Most Enjoyable World Cup Since...?

[pilgrimfathers]

Most Enjoyable World Cup Since...?

Well,it has been a good WC. Plenty to talk about down the pub,and at the Pre-season friendlies.

There were a few wobbles from the leading European nations in the group stages,with France/Italy (and Italy were shocking) going home earlier than expected. England falling apart,and Germany/Holland/Spain showing how the game should be played

The African teams done proud,and a strong showing by the South American sides,especially Uruguay - 'surprise package',and Argentina.

So i thought it was good entertainment tbh,and whoever wins tomorrow (Holland),will be worthy winners for sure.

[Spearmint Rhino]

Most Enjoyable World Cup Since...?

pilgrimfathers wrote:

The African teams done proud

Really?

[G-Man]

Most Enjoyable World Cup Since...?

Obviously, for reasons of residence, this is my favourite ever World Cup.

But that aside, it's been a righteous World Cup. It has been the least dirty World Cup for many years. There was less play-actying, imaginary card-weaving and brutal fouling than there had been for ages.

Happily, four of the tournament's six most enjoyable teams reached the semis. That's an unusual, righteous 100% strike-rate.

I think the vuvuzelas made this a distinctive World Cup. Like telephoned commentary in 1970 and toilet rolls in 1978, I think it'll be iconic.

Sadly there have been few classics, unless you support Germany. And not much by way of mental matches. So it has been a very gentle sort of World Cup.

If it wasn't for the ugly, rampant commercialism, I'd suggest that it was the World Cup to restore one's faith in football.

[Garry Brooke]

Most Enjoyable World Cup Since...?

I don't think it's been that great football-wise, to be honest. The 'don't lose at all costs' attitude of some teams in the first group games didn't make for particularly entertaining football. Having said that, it's The World Cup! I'll always love it really, irregardless of the level of fayre on offer, which has gradually improved as the tournament has progressed, to be fair.
These last two games have the potential to be the most enjoyable of the tournament and I'm certainly looking forward to the final.

1986 was my favourite finals to date...

[Janik]

Most Enjoyable World Cup Since...?

If it wasn't for the ugly, rampant commercialism, I'd suggest that it was the World Cup to restore one's faith in football.

If you were to put up that suggestion, then I would happily dismiss it. It's not been anywhere near good enough to achieve such things, despite verging onto the better side of average.

I think the vuvuzelas made this a distinctive World Cup. Like telephoned commentary in 1970 and toilet rolls in 1978, I think it'll be iconic.

I agree with all that. But something can be iconic without being positive.

[jason voorhees]

Most Enjoyable World Cup Since...?

I didn't watch Mexico 86 or Italia 90, so I have no idea if they're any good. Were they?

From a cinematic cinematography perspective, Mexico 86 was the greatest.



The golden sky, the sun-baked grass, the war of attrition between Brasil and France, Maradona's sweaty thighs against tight black shorts, the last stand of the gold chains - untucked shirts - no shinpads (Valderrama doesn't count...he had beads,) the Mexico City earthquake, Morocco flags with the pentagram waved as they became the first African side to make the second round, Canada playing the USSR and Platini, the Soviets hitting absolute nuclear missle blasts off the crossbar at will, Jean-Marie Pfaff's Mickey Mouse gloves...

...the greatest adidas goalkeeper shirt that made my heart stop when I saw it and made me the greatest goalkeeper in the world for the year that I had it:


...the first time I heard the name "Saddam Hussein"


...the Azteca


...the Negrete (the real Greatest World Cup Goal of All Time

[dalliance]

Most Enjoyable World Cup Since...?

1986 had so many compelling teams to watch. I would suggest that you had West Germany, Denmark, the USSR, France, Belgium, Spain, Brazil and Mexico, 8 nations from 24 is a great hit rate. I would struggle to suggest this tournament has had more than 3 or 4 from 32.

For me recent WC's have been outshined by the Euro's - both Euro 2000 and 2008 were fantastic, and no world cup I've watched has come anywhere near either of them.

Agree totally. In my lifetime I can recall 4 great Euros - 1984, 1988 (my favourite), 2000 and 2008. Great World Cups - 1982, 1986, 1994, 2006.

My two favourite tournaments overall were 86 and 88 so it was a surprise that 1990 was so poor considering most of the great teams from the past couple were still fairly intact.

[Sam]

Most Enjoyable World Cup Since...?

satchmo76 wrote:

There has been a leveling up (by Paraguay, Chile, Ghana, Japan) as well as a leveling down (Italy, France, England, Argentina).

How did Argentina level down? They've not made the semis since 1990, and their win against Mexico was the first time since that tournament that they've won a World Cup knockout game in 90 minutes.

Sparta Rogindam wrote:

I think this has been a vintage World Cup. The two finalists have a reasonable claim to have been the best two sides in the tournament (which doesn't always happen), neither has had to rely on a controversial refereeing error or piece of blatant gamesmanship, nor even squeak through by the lottery of penalty kicks.

Paraguay had a seemingly good goal disallowed for offside in the second round, and David Villa's winner in the same match was offside.

Also, Mark van Bommel hasn't been sent off for breathing at the ref funny all tournament.

Guus Squidink wrote:

I find it difficult to rank overall tournaments, I can find good/bad things about all of them. On a personal note, France 98 has very fond memories for me, mainly because I was out there and got to go to a match (Denmark vs Nigeria). But also because being in the country where it was hosted was really special. Standing on a platform on the metro and seeing the opposite side flooded with Brazil fans after they won a game was fantastic. So was finding a lone Scottish bagpiper playing a maudlin tune on a Paris side street after they were eliminated. I suspect anyone who's been to a World Cup will remember them as enjoyable for similar non-footballing reasons.

For all of these reasons, plus some to do with What I Do For Money (I'll hesitate to ever again call it 'work' after the great time I had in Montevideo earlier this week), I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Brazil 14 might just be my own favourite.

[George]

Most Enjoyable World Cup Since...?

That spider like shadow that lurched over the centre circle at the Azteca during 86 also deserves a mention. What on earth was it?

This tournament's redeemed itself during the knockout stages, Germany being an obvious highlight. However the absolute dross served up over the first two rounds of group games can't be ignored. It was even worst than the much maligned Italia 90 (oh yes). I'm baffled how anybody can call it vintage.

However, from an operational point of view I'm glad the South Africans have stuck it to the doubters.

[Garry Brooke]

Most Enjoyable World Cup Since...?

I'm sure I read somewhere that the spidery shadow thing was a giant piņata.
How they were going to whack it open, I don't know.

[Valentino Mazzola]

Most Enjoyable World Cup Since...?

To be honest I'm struggling to understand the Italia 90 consensus re. pretty bad - the final I think has done some long term damage here, as the group stages were pretty good save Group F, and the 2nd round and QFs were pretty enthralling IMO. England were easily in the most boring group, I can't help think this has tainted things somewhat.

[G-Man]

Most Enjoyable World Cup Since...?

If you were to put up that suggestion, then I would happily dismiss it. It's not been anywhere near good enough to achieve such things, despite verging onto the better side of average.

But your reason for happily dismissing the suggestin has absolutely nothing to do with the argument I stated, Janik.

[Janik]

Most Enjoyable World Cup Since...?

G.Mandoza wrote:

But that aside, it's been a righteous World Cup. It has been the least dirty World Cup for many years. There was less play-actying, imaginary card-weaving and brutal fouling than there had been for ages.

The balance has been somewhat redressed tonight.