Euro 2016

[Gingerfinch]

They did have a good team in 82. This team will have to better that to be deemed their best ever.

[sussexpob]

Looks after the first five like this is going to be a long day for N.Ireland

[yuppie]

They did have a good team in 82. This team will have to better that to be deemed their best ever.

Didn't they make the semi finals? or was it quarters?

Right will go look.

Lost to Italy in the Semis, and won the 3rd place play off. Probably lay claim to Poland's best team.

[Gingerfinch]

looks like the Irish are going for the 0-0.

[sussexpob]

Lost to Italy in the Semis, and won the 3rd place play off. Probably lay claim to Poland's best team.

The 1982 world cup was well noted for its ridiculous format and the way the teams were seeded. There was no knockouts till the semis with two group stages in the tournament. I believe the second round groups were not seeded or draw so runner up played winners.

The second round therefore ended with Groups Poland/Belgium/Soviet Union... then Brazil/Argentina/Italy and Germany/Spain/England.... essentially the three worst teams were drawn in the same group, with the three best teams in one. In the 1st Group Poland had Italy, but many of Italy's players had served 2 year bans for the 1980 Serie A scandal and hadnt played therefore in an age. Each team had to have two non european sides, and Poland got Cameroon (who were considered by far the worst of the teams there) and Peru (not qualified for a tournament since). They were destroyed by Italy in the semi.... and the French team they played in the 3rd place game was a B team, Platini for instance was an unused sub

So Poland beat Peru, and they beat Belgium in the tournament and made the semis.... that would never happen now

[yuppie]

Lost to Italy in the Semis, and won the 3rd place play off. Probably lay claim to Poland's best team.

The 1982 world cup was well noted for its ridiculous format and the way the teams were seeded. There was no knockouts till the semis with two group stages in the tournament. I believe the second round groups were not seeded or draw so runner up played winners.

The second round therefore ended with Groups Poland/Belgium/Soviet Union... then Brazil/Argentina/Italy and Germany/Spain/England.... essentially the three worst teams were drawn in the same group, with the three best teams in one. In the 1st Group Poland had Italy, but many of Italy's players had served 2 year bans for the 1980 Serie A scandal and hadnt played therefore in an age. Each team had to have two non european sides, and Poland got Cameroon (who were considered by far the worst of the teams there) and Peru (not qualified for a tournament since). They were destroyed by Italy in the semi.... and the French team they played in the 3rd place game was a B team, Platini for instance was an unused sub

So Poland beat Peru, and they beat Belgium in the tournament and made the semis.... that would never happen now

Finished 3rd at a world cup though. Looking at the format it did seem strange. Even so, credit where it is due.

[Aidan11]

Good save there.

[yuppie]

Lafferty, tough player to like

[sussexpob]

Finally

[Arthur Crabtree]

Poland finished third in 1974, when Lato was the leading tournament scorer. They were a good team, knocked Ramsey's England out of course.

[Aidan11]

Helped by their goalie who was labelled a clown by Brian Clough.

[Gingerfinch]

Lato was still playing in 82, and they had Bonieck. Despite the format, they were a good side.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Lato was still playing in 82, and they had Bonieck. Despite the format, they were a good side.

Strong side in 1978. Did much better than England in this period. Not only qualifying, but doing well in their group.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I thought they might have been third in 78, but not so. Topped the group ahead of West Germany, but lost to the eventual winners in the knockout.

[Gingerfinch]

Yes England struggled in the 70's, yet the foreigners get blamed for us not doing well in major tournaments.