Fading giants and a couple “golden” generations that, to one extent or another, haven’t paid off will try to survive what might be Euro 2000’s most balanced group. Nobody wants to count out Germany or England, even if they should, and Portugal’s quest for redemption may reach further than Romania’s.
Germany
Trouble ahead, trouble behind
The Germany that has played in five of the last seven European finals, that has won three of them ù including the last ù no longer exists. Just ask Der Kaiser.
“Our football, at the moment, is at rock bottom …,” says Franz Beckenbauer, still the dominant figure in German soccer. “We Germans haven’t got the most simple of dribbles in our repetoire anymore. We have a lack of talent.”
It’s played out miserably since the shock loss to Croatia in the ’98 World Cup quarterfinals, with a series of nondescript performances ù or worse ù exposing the Germans as aging and flairless. That Lothar Matthaeus, at 39, remains indispensable ù that Thomas Haessler, 34, was required after two years’ exile ù says much.
A brilliant generation has passed, and replacements aren’t arriving. Sebastien Deisler, just 20, is the great hope; there exist few others. The German style, based chiefly on physical challenge, long praised for its simplicity and efficiency, is archaic.
Coach Erich Ribbeck, whose constant sift through players and tactics has reaped little, has taken the bulk of criticism. He has some fine players ù goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and midfielders Jens Jeremies and Mehmet Scholl ù but there are problems in the back and especially up front, where slumping Oliver Bierhoff, 32, figures to partner Ulf Kirsten, 34.
Things appear bleak.
“When you look at the national team over the past few years, when did they offer an outstanding game?” Jeremies asks. “Nothing has changed nor improved. You have to ask yourself why things are not moving.”
Briefly
Assistant coach Horst Hrubesch scored both goals in Germany’s victory over Belgium in the 1980 Euro final. * Oliver Bierhoff’s winner in the ’96 final against the Czech Republic was the first “golden goal” in a FIFA event. * Germany/West Germany is the only nation that has won more than one Euro title.
Romania
End of the magic?
They cherish their reputation as the “Brazilians of the Carpathians,” but all the magistry that might imply has prodded the Romanians to little real accomplishment. The quarterfinals at the ’94 World Cup and a second-round appearance four years later ù that’s about it.
It’s on the minds of what remains from Romania’s finest generation, the nearly dozen veterans who have been kicking since the ’90 Cup or shortly thereafter. This is their last chance for greatness ù does it come too late?
“We have a lot of [experienced] players,” says Gheorghe Hagi, at 35 ù and out of retirement ù still the pivotal figure. “Why shouldn’t we think of ending our careers in glory?”
Hagi remains inspirational even if 90 minutes is too much these days, and Gheorghe Popescu retains command in the back, even if he’s lost a few steps. The defense is stingy and there’s talent up front, but this team’s arc is nearly done.
Preparations have been farcical. About half the team ù and most of the key players ù plays abroad; one week-long training camp, in May, was canceled because of a talent shortage. Prep games have come against the likes of Cyprus and Georgia.
Emerich Jenei, coach when Hagi, Popescu and goalkeeper Bogdan Stelea went to their first World Cup 10 years ago, needs something special from his Gheorghes, and from Adrian Ilie up front, to advance from a difficult group. His sights are higher.
“Hagi and Co. deserve more than what they have achieved,” Jenei says. “What was missing was the confidence to believe they can win an important trophy. The right time could come this summer.”
Briefly
Gheorghes Hagi and Popescu are brothers-in-law. * When Hagi ditched retirement to lead the Romanians past Hungary for the first time in 63 years, he was given a racehorse, and a dessert was named in his honor. * Victor Piturca, Romania’s coach during an unbeaten qualifying campaign, was ousted after a row with Hagi.
Portugal
Last chance for honor
The prettiest soccer at Euro 2000 could come from the Portuguese, whose brilliant generation of players developed by Carlos Queiroz a decade ago has produced some exhilarating stuff. It hasn’t produced much else.
With the most important of its players past or nearing 30, only so much time remains for Portugal to fulfill the promise made by successive under-20 world titles in 1989 and 1991.
The foundation of Humberto Coelho’s squad is drawn from those teams, including a formidable central defense (Fernando Couto and Jorge Costa) and the marvelous attacking players (Joao Pinto, Paulo Sousa, Rui Costa and Luis Figo) responsible for Portugal’s reputation for brilliance.
What’s missing is a true goalscorer and the fortitude to overcome better-organized opposition.
“We were always very creative, but that’s not enough,” said Coelho, a former national team defender. “Individually, our players work hard. We must learn how to work hard together as a team.”
This is virtually the same squad that reached the quarterfinals four years ago, and its strength is its midfield. Sergio Conceicao initiates attacks from deep, Capucho cleans up beside him, and Luis Figo and Rui Costa or Paulo Sousa provide gargantuan support for the forwards.
“We need better finishing,” says Joao Pinto, who scored eight goals during qualifying. “Our big problem has been that we have not scored enough, not put away the chances that we have created.”
That’s prevented Portugal from realizing its enormous potential. Potential counts for only so much.
Says Rui Costa: “You’re not a ‘golden generation’ unless you win something.”
Briefly
Humberto Coelho spent a year in the NASL with Las Vegas (1977). * Joao Pinto is the one of two players with two World Youth (U-20) Championship titles, in 1989 and 1991. * Sa Pinto was banned for a spell in 1997 after attacking a national team assistant coach.
England
No faith-healer ù just faith
Kevin Keegan’s boundless enthusiasm, along with Alan Shearer’s return to top form and Michael Owen’s improved health, has the English swimming in confidence heading into Euro 2000. Is their optimism justified?
There’s been little evidence since a wholly unimpressive qualifying run ù just two friendlies, draws at home with Argentina and Brazil, were played between November and late May ù but enough talent exists to maintain reasonable expectations.
There are some extraordinary players ù David Beckham on the right flank, Owen up top, Paul Scholes behind the forwards ù but England lacks the savvy and touch of its continental rivals. Keegan is a master motivator but hardly a great strategist, often struggling with opponents’ adjustments.
He has abandoned England’s chase of a continental style, first embraced by Terry Venables, then Glenn Hoddle, believing an English style causes havoc. Perhaps, but England hasn’t looked good under his watch. He’s undaunted.
“I know some people will laugh,” he says, “but at this moment we’ve got the chance … if everything went right for us, we could win it.”
Shearer, the top scorer with five goals when England reached the semifinals at home four years ago, is looking for a triumphant finish to his international career. Owen has finally overcome a persistent hamstring injury. Now they must establish an understanding.
Health concerns dog the defense, and Scholes’ scoring rate and Beckham’s crossing ability can’t mask the need for a midfield general. This is a team in transition, one with promise, but the payoff may be another term away.
Briefly
Kevin Keegan won two European Player of the Year awards, in 1978 and 1979. * Premier League scoring champion Kevin Phillips of Sunderland cleaned Alan Shearer’s boots while an apprentice at Southampton. * England won only one of nine matches at the European Championship finals between 1968 and 1996.