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Replying To thelongridge:  "My first World Cup was that memorable 1966 tournament, won by England, beating West Germany, as they were known then, 4-2. That final was at Wembley, memorable for the late Kenneth Wolsthenholme, uttering the phrase, ' some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over, it is now', as England scored their 4th goal in extra time.
England had 3 WestHam players, Bobby Moore, captain, Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat trick, and Martin Peters. Bobby and Jack Charlton, with Gordon Banks in goal, were other famous names.
Ray Cohen of Fulham was a defender. Lots of happy memories from that glorious summer.
Eusebio played with Portugal who defeated outsiders North Korea, 5-3, in a a/ final, having been 3-0 down.

That tournament shown on Telefis Eireann, in black and white, introduced Soccer as it was called to Ireland, and things sporting were changed forever.
We all followed our favourite teams and players, in the various games. I thought I was Gordon Banks, other heroes were Pele, a young Frank Beckenbauer, UwevSeeler, and goalkeeper, Hans Tilkowski.
Never missed a tournament since then. The World Cup was held in summer then."
Fantastic memories longridge. Thanks for sharing. I've always loved reading about the old tournaments in books by people like Brian Glanville. Mexico 1970 appears to have been an especially good tournament. Beckenbauer was an incredible player by all accounts

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 766 - 09/11/2022 21:03:06    2447039

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yeah that Negrete goal was quality. Such an occasion too. The Azteca absolutely rammed & he scores a goal like that for his country hosting the World Cup. Some buzz. I'd say he hasn't had to buy a Corona or a tequila since!

I rewatched Romania Argentina during lockdown and it was indeed a cracker. Romania were absolutely lethal on the counter attack.

Hard to get excited about this World Cup. Maybe once it gets going people will be more enthused.
I can't see a European team winning it. Brazil look to be in good nick. My personal hope is that Argentina do it & Messi crowns an already outstanding career."
I fancy Spain actually. I think they outplayed Italy at the Euros and will come good.
Yeah there was some fantastic World Cup content available during lockdown. It's hard to match the excitement of being a kid and waiting for a World Cup to see players you hardly ever saw. Two really superb World Cup books are World In Motion by Simon Hart and All Played Out ( also called one Night in Turin ) by Pete Davies. I can't recommend them highly enough.

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 766 - 09/11/2022 21:09:24    2447040

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Replying To Malonemagic:  "I fancy Spain actually. I think they outplayed Italy at the Euros and will come good.
Yeah there was some fantastic World Cup content available during lockdown. It's hard to match the excitement of being a kid and waiting for a World Cup to see players you hardly ever saw. Two really superb World Cup books are World In Motion by Simon Hart and All Played Out ( also called one Night in Turin ) by Pete Davies. I can't recommend them highly enough."
I love watching Spain play. Technically they are as good if not better than the Brazilians. I just feel they've lacked a real killer edge since the days of Torres and Villa. I wouldn't trust Morata and he looks likely to be leading the line.

I must check those books out. Another one I'd recommend is USA 94 - The World Cup That Changed the Game by Matt Evans.

The World Cup has lost a bit of its charm I feel. International football is no longer the pinnacle. The Champions League is top dog now and with the obscene amounts of money involved in the PL and CL, international football has lost a lot of its prestige I think. Couple this with the advancement of the Internet, YouTube and ubiquitous TV coverage and there the possibility of seeing "new" players for the first time is diminished significantly.

The fall of the Soviet Union (a good thing) also freed up lots of players from that part of the world to head West much earlier in their careers. I think there was a law prohibiting Eastern bloc players from transferring abroad until they were 28 or something like that. It will be impossible for the likes of a Steaua Bucharest or a Red Star Belgrade to win the CL again. They simply cannot afford to keep their best talent from moving West at a young age. This also of course reduces the possibility of seeing a team of relative unknowns take a World Cup by storm like Romania did in 94.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9129 - 10/11/2022 09:46:19    2447054

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Replying To thelongridge:  "My first World Cup was that memorable 1966 tournament, won by England, beating West Germany, as they were known then, 4-2. That final was at Wembley, memorable for the late Kenneth Wolsthenholme, uttering the phrase, ' some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over, it is now', as England scored their 4th goal in extra time.
England had 3 WestHam players, Bobby Moore, captain, Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat trick, and Martin Peters. Bobby and Jack Charlton, with Gordon Banks in goal, were other famous names.
Ray Cohen of Fulham was a defender. Lots of happy memories from that glorious summer.
Eusebio played with Portugal who defeated outsiders North Korea, 5-3, in a a/ final, having been 3-0 down.

That tournament shown on Telefis Eireann, in black and white, introduced Soccer as it was called to Ireland, and things sporting were changed forever.
We all followed our favourite teams and players, in the various games. I thought I was Gordon Banks, other heroes were Pele, a young Frank Beckenbauer, UwevSeeler, and goalkeeper, Hans Tilkowski.
Never missed a tournament since then. The World Cup was held in summer then."
Good stuff longridge! I'd say the World Cup was an absolutely massive thing to look forward to from the late 60s and into the 70s and 80s in the days when there wasn't the same blanket coverage as there is now. This World Cup is indeed strange. Time of year, location, the times the games will be played at etc, and that's even before the topic of Qatar as a host is broached. I think we'll also see key players breaking down injured. The top players have been on a 3 game a week schedule for the last few months. Then they throw a World Cup at them. It's unsustainable.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9129 - 10/11/2022 09:54:50    2447055

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My favourite world cup was the 1998 one, albeit I was devastated when France hammered Brazil in the final. 2006 was good too.
I haven't enjoyed a world cup since then, and I agree with lockjaw that international football just isn't the main event anymore, for players or fans.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1705 - 10/11/2022 11:00:52    2447067

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Good stuff longridge! I'd say the World Cup was an absolutely massive thing to look forward to from the late 60s and into the 70s and 80s in the days when there wasn't the same blanket coverage as there is now. This World Cup is indeed strange. Time of year, location, the times the games will be played at etc, and that's even before the topic of Qatar as a host is broached. I think we'll also see key players breaking down injured. The top players have been on a 3 game a week schedule for the last few months. Then they throw a World Cup at them. It's unsustainable."
It should be George Cohen, Ray Wilson of Everton was also a defender. England had players from a number of club, ,large and small.
Certainly the timing of this year's event is strange, coming in the middle of the league campaigns.

thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1739 - 10/11/2022 11:11:46    2447069

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Replying To Galway9801:  "My favourite world cup was the 1998 one, albeit I was devastated when France hammered Brazil in the final. 2006 was good too.
I haven't enjoyed a world cup since then, and I agree with lockjaw that international football just isn't the main event anymore, for players or fans."
2006 was a brilliant World Cup. I thought Argentina were destined to do it and may well have done if they had managed to squeeze past Germany on penalties in the quarter finals. The decision by coach Pekerman to withdraw Juan Roman Riquelme in that game still baffles many. Riquelme was one of the last great playmakers.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9129 - 10/11/2022 11:30:29    2447071

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Bit of a reality check for those who think Trump and the GOP are in the driving seat for 2024.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7887 - 10/11/2022 11:50:58    2447073

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "2006 was a brilliant World Cup. I thought Argentina were destined to do it and may well have done if they had managed to squeeze past Germany on penalties in the quarter finals. The decision by coach Pekerman to withdraw Juan Roman Riquelme in that game still baffles many. Riquelme was one of the last great playmakers."
Yeah a super World Cup . Argentina were flying in the group stages. Cambiasso goal was brilliant. The Italy Germany semi final was a classic. Fantastic goal by Del Piero too. Yeah I take your point about the Eastern European teams . In the "Italia 90 one day at a time" podcast they discuss how it was very tough for the likes of Czechoslovakia and Romania as their hotels were full of agents from Serie A clubs. Enzo Scifo was another World Cup legend. Sensational in 86 and 90. Rewatching highlights, its noteworthy the level Roger Milla was on too. Quite apart from his goals, his touch and vision were superb. I still reckon Spain will dominate possession in every game they play and that will make them very difficult to to beat. Thans for the book recommendation.

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 766 - 10/11/2022 15:40:54    2447108

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Don't care who wins the World Cup as long as it's not England, suppose I'd love to see Argentina win it and Messi to get his world cup winners medal, I remember Maradona in his heyday, I think if Maradona had looked after himself better he was better than Messi and that's saying something, I don't remember Pele or players from that era, Mexico '86, hand of God followed by one of the greatest individual goals I ever seen.
Maradona got kicked around the place and still preformed,
alot of them now spend more time diving and cheating and it turns me off soccer but there is something special still about the World Cup for me that sets it miles above any club competition.
so for me it's ABE and hopefully Argentina and Messi can win it.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2745 - 10/11/2022 19:51:44    2447129

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Replying To Malonemagic:  "Yeah a super World Cup . Argentina were flying in the group stages. Cambiasso goal was brilliant. The Italy Germany semi final was a classic. Fantastic goal by Del Piero too. Yeah I take your point about the Eastern European teams . In the "Italia 90 one day at a time" podcast they discuss how it was very tough for the likes of Czechoslovakia and Romania as their hotels were full of agents from Serie A clubs. Enzo Scifo was another World Cup legend. Sensational in 86 and 90. Rewatching highlights, its noteworthy the level Roger Milla was on too. Quite apart from his goals, his touch and vision were superb. I still reckon Spain will dominate possession in every game they play and that will make them very difficult to to beat. Thans for the book recommendation."
Yeah Scifo was class. The Yugoslavia team in 1990 was brilliant too. Very unlucky to lose out to Argentina in the quarters on penalties. Dragan Stojkovic was a brilliant player for them. I've often wondered what they'd have gone on to achieve at Euro 92 and USA 94 if the Balkan war hadn't happened. They had guys like Boban, Prosinecki, Suker, Pancev, Savicevic, Boksic, Jugovic, Mihajlovic etc

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9129 - 10/11/2022 21:47:08    2447137

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So Katie McCabe says she wouldn't play in a World Cup in Qatar. I wonder did anyone actually ask her or does she now think she needs to give an opinion on everything?

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1380 - 11/11/2022 11:26:23    2447165

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Replying To oneoff:  "So Katie McCabe says she wouldn't play in a World Cup in Qatar. I wonder did anyone actually ask her or does she now think she needs to give an opinion on everything?"
No more than yourself!!!

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1411 - 11/11/2022 12:14:10    2447175

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Whatever about Katie McCabe, I can only wryly smile at some of the champagne socialists giving their tuppence worth regarding Qatar. Take your pick from Gary Neville, David Beckham, or any of the host of virtuous journalists. If they were serious in their stance they'd simply boycott the World Cup altogether. But no, instead they will all be flying out and no doubt will enjoy Qatari hospitality whilst "highlighting the issues" whatever that will entail.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9129 - 11/11/2022 12:59:08    2447179

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Replying To oneoff:  "So Katie McCabe says she wouldn't play in a World Cup in Qatar. I wonder did anyone actually ask her or does she now think she needs to give an opinion on everything?"
She was asked. I mean one google search would have answered that for you good man.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7887 - 11/11/2022 13:03:31    2447180

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Replying To oneoff:  "So Katie McCabe says she wouldn't play in a World Cup in Qatar. I wonder did anyone actually ask her or does she now think she needs to give an opinion on everything?"
Asked today if she would have travelled to Qatar for the tournament, McCabe said: "No, I wouldn't have went".

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There you go, she was asked. You can stop wondering now.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2454 - 11/11/2022 13:12:05    2447181

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Replying To oneoff:  "So Katie McCabe says she wouldn't play in a World Cup in Qatar. I wonder did anyone actually ask her or does she now think she needs to give an opinion on everything?"
How did you get on Hoganstand but can't use a search engine?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7342 - 11/11/2022 14:16:07    2447192

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Replying To oneoff:  "So Katie McCabe says she wouldn't play in a World Cup in Qatar. I wonder did anyone actually ask her or does she now think she needs to give an opinion on everything?"
I am sure the FIFA bigwigs will be heartbroken over her non attendance .......!!!!

bruffgael (Limerick) - Posts: 143 - 11/11/2022 14:23:46    2447193

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Replying To bruffgael:  "I am sure the FIFA bigwigs will be heartbroken over her non attendance .......!!!!"
People like Katie McCabe (in same sex relationships), can be flogged or stoned to death for just being themselves, in Qatar.

In 2010, at least 18 people (mostly foreign nationals) were sentenced to receive between 40 and 100 lashes for offences involving "illicit sexual relations" or alcohol consumption. In 2011, at least 21 people (mostly foreign nationals) were sentenced to between 30 and 100 lashes for the same reasons, and in 2012, six expatriates were sentenced to either 40 or 100 lashes.

Stoning is a legal punishment in Qatar, and apostasy and homosexuality are crimes punishable by the death penalty; however, the penalty has not been carried out for either crime.
Wikipedia

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Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2454 - 11/11/2022 15:16:40    2447206

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Whatever about Katie McCabe, I can only wryly smile at some of the champagne socialists giving their tuppence worth regarding Qatar. Take your pick from Gary Neville, David Beckham, or any of the host of virtuous journalists. If they were serious in their stance they'd simply boycott the World Cup altogether. But no, instead they will all be flying out and no doubt will enjoy Qatari hospitality whilst "highlighting the issues" whatever that will entail."
David Beckam, a champagne socialist? Beckham is a paid ambassador for the Qatar World Cup, and is reportingly, earning £150m for the role.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2454 - 11/11/2022 16:25:04    2447215

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