Silver Road and Golden Stripes, Yet Another Football TL

[MatthewFirth]

Group A: Portugal, Slovakia, FR Yugoslavia, Brazil
Group B: France, United States, Croatia, Paraguay
Group C: Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands
Group D: Spain, England, Italy, Mexico

 

[Wings]

As usual, Brazil were on fire at home, with two wins and one draw. However, their away games were much more difficult, drawing twice, against Portugal and last place Slovakia, and losing to Yugoslavia. The Yugoslavians nearly managed to upset the balance of Group A, but a loss against Slovakia shattered their hopes just short of Quarter-Finals. Portugal took advantage of this and headed straight towards the Quarter-Finals as first seed.

Group B was much more clear cut. France dominated the group, only dropping points in their games against Paraguay, drawing twice against the South American squad. Battle raged on for second place, where the US and Croatia neutralized each other twice. In the end, Croatia would advance thanks to their double victory over Paraguay, whereas the US couldn't score in Ciudad del Este and had to concede the win and the qualification for the Quarter-Finals.

Group C was much closer, with every team in the group barely scraping victories. A key example of this are the Czechs, who despite beating the Dutch, couldn't beat any other team, while Denmark only beat the Czechs, failing to beat the Swedish and Dutch. The Netherlands and Sweden only managed to sneak through to the Quarter-Finals by having two wins instead of one. First place was decided by a single goal scored, or taken, with the Oranje taking first, while Sweden would have a shot at the crown with a second seed finish.

The so-called "group of death" wasn't as close as Group C. Mexico were thrashed as predicted, but managed to get an all-important win at home against England. The Three Lions had already beaten Spain and drawn Italy, but this setback would cost them their spot in the Quarter-Finals. Indeed, Spain would go on to beat Italy and England, clutching first place, while the Italians did the bear minimum by defeating Mexico and drawing away. Their victory over England in Bergamo would send them through despite drawing at Stamford Bridge, England's three points lost against Mexico coming back to haunt them.

The Netherland's Edgar Davids tries to shrug off Czech captain Jiri Nemec during their confrontation in Prague

Quarter-Finals:
Sweden v Portugal
Brazil v Netherlands
Croatia v Spain
Italy v France

 

[Unknown]

My picks: Portugal, Brazil, Spain, France.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Portugal, Netherlands, Croatia and Italy

 

[Chocolate Raines]

Italy, Spain, Dutch, French

 

[Wings]

Quarter-Finals started off with a bang, and a really uneven confrontation. Sweden managed to hold a draw against Portugal during their home game, but were completely blown out of the water during their return leg. The result was similar for Croatia, who put up a good fight against Spain before completely crumbling away. It was harder for Brazil, who had to rely on away goals to qualify, drawing twice, but 2 goals scored in Amsterdam compared to 1 scored by the Dutch in Sao Paulo sent them through. World Champions France were the last to book their ticket to the Quarter-Finals, after a golden goal in extra time sent Italy back home.

Ronaldo attempts to break through the Dutch defense lead by Frank de Boer in Amsterdam. Two goals from the Brazilian star striker would give them their ticket for a Semi-Final confrontation with Portugal.

 

[Wings]

The clash of the Selecaos would result in a win for Brazil. After a relatively even first game, Brazil easily handled Portugal in the Maracana, finally renewing with success as they will try to get their 10th title. France on the other hand wouldn't be able to uphold their status as favourites and drop against Spain both at home and away, as a Raul on fire scored four of the five spanish goals over the course of both games.

Zidane shoots for goal during the return leg of Spain versus France.

 

[Unknown]

My pick for the winner: Brazil for their 10th title...

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Spain is doing its best perfomance so far, but I don't think that they will defeat Brazil, even if just to break with tradition. I would be quite surprised if La Roja defeats the heirs of Pelé.

 

[Wings]

The final of this edition of the Nations League was one of the most intense of all-time, with no less than eight goals scored. Contrarily to all expectations, it was Spain who started off very strong, with Raul scoring a free kick only 10 minutes in, while a corner kick would deliver a ball for Mendieta to make it two for La Roja. Brazil were fine playing from behind though, and soon enough the Selecao exploited the gaps in the Spanish defense, especially on the wings, where Leonardo and Rivaldo wreaked havoc. By the 45th minute, Cesar Sampaio and Bebeto had brought it back to 2-2. Spain managed to clutch out a lead right before half-time however, with Alfonso scoring thanks to a great delivery by Raul.
The second half was much slower, with Brazil looking to strangle out Spain, but neither Ronaldo nor Rivaldo found any opportunities to score. In fact, it was another shot by Raul to make it four for Spain with only ten minutes left to play. Ronaldo did manage to bring hope back to Brazil by scoring one goal with only added time left to spare. The Brazilians went for an all-out attack, clutching a corner kick a minute before the end. Brazil brought everyone up, but after a scuffed kick, no one found the target, and the Spaniards went onto a counter-offensive, with Mendieta scoring the final goal to secure Spain's second title, and it wouldn't be the last.

Spoiler

Roberto Carlos shoots for goal during the first half of the final

Alfonso scores Spain's third goal right before half-time

Spanish players celebrate their victory after the final whistle is blown

 

[Wings]

Winners: Spain - 2nd title
Top Scorers: Raul (ESP), Thierry Henry (FRA) & Davor Suker (CRO) - 10 goals

2000-01 Participants:
Europe: France (29), Czech Republic (5), Spain (44), Italy (45), Portugal (17), Netherlands (28), Norway (8), FR Yugoslavia (33), Germany (46), Romania (16), England (44), Croatia (7), Denmark (17), Sweden (29), Scotland (25), Russia (6), Slovakia (3), Belgium (15), Turkey (1), Greece (1)
South America: Brazil (46), Argentina (44), Paraguay (4), Colombia (9), Chile (8)
North America: Mexico (22), United States (4), Trinidad and Tobago (1)
Africa: South Africa (4), Morocco (4), Tunisia (4), Egypt (4)

Final Location: Estadio El Campin, Bogota
Groups & Seeding
Group A: France, Romania, Denmark, Greece
Group B: Brazil, Croatia, Morocco, Trinidad and Tobago
Group C: Argentina, Yugoslavia, Scotland, Slovakia
Group D: Netherlands, Germany, United States, Egypt
Group E: Portugal, Mexico, South Africa, Belgium
Group F: Italy, Norway, Chile, Tunisia
Group G: Spain, England, Sweden, Russia
Group H: Czech Republic, Paraguay, Colombia, Turkey

 

[Wings]

Belgium v Japan 0-2 / 1-1
Jamaica v Chile 1-1 / 3-2
Greece v Trinidad and Tobago 1-1 / 1-5
Russia v Lithuania 4-1 / 1-0
Bulgaria v Bolivia 2-1 / 1-0
Peru v Iceland 0-2 / 2-2
Romania v Cameroon 2-2 / 0-1
Saudi Arabia v Norway 0-1 / 2-4
Turkey v Switzerland 0-2 / 2-4
South Korea v Hungary 1-1 / 2-3
Uruguay v Israel 1-1 / 2-1 aet
Ireland v Kuwait 2-1 / 1-1
Germany v Zambia 2-1 / 0-0
Ghana v Iran 2-1 / 1-3
Argentina v Angola 2-1 / 0-0
Egypt v Ivory Coast 3-2 / 1-4

Japan v Jamaica 3-2 / 0-2
Trinidad and Tobago v Russia 3-2 / 1-0
Bulgaria v Iceland 3-0 / 1-1
Cameroon v Norway 4-0 / 1-0
Switzerland v Hungary 2-0 / 2-3
Uruguay v Ireland 2-2 / 1-0
Germany v Iran 3-1 / 3-2
Argentina v Ivory Coast 0-0 / 2-0

Jamaica v Trinidad and Tobago 1-1 / 0-1
Bulgaria v Cameroon 2-1 / 1-1
Switzerland v Uruguay 2-0 / 4-0
Germany v Argentina 1-2 / 2-2

Trinidad and Tobago v Bulgaria 2-1 / 1-1
Switzerland v Argentina 1-2 / 1-4

Trinidad and Tobago v Argentina 0-1
Winners: Argentina - 2nd title

2000-01 Participants:
Europe: Ukraine (2), Israel (25), Ireland (21), Slovenia (1), Austria (21), Poland (15), Iceland (4), Bulgaria (28), Hungary (19), Finland (7)
South America: Uruguay (19), Peru (21)
North America: Jamaica (5), Honduras (13), Canada (9)
Africa: Cameroon (24), Zambia (13), Ivory Coast (19), Angola (3), Ghana (21), Nigeria (16)
Asia: South Korea (26), Iran (22), Japan (7)

Final Location: Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain
Bracket Order
Austria v Ivory Coast
Zambia v Japan
2nd Best 3rd-place v 8th Best 3rd-place
Iran v Iceland
Poland v Bulgaria
1st Best 3rd-place v Jamaica
Ireland v 6th Best 3rd-place
Uruguay v Ghana
4th Best 3rd-place v Finland
Peru v Honduras
South Korea v Hungary
Israel v Canada
Cameroon v 7th Best 3rd-place
3rd Best 3rd-place v Nigeria
Ukraine v 5th Best 3rd-place
Slovenia v Angola

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Well, I'm a bit surprise about the incredible victory of the la Roja, but at least something remains as usual. Alfonso is unable to score -

 

[Wings]

Well, I'm a bit surprise about the incredible victory of the la Roja, but at least something remains as usual. Alfonso is unable to score -

Hey, he got one!

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Hey, he got one!

Oh yes, he did. So used to see him unable to score I thought that that "Alfonso" wasn't him...

 

[Wings]

Group A started off with a surprise. Indeed, France, the favourites to handily win the group, ended up only finishing second. Despite annihilating the competition at home, the world cup titleholders were unable to perform as well away, notably drawing to both Greece and Romania. This wouldn't have been a problem since the Danes also drew against Greece, but they at least managed to beat Romania, meaning Denmark would take first place, while France only got second. Greece would move on to the FIFA Cup thanks to their draw over Denmark.

For Brazil, it would be buisness as usual in Group B. The Selecao would do their usual thing, being invincible at home, but being completely washed up when it came to away games, drawing against everyone, including first timers Trinidad and Tobago, who would only manage to get one other point, against Morocco. This would cost the Moroccans, who would be placed into the FIFA Cup, since Croatia managed to beat the Antilles squad twice, and would advance to the second group stage.

There would be no problem at all for Argentina. The Albiceleste easily cruised through their group to get first place, only faltering twice, losing to Yugoslavia in Belgrade and drawing against Scotland at Hampden Park. The battle would be for second place, which Slovakia would clinch, despite only scoring three goals, owing to a solid defense. Scotland wouldn't be able to contest Yugoslavia's FIFA Cup spot, having gotten thrashed during their away games, only leaving with a win and a draw.

A giant upset came out of Group D. While the Netherlands and Germany were expected to easily cruise through towards the second group stage, only the Dutch made it out. Indeed, the United States put on a really good showing, not even conceding a goal at home, and bringing home three victories. This would contrast with three defeats at home, but with Germany drawing to Egypt in Alexandria, it would be enough for the USA to make it out of Group D, while Germany plunged to the FIFA Cup.

French and Danish players clash in Group A for a spot at the top of the group

Qualified for FIFA Cup:
Greece (29), vs Cameroon
Morocco (22), vs Nigeria
FR Yugoslavia (7), vs 8th Best 3rd-Placed team
Germany (2), vs Finland

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

USA looks strong...

 

[Wings]

USA looks strong...

Upsets happen.

 

[Wings]

Group E was a formality for Portugal. The Selecao easily breezed past the opposition, safe for their confrontations against Belgium, which proved closer than expected. This wouldn't come to bite them though, as Belgium also struggled away against the likes of Mexico and South Africa, leaving Portugal to take sole control of first place. Mexico and South Africa had to battle for a spot in the FIFA Cup, which Mexico got on goals scored, having scored 5 to South Africa's 4.

Group F was the closest of them all. Everyone beat and drew with everyone, and the line between elimination and first seed was of only two points. Italy would top the group thanks to their three wins at home, and despite losing all their away games. It would be Chile who got second place, as Norway disappointed and weren't able to snatch the point they were missing to qualify. Tunisia meanwhile could have had a shot to make it through to the second group stage, but missed it and were transferred to the FIFA Cup.

Spain and England didn't have to force to get out of their group. Titleholders Spain were the best, managing to get three wins at home and only dropping one game to England. The Three Lions similarly managed to hold, although with less success than their Spanish counterparts, losing to Russia and drawing Sweden twice. The Swedes wouldn't win a single game, but a strong defense meant they managed to draw an impressive five times. This wouldn't be enough to grant them passage to the FIFA Cup however, as Russia's win over England would grant them the all-important three points to take over Sweden.

One of the weakest groups was likely Group H, with only outsiders competing for two slots in the second group stage. The European squads outperformed their South American counterparts, with the Czech Republic ending up on top, with Turkey coming in second. Colombia would salvage at least a spot in the FIFA Cup, while Paraguay were simply eliminated.

Belgian players salute their fans after qualifying for the second group stage

Qualified for FIFA Cup:
Mexico (16), vs FR Yugoslavia
Tunisia (19), vs Jamaica
Russia (5), vs Ukraine
Colombia (12), vs Ireland

Second Group Stage:
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]

Group A, the hard one; C ain't easy, either.