It is always a temptation to project the present into the future and the history of the World Cup is littered with countries that treated the tournament as a sprint rather than a very quick middle distance race – league championships are marathons.
So although much of the hot money may have moved in the direction of Argentina, in particular, and Spain, it may not be worth considering some of the other countries who have had the look of Champion-in-waiting over the last half century or so, only to flounder.
1954 – Hungary won their first four games and scored an amazing 25 goals while only conceding 7. One of those wins was 8-3 over West Germany and they met again in the Final. Hungary led 2-0 but West Germany came back to score three in what become known as “The Miracle of Berne.”
1974 – A Johan Cruyff inspired Netherlands won five and drew one while destroying some good teams in the process. They scored from a penalty kick awarded in the first minute of the Final but eventually lost 2-1 to West Germany.
1982 – The best Brazil team since 1970 won their first four games convincingly before a Paulo Rossi hat trick saw them off.
1986 – Denmark won all three games in the “Group of Death” but disintegrated in losing 5-1 to Spain in the first knockout round.
2002 – Spain took a 100% record into the last sixteen and then defeated the Republic of Ireland on penalties. However, the quarterfinal was the end of the road as they lost to South Korea.
Hey Mr. McMahon you've done a tremendous job with your blog and assessments. Really content filled. As a matter of fact you've gone from the fourth or fifth blog/destination/website to one or two (you've gone from sub to starter in soccer terms).
My question is whether the referees will change their approach and method? We know the teams approach is different with everything hinging upon the one game right in front of them.
Any history on yellow cards, etc., after the first round of previous World Cups that you could provide which will suggest so? It would be a real shame if they continue with the precedent they sent. Whether you think it's extreme or not, you must concede that the refs are effecting the game too much. I don't want defenders playing tremulously. Let them get aggressive. It's the World Cup for crying out loud.
Also, the lesser skilled teams have been culled out. Those teams who rely more on the brusque approach FIFA wants to curtail (comments on that in another thread) are out.
Last edited by EaglesPerch on June 24th at 6:49 AM.
Bobby you are becoming the voice of soccer from North America during this tournament! And this comment coming from a newly converted McMahoner!!
I just read your assessment of 16 going down to 8, very good. Of course, in the final analysis I think you will be wrong on just one issue - - and you and I know which one that is.
Actually I did disagree with the Argentina vs S&M game and whether it would live on in memory. 6-0 is always a good result, but it wasn't like they were playing a team of pedigree. Show me the Argies beating Mexico today by 6 and I'll reassess. S&M didn't show up that day, and after the first 3 goals they just gave up. I just didn't see that game as a classic, more of an aberration.
Anyway, you and Nick, are doing a fine job. I'm amazed there aren't more fans of the game joining in.
Good analysis Bobby. Thanks for the interesting camparisons with regards to teams (re: Spain in 2002 WC) treating the tournament like a sprint rather then a marathon. However, Something tells me, if Brazil falls flat against Ghana (which I hope not) It will be the Spaniards year (that is if Argentina falls flat).
mrpopulistwpg - I thought that you would be telling everyone of Victoria Beckham's surprise visit to Winnipeg on Friday. I understand it made the papers and tv across Canada.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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