alexISS wrote:The Euro cup is in fact the toughest of them all. In the World cup, the distribution of slots allows for inferior teams to qualify, whereas all Euro participants are proven capable sides.
AlexISS,
There are dozens of very capable sides outside of Europe.
USA, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Columbia, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Egypt, Iran, and a few others.
All these are European grade.
The USA for instance is currently top 10 in the rankings.
Here is a little known fact from most Europeans bar the English who know very well and invest millions into Australian Clubs. Australia was top 20 from 1998 until 2010. The team has declined a lot from players retiring, injury, and resignations. 2013 and 2014 was a disaster. Their Dutch Manager was sacked 3 months before the World Cup and they appointed Greek born Postecoglu 10 weeks before the tournament started. He went to Brazil with young debutants. They are in a phase where they are starting over with new young players.
At one stage they were ranked number 9. Why were they so good? Well Australians and Americans are extremely sports mad and competitive. Facilities and development is first class. Plus, the players have played for some top clubs of Europe. And I mean for some of the best. Some really big names have played for the biggest teams in Europe. Australian clubs are in some way affiliated or owned by some major European clubs like Manchester United. That is why Spanish International striker just got signed by Manchester United for 30 million and will play for Melbourne City.
Now tell me if that is not pedigree to be top twenty for over a decade? Personally, I don't believe Greece can beat Australia. No way. Not if they play like they did against Chile and Holland. But if Greece can beat Australia, I guarantee you they better do it in the next year or so because after that Greece will not be able to compete against Australia for about 10 to 15 years. Greece will decline, whereas the Aussies will be on the rise slowly but surely. In 4 years time they should be top 20, at worst top 30 if things don't go right.
The problem you guys have is that you believe countries like Australia, US et all can't compete.
Other countries that will be on their way up is Japan and South Korea. All these countries are certainly what I would call great middle powers. Maybe not strong like Germany, Holland, Italy or Spain but certainly as good as most other European countries.
And no, the World Cup has to be a lot more tougher because you got the South Americans competing.
so you've never won a tournament....Greece has won more games than Australia and you still see pedigree
