I am so excited about the World Cup that I have taken a week off work from 11 June to watch the beginning!
Football is clearly something that one never grows out of, because I am just as fired-up by the prospect of England’s opening game against the USA next week as I was about the 1990 World Cup where the late Sir Bobby Robson inspired his team to such greatness – and where Gazza left his indelible mark on the British psyche with his tearful reaction to his yellow-card during during the semi-final match against Germany.
Looking back on World Cups also shows us how much the world has changed; 1990 World Cup was the first tournament in which African nations featured strongly, with Cameroon stunning Argentina in the opening game – countries like West Germany and Yugoslavia fielded national teams then, but no longer exist in those previous forms.
Football is one of the few things that genuinely brings the world together – even America is getting in on the act now!
The only fly in the ointment for me has been the steady commercialisation of football in the last 20 years – something that some would argue is inevitable, but that makes it no less desirable.
I typically shun the adverts of major brands tied into major sporting tournaments, but the ‘Adidas Originals – Star Wars Cantina’ advert is pure genius and has certainly got me in the mood.
If you haven’t watched this video, you should – David Beckham only has one line, but it is a classic!
Come on England!
