Why England Stand Their Best Chance of Major Tournament Glory in a Decade

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: June 10, 2016

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It can be difficult to gauge just how fair a chance England stand of winning any given major tournament. Whether it be the European Championship or the World Cup, hyperbole and pessimism warps judgement in equal measure. On the basis of preemptive predictions, the Three Lions are either winners-in-waiting or group-stage flops-to-be.

This time is different, though. Nobody, not even Roy Hodgson, is certain of how England will fare at this summer's European Championship. Some think they are genuine contenders, plotting their route all the way to the final, while others believe they will fall without so much as a whimper.



The hyperbole that once came with every Euros or World Cup is no longer so bullish. The English press even found grounds for praise in the event of England's group-stage exit two years ago in Brazil, and Hodgson held on to his job. His predecessors wouldn't have been afforded the same leniency.

But perhaps more should be expected of England at Euro 2016. They might not be able to count themselves among the front-runners, but they should be considered a rather swift dark horse in the race.

Nearly 50 years have passed since England last lifted major tournament silverware. But rather than keeping company with the bona fide elites of the international game—such as Germany, Italy and Spain—they are fallen giants of the sport—such as Uruguay and Hungary.



In 20 years of competitive football, England have made the semi-finals of a major tournament just once. The last time the country's national team made it far enough to place one foot in the final of a competition was Euro 1996, and English footballers still suffer from penalty-shootout jitters every time they are confronted with one in the latter rounds. The Three Lions can only claim to have regressed in the two decades since.

Their performances at the 2014 and 2010 World Cups were decidedly i...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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