Golden generation

In sport, a golden generation or golden team is an exceptionally gifted group of players of similar age, whose achievements reach or are expected to reach a level of success beyond that which their team had previously achieved.[1][2] Below is a list of teams who have been referred to by the media as golden generations.

Origins

It was first coined by the Portuguese sports media to refer to a group of exceptionally gifted teenage Portuguese footballers. This group of players, spearheaded by "Golden Boy" Luís Figo, won two Football World Youth Championships in 1989 and 1991.[3] This group were close to retirement in the early part of the 21st century, leading the European sports media to spotlight the Golden Generation's chances of winning a senior trophy at tournaments like Euro 2000, World Cup 2002, Euro 2004 –which Portugal hosted–, and World Cup 2006.

Since then, it has been used by media in many different countries, with usage spreading to other areas, for example, in rugby.

Basketball

Argentina national basketball team (2000–2012)

By winning the gold medal in the Americas Championship 2001, silver medal in 2002 FIBA World Championship, the gold medal in Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics, gold medal in FIBA Diamond Ball 2008, bronze medal in Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics, and gold medal in 2011 FIBA Americas Championship played in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina. Resulting in Argentina reached the first position in the FIBA Men's Ranking at the end of the 2008 Olympic Games.[4]

Football

Australia (2006-2014)

This Australian team was the first team in 32 years to qualify for a FIFA World Cup tournament. This group of players formed the backbone of Australia's 2007 AFC Asian Cup, 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2011 AFC Asian Cup squads and was used extensively during Australia's qualification matches for those respective tournaments, with this crop of players considered to be among the best Australia have ever produced. The Golden Generation is believed to have ended durign the reign of Ange Postecoglou as manager of Australia.[5][6][7][8][9][10]

FC Barcelona (2006–2013)

Brazil (1958–1970, 1994–2006)

Having won the World Cup 5 times, more than any other national team, the Brazil national football team had many golden generation periods, notably the 1958-1970 squad, and most recently, the successful team of late 1990s/early 2000s. In the 1997-2006 period, the team has won 2 Confederations Cups in 1999 and 2005, 3 Copa Américas in 1997, 1999 and 2004, 1 World Cup in 2002 and were the runners-up in 1998. Many of the players in the squad were multiple Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year winners/nominees and had successful club careers in Europe.

England (2001–2010)

During the reign of Sven-Göran Eriksson, Adam Crozier, the chief executive of the Football Association and some members of the British media touted players such as David Beckham, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard as the nucleus of a potential Golden Generation team. Despite some impressive performances such as the 2001 Germany vs England football match in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers and the individual players' successes at club level, inconsistency resulted in this group of players failing to live up to expectations, resulting in the group becoming synonymous with disappointment and failed potential.[11][12][13][14][15][16]

After Eriksson left in 2006 and Steve McClaren became manager, although many of the players continued to achieve success with their respective clubs, the team failed to qualify for Euro 2008 – only the second time England failed to qualify for a major tournament in over twenty years (of the last twelve major tournaments). Rio Ferdinand claimed that the pressure the "Golden Generation" tag had a negative effect on the players restricting their ability to perform to their full potential for the national team.[17]

Germany (1982–1998, 2006–present)

After finishing bottom of their group at UEFA Euro 2000, the DFB made plans to develop a team to play at the 2006 FIFA World Cup held on home soil. Under manager Jürgen Klinsmann, young players such as Miroslav Klose, Phillip Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger were regular members of a team which finished in third place. These players were joined by 22-year-old striker Mario Gómez as Germany reached the final of UEFA Euro 2008 under the management of Joachim Löw.

After winning the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship in 2009, Germany showcased a new set of rising young stars at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Manuel Neuer, Jérôme Boateng, Dennis Aogo, Sami Khedira, Mesut Özil and Marko Marin from Germany's U21s were all included in Germany's World Cup squad, as well as FC Bayern Munich's Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos and Holger Badstuber. This young group would play a very different style that is custom to the traditional Germany style of play. Instead, of the traditional style they played a counterattacking style that was quick and direct. This was demonstrated in their games with Australia, England, and Argentina in which they scored four goals. This young group would lead Germany to the semi-finals before losing to Spain. For the qualification of the UEFA Euro 2012 Germany went undefeated in their group with these young stars and newcomers Mats Hummels, Benedikt Höwedes, André Schürrle, Mario Götze, Marco Reus. Germany's FIFA World Cup 2014 qualification campaign has seen FC Schalke 04's Julian Draxler become a regular member of the squad. In the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the team managed to finish first after a 1-0 victory over Argentina.

Yugoslavia (1987–1992)

Yugoslavia's generation of young footballers won the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship and finished runner-up at the 1990 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. The nation then reached the quarter-finals of the 1990 FIFA World Cup and, a year later, a Crvena zvezda team featuring many of the national team's stars became the first Yugoslav side to ever win the European Cup. Yugoslavia qualified for UEFA Euro 1992 with seven wins from eight matches and the best goalscoring record and goal difference of any team during the qualifying phase. However, the team was disqualified prior to the tournament due to the Yugoslav Wars and did not play together again after the country's division. Several players from the Yugoslav team went on to finish in third place at the 1998 FIFA World Cup with Croatia.[20][21]

AFC Ajax (1992–1996)

The first Golden Ajax' team was formed in the early 1970s[22]

In the mid 1990s the AFC Ajax brought through a Generation of players who helped them win the 1995 UEFA Champions League Final which included:

Many of whom followed their coach at Ajax, Louis van Gaal to FC Barcelona.

Bulgaria (1994–2004)

Nigeria (1994–1998)

Many of these players made up the youth national teams of Nigeria that won the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Japan and also the winning team of the 1994 African Cup of Nations. These teams were the step-up to the senior team for the world cup and were tipped to set the stage alight in USA. As a result Nigeria reached the last 16 of the 1994 FIFA World Cup where they were within two minutes of qualifying for the quarter-finals in the game against Italy but Roberto Baggio scored to take the game to extra time. He also scored the eventual winning goal. The game ended 2–1 in favour of the Italians. However, they showed their dominance in the Atlanta Olympics where they won gold in the 1996 Summer Olympics beating the likes of Brazil in the semi-finals and Argentina in the finals.

France (1998–2006)

In late 1998 the France national football team began a period of international dominance defeating Brazil 3–0 to win the 1998 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first French team to win the World Cup. Two years later, David Trezeguet's golden goal in extra time gave France a 2–1 win over Italy to give France the 2000 European Championship. France were subsequently ranked No. 1 in the FIFA World Rankings and ranked No. 1 in the World Football Elo Ratings for two years. The team also secured the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup. Despite this impressive recent record the French team flopped at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, losing to newcomers Senegal in the opening match of the tournament and crashing out in the group stages without scoring a goal and taking only one point from their three games. Two years later they were successful at the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup. They also reached the World Cup final in Berlin at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where they lost to Italy.[23][24] The French golden team[25] was composed of the following players:

Hungary (1950–1956)

Main article: Golden Team

Portugal (2000–2006)

Many of these players made up the youth national teams of Portugal that won consecutive FIFA Youth Championships in 1989 and 1991, these teams were the step-up to the senior team. As a result Portugal reached the semi-finals of 2000 UEFA European Football Championship and were runners-up four years later. They were also 2006 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists after a dominating run, though only Luís Figo and Nuno Gomes were picked in the squad for the final tournament.[26][27] [28] Some critics contend that many of the players underachieved at international level.[29][30]

Côte d'Ivoire (2006–2014)

Despite winning the 1992 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the country saw an outpour of talent during the first half of the '00s. The majority of this generation consisted of talented players who enjoyed and still enjoy considerable success in Europe. Led by Didier Drogba (who is also the national team's highest ever goalscorer), several other players found contracts in the biggest football stages in the world. During this period, Côte d'Ivoire managed its first FIFA World Cup appearances in 2006 and 2010 respectively.[33][34]

Spain (2008–2014)

Despite a strong pedigree at club level, with teams such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, Spain frequently underachieved at international level. However, they won their first major trophy since the 1964 European championship after defeating Germany in the Euro 2008 final. This was followed by success in the 2010 World Cup against the Netherlands and in 2012, Spain were again crowned European champions after defeating Italy 4–0. The first team in history to achieve three successive international titles. This has led many commentators and experts to declare this Spanish team as the greatest international team in the history of the game. With Barcelona's Xavi and Iniesta at the helm, this golden generation of technically gifted players have been credited with changing some of the standard model rules of the game. Spain played most of Euro 2012 with a so-called false number 9; replacing the traditional central forward role with a playmaker. In each of their three tournament wins, Spain completed more passes than any other team in the competition. Along with passing, the other distinctive part of their game is ball possession. Spain have had majority possession in every competitive game since the start of Euro 2008 except the final game of Euro 2008 against Germany. Spain's tactical game has been dubbed tiki-taka. Spain has ended each of the last five years at the top of the FIFA World Rankings.

Belgium (2013–)

The current Belgium national team is seen by many as the most talented generation Belgium has ever had. A large number of their players currently play in England in the Premier League. In October 2013, the team qualified for the 2014 World Cup, Belgium's first appearance at a major tournament since the 2002 World Cup, and rose to 4th in the FIFA World Rankings in October 2014.[35]

Bosnia and Herzegovina (2014)

The current Bosnian national team was seen by many as the most talented generation Bosnia and Herzegovina has ever had.[38][39][40]

Ice hockey

Sweden

Born in the early 1970s, the Swedish national ice hockey team had a golden generation of players that achieved great success in the NHL and eventually won gold at the 2006 Winter Olympics, beating Finland with 3–2 in the gold medal game.

Canada

Born in the mid-1980s, the Canadian national men's hockey team has had a golden generation which contributed to five consecutive IIHF World U20 Championships between 2005 and 2009, and subsequently won back-to-back gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.[41][42][43] Eight players have also won the Stanley Cup and two are members of the Triple Gold Club.

Rugby union

Ireland national rugby union team

From 2001, Ireland's team has been chosen from a solid base of players, led by Brian O'Driscoll whose debut in 1999 has been linked to a transformation in the team's fortunes.[44] Under-21 Triple Crown victories in 1996 and 1998 and an under-19 World Cup win in 1998 occurred with many members of those teams going on to become the golden generation of the 2000s.[44] The senior team had only once in the 1990s won two Five Nations Championship games in one year (1995).[44] However, the team of the 2000s were close runners-up in the expanded Six Nations Championship several times, and were disappointingly knocked out of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, failing to advance from the pool stage.[45] Four Triple Crowns during the 2000s equaled the amount Ireland had won in the previous one hundred years.[44] A two-win Six Nations campaign in 2008 was the exception, leading to the departure of manager Eddie O'Sullivan.[44]

Their crowning moment came under Declan Kidney in 2009 when they won the Grand Slam and Six Nations Championship. They remained unbeaten throughout 2009, beating World and Tri Nations champions South Africa in their final match of the year. The Sunday Independent proclaimed the 2000s as "the greatest decade in the history of Irish rugby. In the space of 10 years we have progressed from penury to riches".[44] Most of this group of players have also led their respective Irish club/provincial sides to unprecedented success, with Munster winning the Celtic League in 2003, 2009 and 2011 and the Heineken Cup in 2006 and 2008; and Leinster winning the Celtic League in 2002 and 2008 and the Heineken Cup in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Curse of the Golden Generations: The Unrewarded Exploits of Bergkamp, Figo, Drogba and England - International Business Times UK". Ibtimes.co.uk. 2013-10-13. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
  2. ↑ http://www.espnfc.com/team/belgium/459/blog/post/1923296/belgium-golden-generation
  3. ↑ "Portugal must take their chance". BBC. May 13, 2002.
  4. ↑ "Star-studded but aging Argentine squad looks to add to achievements with FIBA Americas gold". sportingnews. 12 September 2011.
  5. ↑ http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/10/18/its-time-for-australia-to-move-on-from-the-golden-generation/
  6. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/asian-cup/fox-sports-simon-hill-says-the-asian-cup-final-will-be-fitting-farewell-to-socceroos-golden-generation/story-e6frf4fu-1225995483593?nk=940d0841d9989dd332a822175486d00d
  7. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jun/06/the-socceroos-golden-generation-world-cup
  8. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/socceroos-golden-generation-fall-one-by-one-to-the-sniper-20140326-zqnd8.html
  9. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/socceroos-golden-generation-has-much-to-teach-our-youth-20120721-22gti.html
  10. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/asian-cup-2015-after-historic-triumph-socceroos-now-target-world-cup-20150201-1334zz.html
  11. ↑ McCarra, Kevin (August 18, 2006). "McClaren ends the golden era". The Guardian (London).
  12. ↑ Wilson, Paul (July 9, 2006). "England's golden generation are just big heads". The Guardian (London).
  13. ↑ McNulty, Phil (July 2, 2006). "End of road for wayward England". BBC News.
  14. ↑ "Eco Chic: All ethically made over". The Independent (London). November 23, 2009.
  15. ↑ "England, Beckham booted from Euro 2008". MSNBC.
  16. ↑ Wallace, Sam (August 29, 2011). "Sam Wallace: 'Golden generation' fell short of the highest standards – but England will miss them". The Independent (London).
  17. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/10/rio-ferdinand-england-world-cup
  18. ↑ http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/frank-lampard-retirement-the-embodiment-of-the-golden-generation-departs--so-will-he-be-remembered-as-a-success-9692272.html
  19. ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/11064868/Golden-Generation-was-just-hype-Gary-Neville-on-the-end-of-England-era.html
  20. ↑ "Osim recalls what might have been for a brilliant Yugoslavia in 1990". Sports Illustrated. 1 July 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  21. ↑ "Serbia & Montenegro's new dawn". BBC. 31 May 2003. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  22. ↑ "Forbes.com: Soccer Team Valuations 2005". Retrieved 2013-12-04.
  23. ↑ "Finals bow for Zidane et al - ESPN FC". Soccernet.espn.go.com. 2006-05-17. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
  24. ↑ Wallace, Sam (August 10, 2007). "English players are an endangered species we must do more to protect". The Independent (London).
  25. ↑ "the 1998 golden team" Philippe Grelard (AFP)
  26. ↑ Hughes, Rob (June 28, 2000). "'Golden Generation' Must First Beat World Champion France : Can Portugal Go the Full Distance?". The New York Times.
  27. ↑ "Figo and Co. aim to fulfill Portugal's promise at Euros". CNN.
  28. ↑ "SI.com - Soccer - Portugal's golden generation just misses glory - 4 July 2004". CNN. July 4, 2004.
  29. ↑ "Portugal vs. France preview". ESPN.
  30. ↑ "Golden boys ready to shine". BBC. June 27, 2000.
  31. ↑ "Retirement beckons for João Pinto –". Uefa.com. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
  32. ↑ "QPR happy to gamble on Sousa". ESPNsoccernet. November 20, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
  33. ↑ "Last hurrah for Ivory Coast’s Golden Generation". Sportsnet. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  34. ↑ "World Cup 2014: Time for Ivory Coast's ageing golden generation to finally make an impact on the world stage". The Telegraph. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  35. ↑ "FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  36. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27133764
  37. ↑ "Lukaku joins Chelsea as Belgian invasion gathers pace". CNN. August 18, 2011.
  38. ↑ "FIFA: BiH je konačno dočekala svoju zlatnu generaciju". SportSport.ba. 2013-06-13. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
  39. ↑ "Best-ever Bosnia scale new heights". FIFA.com. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
  40. ↑ "Bosnia's golden generation on verge of bringing World Cup football to war-ravaged nation". Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
  41. ↑ Mirtle, James (February 24, 2014). "Team Canada’s golden generation not going anywhere". Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  42. ↑ Arthur, Bruce (February 23, 2014). "Golden generation leads Canadian men to Olympic hockey gold, again, in Sochi". National Post. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  43. ↑ LeBrun, Pierre (February 23, 2014). "No doubting Canada's dominance". ESPN. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 44.4 44.5 44.6 44.7 44.8 44.9 44.10 44.11 44.12 "Rugby's golden children exploded with the boom". Sunday Independent. November 15, 2009.
  45. ↑ Averis, Mike (September 28, 2007). "Ireland's dying light stings Reddan in hunt for late revival". The Guardian (London).