Sepp Blatter thinks that this is the best ever World Cup – but there again he would.

Meanwhile a number of columnists, commentators, and bloggers have already taken this World Cup to the garbage dump. Maybe it is premature either way given that we are only at the quarter final stage.

My first vivid memories of a World Cup was 1966 and here is how I would rate the past editions (best to worst):

1974 - Memories - The Dutch and Cruyff.

Outstanding games - Brazil vs. Scotland, Poland vs. Argentina, Netherlands vs. Argentina, West Germany vs. Sweden, West Germany vs. Netherlands.

1986 - Memories – Maradona, Peter Beardsley.

Outstanding games - Denmark vs. Uruguay, Denmark vs. Spain, England vs. Poland, Denmark vs. Spain, Argentina vs. England, Brazil vs. France, Argentina vs. W. Germany

1970 -  Memories – Brazil, Bobby Moore, Uwe Seeler, the first British TV panel of experts on ITV.

Outstanding games - England vs. Brazil, W. Germany vs. England, W. Germany vs. Italy, Brazil vs. Peru.

1982 – Memories – Northern Ireland, the French midfield, Paulo Rossi, Falcao.

 Outstanding games – England vs. France, Northern Ireland vs. Spain, Brazil vs. Scotland, Italy vs. Brazil, W. Germany vs. France.

1966 - Memories – North Koreans, Eusebio, Beckenbauer and Geoff Hurst.

Outstanding games W. Germany vs. Switzerland, Portugal vs. Hungary, Portugal vs. Brazil, North Korea vs. Italy, Portugal vs. North Korea, England vs. West Germany

2002 – Memories – South Korean fans, Oliver Kahn, and Ronaldo.

Outstanding games – France vs. Senegal, Senegal vs. Uruguay, Costa Rica vs. Brazil, Argentina vs. England, USA vs. Mexico, South Korea vs. Italy, England vs. Brazil.

1994 - Memories – Romario and George Haghi.

Outstanding games - USA vs. Colombia, Spain vs. South Korea, Nigeria vs. Bulgaria, Bulgaria vs. W. Germany.

 1998 – Memories – Laurent Blanc, Marcel Desaily, Dennis Bergkamp.

Outstanding games – Nigeria vs. Denmark, Argentina vs, England, Netherlands vs. Argentina, Brazil vs. Netherlands, France vs. Brazil.

1978 - Memories - Ossie Ardilles, Mario Kempes and Leopoldo Luque.

Outstanding games - Italy vs. France, Italy vs. Argentina, Sweden vs. Brazil, Netherlands vs. Scotland, Netherlands vs. Italy.

1990 – Cameroon and Group F (F for frigging awful, 7 goals in 6 games).

Outstanding games – W. Germany vs. Netherlands, Republic of Ireland vs. Romania, England vs. Cameroon.

With the start of the World Cup just a day away, injuries and sickness are front and centre. The Rooney recovery still dominates the headlines although I have a feeling that the true test will come when Sven decides to give young Wayne his first serious action.

As English fans rejoice at the news of Rooney’s recovery, a doubt about Steven Gerrard’s fitness for the first game has now surfaced. Gerrard’s name joins the likes of Gattuso (Italy), Ballack (Germany), Isaksson (Sweden), Ronaldo (Brazil) and Cisse of France as either being doubtful for their countries opening game or – in the case of Cisse – out of the competition altogether. 

Moreover, these are just the players we know about. As in other World Cups, countries that can avoid injuries to key players have an advantage but often an understudy gets a chance to play Hamlet and pulls off a standing ovation or two.

 Pele was injured and missed most of the 1962 Finals in Chile. His replacement Amarildo scored and set-up goals in the final while Garrincha became the star of the tournament.

Four years later Jimmy Greaves – the Michael Owen of his generation except better – damaged his shin during group play. Alf Ramsay brought in Geoff Hurst who at that time was considered largely untested. Hurst scored the only game of the quarterfinal against Argentina and then had a hat trick in a winning cause against West Germany in the final.

A legend was born.

Few people remember that the injury to Emerson – while playing goalie during practice – sent tremors through the Brazilian camp four years ago. Gilberto Silva was the beneficiary and earned himself a move to the Premiership based on some great performances.

Of course, sometimes the injuries are just too much to overcome. Think about the 1994 Final with Baggio on the limp and Baresi struggling badly. However, World Cup history has shown that often a very dark cloud has a silver lining. Who will step forward this time?