The Greatest Show on Earth.

 

If you hadn’t noticed, tomorrow sees the start of the 2014 Fifa world Cup. The anticipation is growing with fans and players alike, wondering if like most people who will read this, we might see our country win the trophy for the first time in our life. Not since 1966 have England won the cup when we defeated arch rivals Germany on home soil. Every year since I have followed the game, the media have built up our chances, convincing even the most realistic of fans, that maybe- just maybe, this could be our year. This year however, seems different. No one gives us a chance this year.

 The expectations of the world are rested on the 22 year old shoulders of Brazilian forward, Neymar.

What is certain, is that for a generation of young fans this will be tournament they will remember forever.

I was too young to appreciate the ’78 competition when Mario Kempes inspired Argentina to victory. Four years later in the summer of 1982 I was an 11 year old football fanatic (and of course expert), that ate, slept lived and breathed Spain ’82. Like many football fans I remember fondly my first taste of world cup magic.

With my Panini sticker book at hand I knew the players of every country in the world, virtually and consumed every shred of gossip, fact and statistic.

Italy’s Paulo Rossi dominated the headlines before the start of the tournament, due to his inclusion in the squad, despite serving two year ban for a betting scandal, which he denied, in 1980. He was initially disqualified for three years, but this was later cut to two allowing his return just in time for the call up even though critics understandably questioned his fitness and sharpness.

In the opening three matches he did little to disprove this being described by one critic as being like a ghost aimlessly wandering the field.

In the round robin against reigning champions Argentina and the strongly fancied Brazilians, Rossi came to life. In the Brazil game he scored a hatrick and went on to win the golden boot and help Italy win the title against Germany.

The tournament for me though was most memorable for silky skills of the Brazilian’s Zico and Eder, and the captain Socrates, according to folk law, a chain smoking hard drinking doctor, who sadly died recently.

My first taste of World cup football left me in awe of players like German, Karl Heinz Rummenigge, French legend, Michel Platini and Norman Whiteside playing for Northern Ireland. Ireland won the hearts of the nation by winning their group, beating hosts Spain on the way.

Four years later, the 13^th Fifa World Cup would be etched in the memory for different reasons.

Mexico ’86 was dominated by the infamous “hand of God” incident that sent England crashing out at the hands of eventual champions, Argentina, or more precisely, the hand of Argentina captain, Diego Maradona, somehow out-jumping keeper Peter Shilton to fist the ball into the net. He followed it up of course with a sublime piece of skill, running from the halfway line before slotting past the hapless Shilton.

Italia ’90 was the lowest scoring tournament in history, averaging just 2.21 goals per game. It was also one of the dirtiest, with a then record 16 red cards shown including one in the final.

For many, the highlight of the tournament was the goal celebrations of Cameroon veteran Roger Milla, who claimed to be 38 but some reports at the time put him nearer 45.  Millar came out retirement for the tournament, at the request of his country’s President, Paul Biya. The tournament was predictably won by West Germany, in their last cup before reunification later that year. England managed to win some silverware though taking the fair play award following Paul Gascoigne’s infamous tears.

1994 saw USA host the world cup. A relatively new Nation to the game the proceedings including much of the razzmatazz one might expect in America. Diana Ross featured in the opening ceremony, missing a penalty before the net felt in half. The tournament was marred by the murder of Columbian player Andres Escobar, allegedly shot dead by a hit men after he missed a penalty.

Argentina captain, Maradona was sent home in disgrace after failing a drugs test. England, under Graham Taylor, failed to qualify.

1998 World Cup was won by hosts France, beating Brazil 3-0 in the final. A strong Brazilian team, featuring the brilliant Ronaldo, were rocked shortly before the game by their star man having a seizure. He managed to get out onto the field but was largely ineffective and the French, dominated by players from Arsenal and Chelsea won easily.

2002 saw the competition held in Korea and Japan. Brazil again won the tournament which saw Ireland captain Roy Keen stealing the headlines, being sent home after telling manager Mick McCarthy to “stick your world cup up your bollocks”.

Four years on and 2006 saw Germany host the competition. Italy ran out winners beating France in the final. French legend Zinedine Zidane was amazingly sent off during the game for a head-butt which was recently voted in one poll as the 4^th most iconic world cup moment ever. I missed much of this tournament as I was in Turkey celebrating my honeymoon, but did manage to witness a Joe Cole wonder goal for England in a Turkish bar.

A rampant Spain side won the 2010 competition in South Africa. Some consider the Spanish team to be one of the best ever and featured several players who may well play a big part in this year’s tournament.

England played a supporting role providing referee Howard Webb for the game.

The brilliant Spaniards will be strongly fancied this year by many, with some believing only the Brazilians can stop them. Neymar da Silva Santos Junior, or just Neymar as he is known could follow in the footsteps of his fellow countryman Pele. The Barcelona player has the hopes of the host nation resting on him, hoping that he lights up the tournament and doesn’t fizzle out like Ronaldo did.

I think he will justify the hype and blow away the opposition, making this one of the most exciting competitions in years. Brazil, I believe will be victorious in front of their home fans despite the strength of the Spanish and the youth of the English. Steven Gerrard will captain England to a relatively successful campaign I feel, surpassing the expectations of the doubting press. The young talent on show such as Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling and Everton’s Ross Barkley and the industrious Arsenal star Jack Wiltshire.  

So sit back and enjoy the show, let’s hope a generation of new fans can watch a first world cup to remember.