The Myth of the Golden Generation

Wikipedia defines Golden Generations as “an exceptional gifted group of players of similar ages, whose achievements reach or are, expected to reach a level of success beyond that which their team had previously achieved.” The description is pretty standard and gives one an idea of what is being referred to when speaking of a Golden Generation.  However I have a problem with the use of the phrase, especially the latter part of the definition (“… expected to reach…”).

I am of the view that the labeling of a team as a Golden Generation should be restricted to the first part (“….whose achievements reach…”). For so long, I have had to endure in confusion teams such as 1982 Brazil, Portugal of the late 1990 to early 2000s, the England side of the 2000s and now the current Germany team labelled as the Golden Generation of their respective nations. Maybe I am being short sighted, however it is a strong view of mine that for anything or anyone to be labelled as “golden”, to some degree should be associated with some sort of success and consequently some gold (medal).

The France of 1998 to 2006, which reached two world cup finals (winning one), won the Euro 2000; Confederation Cup 2001 and were ranked number one for a period of two years; The current Spanish side which has won three consecutive major tournaments (a world cup and two Euros) and seating at the top of the rankings for the past five years. Golden! That is what those teams were and they have seven trophies between them to stamp my point. Maybe I am viewing the phrase in a much to narrow sense but I find it much easier to refer the Frances and the Spain’s of this world to have had a Golden generation once upon a time than an a Portuguese or English sides who underachieved.

What has been of great concern to me is how loosely the phrase has been utilised. As a supporter, lover and student of the beautiful game it is a bit odd and disturbing for me to use the same phrase when describing/or referring the era of David Beckham; Michael Owen; Paul Scholes: Rio Ferdinand: Steven Gerard and company and yet still use the same phrase when discussing the era of the likes Marcel Desailly; Didier Deschamps; Thierry Henry; Zinadine Zidane; Emanuel Petit.

Agreed, the listed English footballers were super talented and could be compared amongst the best in their prime. However,the question that needs to be asked, is what achievements or feats did that group of players achieve for them to be considered as “golden”?This was an English team who between 2000 and 2010 did not once reach a semi-final of any major championship. My concern with the Golden Generations of this world is as a result of sides such as the Portuguese side of Luis Figo, Pauleta, Rui Costa etc who could not defeat a limited Greece side in front of their home crown at the Euro 2004. The truth has to be faced; there was absolutely nothing golden about the era of these players and their era. As much as there was nothing golden about the Brazil of 1982 or the current fading Cote’ de Ivoire.

An exceptionally group of players of similar age, whose achievements reaches or expected to reach a level of success beyond, that which their team had previously archived.  That is how we should describe a side to having been golden. Italy 1934-38 (two world cups); Brazil 1958-62(two world cups); West Germany 1972-80 (a world cup 74, Euro 72 and Euro 80). Not England; not the current German team; not the current Belgian side.

Until a time these teams achieves anything of significance, then such attributes or reference as being “Golden” may be bestowed upon them. Until such time they shall remain a group of players who talented but failed to achieve anything of significance and there is nothing golden about that.