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.
Older perspective
ReplyDelete1990 Only remember watching the final in the Tommy's Lounge
1994 Was the creation of maybe the greatest sports video game of all time Fifa. And SEGA was the only device this game should have been played on at that time. Was down the ocean hon for 2 weeks and I would be be the youngest participant along with my brother and his Curley teammates. Remember picking Spain a lot due to their unis. As for the the tourney remember the Colombian own goal which would lead to that players death and watching the final in a condo full of people rooting for Brazil. A phrase was born that still gets said today whenever a penalty flies over the bar. Oh no Baggioo!
1998 Don't remember a lot from this tourney maybe due to a fall out of love with game personally. Was playing a lot of summer baseball and played during the final. Remember being shocked by the scoreline of the final
2002 Remember being very excited for this tournament. Due to the time difference in South Korea had to rely on the ancient artifact, the VCR. Taped every game that summer and watched when I came home after a long day of protecting the magnificent animals at the Baltimore Zoo. Wanna know what chimps can do with a water spicket, that is another blog. Made the mistake of riding home one day with my radio on and due to the popularity of the tournament and the success of the US the Germany game was ruined for me. Do remember watching the final at the windjammer I believe with my SC familia where the real Ronaldo beat Germany.
2006 This was probably the first World Cup where I was familiar with every club and every player due to the beginning of my romance with the EPL. Was at a wedding for my college teammate for the opening games and remember introducing a bunch of baseball players to the beautiful game. Due to the US horrible showing I pledged my allegiance to the English.Took off work to watch the US first game at Claddaughs with my brother. Great atmosphere bad result. It was the start of my real hatred for the fake Ronaldo as he forced his own club teammate off the pitch with a red card by goading the referee. Was my second viewing of the famous England debacle that is called penalties. (1st was 04 Euros outside a gelato shop in SC while doing another quality job in managing a CofC parking garage) As for the final remember watching in DuBurns on a big screen for a christening party. Full of Italians made me root for France.
2010 Was working at Kennedy so had a office which was a plus. Don't think the IT guys were too happy with my cookies after going to several pirating sites to watch the games. Also had several inpatient floors with TVs so could watch the games there. Became a pro from finding the right rooms to watch due to the champions league. That is where I witnessed maybe the greatest moment in US soccer history
Room 308 coming up on xtra time was debating whether to stay or leave the room and then the counter started from Howard and Donavan finished. Left the room after giving a quiet scream giving a nurse a high five and started to dial the cell phone to see who had witnessed. Also remember from this tourney my boy Frank Lampard getting robbed of a goal vs Germany which would have led to a comeback. This was tourney Spain continued their dominance of futbol at the big stage.
2014 This World Cup will be called The World Cup of Vince. Unemployed and day soccer wreaks of awesomeness. My prediction is that Lionel Messi will take over the throne as the best player to ever live and will lift the World Cup trophy in Brasil.