Silver Road and Golden Stripes, Yet Another Football TL
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Final 2006-07
The two nations present in this final had been eliminated from last year's Nations League in the first round, and they were now here to turn the tables and hunt for another title. Italy were the first ones to strike, with a good pass from Pirlo finding Cassano, who couldn't put the shot on target. A few minutes later, Del Piero also failed to find a goal, although this time he would manage to hit it on target, with Ricardo coming in with a save. However, it was Portugal that would strike first blood in the game. A foul by Cannavaro on Cristiano Ronaldo gave Deco a free kick 35 minutes in. The portuguese attacking midfielder sent the ball directly into the box, flying over several players, before the Italians managed to clear it...into Cristiano Ronaldo's waiting arms, as his right foot shot the ball straight into Buffon's net, giving Portugal a 1-0 lead at half-time.
The Selecao continued pressing their advantage in the second half, with Deco shooting twice on target as the Squadra Azzura failed to react. The Italians would have their chance on a corner kick taken by Ambrosini, who found Chiellini, but the Italian defender's header was saved by Ricardo. Two minutes later, Simao tried to find Nuno Gomes in the box, but the portuguese forward's shot was stopped by Buffon, who didn't manage to completely clear the ball. Cristiano Ronaldo was lurking there however, and made it 2-0 for the Selecao. Ten minutes later, the Portuguese made it 3 as a corner kick from Simao found Raul Meireles, which was the last straw for the Italians. Down 3-0 and without a chance to come back, they let the game slip out of their hands, handing Portugal their 3rd ever title, nearly forty years after their last one.
Totti gets ready for a free kick during the first half
Portuguese celebrations as they score their third goal of the game
Portuguese players can hardly believe it as the final whistle is blown, giving them the 2007 Nations League title
The Selecao continued pressing their advantage in the second half, with Deco shooting twice on target as the Squadra Azzura failed to react. The Italians would have their chance on a corner kick taken by Ambrosini, who found Chiellini, but the Italian defender's header was saved by Ricardo. Two minutes later, Simao tried to find Nuno Gomes in the box, but the portuguese forward's shot was stopped by Buffon, who didn't manage to completely clear the ball. Cristiano Ronaldo was lurking there however, and made it 2-0 for the Selecao. Ten minutes later, the Portuguese made it 3 as a corner kick from Simao found Raul Meireles, which was the last straw for the Italians. Down 3-0 and without a chance to come back, they let the game slip out of their hands, handing Portugal their 3rd ever title, nearly forty years after their last one.
Totti gets ready for a free kick during the first half
Portuguese celebrations as they score their third goal of the game
Portuguese players can hardly believe it as the final whistle is blown, giving them the 2007 Nations League title
2006-07 Stats & 07-08 Intro
Winners: Portugal - 3rd title
Top Scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) - 10 goals
Prediction Winner(s): @MatthewFirth & @Red Arturoist - 1st title (8, 4-2-2-0 & 2-2-2-2)
2007-08 Participants:
Europe: Italy (52), France (36), Germany (53), Croatia (14), Netherlands (35), Spain (51), Czech Republic (12), Portugal (24), England (51), Romania (22), Greece (6), Ukraine (3), Serbia (1), Sweden (36), Poland (20), Turkey (7), Scotland (26), Russia (11), Bosnia and Herzegovina (1), Northern Ireland (1), Bulgaria (7), Denmark (24)
South America: Brazil (53), Argentina (51), Uruguay (32), Paraguay (10), Colombia (17)
North America: Mexico (29), United States (11)
Africa: Cameroon (6), Nigeria (7), Ivory Coast (2)
Final Location: Ernst-Happel Stadion, Vienna
Groups & Seeding
Group A: Spain, Cameroon, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group B: Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Northern Ireland
Group C: France, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria
Group D: Germany, Portugal, United States, Paraguay
Group E: Argentina, Romania, Uruguay, Ivory Coast
Group F: Brazil, England, Scotland, Denmark
Group G: Netherlands, Czech Republic, Sweden, Colombia
Group H: Italy, Mexico, Russia, Nigeria
My predictions for who will advance to the knockout rounds:
Group A: Spain, Cameroon, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group B: Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Northern Ireland
Group C: France, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria
Group D: Germany, Portugal, United States, Paraguay
Group E: Argentina, Romania, Uruguay, Ivory Coast
Group F: Brazil, England, Scotland, Denmark
Group G: Netherlands, Czech Republic, Sweden, Colombia
Group H: Italy, Mexico, Russia, Nigeria
Group A: Spain, Cameroon, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group B: Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Northern Ireland
Group C: France, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria
Group D: Germany, Portugal, United States, Paraguay
Group E: Argentina, Romania, Uruguay, Ivory Coast
Group F: Brazil, England, Scotland, Denmark
Group G: Netherlands, Czech Republic, Sweden, Colombia
Group H: Italy, Mexico, Russia, Nigeria
FIFA Cup 2006-07
(No points for the group stages, too volatile)
Group A: 1. Slovakia 2. Venezuela 3. Albania 4. Russia 5. Norway
Group B: 1. Burkina Faso 2. Trinidad and Tobago 3. Bulgaria 4. Uzbekistan 5. Chile
Group C: 1. Costa Rica 2. Ireland 3. North Macedonia 4. Israel 5. Slovenia
Group D: 1. Morocco 2. Qatar 3. Iran 4. Finland 5. Belgium
Group E: 1. Zambia 2. Lithuania 3. Senegal 4. Guatemala 5. Peru
Group F: 1. Angola 2. Serbia 3. Belarus 4. Togo 5. Austria
Group G: 1. Australia 2. Japan 3. DR Congo 4. Wales 5. Zimbabwe
Group H: 1. Scotland 2. Bosnia and Herzegovina 3. Mali 4. South Korea 5. Moldova
Belarus v Scotland 1-1 / 0-2
North Macedonia v Morocco 1-3 / 0-1
Iran v Australia 2-1 / 2-4 aet
Bulgaria v Zambia 2-2 / 2-1
DR Congo v Slovakia 2-1 / 1-3
Albania v Angola 1-1 / 0-9
Senegal v Burkina Faso 4-1 / 1-1
Mali v Costa Rica 2-1 / 4-0
Paraguay v Serbia 1-3 / 1-0
Ivory Coast v Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 / 1-0
Egypt v Venezuela 0-2 / 2-1
Colombia v Japan 3-0 / 1-1
Germany v Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 / 3-3
Mexico v Republic of Ireland 1-1 / 1-3
Ghana v Lithuania 3-1 / 3-1
Greece v Qatar 1-0 / 2-1
Scotland v Morocco 3-2 / 0-2
Australia v Bulgaria 2-0 / 2-1
Slovakia v Angola 1-1 / 1-2 aet
Senegal v Mali 2-2 / 2-1
Serbia v Ivory Coast 2-2 / 0-0
Venezuela v Colombia 1-3 / 2-1
Germany v Republic of Ireland 3-1 / 2-3
Ghana v Greece 1-0 / 1-3
Morocco v Australia 2-2 / 0-0
Angola v Senegal 3-2 / 1-1
Ivory Coast v Colombia 6-1 / 0-0
Germany v Greece 0-0 / 3-0
Australia v Angola 2-0 / 1-1
Ivory Coast v Germany 3-0 / 2-2
Australia v Ivory Coast 2-0
Winners: Australia - 2nd title
2007-08 Participants:
Europe: Israel (32), Norway (17), Ireland (23), Finland (14), Slovakia (10), Switzerland (24), Hungary (23), Albania (2), North Macedonia (2), Belarus (3), Belgium (20)
South America: Chile (30), Peru (26), Ecuador (14), Venezuela (4), Bolivia (6)
North America: Costa Rica (11), Canada (10), Honduras (18), Trinidad and Tobago (9), Panama (1)
Africa: Morocco (29), Tunisia (24), Egypt (34), Guinea (8), Ghana (26), Senegal (7), Mali (8), Angola (7), Togo (3), South Africa (6), Zambia (17), Cape Verde (1)
Asia: Japan (11), Iran (27), South Korea (31), Saudi Arabia (17), Uzbekistan (5), Iraq (18)
Oceania: Australia (27)
Final Location: Ohenje Djan Stadium, Accra
Groups & Seeding
Group A: Norway, Iran, South Korea, Zambia, North Macedonia
Group B: Tunisia, Switzerland, Ecuador, Uzbekistan, Albania
Group C: Finland, Guinea, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Hungary
Group D: Egypt, Ghana, Peru, Togo, Belarus
Group E: Slovakia, Chile, Australia, South Africa, Belgium
Group F: Ireland, Senegal, Costa Rica, Iraq, Cape Verde
Group G: Israel, Japan, Canada, Honduras, Panama
Group H: Morocco, Mali, Saudi Arabia, Angola, Bolivia
Group A: 1. Slovakia 2. Venezuela 3. Albania 4. Russia 5. Norway
Group B: 1. Burkina Faso 2. Trinidad and Tobago 3. Bulgaria 4. Uzbekistan 5. Chile
Group C: 1. Costa Rica 2. Ireland 3. North Macedonia 4. Israel 5. Slovenia
Group D: 1. Morocco 2. Qatar 3. Iran 4. Finland 5. Belgium
Group E: 1. Zambia 2. Lithuania 3. Senegal 4. Guatemala 5. Peru
Group F: 1. Angola 2. Serbia 3. Belarus 4. Togo 5. Austria
Group G: 1. Australia 2. Japan 3. DR Congo 4. Wales 5. Zimbabwe
Group H: 1. Scotland 2. Bosnia and Herzegovina 3. Mali 4. South Korea 5. Moldova
Belarus v Scotland 1-1 / 0-2
North Macedonia v Morocco 1-3 / 0-1
Iran v Australia 2-1 / 2-4 aet
Bulgaria v Zambia 2-2 / 2-1
DR Congo v Slovakia 2-1 / 1-3
Albania v Angola 1-1 / 0-9
Senegal v Burkina Faso 4-1 / 1-1
Mali v Costa Rica 2-1 / 4-0
Paraguay v Serbia 1-3 / 1-0
Ivory Coast v Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 / 1-0
Egypt v Venezuela 0-2 / 2-1
Colombia v Japan 3-0 / 1-1
Germany v Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 / 3-3
Mexico v Republic of Ireland 1-1 / 1-3
Ghana v Lithuania 3-1 / 3-1
Greece v Qatar 1-0 / 2-1
Scotland v Morocco 3-2 / 0-2
Australia v Bulgaria 2-0 / 2-1
Slovakia v Angola 1-1 / 1-2 aet
Senegal v Mali 2-2 / 2-1
Serbia v Ivory Coast 2-2 / 0-0
Venezuela v Colombia 1-3 / 2-1
Germany v Republic of Ireland 3-1 / 2-3
Ghana v Greece 1-0 / 1-3
Morocco v Australia 2-2 / 0-0
Angola v Senegal 3-2 / 1-1
Ivory Coast v Colombia 6-1 / 0-0
Germany v Greece 0-0 / 3-0
Australia v Angola 2-0 / 1-1
Ivory Coast v Germany 3-0 / 2-2
Australia v Ivory Coast 2-0
Winners: Australia - 2nd title
2007-08 Participants:
Europe: Israel (32), Norway (17), Ireland (23), Finland (14), Slovakia (10), Switzerland (24), Hungary (23), Albania (2), North Macedonia (2), Belarus (3), Belgium (20)
South America: Chile (30), Peru (26), Ecuador (14), Venezuela (4), Bolivia (6)
North America: Costa Rica (11), Canada (10), Honduras (18), Trinidad and Tobago (9), Panama (1)
Africa: Morocco (29), Tunisia (24), Egypt (34), Guinea (8), Ghana (26), Senegal (7), Mali (8), Angola (7), Togo (3), South Africa (6), Zambia (17), Cape Verde (1)
Asia: Japan (11), Iran (27), South Korea (31), Saudi Arabia (17), Uzbekistan (5), Iraq (18)
Oceania: Australia (27)
Final Location: Ohenje Djan Stadium, Accra
Groups & Seeding
Group A: Norway, Iran, South Korea, Zambia, North Macedonia
Group B: Tunisia, Switzerland, Ecuador, Uzbekistan, Albania
Group C: Finland, Guinea, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Hungary
Group D: Egypt, Ghana, Peru, Togo, Belarus
Group E: Slovakia, Chile, Australia, South Africa, Belgium
Group F: Ireland, Senegal, Costa Rica, Iraq, Cape Verde
Group G: Israel, Japan, Canada, Honduras, Panama
Group H: Morocco, Mali, Saudi Arabia, Angola, Bolivia
Group A: Spain, Cameroon, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group B: Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Northern Ireland
Group C: France, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria
Group D: Germany, Portugal, United States, Paraguay
Group E: Argentina, Romania, Uruguay, Ivory Coast
Group F: Brazil, England, Scotland, Denmark
Group G: Netherlands, Czech Republic, Sweden, Colombia
Group H: Italy, Mexico, Russia, Nigeria
Group B: Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Northern Ireland
Group C: France, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria
Group D: Germany, Portugal, United States, Paraguay
Group E: Argentina, Romania, Uruguay, Ivory Coast
Group F: Brazil, England, Scotland, Denmark
Group G: Netherlands, Czech Republic, Sweden, Colombia
Group H: Italy, Mexico, Russia, Nigeria
Just for the fun
Group A: Cameroon, Serbia,
Group B: Croatia, Northern Ireland
Group C: Ukraine, Poland
Group D: Portugal, United States
Group E: Romania, Uruguay
Group F: Scotland, Denmark
Group G: Czech Republic. Sweden
Group H: México, Russia
Group A: Cameroon, Serbia,
Group B: Croatia, Northern Ireland
Group C: Ukraine, Poland
Group D: Portugal, United States
Group E: Romania, Uruguay
Group F: Scotland, Denmark
Group G: Czech Republic. Sweden
Group H: México, Russia
Groups A-D 2007-08
Group A started out with favourites Spain completely steamrolling the competition. Placed in an easy group, La Rioja only conceded one goal during the whole round, and got six easy wins in the bag. Battle was tight for second place though, with Bosnia coming out on top thanks to Cameroon losing to last-placed Serbia, allowing them to take second seed right above the african nation.
Group B was tied up as it consisted of only UEFA-affiliated nations. With everyone beating everyone, the two spots for the knockout stage were fiercly fought for, and it was Croatia that ended up on top, with Greece taking second thanks to their two wins over Turkey. Despite two wins over the Greeks, Northern Ireland wouldn't be able to snatch a FIFA Cup slot, as Turkey managed to grab that under their noses.
France easily dispatched their eastern european opposition in Group C, getting four wins and two draws over pretty mediocre squads. Ukraine and Poland were the only ones contesting for the second spot, as Bulgaria got completely wiped. However, Bulgaria would manage to hold a draw against Ukraine, who also failed to beat Poland, enabling the Poles to make it to knockouts, while Ukraine sank to the FIFA Cup.
Group D was full of upsets. While Germany and Portugal were both expected to easily make it out of groups, they both fell short in spectacular ways, making both Paraguay and the United States advance instead. Both had to battle for the FIFA Cup, and it was the Mannschaft that would get that ticket, leaving the titleholders knocked out even before the year 2008.
Paraguayan players celebrate qualifying for the knockout stage as first seed.
Transfer to FIFA Cup:
Cameroon (26), vs Japan
Turkey (19), vs Zambia
Ukraine (7), vs Costa Rica
Germany (5), vs Venezuela
Group B was tied up as it consisted of only UEFA-affiliated nations. With everyone beating everyone, the two spots for the knockout stage were fiercly fought for, and it was Croatia that ended up on top, with Greece taking second thanks to their two wins over Turkey. Despite two wins over the Greeks, Northern Ireland wouldn't be able to snatch a FIFA Cup slot, as Turkey managed to grab that under their noses.
France easily dispatched their eastern european opposition in Group C, getting four wins and two draws over pretty mediocre squads. Ukraine and Poland were the only ones contesting for the second spot, as Bulgaria got completely wiped. However, Bulgaria would manage to hold a draw against Ukraine, who also failed to beat Poland, enabling the Poles to make it to knockouts, while Ukraine sank to the FIFA Cup.
Group D was full of upsets. While Germany and Portugal were both expected to easily make it out of groups, they both fell short in spectacular ways, making both Paraguay and the United States advance instead. Both had to battle for the FIFA Cup, and it was the Mannschaft that would get that ticket, leaving the titleholders knocked out even before the year 2008.
Paraguayan players celebrate qualifying for the knockout stage as first seed.
Transfer to FIFA Cup:
Cameroon (26), vs Japan
Turkey (19), vs Zambia
Ukraine (7), vs Costa Rica
Germany (5), vs Venezuela
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Groups E-H 2007-08
No problem for Argentina and Uruguay in their group. The two south american squads easily beat everyone else, including the Ivory Coast, who were considered as a dark horse in the tournament and were transferred to the FIFA Cup over Romania.
No problem either for both Brazil and England, who both easily advanced over Denmark and Scotland, with the Scots' return to the Nations League not being triumphant, gaining a grand total of four points, and being unable to clinch a FIFA Cup slot.
There were problems for the Dutch, however. Considered one of the favorites of the tournament, the Dutch completely sank, only managing to get one win against Sweden. Their performance was so terrible, they didn't even manage to get a FIFA Cup spot, that one going to Colombia, while Sweden and the Czech Republic advanced.
Italy wouldn't face the same fate, the Squadra Azzura dispatching their opponents almost perfectly as Russia barely clinched second place, right above Mexico and Nigeria. The Super Eagles wouldn't live up to the hype as they would drop out of both the Nations League and the FIFA Cup.
Russia's Pavlyuchenko poses with the Russian flag after his squad secures a knockout stage spot after defeating Italy 1-0 in Moscow.
Transfer to FIFA Cup:
Ivory Coast (26), vs Australia
Denmark (15), vs Bolivia
Colombia (15), vs Tunisia
Mexico (18), vs Egypt
Round of 16:
Greece v Spain (Athens, Sevilla)
United States v Argentina (Houston, Buenos Aires (Bombonera))
England v France (London (Stamford Bridge), Marseille)
Uruguay v Brazil (Montevideo, Porto Alegre)
Russia v Paraguay (St.Petersburg, Asuncion)
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Sweden (Sarajevo, Malmo)
Czech Republic v Italy (Prague, Rome)
Poland v Croatia (Warsaw, Zagreb)
No problem either for both Brazil and England, who both easily advanced over Denmark and Scotland, with the Scots' return to the Nations League not being triumphant, gaining a grand total of four points, and being unable to clinch a FIFA Cup slot.
There were problems for the Dutch, however. Considered one of the favorites of the tournament, the Dutch completely sank, only managing to get one win against Sweden. Their performance was so terrible, they didn't even manage to get a FIFA Cup spot, that one going to Colombia, while Sweden and the Czech Republic advanced.
Italy wouldn't face the same fate, the Squadra Azzura dispatching their opponents almost perfectly as Russia barely clinched second place, right above Mexico and Nigeria. The Super Eagles wouldn't live up to the hype as they would drop out of both the Nations League and the FIFA Cup.
Russia's Pavlyuchenko poses with the Russian flag after his squad secures a knockout stage spot after defeating Italy 1-0 in Moscow.
Transfer to FIFA Cup:
Ivory Coast (26), vs Australia
Denmark (15), vs Bolivia
Colombia (15), vs Tunisia
Mexico (18), vs Egypt
Round of 16:
Greece v Spain (Athens, Sevilla)
United States v Argentina (Houston, Buenos Aires (Bombonera))
England v France (London (Stamford Bridge), Marseille)
Uruguay v Brazil (Montevideo, Porto Alegre)
Russia v Paraguay (St.Petersburg, Asuncion)
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Sweden (Sarajevo, Malmo)
Czech Republic v Italy (Prague, Rome)
Poland v Croatia (Warsaw, Zagreb)
I predict:
Round of 16:
Greece v Spain (Athens, Sevilla)
United States v Argentina (Houston, Buenos Aires (Bombonera))
England v France (London (Stamford Bridge), Marseille)
Uruguay v Brazil (Montevideo, Porto Alegre)
Russia v Paraguay (St.Petersburg, Asuncion)
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Sweden (Sarajevo, Malmo)
Czech Republic v Italy (Prague, Rome)
Poland v Croatia (Warsaw, Zagreb)
Round of 16:
Greece v Spain (Athens, Sevilla)
United States v Argentina (Houston, Buenos Aires (Bombonera))
England v France (London (Stamford Bridge), Marseille)
Uruguay v Brazil (Montevideo, Porto Alegre)
Russia v Paraguay (St.Petersburg, Asuncion)
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Sweden (Sarajevo, Malmo)
Czech Republic v Italy (Prague, Rome)
Poland v Croatia (Warsaw, Zagreb)
Greece v Spain
United States v Argentina
England v France
Uruguay v Brazil
Russia v Paraguay
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Sweden
Czech Republic v Italy
Poland v Croatia
United States v Argentina
England v France
Uruguay v Brazil
Russia v Paraguay
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Sweden
Czech Republic v Italy
Poland v Croatia
Round of 16 2007-08
Surprisingly enough, this year every single one of the first seeded teams made it through to the Quarter-Finals. The road was easy enough for Spain, France, Paraguay, Sweden, Italy and Croatia, who all easily dispatched their opponents. Brazil struggled against Uruguay but still made it through, while their neighbours Argentina had to struggle even harder against the US, drawing them twice yet again, and once more making their way to Quarters on away goals.
Brazilian players celebrate their 1-0 win over Uruguay
Red 6
Unknown 6
Matthew 7
Quarter-Finals:
Spain v Argentina (Barcelona, La Plata)
France v Brazil (Lyon, Sao Paulo)
Paraguay v Sweden (Asuncion, Solna)
Italy v Croatia (Rome, Zagreb)
Brazilian players celebrate their 1-0 win over Uruguay
Red 6
Unknown 6
Matthew 7
Quarter-Finals:
Spain v Argentina (Barcelona, La Plata)
France v Brazil (Lyon, Sao Paulo)
Paraguay v Sweden (Asuncion, Solna)
Italy v Croatia (Rome, Zagreb)
Once again Argentina does that to us. I think all the quarter final matches are toss-ups so it's hard to decide.