Some teams have been renowned for mental strength in international football.

Germany

Uruguay

United Staes

Australia

I've seen Italy win some close, tense games.

The US came back against Portugal.

Who have I missed?

Germany (most consistent, best penalty records) and Australia are obviously. I was actually just thinking earlier that US was another one before seeing this thread.

Teams with bad mental strength I've noticed: England (worst penalty records), Brazil (see Copa America 2011), China, most African teams.

Ghana have impressed imo. Got ahead of Germany, equalised against the US. If anyone's gonna win the Portugal-Ghana game it will be Ghana, still hoping for a draw though.

Which means USA just need to not lose too badly and they're right.

-PB

I've seen Greece play a lot of close games, even being outplayed , but they've hung in. They cracked in the pen shoot out against CR though.

Maybe Greece might be a candidate for being considered as having mental strength?

Holland used to be fragile. After reaching last WC final, and, playing four games at this WC and coming from behind to win three of those games, is impressive.

Maybe Holland too for a team to be considered as having mental strength?

Yes, I would add in Greece, they've been the comeback kings in the past decade.

Holland historically are regarded as mentally fragile chokers, but in the last 4 years they've been anything but.

Turkey were also a team that punched way above their weight and could come back from the dead, 2008 vs croatia sticks in my mind.

Edited by axelv: 4/7/2014 11:58:16 PM

Italy have no mental strength whatsoever. They flounder as much as they succeed.