Soccer Nirvana
I have always loved the World Cup finals. The first I can remember, albeit vaguely, was the 1966 one, stopping with my father in Newtownwards so that he could look in a TV shop window and catch the score of the England - West Germany final. The first tournament I watched in full was in 1970 hosted by Mexico. I was 12 and watched all of it with my father and now am so pleased to have my 8 year old sit beside me, even more avid about the sport than I was at his age. His prediction – Holland.
From 1970 I have watched them all, although I missed most of the 1990 final due to being on a parole from prison and caught only glimpses of it while on the move from pub to pub. My pick of the lot was the 1978 one which saw Argentina, managed by a chain smoking César Luis Menotti and led on the pitch by the redoubtable “Super Mario” Kempes, emerged as victors, concluding their campaign with a 3-1 victory in extra time over Holland in the River Plate stadium.
Writing to some imprisoned republican friends in Maghaberry I mentioned the fact that this is big stuff for them. With televisions in the cells I expect those who are bitten by the bug to be glued to the set, night and day. I can remember vividly every final that I saw in the jail, beginning with the 1974 battle between West Germany and Holland. Our viewing was not without its funny moments, the most memorable being during the 1986 finals when Pat Livingstone lay on his back pawing the air in front of an English screw manning the canteen grill. His bragging rights were being exercised in salutation of the great Diego Maradona goal against England which saw the Argentine dribble from the half way line, to the laudatory words of the commentator, ‘different class, different class.’
This tournament is a hard one to call. England, great for a laugh last time round, surprisingly put up a strong performance against Italy in their opening game and were unlucky not to get a draw. If Roy Hodgson can find a way to do without his captain, Steven Gerrard, his team could find the puff to make the quarter finals at least.
While Spain can’t be written off just yet they are looking a bit like the French side of 2002 who entered as champions but were unable to progress out of the group stage. While they are unlikely to prove just as bad as that woeful French side, there is a feel that Spanish dominance is at an end and if they make it to the quarters this time around they will have found their station.
At the risk of annoying my son, Holland who hammered Spain don’t deserve to win anything. The dirty Dutch are intent on ruining the game with cynical fouling and physical intimidation, much like they plied in the final in South Africa four years ago. The other big hitter from Europe, Germany had a convincing display this afternoon against a petulant Portugal, but in recent tournaments the Germans have flourished then faltered as the finishing line was in sight. Under Löw the German side don’t seem to have the mettle to go the distance. The steely posture of Beckenbauer has yet to be replaced.
Argentina might just go all the way but strong on talent, weak on tactics, they run the risk of being coached into a dead end which is not a final.
Brazil, they took the Confederations Cup last year on their home turf, and expectations on them are high to go the extra mile. Having looked far from convincing in their opening game, carrying passengers like Fred and Hulk, they can’t rely on Neymar to pull it off for them and need to fire on all cylinders.
Time to draw this to an end – the second half of the Iran-Nigerian game is just about to kick off.
Watched that Iran v Nigeria.....I have an appointment for counselling this morning!!!!
ReplyDeletethere wasn't much to sit up for. How Nigeria rather than Ghana are African champions remains something of a mystery
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed that. Iran game was torture. I also fell asleep at half time during the last two 11pm games. Wife used to work in a care-home and I suspect she's decided two games per day is enough and has now resorted to sedating my evening cuppa tae.
ReplyDeleteHave difficulty managing the later ones myself Larry but as we move closer to the end the effort will just have to be made. I remember struggling to stay awake for Mexico 70 some of the games were so late. Used to hate it in the jail when we would have to leave for lock up at night but then we could always hear it on the radio. The one game I regret missing most was the Brazil-Italy 1982 clash. We were day in day out because we were still on protest. The boys at least have TVs in the cells now.
ReplyDeleteAye and remote control tv too so they don't have to get up to switch over lol. I laughed when Ireland beat England in the Euros 1988 a South African screw said to an English one...'Great British Lion tramped on by a Leprechaun'. Made my MONTH.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the Yanks!!! Stranger things have happened. I'd follow this Jurgen guy off a cliff, this guy has some soccer mind-pure genius.
ReplyDeleteSpain might not be as bad as the French side of 2002 but the difference is negligible! The opposition found them out and then they found themselves out. The confidence just went like a deflated balloon.
ReplyDeleteCameron says if England lose tonight they will fly home to RAF Brize Norton where it's tradition for the Prime Minister to meet 'stiffs' off the plane.
ReplyDelete