Subject: [u21] World Cup Group

link to group

1. Nederland U21 10th
2. England U21 19th
3. Latvija U21 24th
4. Norge U21 38th

This will, I suspect be quite a tough group. Nederland are I feel stronger than their 10th position suggests. We've missed the really big guns at the first stage though.

I hope for 4-6 points from that group if I'm brutally honest.
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The groups last match reports went something like this...

Country - Rating - Shooting, Passing, Defending

Nederland - 56.6 - Very Good, Very Good, Very Good.
England - 54.2 - Good, Solid, Formidable
Latvija - 50.9 - Adequate, Good, Very Good
Norge - 52.9 - Solid, Solid, Excellent

We appear to have the defensive edge over teams, but our quality up front is questionable, with the best talents woefully out of form.

Having looked briefly at the top 10 teams match reports for the last games, I don't feel quite so bad :).


Country - Rating - Shooting, Passing, Defending

1. Polska - 57.8 - Good, Very Good, Excellent
2. Italia - 57.7 - Solid, Solid, Formidable
3. Belgie - 52.9 - Good, Solid, Good
4. Magyarország - 55.1 - Solid, Very Good, Very Good
5. Brazil - 55.1 - Solid, Very Good, Very Good
6. Espana - 51.3 - Good, Good, Excellent
7. Romania - 55.2 - Good, Solid, Excellent
8. Chile - 56 - Solid, Good, Excellent
9. Deutschland - 55.8 - Very good, Solid, Very good
10. Nederland - 56.6 - Very Good, Very Good, Very Good.

Borkos pointed out that the last couple of seasons, Poland have been averaging 63, and then 60 at the start of the season. This year it's 57.8 There could be some surprises.

Good luck to you guys, although I'm not sure USA will even manage past our group.

France, Romania, Belgium, USA.

Maybe the French can choke at the U21 WC like their senior team did this year in S. Africa!

Belgium look to have quite a weak team, at least they have in the last match or two. That's the fun thing about u21s I guess. As for France, well, we're playing them in an hour, so I don't want to jinx it, but I think they lost last week ? I don't envy you that group at all.

Could be worse I suppose.

Yep, even I have a chance of getting 2nd in this one !

Trust me that is a sexy group apart from nederland. ;)

much better than Italy, Poland and Slovakia. :)

absolutely. only a bunch of hoofers would fail to qualify, which is why I'm worried :)

Are you always pessimistic coach?

5 straight defeats my friend :). And I have seen what we have this season, and what we had last. Poor harvest.

excuses already, tut tut.

You must admit that if Haylock can get in the team, it's been a bad year :)...

It can't be that bad. The would be 4th best 20yo defender according to best of forum doesn't make the team!

I'm sorry, I read that, but couldn't make a coherent sentence out of it. Maybe put some small words in to it, or a comma or two ?

Edit : ah, you mean Watcham. poor stamina = bench only.
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Pfft to you!