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Croatian players celebrate during a shootout against Russia in the quarterfinals. (Manu Fernandez / Associated Press)
MOSCOW – When asking World Cup players and coaches to explain an almost inexplicable situation or outcome, the common answer is a shrug of the shoulders and , in several languages, an unsatisfactory answer. "
What happened here over three weeks can not be explained in its entirety, nor carelessly dismissed as something that happened for reasons that only the football gods know.
C & # Football is a bit like, it's not normal.
There are, however, some ways to make sense of it all.
First, the facts : Germany, Brazil, Spain, Argentina and Portugal have disappeared .This is the defending champion, the trophy holder, a world titan, a five-time finalist times and the current European winner, whose last two use the two most electrifying players of the sport, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Whoever claims to have predicted the semi-finalists t the competition – France, Belgium, England and Croatia. Separately, everyone had the plausible hope of getting to the last week, but the thought of the four advancements was far-fetched.
The last time the first four did not include at least one of Brazil's power group, Argentina, Germany and Italy were, well, never. Since 1970, two or more of this quartet have represented the semi-finals in all tournaments, except in 1998.
This year, France is the most decorated, having won the title in 1998 and finished eighth later. Belgium did it for the last time in 1986, England in 1990 and Croatia in 1998. All three lost right away.
"The big teams are at home," said coach of Croatia Zlatko Dalic. "The teams that work hard, are compact, united and well organized, they are here in Russia.It is the character of the four teams that remain in the tournament."
It took more than these intangibles, however , to reach the semi-finals of the world's first football event; it took talent. With the best players from the smaller countries doing their job in the big European leagues, it becomes easier to understand some, if not all, of the reasons for this summer's reshuffle.
The size of Belgium and Croatia The population – denies the wealth of sublime skills produced by youth academies and national team programs.
Although countries have only 15.5 million citizens – roughly the same as the metropolitan area of Istanbul – Croatia is represented in three clubs in La Liga (Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid ), as well as Liverpool, Juventus, Eintracht Frankfurt, Inter Milan and AC Milan. . Midfielder Luka Modric has won three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid and his central partner, Ivan Radikic, is a four-season regular in Barcelona.
Most starters from Belgium including Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, star of the Premier League elite. The entire team of 23 men from England is based on the domestic front. The affiliations of France are the top five European leagues (England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France).
Russia was an anomaly, a surprise quarter-finalist with two players competing outside of its original circuit. The spirit, tactics and home support have propelled it.
Although Senegal failed to progress as a group, the Teranga Lions played football and served as a small country model. seven in France, six in England and three in Italy. The small Uruguayan population had 14 European club players from the World Cup.
The failed favorites also boasted of great power, but with the rise of contenders, the margin of error was reduced and chemistry, desire and coaching
[The World Cup semifinals are set. Here’s the bracket and schedule.]
Spain has never been right in shooting coach Julen Lopetegui two days before the tournament. Argentina's Jorge Sampaoli reportedly faced a mutiny. And despite an extraordinary end against Sweden, the German Joachim Loew failed to rally his team in the group final against South Korea.
The Brazilians were on a trajectory for a sixth championship until the quarter-finals, when Belgium put them uncomfortably and dominated the first half.
Meanwhile, England and France, the big names but the clbadic underachievers, have taken dissimilar paths. Without the star power of years past, England is a model of team work and belief. Endowed with immense talent, France does not seem to have committed suicide in the semi-finals.
What may have punctuated the biggest World Cup – besides the torrent of late goals and captivating business – was the cool look of the semi-finals. Nobody could predict that, but almost everyone benefits.
Now it's football
Read more on football:
Russia is eliminated from the World Cup by Croatia] France takes full control by beating the l & # 39; Uruguay – and hints at more things to come in World Cup
Wayne Rooney starts practicing with DC United: "Quality just comes through"
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