The 'upset' is a beautiful thing. In any walk of life, witnessing a David versus Goliath moment is something one will gain great excitement from and certainly remember.

Football is no different in this respect, and victory of the minnows at the expense of the mighty is something to be cherished. However, while there's much pleasure to be gained from the buzz and surprise of watching the big and powerful fall, at the same time it robs one of the privilege of seeing the mighty, prestigious and often beautiful, march on.

As the qualification programme for next summer’s Euro 2008 reaches its final furlong, fans globally will be torn between their desire to see the super-powers humiliated by failure, and their wish to see all of the great footballing nations present at next summer’s tournament.

'It would be fair to say that no team deserves to make it through more than Alex McLeish's side, but do we really want them there next summer at the expense of the imperious Azzuri or the classy French?'


Wouldn’t it be fantastic to see Finland grab qualification at the expense of Portugal, or Bulgaria deny the mighty Holland a place in Austria and Switzerland next June? Whilst it would be extraordinary, on the flip side, is a European Championships devoid of the wonder of a Ronaldo or the power and precision of a Van Persie really what football lovers want to see?

And then there is the case of Italy in Group B. A daunting trip to Hampden Park awaits the world champions, who know that a defeat would almost certainly mean they’ll be watching the events of next summer on  television. Their opponents on Saturday, Scotland, have been terrific throughout the campaign, with two victories over France epitomising their spirit and work ethic. It would be fair to say that no team deserves to make it through more than Alex McLeish's side, but do we really want them there next summer at the expense of the imperious Azzuri or the classy French?

The Spanish are renowned for imploding just when expectations are on the rise and it would take a mighty catastrophe for them to allow Denmark to nip in ahead of them at the death in Group F.

Neutrals may be clamouring to see Spain fail, even delighted if the cruel fate of third place were to be bestowed upon their arrogant coach Luis Aragones. Yet the prospect of seeing Denis Rommedhal and Jon Dal Tomasson take to the field instead of Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres and Andreas Iniesta is not a thought that should warm the hearts of supporters of the beautiful game. Unless you’re Danish, of course.

And what about England? Would football fans not rather see this great sporting nation progress at the expense of Russia or Croatia? Well… not necessarily. Devoid of any ideas, and bereft of any real technical ability, the English national side in its present state would not necessarily benefit next year’s tournament more than a young, talented Croatia or a hungry, well-coached Russian outfit.

England may actually be one of the bigger nations that the tournament could do without.

It can be argued that those nations who finish in the top two of their qualifying groups are the ones who deserve to progress and would therefore provide us with the best possible tournament. While it is fair to say that any team that qualifies deserve their place in the competition, it is certainly not true that a tournament filled with over-achieving minnows would be better, or as good as, a tournament filled with the powerhouses of international football.

So, however admirably the likes of Scotland, Bulgaria and Finland perform, and however poorly Italy, Spain,  Holland and Co play during the two years of qualification, come show-time in June 2008, there is no question who we would rather be watching do battle in the quest for European glory.

Make sure you bear this sentiment in mind over what is set to be an enthralling and tense next few days - and discard your David flags  and start rooting for Goliath.

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