When the finals come around, regardless of where they are, it always takes me back to my memories of my first World Cup – 1986 is still fresh in my mind like it was yesterday.
Gary Lineker had his hand bandaged up, Bryan Robson was someone I loved, and his injury killed our chances of winning the tournament. Well, that and the Hand of God – how could I ever forget that from Diego Maradona!
For some reason, I always remember that image of Gordon Strachan being unable to climb over the advertising hoarding after scoring for Scotland – so he just put his leg up instead.
Despite his handball that killed England that tournament, Maradona was absolutely unbelievable that year – probably the best World Cup performance consistently every game by any player ever. Oh, and what about that Mexican Wave; where it all started!
From an England point of view, can you remember John Barnes coming in and laying on the cross for Lineker to score one of his goals on the way to winning the Golden Boot, even though we ended up with a quarter-final defeat? Lineker and Peter Beardsley were incredible, that World Cup, too.
It was the ’86 World Cup finals that inspired me to get even more passionate about football.
Four years later it was Italia ’90. I was a bit older, and time-wise the kick-offs of the matches were perfect because, as a young lad, I could watch them all. And I did watch them all.
I fell in love with England and Gazza’s tears, as well as Sir Bobby Robson. I was actually on a holiday with my mam, dad and brother in Mallorca when David Platt famously scored that incredible volley from Gazza’s free-kick into the box against Belgium.
There have been more memories of the finals in the years since, but those as a kid stand out a mile. I absolutely loved them all.
They actually got me thinking the other night how difficult this tournament in North America is for young football fans like I was. I have a house full of young lads, including my grandsons. They are not going to experience the World Cup properly because of the late kick-off times.
Even though the England kick-off times tend to be around the 9pm mark, that’s a late finish on a school night. Even if kids are staying up for that as a special treat, there are so many other matches they are missing out on.
Already the lads have missed out on Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick and Cristiano Ronaldo playing (even if there is criticism of him). It’s so harsh on the kids not being able to have those memories like I did.
It is still nice to see the kids outside playing football with the new World Cup ball, the Trionda. I do think it would be even bigger if the times were a bit better over here. I appreciate it’s hard, with the World Cup being played around the world.
By the way, from a physio point of view, these hydration breaks are certainly causing a stir, aren’t they? There is no doubt that water breaks are needed, but only in certain games.
These extra breaks have killed the momentum, and the window has been used to talk tactics.
Don’t get me wrong, the music comes on, the ground is rocking, it gets everyone going, but it doesn’t feel like football – it’s been Americanised to suit their commercial ads.
A small thing I am pleased to see is how the players are being told to take corners inside the corner D. Hopefully, that will come over to the Premier League because players have been allowed to roll it out of the D for years.
After seeing most teams play, there is only France we should fear. France is the team to beat. Defensively I have concerns about England, but going forward we are devastating.
Football is coming home!
Author: Buster
Author of Life With Physiotherapist Buster, covering all things sports and health!