What is your favourite World Cup memory?
What is your favourite World Cup experience? What memory of the global football tournament is etched on your consciousness?
So far in this 2010 World Cup it is easier to list what we would rather forget – Robert Green fumbling that save in England’s first match, ITV HD cutting to adverts so millions missed the one goal England did score in that game and of course the incessant droning of the infamous vuvuzelas.
For me it was a steamy summer way back in 1990 when I spent three months backpacking across Thailand that coincided with Italia 90, the 14th FIFA World Cup.
In the heart of the backpacking district of Khao San Road in Bangkok the cafés were positively heaving for every match and better than that, of the half dozen matches I watched would see me sat among a distinctly international crowd with a cold Singha Beer or three! No matter who was playing, there would always been fans present from that country! Even Cameroon!
Remember how Roger Milla came out of international retirement to lead the high profile of Cameroon during the tournament? In a bar on the Khao San Road I saw a cluster of fans heralding their newfound national hero with their own distinctive take on the Milla wiggle!
I loved the international flavour of the audience at each match I watch and no matter how exuberant fans from different countries became as they cheered their team, there was nothing but great humour when bitter rivals found themselves side by side when one of them had lost!
Even when hosts Italy beat England in the semi final it was not the catastrophe you might imagine and I recall being bought a consolation beer from a modestly jubilant Italian lady - and despite my best efforts I was unable to even the score on aggregate!
Post match debates would rage with a strong sense of fun and plans would be made to meet up for the next game of the tournament – remember back in 1990 no backpacker had a mobile phone and there was no internet. Firm plans had to be made!
Of course I’m still cheering on England and hope that my favourite World Cup moment is on July 11 and involves success in a final that doesn’t go to penalties!
In the meantime, what was your favourite moment? Please comment below and share your World Cup experience.