France 98. I was living in Nice, spoke French and had two of my teenage sons down. We went to all the England games, met some great people and had an incredible time. As with Sunderland, the support was incredible and the only let down was the football.
Spain 82 for me. Tele Santana's team still makes me think it is why we call it the beautiful game. They were a joy to watch and never compromised on style (which at 2-2 against Italy they could have). Some of the goals they scored were fantastic. Socrates against Italy after Zico turns Gentile inside out - my favourite ever non-Sunderland goal. The French were a lovely team to watch as well with Platini, Giresse, Rocheteau etc. I still cant quite believe they didnt finish West Germany off. I just felt it was a world cup full of wonderful and memorable players. Oh, and the strips the teams wore were class! Italia 90 second best. Nessun Dorma still brings back all the memories, good and bad. How close we went...
Italia 90. 10 years old. Seemed amazing at the time. Proper spectacle. Though I have reason to believe it was poor. Negative and defensive apparently. Didn't seem like it to me at the time. Couldn't bring myself to watch the final. Didn't miss much.
Lovely,Smug. IMO, if Beckham hadn't of been sent off, we would have beaten Argentina then know knows. But great memories for you. Also the 90s was a huge transition decade. Technology was moving faster near the end of it, the music, attitude, everything mate.
You've got about 10 years on me, so my 90s spilled into the early noughties, but I know what you mean. To be in your late teens early 20 when Oasis, Pulp, Blur were doing the rounds will have been class. Even the Pop stuff of the late 90s brings a smile to my face. Football like you say was class. The This is England films and series captured that nostalgia vibe perfectly.
The one we just had was canny good. I thought it would be a shocker with it being in Russia italia 90 wins by a county mile though. It seemed to wake the nation up. There is a good film about it called One Night in Turin
I enjoyed the Russian world cup. It's always a plus when they have canny kick off times here, during the night is a mare. I think I've seen that film knocking about. Must watch it.
Went to university 94 - 96 as well. Poor course, went for the 'life skills'. Sunday morning football, lads holidays. Bloody hell I'm getting emotional.
90 is the first I remember well. But 98 was that awesome french team, not only the it intertwined with my teen years. Music, sex, booze, drugs, holiday in the sun during the tournament. Special year 98
Dunno if you seen my OP, but 98 is full of memories for me too mate. That French team wasn't given the lickings of a dog by there own people, frankly they weren't arsed. But the more they won the more of a **** they gave. I always remember when we beat Columbia 2-0 on the Friday night, the BBC played the Verve Lucky Man, loved that some ever since.
For me a toss up between 1982 and 1986. 82 was my first world cup and I can still remember it like yesterday. The spectical, Brilliant Brazil, Italy, France, bloody good but clocked up England... Then 86, slow starting England but getting stronger and stronger and probably would have won it if not for Maradona. I've enjoyed others since, but much as I loved Italia 90, it was a really defensive tournament with some really dull matches. Russia was much better than I thought it woud be, and France 98 was pretty good. But the rest were pretty dull with not many standout matches or performances. USA 94 and Japan/Korea were probably the two dullest and most easily forgotten, but I don't think South Africa or Brazil were loads better
The hand of god sitting in the Naffi tv room in 86 the little fecker cheats, the whole room went up, there were footy supporters from every English team, willing to take on the Argies again,stuff being thrown at the screen it was bedlam then to cap it all in 78, spurs decide to buy Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardiles they were fantastic players and a pleasure to watch, but during the war and what happened to the sir Galahad Ossie was booed every match credit to him for sticking it out and becoming a manager
1974 for me. When Holland burst on to the scene. Cruyff, Neeskens, Rudy Krol, Johnny Rep. Great players throughout the side. I remember them beating Brazil 2-0 on a mid week night match, in the pouring rain. Then Germany mugged them 2-1 in the final!!☹️
It's my favourite as well. Its probably the first one I was old enough to follow. Proper football being played by hardened men.
