Monzanator

Tennis update: Kamilla Rakhimova has switched to (her mother is Uzbek). More shocking is Anastasia Potapova switching to

Shiffrin dropped the speed events and goes back to her peak dominance winning gaps in slalom. My guess is these two are not unrelated

Maciusiak is sure making a case to be a complete lampoon. Nobody expected miracles but he totally broke Wąsek so far. Vets are one year older and now even struggle to make it thru qualifying (Kubacki, Żyła in Ruka).

The host group is always weaker by design and basically everyone wants to be in that group to have a better chance of qualifying. That's a trend that goes on for decades.

Probably 1974 3rd place match vs After that 3-0 vs in 1982 World Cup. Outside of WC it's Euro 1976 qualifer 4-1 vs

A lot of Polish footballers were "allowed" to emigrate to Belgium in 1980s (second only to France since Polish communist party chairman Gierek actually worked in French mines in 1950s and spoke French fluently). Andrzej Szarmach to Auxerre was the primary example. Back then Polish players were only allowed to travel abroads when they turned 28 yo. Boniek to Juventus after 1982 WCup was the ultimate dispension alas he was the biggest star we had so he was given the "ultimate" permission from the top ranks.

Belgium in the 1980s was one thing, their 1994 squad was really totally new to 1982-1990 (bit like West Germany 1978 after 1966-1974 was the "core squad"). Sweden in 1990 bombed out in the infamous Brazil Scotland Costa Rica group but they were clearly the better team in 1994 yet Belgium profited from the old points seeding more than anything. Norway winning the quals group threw a total wrench too (ahead of Pays Bas and England). This basically relegated Pays Bas to Pot 3 by default).

Has to be 1974 since played and in group stage (and missed 1970 WCup)

and failing to qualify elevated to Pot 1 alas has been on the rise with their 'new" generation. Belgium had Preud'Homme, De Wolf and Czerniatynski (old and bench player by then) in 1994. All the 1986 SF and 1990 left-overs (Gerets, Vercauteren etc.) were gone by 1994 already otherwise. Czerniatynski started in 1982 vs Poland when he was considered the "next best thing" but Enzo Scifo kinda had a better career overall IMO (and he was the "next best thing in 1994).

So yeah, a group of Brazil, Mexico, Spain and Sweden was very much probable for 1994 WCup. It just so happened "weaker" Russia and Cameroon dropped in. And was considered a dangerous floater even if was the team on the rise.

Seeding for 1994. Can you see a pattern? Sverige had zero presence since 1974 but for 1992 euro hosting.

Ah yes, I forgot Denmark had 1984 too, Doesn't matter since it comes to the same thing, an upgrade to Europe seeding since it's Europe, lol. Back in 1994 Europe had the full pot 3 just because it's Europe (Spain and Pays Bas hardly outsiders aka minnows were in Pot 3 too). It all comes down to if let's say peak Switzerland is tougher than let's say peak Paraguay. And nobody considers let's say peak Japan to be tougher than peak Switzerland or other European nation in their "better" period. 35 years on and the same "dilemma".

Not like anyone cares about luge (unless the infamous ranking for countries without an actual luge track) but Chmielewsk/Kowalewski duo is over since Chmielewski said he wants something different and send Kowalewski on the proverbial kitty litter

Italy is clearly in a down period. If not for the 2020 Euro dead cat bounce it's their worst decade since 1950s?

I lost track what's up with Poland since our federation was suspended but we somehow play at the Euros hehe