The Golden Generation: The Final Opportunity

Every four years as an Englishman and avid football fan, I have to go through the same cycle. First, there is the initial hype as the world cup approaches - hundreds of cheesy, yet somewhat amusing, World Cup anthems are released by varying no namer old timers. This results in me spending disproportionate values of money on out of tune melodies which I find myself deeply regretting dowloading when it comes up on my iPod shuffle once the world cup is over. This stage of the World Cup hype in England is generally centred around the inaptly named 'Golden Generation', with whom we pin our hopes. The names ooze starpower as they roll of the tongue: Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney, Ferdinand, Terry and so on. Yet, this generation which holds so much hope, have never surpassed the quarter-finals in any major tournament. Underachievement does not do justice to the nature of this team.

In one sense the 'Golden Generation' could be seen as accurate - this lot sure as hell have a lot of money! John Terry, who has descended from his status as Bobby Moore II to the scum that personifies the modern day footballer within a year, is currently earning £160,000 a week. In this depression time England, such money is hard to comprehend for the ordinary Brit. Many point to the part-time nature of the infamous '66 team and point to the fact that money has clouded that atypical British grit we are all so proud of. Many squad members would beg to differ, and I would join them in doing so. Much as I hate the money these squad members gather, it is still true that effort never has and doubtless never will, will be an issue for the modern day English footballer. Especially seeing as the marketing deals they could get out of winning the World Cup would be mindboggling!

The nature of England's 'Golden Generation' exits from the World Cup are a huge factor in the painful nature of this tournament for this proud nation. In 1998, we exited in the 2nd Round on penalties to Argentina, after that all so infamous David Beckham sending off. In 2002, we lost in the Quaterfinals to Brazil 2-1, after that horrific David Seaman 'lobbing' - the image of him scrambling back in vain has scarred goalkeeping in my mind for life. In 2006, we lost to Portugal on penalties, after Wayne Rooney's stamp and the Ronaldo wink. In this pattern, a common theme can be found. None of England's losses have been what one could call 'clean'. There has always been a scapegoat, for which the nation can blame. This all the more makes our World Cup experience more painful. It could be seen as bad luck or it could have 'just not been our year', but either way a pattern is forming! The natural question to ask at this stage is who will the scapegoat be this year? Rob Green has lended himself as an early candidate, although I would certainly hope an ugly draw against the USA wouldn't be responsibe for our World Cup exit!

At the present time, the nation has reached the next stage of its World Cup cycle. Cynicism. Suddenly, our team has reacted with the USA to form the 'Lead Generation', a heavy, slow and aging bunch of footballers who are vastly overrated. At this stage, I am trying to avoid such attitude, but if the unthinkable occurs against Algeria this evening, I may be converted. This is the 'Golden Generation''s last opportunity. By the next world cup, Terry will be 34,  Lampard 35, Gerrard 34, Beckham 39, Cole 33 and so on. Simply put, this is their last chance, before it will be time to move on. But, if we escape this group, could it finally happen? The nation may well be 23 days from its most glorious hour in 44 years...

I'm a 16 year old, aspirational sports journalist, who would appreciate any feedback or comments! Thanks for reading!