Argentina 1978
I was only 8 so didn't really understand what the World Cup was. But I loved the Adidas Tanga ball, the awesome bendy free kicks, the ticker tape and the fact that I was allowed to watch live matches from a country half way round the other side of the world. (This being a time when the only live games were the FA Cup final and the odd home international).
I got so excited before the final that I was actually sick.
Spain 1982
Understood a bit more about football and was convinced England would win. Oops. But I had the stickers and the posters and replayed every match in my front garden after having seen in on TV. And a lovely warm summer it was too.
Mexico 1986
The year of Robson's shoulder. I don't recall that much about it, for some reason. Probably because it ws a long way away. Dunno.
Italia '90
At university, living in London and exams all finished for the year. Possibly one of the best summers of my life. Warm, balmy, saltry summer nights, a real belief that England would go all the way. Nessun Dorma.
World in Motion song... A great kit .. what could go wrong?
The atmosphere in the Capital was electric on the nights of England games.
Gazza, Lineaker, Platt, Waddle, Barnes, Pierce, Bobby Robson... ahh, the memories. The streets were deserted on the night of the semi. Never seen anything like it.
USA 1994
Didn't bother, to be frank
France 1998
Work took up alot of time then, so I missed alot of it.
Japan / South Korea 2002
Time difference made it hard to enjoy games at sensible times, sadly. But I was having a nice time in my life, so it added to the backdrop and I njoyed it regardless, but it did feel very remote.
Germany 2006
Enjoyed it. Watched most games at a mates, as he seemed to have a perpetual BBQ on the go. But all a bit of a damp squib after the Portugal game. Let's hope it lasts a bit longer this time...
So, for me, wouthout question... Italia '90.
I was only 8 so didn't really understand what the World Cup was. But I loved the Adidas Tanga ball, the awesome bendy free kicks, the ticker tape and the fact that I was allowed to watch live matches from a country half way round the other side of the world. (This being a time when the only live games were the FA Cup final and the odd home international).
I got so excited before the final that I was actually sick.
Spain 1982
Understood a bit more about football and was convinced England would win. Oops. But I had the stickers and the posters and replayed every match in my front garden after having seen in on TV. And a lovely warm summer it was too.
Mexico 1986
The year of Robson's shoulder. I don't recall that much about it, for some reason. Probably because it ws a long way away. Dunno.
Italia '90
At university, living in London and exams all finished for the year. Possibly one of the best summers of my life. Warm, balmy, saltry summer nights, a real belief that England would go all the way. Nessun Dorma.
World in Motion song... A great kit .. what could go wrong?
The atmosphere in the Capital was electric on the nights of England games.
Gazza, Lineaker, Platt, Waddle, Barnes, Pierce, Bobby Robson... ahh, the memories. The streets were deserted on the night of the semi. Never seen anything like it.
USA 1994
Didn't bother, to be frank
France 1998
Work took up alot of time then, so I missed alot of it.
Japan / South Korea 2002
Time difference made it hard to enjoy games at sensible times, sadly. But I was having a nice time in my life, so it added to the backdrop and I njoyed it regardless, but it did feel very remote.
Germany 2006
Enjoyed it. Watched most games at a mates, as he seemed to have a perpetual BBQ on the go. But all a bit of a damp squib after the Portugal game. Let's hope it lasts a bit longer this time...
So, for me, wouthout question... Italia '90.