Well guess what, France did qualify after all… Denmark beat Bulgaria and France sneaked through on goal difference!
And just to make our bad luck complete, World Cup winners Spain finished 2nd in their group and were going to meet us in the quarter final! I guess I should have lost the game against France…
So, we had to face Spain… Their team looked incredibly strong overall, one of the best teams in the world at that moment. I chose to field and unchanged squad hoping that the lads that beat France would be able to produce another breathtaking display.
We got off to a good start, we were keeping the opponents under control and getting back lots of balls in midfield. That’s how we scored eventually, Delfouneso played a quick through ball for Hinshelwood and my wonderkind struck it home. We were playing very well but failed to convert that into another goal, we missed a couple of good chances. Then Spain took over and they didn’t miss their opportunities, left winger Mata showed some clinical finishing to overturn the result before half time. The second half showed a spectacular game, we were pushing forward with great determination while Spain were looking to bury us on counter attacks. We managed to produce quite a few more good chances but were unable to beat an immense Iker Casillas, he kept the door shut with some incredible saves. We were out of the tournament, I was disappointed but also proud of my team, they played well.
Guess who won the tournament? That’s right, France!
The FA were satisfied with our performance during Euro 2016 but I was disappointed by the outcome. I guess I don’t know how to manage a national team so I chose to resign and focus on my last season with Notts County. It was a great journey with England but I just can’t shake off the bitter taste of defeat, I guess we deserved a lot more from this tournament.
That’s how it was my friends, thanks for reading and stay tuned for my last season with Notts County!
Lye
21 апреля, 2010 at 16:14
Hi mate, your team had created quite a number of chances just too bad that the ball just wouldn’t go in the net. The results of national is definitely more unpredictable and its good that you focus your energy on the last season of your Notts county story. Looking forward to your transfer news soon.
Majk
21 апреля, 2010 at 16:39
Aww man! That draw didn’t favour you in any way and France who didn’t really perform well in the group (not to take anything away from your win over them) got Croatia and then Ukraine instead of Italy, things couldn’t get easier for them. Then in the final anything can happen.
I do feel for you as you were close to beating the Favourites for Euro glory, If you would’ve managed to go though there I’m confident you would win the whole thing.
Mícheál
21 апреля, 2010 at 18:42
Tough luck there jonny. Must be a bit annoying beating the overall winers. looking forward to your next post.
Laxeyman
21 апреля, 2010 at 18:50
Unlucky there Johnny, but you did ok to get to the quarters, you were beaten by a really strong spainish side. Good luck for your final season with Notts Co, I look forward to it!
Johnny Karp
21 апреля, 2010 at 21:00
Thanks for the comments and for the sympathy my friends. I guess it was a combination of bad luck and poor finishing. Anyway, managing a national team is not easy especially if you are managing a club at the same time.
ravenie
21 апреля, 2010 at 21:23
Unlucky there Johnny, thats football and these things happen you were unfortunate to lose. Looking forward to the final season
Ana Garcia
21 апреля, 2010 at 21:37
Hmmm I have mixed feelings!
I really wanted you to win, but I support Spain as my national team!
Amazing that France just crept through the group stage, then managed to win it!
Guess they had all the luck! :)
Johnny Karp
22 апреля, 2010 at 09:00
@Ravenie
Thanks mate, will be posting the transfer news today.
@Ana
I guess so, France had all the luck and left none of it for us…
Kevin Mayo
22 апреля, 2010 at 12:15
Hi Johnny
Tears…
It was looking so good and my favorite player Hinshelwood scored as well.Very unlucky to face Spain in the Q/F but overall you did very well as England manager.
The game mimics real life, the winning team had some luck!
Johnny Karp
22 апреля, 2010 at 13:14
@Kevin
I was hoping for more too but I guess I did my best. I have only one regret, beating France. I should have tried to lose that game (or at least rest most of the first team regulars) and then who knows, we could have gone on to win the tournament.