Just got done watching a documentary of the 1990 England world cup team to try and get in the spirit some more, it definitely worked. I wasn't alive at the time but it looked like an awesome experience, although it truly shows just how much negativity is put out there by the media. My first memories of it are from 2002, cheering for the USA and England. Unfortunately it was a tournament filled with corruption, Italy and Spain were very much screwed over. Anyways, the USA team of 2002, it might be a much smaller scale than England 1990 for example but it still gets to me sometimes haha. There was a none call against Germany, and had the USA won we would've gone onto face Korea who I have no doubt we could've beat, granted there was no corruption, and then been into the final. Great memories watching some of these games. England also that same year. Had a solid defence (Campbell, Ferdinand, Ashley Cole) and also could've gone further, just unfortunate that they had to play Brazil when they did. Please feel free to add anything and share your own favourite world cup moments and memories. Would love to hear them, especially some of the older ones that I wasn't around for. Were any of you around for Italia 90 or Argentina vs. England in 1986? Any memories of 2002, how do you think the USA did and how good do you think that England team was? Are you excited for the world cup 2018? I'm heartbroken the USA won't be there but will be cheering my lungs out for England I'm sure.
Love the World Cup. Been running around for days getting the house sparkling cos there's **** all going to get done for the next two weeks while the group stages are on. Favourite World Cup moments. The sheer exotic nature of the 1970 tournament. Other side of the world, England defending their crown, Brazil's brilliant team. Then 1982 and a Brazilian team that was breathtaking.
Not as excited this time round tbh I think it’s a mixture of age, overpaid/rated players and the way it’s run in general and the corruption allegations both domestically and FIFA . I vaguely remember 66 when we won it and to say it was in our own backyard don’t remember the Hype being over zealous but that could’ve been me being a nipper . The one that stands out in my memory the most was Mexico 70 . Some fantastic players and icons in all teams players like Moore for England Beckenbauer West Germany the whole Brazil team and Italy had some great players . The heat put paid to the Europeans imo but Brazil stood out a mile in that year . Loved the Italia 90 tournament as although we had good players I didn’t think Robson could gel them as a team and boy was I wrong. Don’t know much about USA tbh but usually their underdogs and I always cheer the underdogs except against us .
I was still delighted to see Paolo Rossi & Italy dump them out of '82, the media circus that follows and over rates Brazil every single time makes me sick. We/England had a massive chance to win it in '02, when we led against Brazil in the Qtrs. I watched our group win over the Argies that year in one of our local pubs and it was an electric atmosphere, and bear in mind this was a Friday morning/lunchtime. We all went home by tea time absolutely sloshed.
I'm more enthused about England than I have been for a long time. Not that I think we can get beyond the quarters but more because the Rooneys, Terrys, Coles and Gerrards of this world have disappeared into the sunset.
God Im glad that fat waster Rooney has fecked off. We might actually play as a unit now. My first WC was 2002 and it was magic. Gutted when Seaman did his back in as that put us at a disadvantage, then Ronaldinho lobbed him from a million yards. Plus he was my fave keeper
Well Italy were one of the biggest examples of a team and an individual player getting better as the tournament progressed. And we/England had an experienced squad that year and didn't lose any of our 5 games, and we only conceded 1 goal in them. Sadly, those two 0-0 draws in the second round groups are what let us down. Mexico '86 is and probably always will be my favourite World cup (I wasn't alive for the one in '70!), and it was a massive disappointment that we didn't make the Yankie one in '94.
My first real memory of the World Cup was also 2002. I remember watching us whilst at school. I thought we had a great team that year but that Brazil team was just too good (evidently huh?) I’m really not sure how we’ll be this time as our squad is young and could potentially go far. It might be a World Cup too soon for a few of them though and we usually end up disappointed with it so I’ll go with that again.
Looking forward to watching some games with my 5yr old daughter. She isn't into football all that much but hopefully experience a good English performance to talk about in the future.
Yes that Brazil team was really exceptional . Even some fantastic teams showcased in these world cups alas I didn’t get that feeling last couple of world cups tbh . Don’t know if it’s because competitions getting better ,well at least defensively or stopping teams playing . Let’s hooe something special happens in this one . In 66 there was us . In 70 The great Pele’s Brazil side with Rivelino etc . 74 West Germany Beckenbauer etc 78 Argentina 1982 Brazil , France , stood out for me 1986 I would’ve said Argentina but for the hand of god although that second goal was something else . Italia 90 us of course , Cameroon with Roger Milla and Italy with Del piero. 94 with memories of that own goal by Columbia against USA Loved France 98 but was marred by football violence from European countries . Japan 2002 revenge for us against Argentina but not much else tbh Germany 2006 not too fussed and violence again. 2010 forgot it . 2014 great country to host it but a bit flat for me . 2018? Edit How can I miss out the total football of Cruyff , Neeskins etc of 74 and the nearly men of Holland in 78
Ive not really got any time for the French, especially after their highly dubious win as the hosts in '98 when messrs Platini & Blatter had their fingers in all sorts of lucrative Fifa pies at the time (allegedly of course!!). But their team of the early and mid 80s was a memorable one when Platini was just a player. And their exit to W.Germany on pens in the '82 Semi final was disappointing. Thinking of the Russians (Soviets) this time, their squad in '86 scored some brilliant goals and their 4-3 loss to Belgium that year is also one of my favourite WC matches. And if we had beat the Argies in the Qtrs, hand of god and all, we would have played Belgium in the Semis, and surely that would have been a winnable match ?.
Italia 90 is my fave and is the first proper one I can remember. Was too young for 86 due to timezones etc. I remember shouting Schillacci!!! in the playground and collecting the coins from esso. Will take some beating... maybe England winning in my lifetime.
Loved the pre match Breakdasts in the pubs that year .start at 7:00am bacon eggs washed down with Guiness , pissed before kick off ,blotted before dinner time and still 10 hours to go.
I still love it but you're right, it's not quite the same as it used to be. I think familiarity breeds contempt. Back in the 70s and early 80s you'd never heard of the Brazilian and Argentine players. Zico, Socrates, Kempes, Ardiles etc. They were like something from another world, there was a real mystique about it all. Now it's.oh Neymar, yeah he's in the headlines every other day, plays for Barcelon/PSG I can watch them any time I want to. Also South American football has gone the same high intensity pragmatic route of european football and most of the flair has bled out of the game. Still....just under four hours to kick off
Also in 78 were the mixed fortunes of our neighbours Scotland with the disappointing results against Peru etc then go and put in a fantastic display against Aari Hans Dutch finalists . Too little too late but great goal
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there with familiarity etc. Each team seemed to bring a player of exceptional abilities Portugal’s Eusebio . Russia’s Yashin , Peru’s Cubillas Cameroons Milla etc.there’s usually always one unknown hits the headlines. Before my time was the great Hungarian team with Puskas . Whereas now it’s unlikely unless coming from one of the African nations
Even with the African teams, the vast majority are either playing in England, Spain, France, Italy or Germany.... that part of the World Cup is likely to be lost forever which is a shame. Unless some random 18 year old Tunisian sets the tournament alight. Definitely likely to be the exception than rule, whereas in the past you normally had at least 2 or 3 previously unknowns that the press would be clamouring for afterwards.