Interestingly enough, next weekend when the tournament begins, one of our good college buddies will be getting married in Jacksonville, Florida. This got me thinking about what we were doing during the last World Cup four years ago and just how much life changes in between each magical tournament. Let's take a trip down memory lane so I can demonstrate my point...
In 2010, as the World Cup was rolling in South Africa, I stood on a barstool in disbelief at O'Malley's pub in Charleston as Landon Donovan scored one of the most dramatic goals in World Cup history. His 90 plus minute goal sent the United States through the group stage and allowed thousands of strangers to hug one another and party like best friends. I had also recently graduated college, was working at a hotel in Charleston and was saving up money for a ring for my now wife.
In 2006, with the World Cup being held in Germany, I drank with old high school buddies after our sophomore year of college and watched the United States get crushed by just about everyone they played. We still partied hard for each game because well, that's about all we were doing at that time in our life besides of course being roller-blade carhops and pizza delivery guys when classes weren't in session.
In 2002, as the World Cup aired late in the evening in South Korea, I watched the games with my family and my blog-mate in Disney World. In between chasing after the 16 year old cheerleaders also staying at our resort, we witnessed the United States make it's deepest run ever in the World Cup only to lose to Germany thanks to some questionable calls by the referees.
In 1998, with the World Cup in France, I really only remember being stunned while watching the Final in my aunt's basement as the French shocked the world and shutout the heavily favored Brazilians in a 3-0 route.
And in 1994 with the World Cup in the U.S, I remember playing the World Cup video game for Super Nintendo and having the attention span of a gold fish but you get the picture.
All I know is I will absolutely remember watching some games next week in Florida while celebrating my buddy's big day. And I wonder what I'll tell my son or daughter about Russia when the next World Cup kicks off there four years from now. But most importantly, when you're watching the games in a week, take a look around and soak it all in because the beauty of the World Cup ultimately lies in its nostalgia.
PAV: Brilliant. A word that describes your recollection and a word that "futbol" fans everywhere will hear during any "Queen's English" broadcast of any match during this summer's event. This, too is my absolute favorite sporting event. The reason its my favorite is that I've always been able to share my enthusiasm.
My earliest recollection would have to be the 1998 tournament. Again, my memories of the matches (they aren't games, so stop calling them that) are vague at best, but I remember watching alongside an Irishman and feeling the emotion emit. It's when I first became aware of Zinedine Zidane, who is still one of my favorite players of all time (I loved the headbutt and am not an Italy fan...). Zidane was given the Légion d'honneur, which is the French equivalent to a Medal of Honor or Nobel Prize because he helped his side win the Cup.My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE World Cup memory is the 2002 event. It has everything to do with ZBU's family. We were at Disney World, as you said. I couldn't sleep because you, your mom, your dad, and your little brother were all snoring in unison. I've still to this day never seen or heard anything like that. It was so bad I put on headphones and listened to the Atticus Clothing Company's compilation CD called "Dragging the Lake" I bought at Downtown Disney that day. It didn't help, but one way or another, I fell asleep...
Only to wake up at 3 am when your dad was screaming at our 25 inch Daewoo not-so-flat screen television. I don't think anyone at the Disney All-Star Resort was awake after that. And Poland was playing. Probably not even against our guys.
It was a vacation I'll never, ever forget and I'll love the World Cup forever because of it.
Even if it's played in a country that steals the bid from other countries. I'm talking to you, Qatar.
Also, I'm still convinced those 16 year-old cheerleaders (we were also 16 at the time, scumbags) will always remember the two Zachs.
