Euro 2012

[pmcg76]

This would be typical of the Hitch's anti Sapin/Barcelona ideology. Perhaps we should look back through time and try to find the Champion teams who didnt need a penalty shoot-out or Golden Goal to win a title. Brazil in 02 were the last team who won a major title without the benefit of a penalty shoot-out win along the way. Then France in 2000 but they won twice thanks to the Golden goal and were very lucky in that final and completely flopped in 02.

Then we have to go all the way back to 88 when the Euors were a lot smaller with only 8 teams. Argentina also won in 86 without the benefit of penalties but then they did have the 'hand of God' in that tournament.

I thought Spain were worthy champions again even though they were not always brillant or interesting. However, throughout history, there have been very few major tournament winners who have played scintillating football throughout or not had the rub of the green on their side at some point. Who could forget how Oliver Kahn screwed up in the 02 WC final to hand Brazil the title. Baggio missing his spot kick in 94 etc, etc.

As most posters on here seem to be below the age of 25 I dont see how many could remember much before the 00s or late 90s so saying teams whom they never witnessed play were better is a misnomer. In 20 years time, people wont remember much about Spain other than they won 3 titles back-to-back.

Spain, worthy champions again.

 

[Descender]

They only won the semi on a coin toss though.

Of course they didn't.

Italy did in 1968 though (the only Euro they won).

Seriously, they did.

 

[the asian]

Of course they didn't.

Italy did in 1968 though (the only Euro they won).

Seriously, they did.

yr. They beat the Soviets in the Semis by the toss of a coin.
The penalty is a lottery only for the English. For others it's a strength of steel and character.
The Germans and the Czechs must be really lucky ones according to Hitch's rationale. The Czechs have not even missed a single penalty kick in 20 attempts.
That is some luck

 

[Libertine Seguros]

This would be typical of the Hitch's anti Sapin/Barcelona ideology. Perhaps we should look back through time and try to find the Champion teams who didnt need a penalty shoot-out or Golden Goal to win a title. Brazil in 02 were the last team who won a major title without the benefit of a penalty shoot-out win along the way. Then France in 2000 but they won twice thanks to the Golden goal and were very lucky in that final and completely flopped in 02.

Brazil in 2002 got lucky in that they only had to play a very weak Germany side in the final, because the opposite side of the draw was a joke. Spain and Italy (especially Spain) were screwed over in a fiddle to keep the South Koreans still in the tournament for the home interest, while France turned up thinking they only had to turn up and they'd get through the group stage. Wasn't that the tournament where Argentina struggled against someone like Nigeria after losing to England and went out in the group stages too?

France in 2000 also got lucky in that they got a penalty in golden goal in about the 118th minute or something ridiculous like that against Portugal, when the ball clearly struck Abel Xavier's hand... behind the goal line and off the field of play.

 

[l.Harm]

France got lucky Holland lost in the semi's Two missed penalty's in regular time (F. de Boer, Kluivert) against nine Italians. Then losing on penalty's of course