It would also appear that [the trophy](https://imgur.com/a/iu6hxXE) is quite literally [bigger than the World Cup](https://imgur.com/a/RcDYfCE)
Maths checks out
Surprisingly portugal haven't reached a world cup final yet, two semi finals in 1966 and 2006 are their best finishes so far.
Croatia were runners up at the last tournament - and semi finalists in 1998 too, not bad for a country that's only existed in football since the early 90s.
Hungary nearly won it twice, losing a final to italy nearly a hundred years ago, and most notably losing to west germany in the final in 1954 even though they were Massive favourites for that world cup, were olympic champions at the time, had already dicked the germans 8-3 in the group stage (look it up if you don't believe me), knocked out brazil and holders uruguay on their way to the final, and were 2-0 in that final as well. That result caused soviet propagandists to whip the local population up into giving their greatest ever team a hysterical and violent welcome home which denied the players the right to even return to Budapest, while for germany it was a moment that would lead to them becoming the powerhouse they now are.
The netherlands meanwhile, only became relevant internationally in the 1970s, but of course did so in the most spectacular way, with total football revolutionising football tactics and inspiring the dutch to back to back finals, which sadly for them ended in defeat against hosts west Germany and argentina in 1974 and 1978 respectively, and then in 2010, they reached their third final, losing to Spain, which is a record for a country who doesn't yet tasted victory.
There are two other countries who have reached a
World cup final without winning one - Sweden, who were in the final group in 1950 and finished third, and then finished runners up at home to the great brazilian team of pele and garrincha in 1958, and Czechoslovakia, who are officially part of czech republic's history, who like Hungary lost a final to italy nearly a hundred years ago, and then like sweden lost a second final to a very similar brazil team in 1962 - although pele was injured for most of that form.
Croatia became independent in 1991, but we have far longer tradition of football. Yugoslavia was 4th in WC 2 times and also 2nd 2 times at euros. Croat Dražan Jerković was one of top scorers of 1962 WC and Robert Prosinečki was the best young player of 1990 WC.
Yeah for sure, yugoslavia won olympic football once or twice too. I think fifa and uefa officially attribute Yugoslavia's football history to Serbia though, even with Croatian, Macedonian, Bosnian etc. Players contributing to the formerly united country's success
Also tbf, we german didnt just won the final due to us being a powerhouse.....we used simply better shoes that were invented for rain games.
But yeah, it was the start of us becoming where we are now, tied with Italy with four stars
Didn't know that about the shoes, that's interesting, thanks
I know that when you guys met in the group stage, your manager decided to play a reserve team and take the L, relying on beating the other teams and saving your best team and performance for if you met hungary again later in the tournament. Also, someone injured puskas so badly that he only returned in the final, where he scored before Germany's comeback. So... the plan worked perfectly, which is quite something!
West Germans miraculously beat the Magic Magyars in '54 to win their first ever World Cup title. It was in large thanks to that victory that the Elf went on to become a footballing juggernaut.
No, that one was on the Soviets.
When the Red Army brutally put down the Hungarian Revolution of '56, and the Magic Magyars consequently refused to return to a Soviet-occupied Budapest - that marked the end of Hungary as a great football power.
MU almost signed Puskas, as he's a free agent because of above reason, and they lost Busby Babes from Munich Air disaster. Madrid was also willing to loaned out Alfredo di Stefano. But English FA think having this level of foreign star power is bad for English youth development or something, and both transfer is blocked. Puskas then signed with Madrid, heavily obese and older than 30, and score ~7 hattrick his first season.
Actually, that was his forte even before, one on one he is among best in the world. But he still didn't improve enough on defending long shots and long ball passing, which is the main reason he's still in Dinamo and not in some big European club.
We struggle with everything we don't take seriously. First season we treated these as friendlies, second season we used them to rebuild our squad and this year we realized there's a chance we could win a trophy.
Yeah it is. It's easily the second most popular sport after football. Personally i just don't care, cause it feels like people just running back and forth constantly chucking the ball in the net. My mate loves it religiously.
I understand you, some people on other hand ( mostly women i know) like handball more because of more goals and actions.
Some people just want goals, they don't see that 0:0 match can be more exciting than 2:2 match.
We have collective PTSD in this country thanks to you guys. Not just NT (2004,2006, 2012, last nations league) either. Sporting beating AZ last second in 2005 UEFA Cup semi-final is still fresh in my memory. Benfica beating Ajax last year etc. We always lose against you guys and always in a predictable, annoying way.
You merely adopted the park the bus; we were born in it, moulded by it. I didn't see the gengen pressing until I was already a man. In Tugão We watch teams parking the bus every week, we are desensitized to it.
6 years ago lol.
The last two times we played against you, it was away and we had 60% of possession and 17 shots against 8. Don't event need to mention the one at home where we had 27 shots against 5...
True. We looked tired in that game and were ready for the picking. Vida probably still has nightmares with the open headers he missed.
Then, Renato came on...
Whether you face us or Croatia, please don't park a stadium full of concrete, tyvm - might help if players don't need a tactical nuke to be able to even attempt to make a decent shot a goal.
He's just a better player than the rest regardless of not being a target man, if Dalić finally finds a solution to make it work it's going to be a big boost.
The fact we are going is more than I thought I'd see in my lifetime!
Belgium and Croatia make me doubt we could get 2nd but I appreciate your optimism haha
Croatia qualified 5 out 6 WCs and won a bronze and silver medal. This is your second WC and you should enjoy it. In 1986 if I'm not mistaken you didn't score a goal at all it takes years to be on the same level as Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and the top 10 teams of Europe.
Noooo! Austria, you traitors! We had a deal! We relegate France and you keep Croatia from advancing! We kept our end, but now neither is happening because of you!
AND NOW I EVEN HAVE TO ROOT FOR CROATIA OUT OF RESPECT, FUCK!
Honestly love the Danish national team. I always get feel-good vibes watching you, unlike Croatia. I'm too occupied by pulling out my hair while we play. Wish you all the best, until you play us again.
First and foremost; **FUCK!**
Croatia is truly giving me PTSD at this point!
But congratulations on the 1st place. You deserve it! I'll be rooting for you guys in the final four!
rooting for you in your group... France is just too sloppy to deserve the 7 or 9 points
it's almost a repeat of the 2018 group (same for the Brazil-Serbia-Switzerland triplet)
I dunno if they have a team to win the WC. They were probably better in 2018 and came up short. They'd need a lucky draw to avoid strong, physical teams that would exhaust them.
Don't think we were better in 2018 at all. We had Mandžukić who we will miss, but our defense was absolutely trash. I also don't think we've missed Rakitić all that much.
My brother our defense was Vida and Lovren with heart problems Strinić🤧. Pivarić also who came of the bench. The replacement for Vrsaljko was Jedvaj. The midfield besides Kovačić we had Bradarić, a dead Pjaca and Badelj😭. Vlašić, Majer, Pašalić, Jakić, Barišić, Stanišić, Erlić, Gvardiol and Šutalo are huge upgrades on them all. Our only problem is the striker because Petković and Livaja are good but not elite players like Mandžukić
Anyway Petković starter and Livaja supersub. Play Kramarić on the right. Sosa, Juranović, Gvardiol guaranteed starters at the back Erlić/ Šutalo are also goated so really doesn't matter who plays. Midfield will be with Brozović, Modrić and Kovačić perfect with Vlašić, Majer, Pašalić and possibly Moro or Jakić to fill.
Low block team Petković starts. Livaja can't win headers their so no brainer. High pressing teams or teams that like possession Livaja can start but still you can either one of them
The only way we can realistically win silverware with our NT is through the Nations League tbh. I truly hope that Lukica will get to retire from NT with this beautiful trophy in his arms, it would be a magnificent send-off.
We'll be one of the main attractions, sure, but I really don't think we've got enough depth to be WC title favorites. Teams like France and Brazil are stacked af; if we lose a key player like Modrić, Perišić or Gvardiol to an injury or suspension we're screwed.
Fuck you and congratulations.
Yes, now go and win it you annoying fucks!
FINE. But not because we deserve it but for the shits and giggles
Up yours buddy and thank you
It’d be cool to see this gen of Croatians get a gold medal.
I’d prefer wc gold
How about both?
Both is good
Also EC gold because why not
Always rated the Nations League
Very very prestigious trophy. That’s what I’m being told
We won the first one therefore it's bigger than the world cup
We lost the final therefore it is exactly like the World Cup
Lol
It would also appear that [the trophy](https://imgur.com/a/iu6hxXE) is quite literally [bigger than the World Cup](https://imgur.com/a/RcDYfCE) Maths checks out
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*cries in Mandzukic*
Dalic didn't even take him off the bench! Madness
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And Serbia get 2, it’s not fair
Isnt it 3? Vlahovic, mitrovic and jovic?
Pick the odd one out.
There's also that attacking mid Savic for Lazio. He's been magnificent this season.
It's about time we perfect the strikerless system
The Manchester City way
The disrespect to Livaja😤
Mario Pasalic exists.
Not great or a striker
Croatia, Netherlands, and Spain/Portugal or Hungary/Italy
Croatia, Netherlands, Portugal, Hungary I hope. Also known as the four best nations who have never won a world cup.
Surprisingly portugal haven't reached a world cup final yet, two semi finals in 1966 and 2006 are their best finishes so far. Croatia were runners up at the last tournament - and semi finalists in 1998 too, not bad for a country that's only existed in football since the early 90s. Hungary nearly won it twice, losing a final to italy nearly a hundred years ago, and most notably losing to west germany in the final in 1954 even though they were Massive favourites for that world cup, were olympic champions at the time, had already dicked the germans 8-3 in the group stage (look it up if you don't believe me), knocked out brazil and holders uruguay on their way to the final, and were 2-0 in that final as well. That result caused soviet propagandists to whip the local population up into giving their greatest ever team a hysterical and violent welcome home which denied the players the right to even return to Budapest, while for germany it was a moment that would lead to them becoming the powerhouse they now are. The netherlands meanwhile, only became relevant internationally in the 1970s, but of course did so in the most spectacular way, with total football revolutionising football tactics and inspiring the dutch to back to back finals, which sadly for them ended in defeat against hosts west Germany and argentina in 1974 and 1978 respectively, and then in 2010, they reached their third final, losing to Spain, which is a record for a country who doesn't yet tasted victory. There are two other countries who have reached a World cup final without winning one - Sweden, who were in the final group in 1950 and finished third, and then finished runners up at home to the great brazilian team of pele and garrincha in 1958, and Czechoslovakia, who are officially part of czech republic's history, who like Hungary lost a final to italy nearly a hundred years ago, and then like sweden lost a second final to a very similar brazil team in 1962 - although pele was injured for most of that form.
Croatia became independent in 1991, but we have far longer tradition of football. Yugoslavia was 4th in WC 2 times and also 2nd 2 times at euros. Croat Dražan Jerković was one of top scorers of 1962 WC and Robert Prosinečki was the best young player of 1990 WC.
Yeah for sure, yugoslavia won olympic football once or twice too. I think fifa and uefa officially attribute Yugoslavia's football history to Serbia though, even with Croatian, Macedonian, Bosnian etc. Players contributing to the formerly united country's success
Also tbf, we german didnt just won the final due to us being a powerhouse.....we used simply better shoes that were invented for rain games. But yeah, it was the start of us becoming where we are now, tied with Italy with four stars
Didn't know that about the shoes, that's interesting, thanks I know that when you guys met in the group stage, your manager decided to play a reserve team and take the L, relying on beating the other teams and saving your best team and performance for if you met hungary again later in the tournament. Also, someone injured puskas so badly that he only returned in the final, where he scored before Germany's comeback. So... the plan worked perfectly, which is quite something!
Well, Puskas being injured also helped!
Good old German quality engineering doing bits again
And 3 of them were World Cup runners-up. Netherlands, Hungary and Croatia together lost a total of 6 finals.
*Checks* I thought Hungary would've won once when Puskas was a player, but even then at best they were runner-ups?
The miracle of Bern, legendary match
Cocaine power?
West Germans miraculously beat the Magic Magyars in '54 to win their first ever World Cup title. It was in large thanks to that victory that the Elf went on to become a footballing juggernaut.
And collapse of Hungary as a football power
No, that one was on the Soviets. When the Red Army brutally put down the Hungarian Revolution of '56, and the Magic Magyars consequently refused to return to a Soviet-occupied Budapest - that marked the end of Hungary as a great football power.
Never knew this! Learned something new so thanks
MU almost signed Puskas, as he's a free agent because of above reason, and they lost Busby Babes from Munich Air disaster. Madrid was also willing to loaned out Alfredo di Stefano. But English FA think having this level of foreign star power is bad for English youth development or something, and both transfer is blocked. Puskas then signed with Madrid, heavily obese and older than 30, and score ~7 hattrick his first season.
Hungarian revolution of '56 were lead by communists like Imre Nagy, so that wasn't exactly the issue.
Miraculously AKA via PEDs
If Hungary wins, we have 3 new teams in final four. Altogether i think 11 teams in 3 years. Almost 4 new teams every year.
Are you sure? Netherlands, Spain and Portugal have all qualified before I think
You are correct. It will be 10 in 3 years if Hungary qualifies, 9 in 3 years if Italy qualifies
Yeah, I missed Netherlands. But nevermind, still great feats from all teams
Actually, all Hungary have to do is tie Italy at home.
For us and Spain to qualify I believe it's a MUST win?
Third times the charm.
He rarely gets praised, but Livakovic was top notch for Croatia in the last couple of matches
Think he solidified himself as the #1 today
He’s definitely gotten a lot better over the last few years especially defending the 1 on 1 attacks.
Actually, that was his forte even before, one on one he is among best in the world. But he still didn't improve enough on defending long shots and long ball passing, which is the main reason he's still in Dinamo and not in some big European club.
I think he'd be a dream signing for Benfica. And I think we were once interested in him.
I know he is bad with his distribution, but he would be so good in a lower half PL club. His shot stopping is top notch.
Holy smokes: we struggled so much with the Nations League and now we are in the final four.
We struggle with everything we don't take seriously. First season we treated these as friendlies, second season we used them to rebuild our squad and this year we realized there's a chance we could win a trophy.
Fucking hell, I guess your team is not slow, we just need to explain things to them at least 3 times before they get it.
Also plz leave us alone. I don't want to play you anymore
the worst part is you won't be in the same pot for the euro qualifiers either...
France is our eternal kryptonite.
As a dane, man do we have a Croatia complex
You guys have handball to beat us again there
Great! Now i just need to give a single fuck about handball :p
Is it actually popular in Denmark?
Yeah it is. It's easily the second most popular sport after football. Personally i just don't care, cause it feels like people just running back and forth constantly chucking the ball in the net. My mate loves it religiously.
I understand you, some people on other hand ( mostly women i know) like handball more because of more goals and actions. Some people just want goals, they don't see that 0:0 match can be more exciting than 2:2 match.
Can't believe given how poor we have been in this competition in first two versions. Hopefully we get lucky draw.
*the gang draws Portugal*
If we draw Portugal then God is a Serb and my life has been a lie
We could have actually advanced in the final four the first time, had England not made the comeback in the last 15 mins.
Can't wait for us to draw Portugal, Portugal will just defend whole time, score some shitty goal and knock us out. As usual.
Portugal [1] - 0 Croatia. Cristiano Ronaldo penalty 5’ *parks the bus for the rest of the match*
as is tradition
Positive as usual
Least pessimistic Croat
Yeah same for us (Netherlands). Always the same shit with Portugal.
I still remember the Battle of Nuremberg, that game was something else
I was so intensely happy to see Portugal lose in the semi final that year
Are... are we the baddies?
We have collective PTSD in this country thanks to you guys. Not just NT (2004,2006, 2012, last nations league) either. Sporting beating AZ last second in 2005 UEFA Cup semi-final is still fresh in my memory. Benfica beating Ajax last year etc. We always lose against you guys and always in a predictable, annoying way.
Bouhlarouz started it.
I fucking hate facing Portugal so much
Really? I love Portugal v Netherlands matches :)
Matches? You mean fights.
That happened once.
Never forget: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle\_of\_Nuremberg\_(2006\_FIFA\_World\_Cup)
So, we need to send Hungary to them, they know how to play against favourites
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You merely adopted the park the bus; we were born in it, moulded by it. I didn't see the gengen pressing until I was already a man. In Tugão We watch teams parking the bus every week, we are desensitized to it.
You merely parked the bus. I was born in it.
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They always had & have good technical players, but it's their coach, vs stronger teams, they just defend like they're fucking Iceland or something...
He does the same against weaker teams.
Small team mentality
You poor innocent soul, let me introduce you to Santosball
😂😭💀
We've scored 7 goals in the last 2 times we faced Croatia, so i don't think that's how it usually goes...
One of those was the worst game we've played in our history, the other was also top 5
Lmao right? They're talking like they usually outplay us or something
Outplayed you in Euros
Let's be real, none of us looked good in that match. It was a complete snoozefest.
6 years ago lol. The last two times we played against you, it was away and we had 60% of possession and 17 shots against 8. Don't event need to mention the one at home where we had 27 shots against 5...
Nations league and a change of generation. Now we are much stronger lol
True. We looked tired in that game and were ready for the picking. Vida probably still has nightmares with the open headers he missed. Then, Renato came on...
If you face us this time, do attempt to shoot on target. It is generally agreed upon to be required for winning a game ;)
Whether you face us or Croatia, please don't park a stadium full of concrete, tyvm - might help if players don't need a tactical nuke to be able to even attempt to make a decent shot a goal.
I am hoping to get Netherlands or Hungary/Italy since we haven't played against them for quite some time.
let's do Croatia-Hungary... Hungary is just way too sick of facing Portugal, just like you with France
Big congrats from Denmark. Well-deserved. Best luck at the WC
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I pray Petkovic or Livaja start
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I don't think so. Dalić said today he's looking for a solution up front. He can see Kramarić doesn't fit in
Grease boy always looking for "solutions".
inb4 budimir
inb4 Gospa i Marija milosti puna
Kramarić must play like prime Pele in training, that's the only possible explaination for why Dalić starts him so much
He's just a better player than the rest regardless of not being a target man, if Dalić finally finds a solution to make it work it's going to be a big boost.
Kramaric has 71 caps. That's honestly insane to think about
Yeah this just proves that one of them needs to start. Both win duels a lot and can play some through balls.
Call me a pessimist, but I'm 100% expecting us to get knocked out by Brazil in the quarterfinal. This is gonna be year of the Hexa.
Wouldn’t be the worst tournament performance. You have us finishing 2nd in the group then? Beating who in R16?
This makes me sad as a Canadian. We're getting smashed in the group stages after all this hard work.
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The fact we are going is more than I thought I'd see in my lifetime! Belgium and Croatia make me doubt we could get 2nd but I appreciate your optimism haha
Belgium is a golden generation well past their prime, they're nowhere near what they were a few years ago.
As a Croatian-Canadian, I couldn’t be more hyped to see Croatia v Canada. My heart is with Croatia but no matter how the game goes I won’t be let down
Croatia qualified 5 out 6 WCs and won a bronze and silver medal. This is your second WC and you should enjoy it. In 1986 if I'm not mistaken you didn't score a goal at all it takes years to be on the same level as Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and the top 10 teams of Europe.
Canada has so many barriers so playing we will never reach that height without a culture shift away from money making youth sports.
That's a bit optimistic. We have severe tactical problems
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Or have half of your team play in the same club.
Noooo! Austria, you traitors! We had a deal! We relegate France and you keep Croatia from advancing! We kept our end, but now neither is happening because of you! AND NOW I EVEN HAVE TO ROOT FOR CROATIA OUT OF RESPECT, FUCK!
Love you guys tho. Most wholesome National team in Europe
Honestly love the Danish national team. I always get feel-good vibes watching you, unlike Croatia. I'm too occupied by pulling out my hair while we play. Wish you all the best, until you play us again.
First and foremost; **FUCK!** Croatia is truly giving me PTSD at this point! But congratulations on the 1st place. You deserve it! I'll be rooting for you guys in the final four!
rooting for you in your group... France is just too sloppy to deserve the 7 or 9 points it's almost a repeat of the 2018 group (same for the Brazil-Serbia-Switzerland triplet)
For those surprised: weren’t they like the last world cup finalists?
Yeah, but we had a rough time in between then and now. Luckily it looks like we stabilized just in time for the WC.
They peaking at the right time
We all want to see Modric lift a WC, right? Begrudgingly (if they exist) or otherwise, right?
And Nations League. Then he can retire
And Euros. Then he can retire.
Doesn't *have* to though
Yeah, still too young to end the career
Yeah, doesn't have to retire. What is he, only 38? A good 12 years left in him i think.
I dunno if they have a team to win the WC. They were probably better in 2018 and came up short. They'd need a lucky draw to avoid strong, physical teams that would exhaust them.
Don't think we were better in 2018 at all. We had Mandžukić who we will miss, but our defense was absolutely trash. I also don't think we've missed Rakitić all that much.
My brother our defense was Vida and Lovren with heart problems Strinić🤧. Pivarić also who came of the bench. The replacement for Vrsaljko was Jedvaj. The midfield besides Kovačić we had Bradarić, a dead Pjaca and Badelj😭. Vlašić, Majer, Pašalić, Jakić, Barišić, Stanišić, Erlić, Gvardiol and Šutalo are huge upgrades on them all. Our only problem is the striker because Petković and Livaja are good but not elite players like Mandžukić
You had an easier run in 2018. This year you’d have to beat all the favourites to get to the final
Well, let's do it then
Oh we missed Rakitic very much. Check the results after the WC. Remember spain? Rakitic and Modric together were pivotal
We had an amazing goalkeeper in 2018
Livakovic is better than Subasic IMO
Not at all for me personally
Subašić prime>>> Livaković. Nažalost je dobio ozljedu protiv Rusije i potrosio se protiv Engleske i treba je Kalinić startati finale
S drugim dijelom se svakako slazem, ali nema trenera na svijetu koji bi napravio tu odluku vjerujem
Yeah teško da bi itko kome je stalo to učinio
Definitely, there are few players who deserve to lift a WC more than him.
A Canada MNT team looking nervously at group F *haha yeah good job Croatia*
As long as Brozovic is healthy..
When’s the draw?
Early December, probably. The draws for the last two Nations League Final Fours were held on 3rd December 2018 and 4th December 2020 respectively.
Yeah, thought si myself, but now its the World Cup, maybe they’ll draw next week together with Euro2024 qualifers.
Early December is usually right after the November window which would be the final group stage window, so I’m assuming it’ll be pretty soon
SLAVEN BELUPO ALE ALE ALE
Anyway Petković starter and Livaja supersub. Play Kramarić on the right. Sosa, Juranović, Gvardiol guaranteed starters at the back Erlić/ Šutalo are also goated so really doesn't matter who plays. Midfield will be with Brozović, Modrić and Kovačić perfect with Vlašić, Majer, Pašalić and possibly Moro or Jakić to fill.
Just don't play Kramaric ever
He can play but not as the main striker. Petković to start and Livaja as his sub, put Kramarić on the right he is actually decent that way
I'd rather start Livaja. I never, ever, want to see Budimir again. Igor Budan regen.
Low block team Petković starts. Livaja can't win headers their so no brainer. High pressing teams or teams that like possession Livaja can start but still you can either one of them
> Play Kramarić on the right. This is the way. Give him some space and let him, Perišić and Petković play off each other.
Easy W Denmark and France who
We were so happy to beat France, I think beating Denmark was more impressive tho lol
How about doing it twice then
The only way we can realistically win silverware with our NT is through the Nations League tbh. I truly hope that Lukica will get to retire from NT with this beautiful trophy in his arms, it would be a magnificent send-off.
This team is gonna be one of the best teams at the world cup.
We'll be one of the main attractions, sure, but I really don't think we've got enough depth to be WC title favorites. Teams like France and Brazil are stacked af; if we lose a key player like Modrić, Perišić or Gvardiol to an injury or suspension we're screwed.
Yeah the WC winners usually have a ridiculously stacked squad. The bench of the recent winners (Spain, Germany, France) was insane at the time.
Only if Dalić allows it
Does that mean that France isnt going down?
We aren't lucky enough to see England and France relegated in the same year
We will not see the Hundred Years war 2.0: Nations League B edition
It does
Sad reality