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Should we cheer on Scotland?

Tuesday, 16 October 07, 05:19 PM

Scotland's Group B qualifying campaign has been an astounding success so far, topping the table in front of better rivals France and Italy, and, to a lesser extent, Ukraine. They have scored some great goals and showed true team spirit so far. But the question is, do we want to see them in Euro 2008 at the expense of Italy or France?
The old adage is that it's great to see the underdog triumph, but I want to examine that for a minute. Recalling recent underdog achievements is not a pleasant experience, unless you're directly affected.
Ireland's appearance in the World Cups in '90, '94 and 2002, was great fun for the whole nation, but I can't imagine many liked Jack Charlton's long ball football. In qualifying for 2002, Ireland eliminated Holland, a technically superior team in all areas. That World Cup also produced Japan and South Korea as surprise outfits, playing attractive, attacking (and lucky) football, but from recent evidence, Scotland will not do the same. In Euro 2004, Greece won, playing 10 men behind the ball, depriving a talented Portugal team in the final. After the initial reaction, were you happy Greece won?
In non-international football, neutrals have been subjected to the misery of a Porto v Monaco Champions League Final, Millwall stinking up the place in the FA Cup final against Man Utd and various other non-events too numerous to mention.
It's great to see unfancied teams doing well - to a point. Let them over-achieve into the knockout rounds, let them have moral victories, let their fans go crazy while we all patronise them, but please, let us see the heavyweights in the semis - Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, even England or Spain - I want to see proper technical, tactical battles and the strongest victor emerge.
Not a cheating, fouling team (Porto), not a team with Dennis Wise in it (Millwall), not a team relying on the linesman (South Korea), not a boring, defensive team (Greece).
Some big countries are under threat in qualifying - France, Spain, Holland, Portugal and Italy. Lets see the current best players in European football - the likes of Pirlo, Ribery, Fabregas, Ronaldo, van Persie, playing and achieving next year. And Scotland, sorry, but, please stay at home.
Mark,
http://www.okeydokefootball.com

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Posted by okeydokefootball | Comments (6)

6 Comments

lempira
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lempira Wrote: | 22.22UTC | Oct 16, 2007

Scotland, is having a incredible season! It have to be the homeland of Sir Fergunson!

FollowWithPride
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FollowWithPride Wrote: | 00.26UTC | Oct 17, 2007

WHO CARES IF YOU CHEER US ON OR NOT SCOTLAND WILL BE THERE AND IRELAND WONT!!,ALSO YOU SOUND LIKE A CLOSET ENGLAND FAN IN DISGUISE YOU WOULDNT COMPLAIN IF YOUR TEAM WON UGLY BUT I CAN SAY FROM
WATCHING EVERY SCOTLAND QUALIFIER IT HAS NOT BEEN THAT WAY WE HAVE PLAYED SOME QUALITY FOOTBALL YOU DONT BEAT FRANCE IN PARIS WITHOUT PLAYING WELL,GO AND BOIL YER HEID MAGGOT BOY.

stripey
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stripey Wrote: | 08.21UTC | Oct 17, 2007

At least Scotland will triumph in a group that some outstanding teams are in, like Italy the world cup winners and France, the world cup runners up to name but two. Sure we (Scotland) have
experienced rough times from a part country with 5 million citizens and limited choice, however it does make's you wonder what we could do with another part of the country that has 55million citizens
and a large choice of players.

okeydokefootball
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okeydokefootball Wrote: | 09.52UTC | Oct 17, 2007

i'd like to see the Scots there, just not at the expense of one of the world cup finalists.... It's a pity they're not in another group

jjodf
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jjodf Wrote: | 10.26UTC | Oct 17, 2007

I think the important sentence in Mark's blog is "Recalling recent underdog achievements is not a pleasant experience, unless you're directly affected". Scottish fans obviously want them to get there
(hence the reaction), just like we'd prefer our bunch of jokers in Ireland to have reached the finals as well. It's not like he's saying it would be a tragedy for football if ye qualified, just that
he'd prefer to watch France or Italy next summer which in many eyes is fair comment. As one Irish friend of mine said before he boarded a flight for Japan in 2002: "the great tragedy is that Gary
Breen is going to this world cup and dennis bergkamp isn't".

FollowWithPride
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FollowWithPride Wrote: | 21.30UTC | Oct 17, 2007

having read your other blogs i see your not a total spaz and ive even given your comments a better rating ok,Also as for the Scotland situation no team can ever produce totally sincillating football
even the great Brazil and Dutch teams of the past with talent like Pele,Zico,Cruyff etc etc in them have not always lit up the big tournaments,As a smaller nation we should be supporting the underdog
is it not Italy/France's own doing if they do not qualify for the finals after all they know what is at stake and if they fail they only have their own inconsistency to blame!,Also it would be a
crying shame for the best supporters in the world(the tartan army)not to make it to Austria/Switzerland as we can light up any tournament with our passionate support even if our team is not the
greatest in the world and you can always guarantee a party win lose or draw!.So if Vieira isnt there Ferguson is

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