America: United States (7)

do you keep forgetting to make this mexico?

 

[Wings]

Why would I? Mexico play in the Nations League.

 

[Wings]

Group A was a close one, with Italy above everyone else, only dropping one game to Ireland in Dublin. However, battle for second place was the focus, with Brazil, Switzerland and Ireland all battling for that second seed. Brazil disappointed, only drawing at home, but also only losing once to Ireland, drawing the rest of their games. Ireland failed to take advantage of their two wins over Italy and Brazil though, losing twice to Switzerland. Unfortunately for the Nati, their goal average was too bad to compete with brazil and Ireland, and they were knocked out as 4th place in the group. Ireland and Brazil on the other hand had identical goal averages, and the Irish snatched the second seed on head-to-head results.

Group B was much less even. Spain and Denmark both drew three times, however the Rioja won three times, while Denmark fell short and conceded three losses away. The second seed was contested between Portugal and Romania, but despite a strong showing by the Selecao, they fell short as well, being unable to defeat Romania, who managed to sneak their way into the Quarter-Finals.

Match between Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland in Zurich (1-0)

Romania's Hagi in action against Denmark in Cluj (4-0).

 

[Wings]

Group C was probably the weakest group of them all, with Mexico taking first place. The Mexicans managed to exploit more uneven performances from Norway despite a strong showing at home. For a single point, Mexico managed to take first seed, notably thanks to their double victory against Sweden, who finished just behind their Nordic companions.

Group D was also desperately close, with the Mannschaft topping the group on goal average after thrashing everyone except Colombia at home. That would serve the Colombians well, who would also advance, despite Argentina nearly snatching it after strong showings against Bulgaria and Germany at home. Bulgaria would finish the group third thanks to their 8-0 loss to Germany, and Argentina dead last despite only trailing a point from first place.

Mexican celebrations after thrashing Russia 5-0 in Monterrey, securing first place in the group

Bulgarian striker Hristo Stoichkov takes a free kick during Germany v Bulgaria (8-0)

 

[Unknown]

My picks to advance to the semi-finals: Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Germany.

BTW, what network is broadcasting the Nations League Final in the US? Is it still ESPN?

 

[Wings]

Yeah, still ESPN would be my guess.

 

[Unknown]

Makes sense--the Nations League tournament ITTL probably sustained ESPN (they did air Australian rules football at one point, so this makes a lot of sense)...

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

I think that Norway scored three wins, not just two. Two at home and another one against Sweden.

 

[Wings]

I think that Norway scored three wins, not just two. Two at home and another one against Sweden.

That's my mistake, Sweden won that game.

 

[Wings]

The Quarter-Finals started off with a huge double upset. Norway beat Germany at home, but then shocked the world by also beating the Germans away, taking advantage of several injuries in the German lineup to book themselves their first ever Semi-Final spot, where they would face Italy, who had no problems in defeating Romania. Spain also had no real problems defeating Ireland, drawing in Dublin before smashing the Irish 4-0 at home. They would face off against Mexico, who defeated Colombia and also made their way to their first ever Semi-Finals.

Italian players celebrating Casiraghi's second goal against Romania in Parma.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Spain has a quite easy way ahead til the finals...

 

[Unknown]

Well, I didn't expect Norway to beat Germany--still, I'm glad I was three-fourths right...

My picks for the final: Spain vs. Italy, with Italy winning their third Nations League title...

 

[Wings]

Spain has a quite easy way ahead til the finals...

Yeah, if they fall short here it'll be disappointing.

Well, I didn't expect Norway to beat Germany--still, I'm glad I was three-fourths right...

My picks for the final: Spain vs. Italy, with Italy winning their third Nations League title...

Italy are the big favourites right now.

 

[Wings]

Norway would continue to baffle the world in the Semi-Finals. Despite being rolled over, their offensive strides proved to be fatal for the Squadra Azzura who panicked, leading to fouls and the sending off of both Roberto Baggio and Paolo Maldini leading to a dominant Norwegian victory in Oslo. The Squadra Azzura failed to answer back during their home leg, leaving Norway to cruise towards their first ever final in what fans started to call the "Norwegian Miracle Run". They would meet Spain in the final, who snatched their spot by coming back twice against Mexico, hanging onto a draw after their victory at home to send them through.

Norwegian players celebrate as they clutch their first ever final.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Spain did as expected. Italy did not.

Behold!

 

[Wings]

The final in Wembley was one few expected, with both Norway and Spain, none being favourites at the beginning of the tournament, coming onto the pitch. The final was very slow paced, with few attempts at goal as each side judged each other. Spain were the first to strike, late into the first half, with Hierro setting up Kiko with a good ball, unfortunately saved by Grodas. Norway reacted fast enough, in two seperate occasions before half-time, with Solskjaer whiffing a shot over the bar, while Zubizaretta had to stop a long-range attempt from Rekdal. The draw continued throughout the second half with few managing to get serious chances. At the 83rd minute, Solskjaer yet again tried but failed to score as his shot went past Zubizaretta's right post, while 5 minutes later a header from Lopez was cleared by the norwegian defense. Norway would have one last chance before the final whistle, but Leonhardsen's free kick would go over the bar.
Yet again, we would go to extra time in a Nations League final. Norway played slow and controlled, while Spain pushed forward with the ball. The Norwegians as such didn't have many chances, instead stopping the Rioja's attempts, most notably with Guerrero's shot at the 101st minute, being cleared by Johnsen, while a second header by Lopez after the start of the second half would fly past Grodas' net. Right as everyone thought it would go to penalties, Norway switched on in a despeate counter-attack, Flo finding Solskjaer alone, the Molde forward sending the ball straight into the net, gifting Norway a Nations League title to conclude the "Norwegian miracle run". In the end, while Europe praised Sweden's "golden generation", they would never win a title in the 90s, but their Nordic neighbours, Denmark and Norway, would surpass expectations and strike a silver star on their jersey.

Spoiler

Spanish players lie disappointed after a goalless first 90 minutes.

Norwegian midfielder Rekdal during one of the many intermediate phases of the final during extra time.

Norwegian players celebrate in their usual colours in front of their fans after winning their first Nations League title.