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[Talisker]

We actually thought we were going to win the World Cup in 1978 (reality soon set in )

The 3-1 drubbing at the hands of the mighty Peruvians must've been a real wake up call

Not one of life's better moments! Back to earth with a bump.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_World_Cup#Group_D

Thud!

From deep despair we suddenly had hope! This amazing goal, enshrined in Scottish football folklore, took us within one goal of qualifying and knocking out Holland, the eventual finalsts. So near and yet so far!

[Epiktitos]

From deep despair we suddenly had hope! This amazing goal, enshrined in Scottish football folklore, took us within one goal of qualifying and knocking out Holland, the eventual finalsts. So near and yet so far!

See now you're starting to get into the Greek psyche. It was only 32 years ago, you were within (not even ahead!) one goal only for 3 minutes until the Netherlands pulled one back, you wouldn't have got past West Germany anyway, it was just a football match, and it still cuts to the bone!

[Talisker]

From deep despair we suddenly had hope! This amazing goal, enshrined in Scottish football folklore, took us within one goal of qualifying and knocking out Holland, the eventual finalsts. So near and yet so far!

See now you're starting to get into the Greek psyche. It was only 32 years ago, you were within (not even ahead!) one goal only for 3 minutes until the Netherlands pulled one back, you wouldn't have got past West Germany anyway, it was just a football match, and it still cuts to the bone!

Those wounds don't heal! The difference between our expectations and yours is that you experienced the miracle once (though also know it is extremely unlikely to happen again) and therefore expect a good performance whereas we used to have aspirations to win the big titles and now we'd be delighted even to qualify for the finals. Since 1978 we've learnt our lesson and downgraded our expectations (supporting Scotland requires a heightened sense of gallows humour!). Having said that I can't imagine living through the anticipation and hope for my team to perform even at a modest level in the finals only for them to play three, lose three, score no goals and concede ten! What a nightmare!

Greece in SA this summer - which is it to be? The miracle or the nightmare?

[Epiktitos]

Greece in SA this summer - which is it to be? The miracle or the nightmare?

Despite the bluster (and their absurd current #10 world rank), their very qualification for the finals is itself a minor miracle. I doubt they'll receive an '94-style drubbing, and two of the teams in their group are at least beatable.

As you quite clearly appreciate, just being there is more than enough.