Silver Road and Golden Stripes, Yet Another Football TL

[MatthewFirth]

Group A: Argentina, England, Netherlands, Belgium
Group B: Portugal, United States, Czech Republic, Chile
Group C: Italy, Brazil, Slovakia, France
Group D: Denmark, Turkey, Spain, Croatia

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

England, Netherlands
United States, Czech Republic,
Brazil, France
Denmark, Croatia

 

[Wings]

Group A, along with Group C, was one of the two "groups of death" of this second group stage, with the two others being much weaker relatively to the two mastodonts. However, while everyone predicted two of Argentina, England or the Netherlands making it out, it was Belgium who surprised everyone and managed to get a very clean record, ending the group in first place. The battle raged for second, but in the end the Dutch joined their neighbours in the Quarter-Finals, while Argentina and England headed out.

Group B was supposed to be easy as could be for Portugal, who just came out of a brilliant run at Euro 2000. However, after defeating the Czechs 4-1, it all went downhill as Portugal didn't find a single more win, including two homes games where Chile and the US equalized at the last second, denying them four points in total, which would have been essential to advance. Portugal ended dead last, while the Czech Republic and Chile advanced. The US were left waiting, only a point from qualification.

* CZE - CHL is 2-1

Group C was a big one, with Italy, France and Brazil all fighting for only two spots in the Quarter-Finals. Italy topped the group, only losing once, to Brazil, and holding a draw in France. France and Brazil therefore had to battle for second, with France coming out on top. The french had to pass on goal average however, as their loss to Slovakia meant they had the same amount of points as the Selecao at the end of the day.

Group D was one of the weaker ones, but compared to Group B still had a higher level of play. Spain easily topped the group, completely overshadowing the other European squads. Suker's Croatia managed to make a good run, while Denmark, considered an outsider to make it out, fell flat. As a result, the Croatians booked their ticket to the Quarter-Finals, while Denmark would have to wait another year for a new shot at the knockout stages.

France's Zidane in action against Brazil in Group C.

Quarter-Finals:
Chile v Spain
Netherlands v Italy
Croatia v Czech Republic
France v Belgium

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

A "but"

The Czechs had not three draws but one, and not one loss but three.

 

[Wings]

The mistake is on the Chilean games, the Czechs won three and lost three (CZE - CHL is 2-1).

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Spain
Italy
Czech Republic
France

 

[Wings]

The Quarter-Finals started off with an easy matchup for titleholders Spain. Chile never stood a chance, and although they put up a good fight, Spain still won the day. Similarly, Croatia easily dispatched the Czech Republic after an easy home victory. Another game that wasn't even close was France against Belgium, but not in the way epople were expecting. Indeed, the Belgians upset the French twice, winning two impressive games and advancing towards the Semi-Finals. The Dutch-Italian match was the closest of them all, with no team actually managing to score in 210 minutes. Their fate was decided on penalties, where Italy came out on top, winning out 4-3.

Italian goalkeeper Toldo stops Frank de Boer's penalty, allowing his team to defeat the Dutch on penalties once more

 

[Chocolate Raines]

Spain-Italy final

 

[Unknown]

My semifinal picks: Spain and Belgium.

Winner: Spain.

 

[Wings]

Spain were eager to get in line for their second consecutive title, so much so that Euro finalists Italy never stood a chance against La Roja. Led by start striker Raul, Spain snatched a 3-1 victory in Camp Nou against the Squadra Azzura. The Italians wouldn't be able to bring it back, and left disappointed. Croatia on the other hand had to battle it out with the Red Devils for 95, then 115 minutes before snatching their own ticket for the final, their first ever international tournament final, thanks to Davor Suker, who cemented his legacy as one of Croatia's greatest by sending his team into the final against Spain, for a rematch of the second group stage.

Italian players lie distraught after their elimination at the hands of Spain in San Siro.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Go Belgium. go!

 

[Wings]

Go Belgium. go!

Hum...

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Hum...

No inverse psichology here, methinks.

 

[Wings]

The final would see a rematch of the second group stage confrontation between Spain and Croatia, with the Spaniards having won both previous games, 5-1 at home and 1-0 away. Spain started off very well, as an early free kick into the box went straight onto Alfonso, who shot the ball towards goal. The ball went straight onto Croatian defender Bilic, who had the misfortune to block the ball with his hand in order to shield his face. Peruvian referee Hidalgo deemed this worthy of a penalty, which Mendieta took and scored, making it 1-0 in favour of Spain after only 10 minutes. Croatia would similarly be awared a penalty 15 minutes later, as Paco brought down Prosinecki irregularly, giving Suker th opportunity to equalize.
Nothing else happened during the first half, but the pace of the game picked up during the second. This time, Croatia struck first, with a corner kick by Prosinecki finding Jurcic's header, sending it straight past Canizares. Spain responded with a goal of their own ten minutes later, Guardiola finding Raul unmarked and sending him a perfect ball to equalize.
Things stayed put from there and both teams headed towards extra time. Fearful of making a mistake, neither team dared move up the field. It wasn't until the 113th minute that a goal came, and it would be Croatian. Launched by Stancic, the ball made its way up the field towards Tudor who dribbled past Aranzabal to send a decent cross towards Suker. The star Croatian striker didn't falter and scored the golden goal, allowing his team to win their first ever Nations League title.

Spoiler

Spanish players complain about a refereeing decision to give Croatia a penalty, allowing them to level the score

Croatian players celebrate after Davor Suker scores the golden goal, allowing Croatia to win the final

Croatian players pose with their medals after lifting their first ever Nations League trophy

 

[Wings]

Winners: Croatia - 1st title
Top Scorer: Thierry Henry (FRA) - 7 goals

2001-02 Participants:
Europe: France (30), Italy (46), Germany (47), Czech Republic (6), Spain (45), Portugal (18), Netherlands (29), FR Yugoslavia (34), Romania (17), England (45), Croatia (8), Denmark (18), Sweden (30), Russia (7), Norway (9), Ireland (9), Poland (16), Belgium (16)
South America: Brazil (47), Argentina (45), Colombia (10), Paraguay (5), Uruguay (27)
North America: Mexico (23), United States (5), Honduras (1), Costa Rica (1), Trinidad and Tobago (2)
Africa: Tunisia (5), South Africa (5), Morocco (5)
Asia: Japan (3)

Final Location: International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Groups & Seeding
Group A: Colombia, United States, Denmark, Japan
Group B: Argentina, Romania, Sweden, Belgium
Group C: France, England, Norway, Ireland
Group D: Brazil, FR Yugoslavia, Russia, Morocco
Group E: Germany, Netherlands, Tunisia, Trinidad and Tobago
Group F: Spain, Mexico, Honduras, Poland
Group G: Italy, Portugal, Croatia, Costa Rica
Group H: Czech Republic, Paraguay, Uruguay, South Africa

 

[Wings]

Austria v Ivory Coast 1-2 / 0-0
Zambia v Japan 2-0 / 1-0
FR Yugoslavia v Mexico 4-2 / 0-3
Iran v Iceland 2-1 / 0-1
Poland v Bulgaria 4-0 / 2-0
Tunisia v Jamaica 0-0 / 2-2
Ireland v Colombia 2-2 / 0-2
Uruguay v Ghana 1-2 / 2-2
Germany v Finland 3-0 / 6-0
Peru v Honduras 1-2 / 0-2
South Korea v Hungary 1-1 / 2-2
Israel v Canada 3-1 / 2-3
Cameroon v Greece 3-0 / 1-3
Morocco v Nigeria 6-0 / 1-4
Ukraine v Russia 1-1 / 2-1
Slovenia v Angola 2-0 / 3-0

Ivory Coast v Zambia 2-0 / 0-1
Mexico v Iceland 1-0 / 1-0
Poland v Tunisia 1-2 / 0-1
Colombia v Ghana 2-0 / 0-1
Germany v Honduras 2-0 / 2-0
South Korea v Israel 2-0 / 2-3
Cameroon v Morocco 1-1 / 2-5
Ukraine v Slovenia 1-2 / 1-2

Ivory Coast v Mexico 1-1 / 1-1 aet 3-4 pen
Tunisia v Colombia 3-2 / 3-2
Germany v South Korea 2-1 / 2-3
Morocco v Slovenia 2-1 / 1-0

Mexico v Tunisia 3-1 / 2-4
Germany v Morocco 1-0 / 2-2

Mexico v Germany 0-1
Winners: Germany - 1st title

2001-02 Participants:
Europe: Turkey (17), Scotland (21), Slovakia (5), Israel (26), Slovenia (2), Ukraine (3), Austria (22), Bulgaria (29), Hungary (20), Finland (8), Greece (30)
South America: Chile (26), Peru (22), Ecuador (10)
North America: Jamaica (6)
Africa: Nigeria (17), Cameroon (25), Egypt (29), Ivory Coast (20), Angola (4)
Asia: Saudi Arabia (12), South Korea (27), Iran (23)
Oceania: Australia (22)

Final Location: Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako
Bracket Order
Israel v Australia
Nigeria v Ivory Coast
4th Best 3rd-Place v Angola
2nd Best 3rd-Place v Finland
Turkey v Ecuador
3rd Best 3rd-Place v 7th Best 3rd-Place
Peru v Hungary
South Korea v Ukraine
Egypt v 6th Best 3rd-Place
Slovenia v Jamaica
Scotland v 5th Best 3rd-Place
Chile v 8th Best 3rd-Place
Cameroon v Greece
1st Best 3rd-Place v Iran
Saudi Arabia v Austria
Slovakia v Bulgaria

 

[Wings]

Group A was one of the most interesting ones, with no two representatives from a single continent. Denmark were the favourites of this group, but it was Japan who took the lead, winning all their home games, and only losing to Denmark and the USA. The US themselves disappointed, and after a good run last year, they exited this year's tournament with a single win. Denmark and Colombia battled for second place, and with Colombia's win over the Danes in Medellin, Denmark had pressure to perform. However, they wouldn't be able to win the return game, dropping to the FIFA Cup, while Colombia clinched second place.

Group B wasn't much of a challenge for Argentina, who didn't even drop a single game in the group, although they did draw twice. Romania took second place off of a disappointing Belgian squad, who barely scraped the FIFA Cup thanks to their two wins over Sweden who were thereofre left on the sidelines.

Group C was seen as daunting for Ireland and Norway with the two mammoths of France and England. There too however, people were wrong. England got thrashed at Stamford Bridge 5-1 on the first day, but did manage to recover afterwards. However, they failed to beat Ireland and despite a 4-0 lead at Elland Road at the 74th minute, Robbie Keane scored four goals in 15 minutes to give Ireland the draw. With France losing to both Norway and Ireland away, victory was imperative for them at home, and they didn't disappoint, thrashing England 4-1 to secure second seed, while Ireland took first. England would have to take their chances in the FIFA Cup.

As for Group D, it wasn't much of a contest for Brazil, who only let two points slip through when they drew Russia in Moscow. With first place out of reach, it was a battle for second, which the Russians won, notably thanks to their draw against the Selecao. Morocco would come close to snatching second but would have to be content with a spot in the FIFA Cup instead, while Yugoslavia sank last.

Robbie Keane scores another goal for Ireland in Elland Road, bringing the score to 4-3 for England. He would score one more after this.

Transfer to FIFA Cup:
Denmark (14), vs Finland
Belgium (17), vs England
England (3), vs Belgium
Morocco (23), vs Chile

 

[Wings]

No German curse this time as the Mannschaft finally managed to exit the group stages. They still played second fiddle to a strong Dutch squad, but they had no problem in handling the weaker nations of the group, finally managing to advance to the second group stage. Trinidad and Tobago on the other hand became the first nation to not score a single point in a 32-team group stage in the Nations League, going so far as to not score a single goal either.

Spain got a walk in the park for Group F, easily beating all of their opponents at home and drawing three times away, easily scraping first place. The rest of the group was much more scuffed, with everyone beating everyone,. In the end, Mexico managed to snag second seed just over Honduras, who were put into the FIFA Cup pot. Poland's return to the Nations League wasn't glorious, only winning one game against Honduras and dropping out of the competition.

Italy completely fumbled their part during this edition. Inheriting the group of death, they were still expected to battle for first with Portugal. The Selecao clutched first...but the Squadra Azzura would finish dead last, even behind titleholders Croatia, who would go down in the FIFA Cup. Instead it was Costa Rica who upset the balance, rolling on towards a historic second place and a spot in the second group stage.

Group H was the weakest one of all, with four mediocre teams battling for first. Everyone beat everyone, and in the end it was Uruguay who managed to come out on top, grabbing first place while the Czechs got second. South Africa would get a shot at redemption in the FIFA Cup, while Paraguay dropped out of both competitions without much of a splash at all.

Czech players celebrate qualifying for the second group stage after defeating South Africa

Transfer to FIFA Cup:
Tunisia (20), vs Iran
Honduras (14), vs Angola
Croatia (3), vs Egypt
South Africa (2), vs Scotland

Second Group Stage:
Group A: Costa Rica, Uruguay, Romania, Brazil
Group B: Argentina, Spain, Russia, Colombia
Group C: Japan, Republic of Ireland, Czech Republic, Germany
Group D: Mexico, Portugal, France, Netherlands

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Woa. Itally got really crushed.

 

[Wings]

Group A was supposed to be a breeze for Brazil, but the Selecao found themselves locked against a tough nut with Uruguay. The Celeste outdid themselves, not dropping a single game and drawing twice. Brazil were forced to agree for a second-place finish, right above Romania, who were unable to beat Costa Rica to get a shot at Quarters.

Group B was easy enough for Argentina, who completely annihilated any opposition, their only points lost being against Colombia, to whom they drew twice. Unfortunately Colombia weren't as decisive against Spain or Russia, and finished dead last. In the end, competition was tough, but Spain pulled through nonetheless, although it was by a hair's breath.

Germany were expected to easily handle Group C, but it wasn't to be. Dropping key points here and there, the Mannschaft were able to advance to Quarter-Finals, but not on their own terms, as they squeezed past, only getting second place. On the other hand, Ireland overachieved, and topped another group, heading towards Quarter-Finals full of confidence.

Group D saw France absolutely dominate. None of the teams got even close to their level, making France the first team to go undefeated in Nations League groups, getting six straight wins. Battle was therefore for second place, and the Netherlands barely made it over Portugal, getting a shot at glory through the Quarter-Finals.

Dutch players celebrate qualifying for the Quarter-Finals.

Quarter-Finals:
Netherlands v Uruguay
Spain v France
Germany v Argentina
Brazil v Republic of Ireland