Subpage under development, new version coming soon!
Asunto: National Team
depends, what Ri_cro is saying could work in the sense that one NT is stronger in 1 specific area then the other and also weaker than the other in a different area, in such a way that beating one side is easier for one side then it is for another yet that same side could struggle against another NT. Like paper,scissors,rock for example.
Although in this case the fact would be that Poland > Italy > Croatia in terms of player skills and is why Croatia can beat Italy with a bit of luck and tactical advantage, but is unlikely to ever beat Poland, but Italy can with luck and tactical advantage as the gaps not as large.
Whether or not I'd agree is another thing, I think every side in the top 20 is capable of knocking off any side with luck and strong tactics.
(editado)
Although in this case the fact would be that Poland > Italy > Croatia in terms of player skills and is why Croatia can beat Italy with a bit of luck and tactical advantage, but is unlikely to ever beat Poland, but Italy can with luck and tactical advantage as the gaps not as large.
Whether or not I'd agree is another thing, I think every side in the top 20 is capable of knocking off any side with luck and strong tactics.
(editado)
Agree with your last paragraph,
what you say is the 'yes' part of my response. The no part is i believe that Ri_cro is suggesting that with a bit of luck they might be able to beat Italy, and Italy might be able to beat Poland with a bit of luck. Being stronger than another team means you will win more than 50% of the time, not just chance it out.. Which is where the no comes from because i dont believe this will happen with Italy/Croatia (yet)
what you say is the 'yes' part of my response. The no part is i believe that Ri_cro is suggesting that with a bit of luck they might be able to beat Italy, and Italy might be able to beat Poland with a bit of luck. Being stronger than another team means you will win more than 50% of the time, not just chance it out.. Which is where the no comes from because i dont believe this will happen with Italy/Croatia (yet)
Ok..ok...
In week 2 i will arrange friendly game if it is possible with Italy with A team....then we will see ;))
And I agree with cometer...
In week 2 i will arrange friendly game if it is possible with Italy with A team....then we will see ;))
And I agree with cometer...
cometer is pretty slack on acceptances into the Australia association!
Since it's a closed association I wouldnt be surprised if it was reserved for the NT staff... which is imo totally acceptable.
i've been slack in a few areas over the past week or two, but it's not as a result of actually being slack, rather having an overload of uni related work :(.
Ach i know that feeling.
preparing for my third exam in four days tomorrow afternoon, its not really fun.
preparing for my third exam in four days tomorrow afternoon, its not really fun.
try having 3 in 24 hours :p.
Morning, Afternoon, Morning.
Went through that the other year ;).
Morning, Afternoon, Morning.
Went through that the other year ;).
lol, my friend had all 4 of his exams during the first 2 days of exams
Heehee. Well, I disagree with your assessment of Turkey two seasons ago. But that's neither here nor there. :) I still think that was a pretty good achievement by Cerb - Griever.
And I didn't in any way intend to compare this season's NZ campaign with Australia's. Just meant NZ's wasn't a gimme. There were a number of teams that had easier rides.
Australia's group really was horrible. Despite having a high opinion of both team and manager, I didn't give Australia any chance of qualifying at the start of the season. The Aussie NT staff did a tremendous job to get as close as they did. :)
And I didn't in any way intend to compare this season's NZ campaign with Australia's. Just meant NZ's wasn't a gimme. There were a number of teams that had easier rides.
Australia's group really was horrible. Despite having a high opinion of both team and manager, I didn't give Australia any chance of qualifying at the start of the season. The Aussie NT staff did a tremendous job to get as close as they did. :)
Actually most of it is entirely down to seeding issues
Everything else aside, this is the key point. When it gets down to it, the vast majority of #2 seeds qualify for the WC, while a very small minority of #3s get in.
The bad news for teams like New Zealand, Australia, and Canada is that the window of opportunity is closing. The age advantage is gone. Size is now what matters. Turkey and Hungary are great recent examples of teams that have parlayed their strong numbers into NT success. Others like BiH, Greece, and a number of South American sides will follow a similar trajectory.
Canada's slid ~10 ranking positions in the past few seasons. New Zealand climbed for a while, but hit the glass ceiling and has begun slipping a little. Both could easily be in the 3rd pot for the next round of qualifying ...
Everything else aside, this is the key point. When it gets down to it, the vast majority of #2 seeds qualify for the WC, while a very small minority of #3s get in.
The bad news for teams like New Zealand, Australia, and Canada is that the window of opportunity is closing. The age advantage is gone. Size is now what matters. Turkey and Hungary are great recent examples of teams that have parlayed their strong numbers into NT success. Others like BiH, Greece, and a number of South American sides will follow a similar trajectory.
Canada's slid ~10 ranking positions in the past few seasons. New Zealand climbed for a while, but hit the glass ceiling and has begun slipping a little. Both could easily be in the 3rd pot for the next round of qualifying ...