World Cup Memories

Deuce · 11-30-2004, 04:11 PM

Thanks Neil!

Some of us started to recall past WC memories on this thread.
http://realsaltlake.org/forums/showthread.php?t=109

Now we can continue here...

So someone start the ball rolling....
Tell us about your experiences from past World Cups!

Czar Jake · 11-30-2004, 04:20 PM

There it was, World Cup 2002, the first one I'd ever witnessed! I didn't even know the US had hosted one or anything! (Yes I'm a relatively new convert to the beautiful game).... anway, I was in Caserta, Italy. Every balcony of the endless "palazzi" had an Italian flag draped over it, except ours. Then one day I got out my Italian flag and fastened it to the balcony... people in the street below started cheering me on! I did a couple triumphant fist-pumps in the air and everyone clapped. Then I put out the American flag and got mostly laughs and a few cheers as well (they all knew we were Americans).. anyway it was great fun, I got to see all the Italy games (disappointing) and all the USA games (great!) and it was so cool to be in an atmosphere where everyone was so excited about it. It blew away all my other sports experiences I've had here in Utah.

clarette · 11-30-2004, 04:21 PM

I was unemployed and therefore stayed up all night watching World Cup matches, then sleeping and working out in the day.

It was the best... *sigh*

Deuce · 11-30-2004, 04:42 PM

I knew of the World Cup in America only cos I was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia and the Final was at RFK in DC about 150 miles away! There was very little news coverage.
I didn't attend tho, cos I was deployed to the Med Sea at the time it was all going on! I was not into it all then.

I believe, correct me if I am wrong, but it was a requirement, in order for the US to host a World Cup that we had to develop soccer league style play in the USA and so was born the MLS and subsequently our Real Salt Lake!!! The MLS is a direct result of the '94 World Cup!

I was in Nottingham England for the '02 World Cup... It was an amazing experience... I had my American Flag in the window and my GF had her St. Georges cross in another window!
I wore my USMNT jersey to every game regardless of who was playing and got a mostly good reception... especially after we beat Portugal... USA got much cool points for that.

We went out of the cup the same day as England so it was a really sad day for me and alot of my friends.
When England went out alot of people were getting behind USA then we went out... don't even get me started on Germany and their version of Maradona's "Hand of God"! Maradona is the most hated man in England!
After that match I think Germany became our Argentina!

It is going to be hard to get the same feeling toward the WC '06 here in America. That is precisely why I want to have large viewing parties and surround myself with people that love soccer as much or more than I do.

montgjules · 11-30-2004, 04:51 PM

Maybe we could arrange for WC parties at Ernie's Sports Deli or that place across from Movies 8 (What's it called, Jake?) for those of us in the UC.

I think it was 1994 and my friend lent me his video of the final World Cup game. I was cheering on Italy (for reasons that many women can understand, but I don't want to openly admit to... this was my first big soccer-loving experience) and when the game ended and they had lost, I started crying. Mostly because all of those beautiful men out on the field were crying, too, but I felt heartbroken.

I can't remember what I did during 1998, but I put together a party for one of the 2002 games, despite having a newborn to contend with. It was great, and I'm looking forward to more parties in 2006! (Hopefully I won't have a newborn then... just two toddlers and a four year old...)

Loyal1 · 11-30-2004, 06:23 PM

In '86 I was in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Doing our normal routine (si, los mormones) was impossible even when Argentina wasn't playing. We rigged up reception on a tv and when we thought we were busted the pres. sat down and watched with us.

Sunday after church the Pres. asks, "you guys want to come over to eat and watch the game?" Now we knew the church was true 😎
The next Sunday... Elders, coming over to watch the game?
Yes.
Ok, better eat first.

The Cup final was day to never forget. After the game I drove a dozen missionaries back to their apartments all over Buenos Aires. No public transportation that day! One route took us past the rally of about 1 million people.

An incredible month! And I didn't even mention Maradona killing England.
Argentina had been a democratic republic for 3 years and was starting to feel really good our itself. Winning the WC was symbolic of all that was right in the world.

montgjules · 11-30-2004, 08:38 PM

Wow, Loyal1, I don't think I could ever top that. Thanks for sharing!!

Hiddnfox · 11-30-2004, 08:47 PM

the '98 WC My family was in hawaii. the first time any of us had been there. Well I didnt see much of it. I stayed in the hotel watching the games on TV. I hear hawaii is nice. maybe next time 🙂

montgjules · 11-30-2004, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hiddnfox

the '98 WC My family was in hawaii. the first time any of us had been there. Well I didnt see much of it. I stayed in the hotel watching the games on TV. I hear hawaii is nice. maybe next time 🙂

I've only been to Hawaii once and I'm going to stretch out of my normal character for a moment to say...

You fool! You can watch World Cup on video later! You can't experience Hawaii via VCR!

Okay, I'm done. No, I don't really think you're a fool, but argh! (I loved Hawaii!)

SoccerPrime · 12-01-2004, 05:25 AM

Lets see, 94 would be the first one I remember. I started college that summer so I spent every moment not in class watching the games. I remember watching the Columbia (right?) match where the defender passed the ball back to his GK only to score for the USA. Of course we advanced on that. My brother was already living in Orlando at the time and he got to go to the Dutch game at the Citrus Bowl. Jealous.

I spent 98 Cup here in Florida and was working at Disney. Many of my co-workers were hispanic or Brazillian. I watched all the matches in during my breaks in Spanish. Good times (not for the USA team however...).

Memories of 2002 are good too. I had a Ecuadorian co-worker who would compete with me to see who could work and read the internet ticker of what was going on. He was so happy for the US and the Mexico game was just brilliant.

Anyway, those are my memories. I hope to have even more when US goes to Germany in 2006.