World Cup memories
- 10 Jul 06, 06:51 PM
IBC, MUNICH – So after 31 days, 64 games, 147 goals (2002 = 161), 28 red cards, 305 yellows and four penalty shoot-outs, another World Cup is over.
It’s been a long tournament for the Match of the Day team – most of us have been out here in Germany for at least five weeks. But what a fantastic experience! Being paid to work at World Cup is as good as it gets for a football fan.
Now it’s time to get in reflective mood, so I want to know what will you remember most about this World Cup?
To help jog your memories, here are the Match of the Day experts’ favourite moments of the tournament. Over at the Guardian they've also been listing their .
My own? I’ll never forget being at the opening match at the Allianz Arena in Munich when Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2. The atmosphere was amazing, and the goals weren't bad either - Lahm and Frings' efforts made
Roll on South Africa 2010.
Leonardo: My best memory in this World Cup is when Ronaldo scored against Ghana. It was his 15th World Cup goal, breaking Gerd Muller’s World Cup goalscoring record. A fantastic achievement.
Marcel Desailly: My favourite memory is Philipp Lahm’s goal in the Germany v Costa Rica match. I really enjoyed the goal because it was the first of the tournament and it got everybody in the World Cup spirit and created a great atmosphere. It opened the World Cup for everybody. My second favourite moment was Asamoah Gyan’s goal for Ghana against Czech Republic after two minutes. It was amazing because it was Ghana’s first World Cup goal, and set up their first ever World Cup victory.
Alan Hansen: Definitely Argentina’s second goal against Serbia and Montenegro. It had everything you could want in a goal: pace, control, movement, subtlety, flair, imagination and a fantastic finish. Unsurpassable.
John Motson: It's always nice to see mutual admiration between two master craftsmen in the heat of the battle. Seconds after the final whistle in the semi-final in Munich between France and Portugal, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo swapped shirts in an emotional exchange between two of the most influential European players of the last decade. It reminded me of Bobby Moore and Pele in 1970 - one world-class superstar acknowledging the status of another.
Alan Shearer: Joe Cole’s fantastic volley in the first half against Sweden. Just when England needed a bit of class and a bit of quality up pops Joe Cole with exactly that. Not many players could have done that. There’s been some fantastic goals in this tournament, but for me that just might have been the best of the lot.
Gordon Strachan: I’ve been to a few World Cups as a player and as a fan and I definitely think this has been the best World Cup ever. Normally the streets at a World Cup only come alive around the stadium but the streets all around Germany, especially here in Berlin, have seen a magnificent coming together of fans from all over the world and they’ve been welcomed brilliantly by the Germans. It’s been absolutely fantastic and something I’ll never forget. In terms of football, Argentina’s goal when they had 24 passes was definitely a work of art. I do feel sorry for the right back though, Nicolas Burdisso. He was the only one who never touched the ball in that move!
Lee Dixon: Maxi Rodriguez’s goal against Mexico. It was Esteban Cambiasso’s goal for Argentina before that, but I think he just wins it on technique and for the importance of the goal in that precise moment of the game.
Martin O’Neill: My favourite moment concerns Zinedine Zidane, one of the greatest footballers that ever lived. France struggled in the first two games of the group stage, Zidane himself also struggling for form. When it came to the third game and they needed to beat Togo, he was suspended. I don’t know whether in moments of reflection he thought 'is this the way I really want to end my career?' I’m not sure. But deep down something stirred within this genius and he roused himself once again. It was like getting a second chance, if France could beat Togo and get through to the next stages, he was going to leave his mark on this World Cup. Along came Spain in the last 16, then Brazil in the quarter-finals and Zidane was back to his imperious best. I just thought he was absolutely fantastic, and his display against Brazil was the big, big moment for me. I thought France deservedly won that game simply because Zidane rolled back the years and became the player we all know he has been for the last decade.
NB: Pundits interviewed before Sunday's final.
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My favourite goal was Joe Coles goal! But I also liked Lahms first goal of the tournament, both brilliant goals...
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Has to be Rosickys first goal in the finals. After a couple of other awesome goals in the tourney it made me think of the awesome potential of this competition and the new ball (which btw is a dream to kick)
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Memories: How the oldies from France and Italy evolved from dismal beginnings in the tournament into sparkling, fit heroes, going into extra time with ease.
How fabulously fit Argentinians seemed to loose their sharpness round by round. And other miracles of physical, maybe mental turnarounds. Supreme (fitness) coaching, willpower of the old hands wishing to celebrate once more and by all means a spot in football's hall of dreams etc.
By the way: FIFA resisted suspiciously long to suscribe to WADA doping standards. Had there been doping controls during and in the built-up of this worldcup? As far as the media are concerned this subject was entirely blocked out.
I wonder if statistics relating to this subject will be also released by FIFA, at least comparable to those of the Olympic Comittee after their events.
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Does this mean that you'll have to come back to blighty to work now!!
Favourite moment.. I'd like to say reading the blog, but it must be Henry's goal against Brazil, I was in a lapdancers in Edingburgh on a stag do so what more needs to be said about that other than I'd seen more than enough Brazilians that day!
Although from a footballing point of view and not a lifestyle aspect it'd have to be the Argentinian goal vs the Serbs. Footballing genius, and how much would you give to see that from an England team?? Just a shame it ain't likely to happen in the near future with yet another inferior coach.
Bournville for ever!!
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JOE COLE
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my favourite moment has to be from either Tomas Rosicky's goal against USA or Esteben Cambiasso's goal after an exquisite 24 pass move. pure class
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Apart from the obvious, Zidane, Germany, Argentina etc. Just read the comments above again and tell me if Alan Shearer's post does not stand out? He's the only one who mentions England. There is a passion there that if he had been manager, perhaps the posts would have been about Rooney winning the golden boot or Gerrard's winning goal in the final. We need a manager who is as passionate about the game and country as the deserving Italian's are.
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the best goal was easily Maxi Rodrigues' against Mexico. Not only was it an amazing goal, but crucial.
But the best moment by a fair margin was Fabio Grosso's late strike against Germany, the game, the set-up from Pirlo, the finish, the crushing of the host nation, the triumph of the Azzurri (!!), the look on Fabio's face! Awesome!
Then of course there was the moment he slotted home the final penalty to give us the World Cup! that was pretty specila also ;)
Proud of the boys!
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My favourite moment was the Iranian's team presenting the recently bereaved Mexican goalkeeper with a bunch of flowers. Such a powerful gesture. Well done Iran!
I must add that the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's production of the world cup was immense, a really professional performance. I was in Berlin for a few days and occasionally stood outside where the Ö÷²¥´óÐã studio was based. It was an incredible vantage point and such a well researched location. From my view down below looking up I was taken back at the hi-tech cameras and lighting equipment that was in use.
This area beside the Brandenburg gates, next to the French embassy and Aldon hotel was such a cool place to hang out. It was a great place to meet and chat to people from everywhere around the world. I remember after the England v Portugal match seeing a daydreaming thoughtful Adrian Childs looking down from the Ö÷²¥´óÐã studio as I was offer words of comfort to a inconsolable English girl. I also remember before the highlights programme of the France v brazil match Martin O'Neill carrying a suit bag over his shoulder struggling to gain entrance to the building where the studio was based. Out of interested I followed him as he frantically moved quickly through the celebrating French supporters making their way from the fan mile. I couldn't keep up with him to ask for an autograph or picture as he successfully gained entrance to the building from the other side - phew! Finally I remember a couple of fellow Irish guys excitingly waiting outside the studios for what they thought was their hero Marcel Desailly on the panel for the highlights featuring France v Portugal to emerge from the studio building. Long behold after the programme was over they were disappointed to see that infact it was Mark Bright accompanying Lee Dixon and Ray Stubbs to their hotel. The young Irish guys still made the most of it and asked for a photo which the three guys kindly obliged. Gentlemen! (especially Ray stubbs). The best part about the base of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã studio though had to be the Ice cream stall outside the building. I sure some can vouch for that.
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Ghana's win over the Czech Republic was my highlight of the World Cup. Before the match I didn't give Ghana a chance especially after the way the Czech Republic beat US. But Ghana were simply awesome and this is a match I can watch again and again. If the World Cup had ended that day I would have been greatly satisfied already.
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The best goal? David Becham's. No doubt about it. When English team could not do any good he gave the fantastic moment to every soccer fan.
Look at his face before the shoot (shaking his head "no, I'm gonna do it myself") and after - the big smile.
Thanks David.
Plato - New York.
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The entire tournament will always have fond memories for me (watching every single player in the tournament - my credit to every one of them) but my most memorable moment is watching the little children (the future World Cup Players) matching to the fields with the Teams - it is so beautiful watching those "Little Angels" and I hope to watch them competing in the World Cup in the years to come.
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Fabio Grosso's goal against Germany. Just Amazing......
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the semi-final between germany and italy was a classic, the two true giants of european football slugged it out in the fantasic stadium in dortmund,italy coming out on top,and the germans who do everything right showing argentina how to lose with style ,taking their beating like men ,as apposed to crying schoolkids......the only bad thing for me was that ireland weren't there to join the party.
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Ricardo's penalty saves in the kick-off against England-what a drama - Portugal miss two and still win.
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Aside from the football, a german blogger somewhere on these blogs after the portugal game who posted something along the lines of " for you tommy ze war is over, but zis time zer vill be no escape because ve haf sabotaged ze motorcycles und you are condemned to four more years of vot might haf been!" I think it was marcus. So funny and maybe they are even winning in the humour stakes. Thank you that man!
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Aside from the football, a german blogger somewhere on these blogs after the portugal game who posted something along the lines of " for you tommy ze war is over, but zis time zer vill be no escape because ve haf sabotaged ze motorcycles und you are condemned to four more years of vot might haf been!" I think it was marcus. So funny and maybe they are even winning in the humour stakes. Thank you that man!
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I probably missed the best game of the tournament: Arg vs Mex. I managed to see the first half but was then dragged away by the wife to attend the wedding of a nephew (on her side of the family. A snivelling little tw**p, too. I mean, what sort of person would schedule a wedding during the World Cup?).
I thought the Oz vs Japan game was a beauty. 3 goals in the last 6 minutes. The best sort of early round game you could wish for.
The Oz vs Croatia game was also great stuff (no, I'm not an Aussie).
Holland vs Portugal had everthing - the good, the bad, and the ugly. And that was only the ref!
The Brazil vs France second half was one of the best halves of football I've seen in years. Zidane was magnificent.
Ivory Coast played a style of football that England can only dream about. If a Premiership team doesn't snap up Toure's brother I will be mightily surprised.
And about England - memorable moments? Joe Cole's goal; Rooney's sending off; Hargreaves proving all his critics wrong (except for some unfathomable reason, Alan Hansen) by playing a truly world class game against Portugal. This last, for me, was the individual performance of the tournament. Yes, Zidane was at times great. Yes, Cannavaro and Thuram were virtually unbeatable. Yes, Riquelme for Argentina proved that a good old fashioned play maker can still run games. But all these great players played in great teams with at least a competent manager. Hargreaves, on the other hand, had none of these things going for him. Yet, against all the criticism from fans and media alike this young man stood his ground and proved them all wrong. And he did this by his performance alone. If only the rest of the England team - lauded so ridiculouosly before the tournament by all and sundry - had performed as well.
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I have a bit more acerbic view of the W/cup. It did have its great moments, but mostly outside of the playing area.Bad,bad umpiring,very defensive football from the 2nd round onwards - goals & goal scoring oportunities suddenly were at the premium - & the most undeserving victor - out of the 4 semi-finalists.
Italy were gifted the game against Australia - yes, I am from Aussie, Aussie Oi! Oi! - & they were gifted the game against the unlucky FRANCE.
If you look at the Matterazzi goal, he used Veira as a springboard & clearly had his arm across Veira's shoulder thus gaining greater lift off force
& at the same time preventing Veira's from jumping up.France also missed out on clear penalty in the 2nd half. All in all the quicker we get video umpire the better. If it is good enough for cricket & rugby - and they are not so dramatically affected by the reffs bad day at the office - it should be good enough for football.
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Is it true what Eamonn Fitzgerald says on this blog, that you changed Leonardo's quote and removed two posts that pointed this out? Just say it ain't so!
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Ann,
Yes I am afraid it is true! Athers is sunning himself somewhere having a well-earned rest so I can't say this for sure ... but I am assuming either he made a mistake when writing down what Leonardo said, or Leonardo's memory may have let him down.
Either way, I am not sure how correcting a simple mistake can be called 'deceit and doctoring', to use Eamonn's emotive description.
I removed the comments - which alerted me to the error - because they wouldn't have made sense seeing as the mistake was no longer there.
Clearly, some people like to see conspiracy wherever they can but I can assure you, this was simply a mistake. Nothing more interesting than that I'm afraid.
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My vote would be for the South Korean fans in the France game. Every single one of them, bouncing up and down, singing and jumping until finally they equalised and went totally mental.
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Most were good moments, we are really missing your coverage right now.
My worst moment was when I realized England was just not good enough - I had been certain we'd be in the final.
Best match Italy-Germany
Best goal - Joe Cole.
I take back everything I ever said about Hargreaves, he really was something.
I will not take back anything I ever said about Sven, but do wish someone at the top of the game had thanked him for all his efforts. Even a fool should be thanked.
Biggest shame - the Wags
Fondest hope - that all the premiership clubs will copy Klinsmanns training methods.
Please ask Paul Armstrong (Editor Match of the Day)to e-mail me a print out of his column and the 75 comments if he still has it. I had planned to keep it as part of our World Cup mementos, but didn't print it in time before he had left.
Many thanks.
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Hey. My comment has disappeared. I got the message to wait while you did your checking or whatever. Post it later, you said. When I returned it had gone.
Well it wasn't very interesting anyway but please do ask Paul Armstrong (Match of the Day Editor)if he still has his column and the 70 or so comments. I meant to print it for our World Cup Memento Book but was too late, the whole lot had gone.
Incidentally, let me just say the blogginbg has been a fun addition to the World Cup bonanza.
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My two favorite moments from World Cup 2006 are: Philipp Lahm's goal against Costa Rica and Klose's goal against Argentina.
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I will remember the expression on Fabio Grosso's face, when he marked the first goal at the 119 minute in the match between Italy and Germany. He cannot belive it! Azzurri gaigned the access for Berlin!
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