Hey guys and welcome to my FM 2012 European Championships 2028 with Spain. All the qualifiers and warm up Friendlies have been played, the stage is set and I don’t even have to travel abroad as my Spanish squad meet me in England where the tournament is been hosted.
Lets start today’s post with the media odds, this way you can get a feel for Spain’s chances. We are tipped as co-favorites for the tournament alongside Germany, England and Holland. I think that says a lot and while England hold home advantage I have to be confident.
While selecting my squad the general theme was a mix of experience and explosive pace. If I had to select three key players from the bunch they’d be my right winger Gutierrez who is one of the best wingers around and hit 66 caps. I also believe Fernandez who was capped 53 times will play a huge role as advanced playmaker and then my key center back Torres who notched up 48 caps.
Before we kick things off let me remind you of the group draw. Spain will play Holland, Israel and finish with Portugal. The top two nations in every group qualify, then the four best placed third positioned nations also go through.
Euro Championship group stage
We’ll breeze through this section just summing each match up in a few sentences. As mentioned I started my Euro campaign with a tough encounter against co-favorites Holland. The Dutch side are excellent going forward and posses incredible technical ability. But Spain’s technical ability was always going to be one step ahead as we dominated the match and won 4-2. Next up was Israel, a very weird game in which we went behind early on. It wasn’t until the 70th minute that our chances paid off and we scored three goals to win 3-1. Then the last match was a very simple affair, just a bit of keep ball against Portugal who were thrashed 3-0.
An easy looking and convincing qualification to the next round. Holland won two of their three matches and will join me as runners up. A very lucky Portugal will qualify in third place despite only winning one match.
Euro Championships 2nd round
Now we are down to the exciting part of any tournament, a time when the underdog can rise and no single match is a banker. My opponents for the 2nd round will be Turkey, a simple game if you don’t know my save, but Turkey have players to a similar standard of Cavus (my Turkish Messi who plays for Scarborough.) They are also ranked 9th in the world so certainly not opposition to take lightly.
As I prepared for this match, the team selection was at full strength and I opted to go for the attacking approach. This seemed to work as my side created plenty of chances in the first half and took three of them. The second half was rather dull, but we saw it out to win 3-0 and qualify for the quarter-finals.
Euro Championships quarter final vs Croatia
Apologies for not providing a screenshot of the quarter-final draw, I got carried away and was too late in taking it. Either way, I was pitted against Croatia, an easier opponent than Turkey on paper. And that is exactly how the game panned out, my boys managed 20 shots to Croatia’s two. While Croatia did convert one of those efforts, Spain managed to hit them for five thanks to a Marin hat trick and MOM performance. This 5-1 scoreline was the perfect battle cry for my next opponents who are….
Euro Championships semi-final
Now we’re down to the business end of the competition. Who you play here could determine whether your nations name is on the trophy, or you are out of a job. So guess who I was drawn against, it wasn’t Bulgaria, it certainly wasn’t France, no it was the hosts England! Ow dear, talk about a tall task, the England side is very, very strong and similar to the one that won World Cup 2026.
The most logical thing to do was use a counter strategy here, England have home advantage and are too strong to risk too many men forward. So with the stage set and my hands poised over my eyes I pressed play, but what followed was a masterclass. Spain were zipping the ball around like the home nation, dominating possession and every other stat out there. We went into the half-time break with a 3-1 lead, I was left speechless and praised my players.
The second half kicked off even better than the first as my center back, Maria, headed home from a corner….4-1 to SPAIN!! The clock ticked down and I could smell the final approaching, then England pulled one goal back on the 66th minute, no biggy, its a consolation at best. The referees watch then showed 80 minutes, almost there….but England pulled another one back to make it 4-3…surely they can’t screw me like this. But in Ana Garcia style, my boys conceded a forth on the 85th minute!!!! England had come back from 4-1 down to take the game into extra-time, I was speechless, distraught, beyond words. Neither side could commit anymore, the players were knackered and we saw the clock run down to penalties!
When you’re 4-1 up in any cup match, its safe to say you’ll lose the initiative if that lead is squandered, and that’s exactly what we did. The penalty shoot-out went close but England were victorious scoring 4 of their penalties while Spain could only manage 3.
I honestly nearly resigned from my post as manager of Spain there and then! I just couldn’t even bare the thought of enduring another competition like this and having to go through two years of wasteful boring matches just to get there. But I decided to keep my job for now and make a proper decision when the pain isn’t so thresh. I mean come on, who loses a 4-1 lead and concedes two of the goals in the last 10 minutes…SI gave me a right slap in the face on this one. Just to rub salt into the wound England couldn’t even beat France in the final!!
Here’s the tournament tree, not much to note in terms of upsets apart from Spain’s shock exit…I am just so disappointed with the way we lost (can you tell I’m not used to losing on this game lol.)
Due to the fact I can’t look at my squad without going red in the face, I resigned as manager of Spain. I just couldn’t bare the thought of waiting two more years for a major competition and playing all those pointless matches. I did wait until my mind was clear, but I still felt like my reign in Spain had to end.
Well that is the end of my International career with Spain, not the happiest of experiences but an experience all the same. Next time we’ll be back in Scarborough to see my home town take on season 18, I hope you’ll join me because there is a big surprise in store, to hear more about this just tune into the latest Podcast that will be available next week and a few hints will be revealed.
Chris
9 июня, 2012 at 23:32
Unlucky there darren so close but what i find strange is the fact that england won a penalty shootout :o
Darren Smith
9 июня, 2012 at 23:46
lol, lets hope there in game luck stretches to real life.
MRDNRA
9 июня, 2012 at 23:35
Unlucky is all I can say really.
As for the surprise with Scarborough, I’m going to guess either the chairman quit or built a new stadium.
Darren Smith
9 июня, 2012 at 23:47
Thanks mate, I won’t be revealing anything on the Scarborough save yet but will offer a few clues in the next Podcast.
Kevin
10 июня, 2012 at 00:32
Hi Darren
What a cruel ending to your semi — final which mirrors very much my NACL Final except for the shoot — out of course. Tough luck.
Funny though that France would go on to win the tournament with a measley 1 goal in each round.
Look forward to your next Scarborough update.
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2012 at 10:25
Yeah I feel ypur pain from the NACL, its a tough thing to accept.
TheZiggy
10 июня, 2012 at 00:56
That’s such an awful way to go out of the competition. A definite slap in the face alright, especially as England then failed to overcome France.
You’ve reminded why I don’t like doing International management. All those meaningless friendlies that you’re expected to play, and then qualifications, just get really tedious.
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2012 at 10:26
Funny that I reminded you why you don’t like International football, as this experience did the same for me, not my best moment in FM. :)
Conor Donovan
10 июня, 2012 at 01:28
Oh God! That is soooo Goddamn unlucky! When I saw 4-1 I was assuming it was a win and was saying aloud «ah how does Darren win every game so easy against even the best teams?»
I was absolutely astonished to see the England comeback! Oh well that’s football I suppose…
Any chance you could take charge of your native England next? They seem to have a great squad in your save.
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2012 at 10:28
Believe me Conor, theirs no one more shocked than me to see a 4-1 scoreline turn to 4-4. I pride myself on a solid back four and build the team around it, so all the previous work I’d done came to nothing. But that’s what you get in International tournaments, anything can happen and sometimes the worst position to be in is as favorites for the competition.
I won’t be doing anymore International management for now, that experience just put me off TBH, but I’m sure I’ll change my mind later.
Malhar Bhadbhade
10 июня, 2012 at 02:05
yeah, these sort of games do tend to happen. Credit to england for fighting back I guess, but you were desperately unlucky. i always feel international management is a major distraction, and more often than not, an unnecessary one…every time there is a crucial moment in the club season, you have to go off and play a pointless friendly, and you can’t really put your mind into it. but i am glad you had a go with Spain anyway, they seem to be a quality side from the screenshots you posted. I wish England in real life were somewhere close to the quality side on your game. anyway, we have to hope for the best tomorrow against France !! :D can’t wait for your new season with Scarborough~~~! just hope the surprise isn’t that your going to end the save ? :(
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2012 at 10:31
I too felt that International management was a distraction and actually made managing Scarborough less fun…that was also part of my reason for resigning. Lets cross our fingers for England IRL though!
Don’t worry about the save, it will not end anytime soon.
Malhar Bhadbhade
11 июня, 2012 at 04:01
Glad to hear that :) Yep, I’m putting all my will power behind England tonight. I don’t think we’re as bad as people make us out to be. We do have one of the most solid defences in the Euros, we have Stevie G…our problem is wingers and the striker :D
Mohammad Sadek
10 июня, 2012 at 03:02
Unlucky Darren , it ‘s not very bad to lose in semi final by penalty shootout , it isn’t an achievement but it isn’t a disaster like Germany & Italy who lost in 2nd round .
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2012 at 10:33
It wasn’t bad by any means, I was just frustrated to lose a three goal lead like that. If I’d lost 2-0 fair and square then I’d accept it and move on, but to throw away what was seemingly there felt harsh, guess that’s why we play the game, because you can never predict what might happen and while I was on the end of a bad shock this time, I’ve had the roles reversed many times before.
Tegar Triemanudigdo
10 июня, 2012 at 07:48
Ouch, that must be hurt, but yeah, something like that will bound to happen. Anyway, too bad you didn’t get a chance to win Euro cup but keep your heads up there because you have plenty nation to try out there!
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2012 at 10:34
It was a tough pill to swallow mate. I won’t return to International management anytime soon, but when the scars have healed maybe.
Vinners
10 июня, 2012 at 09:35
Hey Darren, I think you’ve got Cyprus and Israel mixed up earlier on :L Unless Israel is now Cyprus and I’ve missed something :D
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2012 at 10:35
Yeah I had Cyprus in qualifying and was on auto pilot.
Martin F.M.J.S
10 июня, 2012 at 10:56
Unlucky Darren that is some tournament finish I think I would have reacted like yourself if I lost in that fashion but it was a good attempt anyway. I look forward to your Scarborough post.
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2012 at 13:32
Thanks Martin it was a tough pill to swallow.
saltwater
10 июня, 2012 at 12:20
Complacency!
I hate it. At times I do think it goes too far in this game, to the point where you’ve won 10 games in a row and you lose to the most unlikeliest team, but this…
Such a shame. But it does give you an excuse to quit international management as as you said why have two years preparing then your players (most of the time) don’t even perform at the one time they need to. It’s just not worth it.
I have a hunch of what the Scarborough thing is, but I’m usually wrong. What day do you think the podcast will be out?
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2012 at 13:34
That word, ‘complacency’, is one I hate too but certainly sums up the disastrous performance. As for the Podcast it could be out around Thursday/Friday maybe even before. Just depends how myself and Jake get on.
Dan
10 июня, 2012 at 13:36
Unlucky Darren,
You had a really strong squad and it must have hurt to be so close but so far. International management is really hard on FM12!
PS. How do you do the thing where you link the player profile pictures to the text so that when you click it the image appears? It’s probably obvious but it’s something I’d like to use on my blog too since I’ve seen a couple of people using it now. :)
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2012 at 15:57
Thanks Dan, it was tough indeed. As for the image linked to name thing. Just upload your image as normal, but don’t put it into the post, instead copy the URL link, save the changes, then highlight the word you want and click on the ‘insert/edit link’ icon situated to the right of the alignment icon options. Then a box popes up in which you paste the link into and press OK, it should work from there.
Dan
11 июня, 2012 at 15:25
Thanks, I shall use this on my next post :)
Johnny Karp
10 июня, 2012 at 16:45
Damn, I was willing to bet a month’s wage that you would win it! Tough luck against England in that second half, it was just one of those nightmares that last for only 45 minutes but seem to take for ever and ever.
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2012 at 17:06
I wonder if William Hill take bets on the outcome of Football Manager games ;) Good job if not though or I’d be skint by now. ;) It was a very long second half thats for sure!
Ana Garcia
10 июня, 2012 at 20:05
Bad luck Darren!
I can really sympathise I have a terrible record at international management but you just had one of those games where if it can wrong than it will.
I guess you will pleased to see England win a penalty shoot-out though! ;)
At least that let’s you focus back to club management so good luck with that! :)
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2012 at 20:07
Thanks Ana, me moaning about that one game feels very naughty when I consider how hard you have had it ;) International management is tough but its the challenge of FM that we love so can’t complain too much.
FMLOVER
10 июня, 2012 at 20:24
Really unlucky there Darren, 4-1 ahead and I thought you’d have it in the bag! So you’ve had a long haul with Scarbrough so how many seasons do you think you’ve left in the tank until a new save comes?
Thanks
Darren Smith
10 июня, 2012 at 20:43
I thought it was in the bag too mate. As for the Scarborough thing, there’s some big news to follow, we are publishing a podcast tonight that will reveal more so maybe have a listen.
CsAtlantis
11 июня, 2012 at 02:31
That was so close Darren, somehow England manage to catch up a 3 goal deficit AND won on penalties
Anyway, I noticed that France did a 1-0 on every team in the knockout rounds….are they super defensive?
I will be looking forward to the next season at the Seagulls, hope you have better luck in the World Cup ;)
Darren Smith
11 июня, 2012 at 12:02
France have a really good defense but I wouldn’t say they lined up defensively as such.
vaibhavc
11 июня, 2012 at 04:43
Im shocked really, I was expecting you to win the Euros easily, and the lead that your players gave up was shocking. Its probably a one off thing, will look forward to hearing the podcast.
Darren Smith
11 июня, 2012 at 12:05
Thanks mate, I think a few of us were expecting more but its what makes FM great, the surprise factor ;)
Sears
11 июня, 2012 at 16:43
Aw no , such a shame to lose out in circumstances like that ! :( Nevertheless still an impressive tournament but a real pity you never bought home the trophy.
Darren Smith
11 июня, 2012 at 18:36
Yeah it was disappointing mate, but entertaining all the same.
Bence Répási
11 июня, 2012 at 17:31
So unlucky! That game with England was crazy, I don’t think anyone think about it before the match. I hope there won’t be such problems with Scarborough! Good luck with the next season!
Darren Smith
11 июня, 2012 at 18:45
Thanks mate, we were desperately unlucky but I’ve been on the good end of results like that before and I suppose I can’t have it all my own way. :)
Heresy
12 июня, 2012 at 12:12
WOW, so unlucky! There’s no way of explaining why you lost there.. hate those moments where you seem to do just fine, are in complete control of the match and then in 10 minutes the opposition scores a dozen goals and wins! It’s even more frustrating when you know you could do absolutely nothing about it..
Can’t wait for the upcoming twist in your story! So sad that you’re leaving Scarborough but.. those finances would drive anyone mad :( Let’s hope that, with your new team, you won’t find yourself in the same rut.
Darren Smith
12 июня, 2012 at 19:17
Yeah it was very unfortunate but I’m OK with the whole thing now…just looking forward to the next challenge. ;)
Peter_G
13 июня, 2012 at 12:02
Seadogs update?? haha
Darren Smith
13 июня, 2012 at 12:05
Not until this weekend at the earliest I’m afraid.