Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here
During this brief World Cup hiatus, why not spare a thought for absent nations?
The following seven teams would all have brought something to the party, if only they’d qualified.
Still, there’s always next time…
Cameroon would have brought: Samuel Eto’o
Cameroon were the first African team to make the quarter finals in 1990, an achievement matched by Senegal in 2002. They then successfully qualified for the 1994, 1998 and 2002 tournaments, though never made it past the first round. They might have had a chance this year with Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o leading the forward line, but finished a solitary point behind Ivory Coast in qualifying.

Greece would have brought: their Euro 2004 trophy
An unfancied Greece team shocked a continent in 2004, beating Portugal, France, Czech Republic and Portugal (again) to win Euro 2004 via some robust defending and mounumental team effort. They wouldn’t have made Germany 2006 any prettier but it would have been great to see the current European Champions continue kicking ass on the world stage. Hellas yeah!

Ireland would have brought: their fans
Ireland will never be dubbed “the Brazil of Europe” but talents like Robbie Keane and Damien Duff would have been welcome additions to this World Cup (Keane’s questionable “forward roll then fire an imaginary arrow” goal celebration would have been confiscated at customs though). The real reason we miss Ireland is their good natured supporters. Imagine England fans just happy to be there, dressed in green and without the violent downside.

Nigeria would have brought: Jay-Jay
The Nigerians were becoming semi-regulars at the World Cup, qualifying for three straight tournaments from 1994-2002 and twice making the second round. They were agonizingly close to a fourth consecutive appearance, finishing level on points with Angola, but having an inferior head to head record. Obafemi Martins pace would have given World Cup defences something to worry about, and Jay-Jay Okacha’s bag of tricks makes David Blaine look amateur.

Turkey would have brought: flares (the firework things, not the ’70s fashion things)
Their passionate, passionate fans would have created some serious atmosphere. With Germany’s sizeable Turkish population, they would have been well represented too. Not sure what this years policy on flares was (Budweiser approved flares only?) but Turkish fans would have found a way to light up the stadiums.

Uruguay would have brought: more stars
The only former champions not present, Uruguay’s light blue jerseys have two stars - count ‘em - proudly on display. Urugauy came closest of all the absent teams, narrowly losing the CONMEBOL-OFC play-off to Australia on penalties.

Wales would have brought: Giggsy
Germany 2006 was probably Ryan Giggs’ last chance to play on the world’s biggest stage, but the Welsh team never looked like qualifying. Also would have been fun to see how World Cup referees dealt with tough tackling, mouthy midfielder Robbie Savage (though he’s currently in enforced retirement from international football after a spat with John Toshack).
Who do you wish were here?