The Keane "singlehandedly" theory

[STEVIEG]

I know that was a jibe, but yes, I would say that England were a betterteam at that tournament, as were the Croatians and the Checkers imo.

Engerlund yes the Checks always have at the ability but are Chokesville central Croatia were handy too i suppose

[Langer Dan]

A much better team too, same guys who were a top side in 1992, they were still an excellent team in 1994 (with some very good additions like Sammer), they were deserving winners in Euro 96, over the hill in 1998 though.

The 1998 team was still better than the 2000 - 2004 mark, where the quality of up and coming talent in Germany was poor.

Eh not really, the side was too full of over the hill guys from Italia 90, they were taken to the cleaners by Bulgaria.

[POL]

Keane - Cyprus>>>>>>>>>>Maradona - Mexico 86

:) :)

[ho chi feen]

I know that was a jibe, but yes, I would say that England were a betterteam at that tournament, as were the Croatians and the Checkers imo.

I disagree.

Germany beat all three of those sides.

In 2002, they were poor and benefited from it being an oddball tournament (France, Portugal, Argentina all out in the first round) and an easy route to the final. Their toughest game before the final was against the US.

[Edmund Blackwater]

I disagree.

Germany beat all three of those sides.

In 2002, they were poor and benefited from it being an oddball tournament (France, Portugal, Argentina all out in the first round) and an easy route to the final. Their toughest game before the final was against the US.
They weren't too shabby in that final either.

[ho chi feen]

Eh not really, the side was too full of over the hill guys from Italia 90, they were taken to the cleaners by Bulgaria.

They were second favourites going into to the tournament. They lost the Euros final in 2002. Most of their key players were still under 30 at that stage, and they went down 3-2 to Bulgaria in a classic game.

In 1998, they were over the hill- most of the key players were pushing on their mid-30s, Sammer forced into early retirement, etc. But not in 1994.

[ho chi feen]

They weren't too shabby in that final either.

Which? V Czech Republic or Brazil?

[Edmund Blackwater]

Which? V Czech Republic or Brazil?
Burzil

[ho chi feen]

Burzil

They did well for a while, stifled Brazil. Can only remember them having one real chance. Brazil, despite playing within themselves in the first half could easily have been 2 or 3 up at the break.

Kahn did gift it though.

[Langer Dan]

They were second favourites going into to the tournament. They lost the Euros final in 2002. Most of their key players were still under 30 at that stage, and they went down 3-2 to Bulgaria in a classic game.

In 1998, they were over the hill- most of the key players were pushing on their mid-30s, Sammer forced into early retirement, etc. But not in 1994.

I can only assume you mean 92?

They were a busted flush in 94, too reliant on guys who wern't hacking it, for example people forget Klinsman's career had stalled before he relaunched himself at spurs.

A complacent side that were turned over by a handy Bulgarian team. Turned it around in 96 witha few new faces.

[Lamps]

IMO there hasn't been a decent German side since 92, which was basically the remnants of the 1990 one with the addition of Hassler.

The team that won in 96, by which time Hassler was shit for some reason, was agruably the worst European championship winner since the 80's, and personally I'd put money on the greeks to beat them, other than that, France 84, Holland, Denmark and Spain would all be highly fancied to beat that side.

Lets not forgetm Deiter Eltz was their main man in 96, and he was a journeyman, even if he had a great tournament. Andy Molller IMO was a worse player than Seedork and I wouldn't say that lightly. Effenberg was in his pomp, but much like Schuster but never played much for one reason and another. At least in the 80's they could compensate for the loss of Schuster. The 96 team had lads like Kuntz and Strunz as starters.

The teams that have come since have been every bit as bad, I would say the playing personel are level enough.

My German team since 94:
Couldn't thin of a decent wide man

Kahn
Babel, Helmer, cant think of another decent centre half, Lahm
Sammer
Ballack, Hamman, Effenberg

Klinsman, Klose

Slim pickings

[ho chi feen]

IEffenberg was in his pomp, but much like Schuster but never played much for one reason and another.

Stuck his fingers up at his own fans. I think he only really matured and came into his own around 1997 or so anyway, always talented but too much a loose cannon in his younger days.

Couldn't disagree more on Moeller- maybe he never lived up to his billing (debatable), but he was a key player for 3 good sides in his career and won everything bar the world cup.

Bierhoff would have been their main man too- started the tournament slowly (and many questioned his inclusion) but his goals fired them to victory.

As for worst European champions since the 80s- you seriously cannot say they were worse than a Laudrup-less Denmark side in 1992, or Greece in 2004.

[MonTheHoops]

Craig Gordon. That is all.

[CORKBHOY]

Craig Gordon. That is all.

What did he pay for him, £7m? He's good enough like but not up there with the best of them.

[MonTheHoops]

What did he pay for him, £7m? He's good enough like but not up there with the best of them.

9M. 9 fecking million.

He'd have got him for half that.

[POL]

didn't keane pay a million quid for some lad who played once? what was his name

[CORKBHOY]

didn't keane pay a million quid for some lad who played once? what was his name

Sure what's a million between friends.

[STEVIEG]

check this shit out that famous home draw with Hull is getting people excited Bryan Robson is suddenlt better than Bobby Moore and goals in friendlies suddenly mean loads


Daily Mail's Captain Marvels
Captain Marvels: Sportsmail's guide to the top ten footballing superheroes


Bryan Robson was the ultimate Captain Marvel, but Steven Gerrard's latest match-saving performance for Liverpool got us thinking about our ten best.
Our criteria is this: when the odds were against their team, these captains produced superhero moments to change the destiny of a match on a consistent basis.


1. Bryan Robson
Dynamic goalscorer from midfield, who put his body on the line from club and country.* The timing of those runs to meet the ball with header of volley from deep... that's what made him such a special player. The Captain Marvel nickname was born for him. And he was.


2. Steven Gerrard
If Liverpool are in trouble, Gerrard comes to the rescue time and time again. Two against Hull is his latest, but the most famous was during the Champions League Final in Istanbul. And then there was the FA Cup Final against West Ham, when another two goals - including a stunning long range shot wrestled the cup back to Anfield.


3. Tony Adams
Warrior defender. He stopped goals and scored goals and inspired Arsenal and England with his captaincy and leadership. If you wanted to beat Arsenal, you had to get past Adams.


4. Roy Keane
Inspired Manchester United to European Cup Final in 1999 with a one-man midfield super-show in Turin as United overcame Juventus to squeeze through. Even though Keane had been booked and would miss the final, that only seemed to inspire the man. Went a bit crazy at the end of his United career, but was still an incredible competitor.


5. Dave Mackay
It was a close call - two other Tottenham skippers, Gary Mabbutt and Alan Mullery may too have had a case for being included - but Mackay was the 1961 double-winning skipper and, for that reason, has to be in this list. He played as a left half and scored once every six games, but was known more for his tackling and inspiration.


6. Billy Bremner
Voted the greatest Leeds player of all time and skipper of the side managed by Don Revie. Won the captaincy and inspired Leeds to their greatest years of achievement, including the 1969 season when they lost only two of 42 league games. Won two league titles in all and his clever trademark free kicks - as well as his aggressive nature - were synonymous with their success.


7. David Beckham
Controversial pick, maybe. Some will ask: 'How can you have Beckham and no Bobby Moore?' Look at the criteria. How many matches did Moore turn around for England and West Ham? How many matches did John McGovern save for double-European Cup winners, Nottingham Forest? When Beckham scored the goal to take England to the 2002 World Cup Finals, he proved his value. And he just had to be No 7 in our list.


8. John Terry
Chelsea's Adams, a title-winning skipper who can also save his team with crucial goals (just don't let him near a penalty kick ever again). Surely more honours will follow and he will rise up the list. Sets the example at his team-mates with his aggressive play. England's match-winner in the recent friendly in Germany.


9. Graeme Souness
He could play and he could kick the opposition too and this European Cup winning captain inspired his multi-trophy winning team to take on the best, all over the world. Brilliant passer of a ball who could control the tempo of a game.


10. Stuart Pearce
Edges out Terry Butcher - just - and is the only left back on our list. Scored goals from set plays and penalties and boasted a powerful shot, but doesn't have the trophy cabinet packed like most of these other names.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...perheroes.html

[KD Langer]

i just read an article by pat spillane. in his opinion keane is not an irish legend.


i've never been surer in my suppport of roy.




thanks pat.

[wat_boy]

check this shit out that famous home draw with Hull is getting people excited

oh for fucks' sake, it mentions it, nothing more

[STEVIEG]

oh for fucks' sake, it mentions it, nothing more


call me old fashioned, but if he had got a hat-rick and actually won the game it would have been worthy of a newspaper column



Bryan Robson btw, was very good, but not worth a place on the top of that list

The John Terry one is the funniest though

[wat_boy]

Bryan Robson btw, was very good, but worth a place on the top of that list



not being a utd fan i wouldnt know stevie plus its a bit before my time but i do remember him towards the end of his career suffering fierce from injuries, would it be correct to say he is the first mr glass?

well he is EBJT:p

[STEVIEG]

not being a utd fan i wouldnt know stevie plus its a bit before my time but i do remember him towards the end of his career suffering fierce from injuries, would it be correct to say he is the first mr glass?

well he is EBJT:p

He had a nightmare with injuries he was my favourite player for years alright and yes he saved United loads

It's nothing against Robson, Gerrard or Terry but players like Bobby Moore did it at the very pinnacle of football i'm just amused at how a journalist could ignore him!

[wat_boy]

ya well, it is the mail like

[STEVIEG]

True

I'd have Cantona ahead of Beckham too but that's just me:)