Soccer

England's failure to qualify for Euro2008 caused much soul searching and brought about the downfall of their coach, Steve McLaren. Questions were continually asked as to why England's best squad of players had failed to reach the finals of the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland.

Players who performed at the highest level with their clubs, reaching the latter stages of the Champions League, but failed to perform for their country. The coach took his share of the blame and was sacked, to be replaced by Fabio Capello.

However, while their was much disappointment in England, the rest of Europe got on with the football and had a very successful tournament.

Euro2008 Without England:

• Without England, there wasn't the constant threat of hooliganism and the need for city centres to become like 'war-zones' with police on high alert to control the fans.
• Without England, there wasn't the WAGS (Wives and Girlfriends) craving media attention as they tried to outspend each other on their numerous and lavish shopping trips. There was no distraction from the football.
• Without England, on the field, their wasn't the usual overstating of their prospects, only to disappoint at the crucial moment.

Victorious Spain:

In Euro2008, the best team, Spain, won, not always something you can say at the end of a major tournament. However, the other teams which qualified for the latter stages of the tournament were able to put up a good performance, not overawed by the weight of expectation as so often happens to England. When faced with a top team in the later stages of the tournament, England rarely display of their best. This year teams who finished second in their group showed no fear and raised their game to meet the challenge, enabling Russia, Turkey and Germany to defeat Croatia, the Netherlands and Portugal with some inspiring football.