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World Cup 2002

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Caught between the Devil and the deep blue sea, was I. As the World Cup got under way, friends hoisted a proposition upon me. A week in a Tuscan villa anyone? 96 degrees, 15 metre azure pool, views of the Umbrian hills? Coupled with the fact that a bloke named Ryan was offering us flights at the same cost as the Galia melons in Tescos, nobody could see the reason for my hesitation, not even the boys! “Surely to God” thought I, “It’s the bloody World Cup!”
"Looking a bit peaky Kate," one of my now redundant friends whispered. Oh god it was getting too much to bear, they had capitalized on my weakness. Sunshine! You see we don’t get much of it in the North of England and normally if it comes we’re all so busy perfecting our Noel Gallagher sprawl we never get to much time to sit in it! Oh bloody hell.

“Okay,” said I, rather grudgingly. Never had a week in a Tuscan villa sounded so appalling. “There had better be a bloody TV,” I muttered. I was sure I heard someone say no, as I walked away tail between legs, but I decided to ignore them and hope it was the beginnings of tinnitus.

First went France, then the Argies and then shock horror, USA stayed in with a 2-0 win over their neighbours Mexico. This was hotting up to be one hell of a month! Sorry, did I mention the nail biters Ireland put us through not too mention our own glorious England! Never has a metatarsal bone put a nation through so much anxiety.

Cheers went up as Owen dived us to victory over our Nemesis. We fought them at Goose Green and now Niigata. This time the hand of God clapped Beckham on the back as he shook his shirt in front of the Asian crowd after his nervy yet worthy penalty. The Japanese had quite rightly adopted our national side as their own, it seemed the deeper we plunged into the tournament the more fanatical and downright English fan-like they got. Incidentally it was mentioned in The Guardian newspaper that apparently the Japanese cannot say the word Hooligan – Fooligan is their pronunciation. I’ve always fancied staying at the Fong Kong Mandarin Oriental!

Eventually, the time came round for the packing of the suitcase and under duress in went bikinis, sun hat and the like. I managed to get very drunk the night before, an early morning rise to 36,000 ft not being too conducive to settling the stomach, but at last we arrived in searing 98 degree heat and drove to the most beautiful place I have ever seen! Tucked away in the Umbrian/Tuscan mountains with, as they promised, a beautiful crystal pool with an absolutely spectacular view was a stunning villa, the size of a small English Country house. Five bathrooms, three kitchens, twelve bedrooms, “wow,” said everyone as they stepped over me on the floor looking in cupboards, under beds, frantically searching for the TV.

“Found it” screamed a friend, two hours and two flights of stairs later, through one of the kitchens and across a patio. This house was like a bloody Escher painting, but we had found our TV and I knew then that I could settle down and start enjoying the break, safe in the knowledge that when a football match was being played in Japan, a girl in Tuscany could pull up a sun lounger and armed with an ice cold Peroni settle down to what turned out to be an enormous television perfect for sports crazy fans!

If I had to complain and at this point in the proceedings I didn’t really feel the need too, but if I had too, I would have said that I missed the BBC commentary, but I still listened to the Italians chorus their way through game after game injecting “offside” or “corner”, into their vocabulary. Apparently they are the same in every country, isn’t that good. Do you think it's for the English fans who travel all over Europe on holiday and expect to be given pride of place in a European pub when England is playing?

So on went the tournament, battle after battle, until unfortunately we were subjected to 90 minutes of predictable English football and we lost to the footballing giants Brasil. If there is any team to lose too, then I suppose Brasil is the one, but still.....it could have been our year!

Thankfully we are fielding a very young side and I think we can all wait 4 years for another shot at the elusive title. I think however it is important for an English fan to make some sort of positive comment on the English game. Mine is Rio Ferdinand. Thank you and goodnight.

Having to endure another week only to watch the Germans (a very easy draw and uncomplicated rise to the Final) go through the quarter, then the semi final seemed like hell at times, but the battles of sheer brilliance from the South Koreans made every minute worth it! What true sportsmen they were! I can’t think of any country in the world that would begrudge any of the Koreans goals, alright maybe Spain, but supporting the under dog is a great thrill in huge tournaments like these and personally I hope we see the Koreans time and time again. Another competition without them would feel empty!

As the games continued, we all knew in our heart of hearts that the end was nigh, but thankfully I watched the 2002 World Cup Final next to a pool with friends amidst beautiful surroundings afterwards adjourning to the local bar/cafe for a wonderful pizza, cooked by none other than Mario (fantastic isn’t it!) I think that beats the cold, wet and grey Sunday, my compadres endured back at home.

In the end I think the best overall team won. Brasil aren’t great at the back, they have temperamental players (Rivaldo’s comedic fall at the corner post, disappointed me immensely. A World Class player should have remembered the FIFA Fair play badge he had on his arm!) but for a 23 year old who hasn’t played regularly since the last World Cup and then heartbreakingly missed the final due to an unexplained illness to come away with the two winning goals in the 2002 Final, the Golden Boot for 8 goals in 7 games, and the utmost respect of fans world wide, surely Ronaldo is the best footballer in the world, I think is a true feet from an exciting and beautiful team. In Brasil, the beautiful game is alive and well! Maybe one day the England squad will adopt some of their flair and imagination. We can but wait.

The games over, four years till the next, with Euro 2004 thrown in for good measure, I think we can all firmly shake Japan and Korea’s collective hand and congratulate them on a splendid hosting of the World Cup 2002 but overall I didn’t realise how firm the friendship was between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. I have to say I would recommend a spin down to Beelzebub’s boat house any day!
Thu 05/09/2002 Kati Spencer 36 views

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