06 Jun 2018 22:15:21
Just to change the topic of transfers and all that. I went on youtube and stumbled of 2 min highlights of past international games from the Euros (1988 - 1996) where I became a kid again and these clips reminded me of how intern'l football used to be and how it has become so banal to this generation.

In that time, I remembered how much I loved the Dutch team of Rinus Michels in Euro 1988 where Van Basten put that legendary volley past the demi god that was GK Renat Dessaev (I was 12 at the time I watched this live) in the final and how Michels rubbed his eyes in disbelief as he could not believe what he had just seen. I loved that Soviet team as well in that tourney with Zavarov, Alenikov, Belanov, Raz, and Mihailachenko, under the tutelage of the lat Lobanovski, the man who would later give us the legendary Andrei Chevchenko.

Or when England were irresistible at Euro 1996 (the closest England has ever come to winning a trophy) where they played a semi for the ages vs Germany or the final game itself where Germany's Oliver Bierhoff (a pariah to the German fans) came off the bench in his first appearance in that tournament, to score both goals vs the youthful Czech team of Nedved, Poborsky and of course, Patrick Berger via the the golden goal in extra time. What a final and tournament that was. Or the 1992 edition where the Danish team of Brian Laudrup, Jensen, Henrik LArsen, Vilfort and of course, Schmeichel, came off the beaches to sweep all b4 them to victory. A mention also needs to go to the Swedish team of Brolin, Schwarz an Dahlin or the German team of Reidle, Klinsmann and that maestro Thomas Haessler.

Sorry for the long post BUT just felt a bit of raw nostalgia and being thankful for having the opportunity to have watched these true giants of the game, strut their stuff on the intern't stage.

1.) 07 Jun 2018
06 Jun 2018 23:56:54
Very refreshing post Brover, nice one mate.

2.) 07 Jun 2018
07 Jun 2018 00:07:43
Nice post. I recorded and watched the Football History Channels 2hr film of Italia 90 World Cup, which was my childhood tournament. Loved that nostalgic feeling.

3.) 07 Jun 2018
07 Jun 2018 07:13:09
What do you mean by 'banal to this generation'? I think millions of people are looking forward to the world cup.

4.) 07 Jun 2018
07 Jun 2018 07:58:32
The closest England have come to winning a trophy? What about the 1990 World Cup? We came just as close there. Ooh. and I’m sure we won the big one in ‘66 too.
You’re right though mate, those were heady days. Gullitt and Van Basten in ‘88. Shearer and Sheringham in ‘96. Unfortunately, I can’t see England getting past the quarters this time around at best. What an underwhelming team we have right now 😏.

5.) 07 Jun 2018
07 Jun 2018 09:03:36
BRover - I don't think it's become banal to this generation. I think this generation is just slightly less interested as realistically, we have no stake in the competition and rather than being one of the 5 or 6 teams that can win it, we're just making up number. That lowers national interest, but globally it's still the pinnacle of football for many.

6.) 07 Jun 2018
07 Jun 2018 19:34:38
Thanks for the posts. Maybe "banal" was not the right word but I think intern'l footie has been devalued a bit esp. in England cos well, it's England. But for me not just the international comps., I LOVED WC/ EURO qualifying games as well cos back then, playing in an international tournament was where you got noticed and got your big move or won the Ballon D'Or cos well, not a lot of countries could watch Euro league games like we can do now via our phones for some of the affluent ones. Either way, I just felt some nostalgia. That's all.