Maybe only sentimental people like me would remember such a date but it's okay if you don't.
One year ago, on this very day, the hugely anticipated FIFA World Cup was officially opened and the curtain raiser match, which was host nation, Germany, played minnows, Costa Rica. It was a rather unconvincing performance from the Germans but little did they know how far they went.
Don't you miss those days? Just sitting around watching football all night long. Yes, the matches usually starts off at around 9pm over here and it's never-ending football till around 5am in the morning.
There are many forgettable matches here and there but compared to the 2002 World Cup in Japan/Korea, it was fractionally better with more drama, less controversies.
Don't you miss those days? It would be a pleasure to hear from you about the 'World Cup days'. Did you follow it closely 24/7 like I do or did you actually had a change to watch it live at the stadium? I would love to hear the experiences people had and also reminisce on the good times!
I'll leave you with some great goals from that very World Cup. Enjoy!
Well, any football fans will look back at 2006 for non other than the FIFA World Cup held in Germany. It attracted attention of millions of people all around the world, gathering football fans and non football fans alike. It was a month where things outside football seemed to come to a standstill and everyday (or night for us Asians), we stuck ourselves to the TV watching matches, re-run and analysis. I personally covered almost all the matches over here in this blog and it can be found in the archives.
It was definitely a better World Cup than the previous one held in South Korea. Although refereeing decision are still controversial in some games like the one during Australia vs Italy, but overall the quality of the football was good and one thing that struck me was that the competition epitomizes the term 'defence is the best way of...defence'. Well, we saw great goals overall but the defenders now stood out instead of the strikers.
Fabio Cannavaro was collosus throughout the competition and that won him the FIFA Player of the Year award and the Ballon d'Or as well. Thinking back, there wasn't any strikers that catch my eye other than Lukas Podolski, David Villa and Fernando Torres. I might have missed out some, but there seriously isn't any striker that was on red hot form.
It started off with host, Germany, facing off with minnows, Costa Rica. It didn't take long for the European giant to draw first blood when Phillip Lahm scored the first goal of the World Cup and it was a belter! Germany went on to win the game 4-2.
Then there was the clash between USA and Italy. It was literally, a clash. Brian McBride got booted in the face and was bleeding profusely and Daniele De Rossi was sent off.
England, who have won their last World Cup 40 years ago, went to the competition without making any major impact other than the last game where it really got everyone talking about it. Rooney's intentional/unintentional stamp on Ricardo Carvalho's crown jewel was penalised and myth has it that Ronaldo got him sent off. Truth or not, only the United pair know.
They stumbled their way into the quater finals even though they struggled to beat the likes of T&T and Ecuador. Goals were rare while Rooney was rushed back to soon. Michael Owen then found himself injured and will start another new line of 'Gone In 60 Seconds' when he got injured against Sweden 1 minute into the match.
July 9 was the final between France and Italy. Much was anticipated as to how Zidane will put on his one last dance before his retirement and it went alright in the beginning when he put France ahead with a cheeky penalty. But hero turned zero in a matter of moments when he headbutted that a*sehole Marco Materazzi and got himself sent off. A sad way to see off his career and it was later reported Marco insulted his sister. Oh that Italian b**t**d.
All in all, a pretty good World Cup and I missed the days (or nights) when I stayed up the night watching football and not worrying about anything other than football. It will be another long wait for the next World Cup in South Africa. See you, then.
I do. I miss those days. Me and my parents will sit around after dinner waiting for the 9pm match to start. Then a match at 12mn and another 3am in the morning. Rinse and repeat for 1 month and I do not know how I got past that period of time without falling sick!
Yea, anyway thanks to Psychohare on Youtube for providing such a great compilation of World Cup 2006 and it's great reminiscing the golden moments, the Zidane headbutt, the Togo dance, Fernando Torres' goals and Beckham crying.
It was half a year ago, but it seemed just like yesterday. How was the World Cup for you? Good? Bad? Any moments to share? Do share with us!
Founded on the 25th March 2006, this blog is not only for the Liverpool fans, but for anyone who loves football. Latest stories, banters, personal thoughts, up to date match reports, videos, pictures and a whole lot more!
If you have any stories to share or wishes to contact me, please mail to:skyjames87@gmail.com
Posts
