Havre
Registered User
- Jul 24, 2011
- 8,459
- 1,733
You could argue nations like Scotland and Northern Ireland loss their "mojo", but I think that is more down to it being impossible for small countries to consistently be "successful". The same goes for Norway and there is no way Belgium will stay as strong as they have been.
Did Turkey ever have any mojo?
Among the bigger nations I would argue Italy. For almost 30 years from the 70s they were almost always a team to look out for. The 2006 win was actually after what I would consider their strongest period. Going in to a tournament Italy was always among the top 2-3 teams. Now they are more in that group of teams that might do well with some luck. Obviously not even qualifying for Russia.
Individually as well you always had Italian "superstars". Who is the last proper Italian superstar? Buffon of course. Other than him? Pirlo? Obviously a lot of very good players that are Italian, but few I would say have been among the very best year after year for quite some time.
Did Turkey ever have any mojo?
Among the bigger nations I would argue Italy. For almost 30 years from the 70s they were almost always a team to look out for. The 2006 win was actually after what I would consider their strongest period. Going in to a tournament Italy was always among the top 2-3 teams. Now they are more in that group of teams that might do well with some luck. Obviously not even qualifying for Russia.
Individually as well you always had Italian "superstars". Who is the last proper Italian superstar? Buffon of course. Other than him? Pirlo? Obviously a lot of very good players that are Italian, but few I would say have been among the very best year after year for quite some time.