It has been 16 years since England last made it to the semi-finals at the UEFA European Championship. Euro 1996 saw the Three Lions qualify as winners of their group before ousting Spain in the quarter-finals on penalties.
However, the good old playing days of Alan Shearer, Stuart Pierce and Paul Gascoigne are long gone and so is England’s luck in Last 8 matches at major finals. The Three Lions have a terrible history when it comes to quarter-final battles.
Quarter-final hoodoo: 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004, 2006 World Cup
At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the Three Lions managed to qualify from a group that contained Argentina and African powerhouse Nigeria. The Argentines and the Nigerians went home in the first round as England qualified behind group winners Sweden. In the Last 16, the Three Lions consumed Denmark with a straightforward 3-0 victory.
This result raised the hopes of English fans. In the UK, everyone dreamt about seeing their heroes lift the golden World Cup trophy far away in Asia. However, eventual champions Brazil gave England a challenge too hard to overcome in the quarter-finals. Goals from Rivaldo and Ronaldinho cancelled Michael Owen’s morale boosting opener and the 1966 World Cup champions lost 2-1.
England vowed to bounce back and a couple of years later they had a chance to prevail at Euro 2004. Led by skipper David Beckham, the Three Lions were under intense pressure to go all the way to the final. England shook off a bad start to France by booking a place in the Last 8. They met hosts Portugal in what turned out to be a dramatic encounter.
It was impossible to separate both sides after 120 minutes marked by 4 goals equally shared. Spotkicks were required. David Beckham produced the howler of the tournament by blowing his penalty kick extremely wide. England eventually lost 6-5 on penalties, leaving the media and the fans back home angered.
The quarter-final hoodoo came back to haunt the Three Lions at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Despite their rather poor performances, England topped their table en route to the Last 16 where they defeated Ecuador.
This victory paired them with Portugal in the Last 8. Revenge was on the mind of the English but Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese team mates had other ideas.
After 120 barren minutes marked by Wayne Rooney’s sending off, Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo blew his whistle to signal the need of a penalty shoot-out. Bad memories from UEFA Euro 2004 instantly inflicted fear within England’s players and fans.
Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher all wasted their spot-kicks as Ronaldo netted the decisive one to down England 3-1. This has been England’s last quarter-final match till date and the curse is yet to be broken.
Belief comes first, say England ahead of the Italy match
“All these negative statistics that we have to learn to deal with can only be put to bed when you get a positive, that’s the bottom line,” coach Roy Hodgson reportedly declared on Saturday.
England captain Steven Gerrard also spoke to the press ahead of Sunday’s UEFA Euro 2012 quarter-final fixture against Italy.
“In previous tournaments we just haven’t shown what we are capable of. But our performances are getting stronger in this competition,” said the Liverpool man.
“That is what gives me the belief and confidence that we can end this hoodoo that people talk about. I get told that not many of the current players have figured in quarter-finals, but they are all big-game players and are aware of what is required.
“It is important they seize the moment, seize the opportunity, because from experience, I know they don‘t come around very often.”
Captain Steven Gerrard is determined to take England past the quarter-final stage. He might succeed in achieving this feat but he could himself be deprived from featuring in the semis. Indeed, Steven Gerrard is one booking away from suspension.
Defender Ashley Cole, winger Ashley Young, midfielder James Milner and attacker Alex Oxlade-Chamberlan are also walking the tightrope. This leaves England coach Roy Hodgson with two difficult tasks to accomplish. Aside the command to beat Italy in the quarter-finals, the experienced manager must make sure to have all his key players available should England reach the semis.
