World Cup and those lasting memories

Article by Darren Conway

The FIFA World Cup starts on Thursday with the usual optimism regarding the quality of the competition.

2010 South Africa was a real let down, as has been the last few world cups.

South Africa is traditionally a rugby country which is why the tournament never reached fever pitch over there. Japan and South Korea certainly put on a show but the quality of the football was poor and no one individual stole the show.

Really we haven't had a good World Cup since 1998 in France.

Who could forget Bergkamp's goal against Argentina or Zidane's master class against the Brazilians in the final?

Even USA 94 had some cracking games.

Italia 90 and Spain 82 bring back amazing memories. Gascoigne, Zico, Zoff, Scalacci.

However, Mexico 1986 for me is the stand out.

I was only ten at the time and Maradona for me was the greatest footballer I have ever seen. His amazing second goal against England, ( Greatest individual goal ). His display against Belgium in the semi finals and his passionate display against West Germany in the final.

I have high hopes for the tournament in Brazil this summer as the atmosphere will go through the roof.

No European team has ever won on South American soil and that pattern will surely continue.

I'm going for Argentina and Uruguay to make the final.

That brings me onto the Champions League.

5/6 years ago most people were saying that it had taken over from the World Cup in terms of excitement and prestige. But now even UEFA's flag ship competition is becoming slightly stale. The same teams getting to the knock out stages and even this year we had the farcical sight of two teams from the same city playing in the final. Champions? Really?

The big clubs keep earning more and more money and this is having an effect on the tournament becoming slightly boring and predictable.

Maybe I am a traditionalist, but it has always been the World Cup for me.

Ask Ronaldo or Messi what they would Really like to win and there is only one answer.

So bring it on, let the games begin and I'm certain this is going to be a classic.

P.S - England will not make it out the group stages. Not in that climate, not against those teams.

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