Stick with me here. Recently, I've noticed a lot of guys a fair bit younger than me who think the 94 World Cup was the quintessential world cup - I don't think anyone my age really concurs with that but, having discussed it before, opinions vary and for varied reasons. Obviously, the chief reason is the standard of football at the tourney but there are obviously some socio-political or demographic reasons for thinking so. A Northern Irish guy about 40 or so will undoubtedly have Espana 82 down as a favourite - similarly, I'm expecting a lot of English guys to have Italia 90 down as a favourite as their team came so close to getting to the final (and, yes, even as a Scotsman, I have to admit that One Night in Turin is a fantastic football documentary - any Englishman that hasn't seen it really should). Also, watching world cups back, it's amazing how fashions change every four years - check the tight shorts in 86 (and still in 90) with the hideous creations teams wore in 94. So, here's the WCs in my lifetime. Argentina '78 - I was a toddler, don't remember it first hand but it stands beside the twice Italy won it under Mussolini as the least credible of world cup results - fixed tae ****. Espana '82 - Similarly, I was quite young but the USSR team of that tournament stay with me - still gutted that the Germans beat France after Batiston was chibbed. Mexico '86 - I was about 10 - Maradonna was just exceptional - to this day, the sight of a white Uruguay shirt makes me want to batter whoever's wearing it. Italia '90 - Apart from Cameroon, I thought it was really uninspiring - Scotland under-achieved but played well against Brazil and Sweden (Costa ****ing Rica ). Tournament mainly dominated by overtly defensive teams like Italy and Germany who took the joy and expression visible in 86 totally out of the game. USA '94 - First one I was aware of where Scotland weren't there. A weird world cup with a disappointing final. France '98 - Scotland were there (yaaayyy) but so were Morocco, sadly. The actual day of the Scotland Brazil game goes down as one of the best days of my life for various reasons. I thought the standard of attacking football had picked up since 94 (Euro 96 in between) and more teams were willing to gamble going forward instead of loading up their defences. New countries like Czech Republic and Croatia a breath of fresh air. Japan/Korea '02 - A surreal world cup - almost feels like it didn't happen. Not memorable unless your team got knocked out with a 40 yard free kick. Germany '06 - This might well be my favourite (this or 98). Stadia, fans etc all amazing, opening game brilliant - the Argentine team were great to watch but so were a lot of others - the outlook of the German team in going forward totally incompatable with the 1990 (and 2002) team. South Africa '10 - Almost like the Japanese one, it didn't feel like a real World Cup. Brazil '14 - I reckon it's going to be an absolute ****ing classic. Poll to follow, preparing for abuse for boring thread
1998 was before my time really, so 2002 is the first one I really remember. I have great memories of everyone gathering in the hall at school to watch England-Nigeria. All I remember about that game is some **** hitting the bar for one of the teams. Best games were Costa Rica 2-5 Brazil, Senegal 3-3 Uruguay and Saudi Arabia 0-8 Germany.
They've all been **** Growing up as an Englishman in France was ****ed, the ****s won the WC and the Euros in 98 and 2000. I've given up on any hopes of England ever winning it.
Was it not Holland in the '10 final? Italia 90 is my favourite due to a good showing from Ireland, always better when your team is in it. The Krauts threw a good one too
I canny remember any of this stuff The drink and drugs and ****y *****itis were worth it though. Shame I don't have the memories to prove it.
My best mate is 1/4 German. Opening game in 2006, me and the missus threw a huge German themed world cup party. Stocked up on German beers and the like and he brought round some German sausages his gran had gotten a hold of and a big pot of sauerkraut his mum made. It was roasting, the game was a cracker and the first German goal (by a full back - Lahm maybe?) was an absolute belter.
74- too young to remember 78- remember the final and all that ticker tape, some short arsed Scotsman scoring a brilliant goal 82- liked the England kit, Falco running away after scoring with all his veins showing 86- Lineker with the Golden boot and hand in plaster, hand of god plus his other goal 90- Platts last minute against Belgium, Gazzas tears, nearly losing to Cameroon in quarters 94- Not much really, apart from Aldridge and Jack Charlton having mega fits on the sidelines 98- Owen against the Argies, Beckhams stupid kick 02- nothing really stands out. didn't the Italians get knocked out early? 06- Again nothing I can really remember 10- ****ING ****E performance by England, vuvuzelas-the sound of a million angry bees 14- who knows, it wont be an England win though
That '98 England/Argentina game turned me inside out. After Owen's goal I began to believe anything could happen. Hopefully Diego Simeone will have died of AIDS by now for getting a naive David Beckham sent off, and ruining my night/life. I watched the game at the flat of the Spanish woman I was going out with at the time, and she had the nerve to side with Argentina, the ****. Think she was a bit shocked watching me turn from a nice liberal modern guy into a bellowing English beer monster during the course of 90 mins. Bloody glad I lost touch with her before Spain stopped being a permanent disappointment. Sweet memories.
S. Korea and Japan in '02 was my favourite. There was just something a little magical about going to the pub at 7am.
1990 - in both semis the tension was so high, obviously one mattered more to me than the other. Watching Germany (knocked us out) v Argentina (ditto in 1986) in the final was miserable. Thanks for the tip on the doc, downloading it now.
1982 for me. I was 12 so it was pretty much the first one i copuld watch properly as most of the 1978 games were a tad late for an 8 year old. The thing i remember was how captivating the Brazilian team was as you neevr got to see those players week in week out like you now do in the champions league. Engalnd played pretty well, Scotland and Brazil's games against USSR were spellbinding and the matches between Brazil and italy and france and germany had pretty much everything. Oh and watford had just signed a player who scored the winning goal for Northern ireland against spain in their own back yard!
1990 for me,first appearance for Ireland and penalty shoot out against Romania.Packie Bonner and Dave O'Leary legends
I was on holiday in Italy for the first two weeks of the World Cup in 1990. What I remember most were the all night celebrations from the Italian fans, and these two Partick Thistle fans, Craig and Andy, who were staying at the same resort in Lido de Jesolo. Do any of guys know Craig and Andy? Football-wise, Gazza, Matthaus and Milla were the stars of the show. Argentina losing in the opening match was a highlight, too.
Either 2002 or 2006, sadly 1998 was just too early for me (based on clips of what I have seen, it seemed brilliant). I do remember watching England play Argentina in 2002 while on holiday in Spain, being one of only 4 or 5 Englishmen/women in a bar packed full of pro-Argie Spaniards. 2010 was ****. I think Brasil next year will be a cracker though. Overall, I'd probably have to go with Germany 2006. Loads of great footballing sides, Argentina passing teams to death before it was 'cool', Italy's late heartbreakers against the Germans, Zidane at his peak tearing Brazil to shreds and then going mental in the final...
I thought I was the only City fan who dared brave the hellhole that is General Chat? I'd get yer arse out of here before the Gentleman Minotaur takes a liking to your nipsy
