World Cup Finals, your favourite.

[Usher wide.]

For me it has to be ‘Italia 1990’.

Nessus Dorma theme tune on BBC..check.

England’s kit…check.

Gazza, that booking in the semi’s & those tears of realisation that the booking would see him miss the final should we progress…check.

The Republic of Irelands progress through the tournament & their win on penalties against the host nation…check.

Footage of Jack Charlton & his squad meeting the pope & the pope holding Jack’s hand & calling him ‘the boss’….check.

The hope, so tangible throughout the nation as the team progressed in the tournament despite all the vitriolic press coverage of the team, the manager, the travelling support…check.

The ‘entrenchment’ within the England camp against the press, the governments puppets of Colin Moynihan (Sports Minister & ex coxswain of the 1977 Oxford winning boat crew) a Prime Minister who had sought to have us banned from the tournament before a ball had been kicked…check.

A semi final against West Germany (the last time a ‘divided’ Germany participated in the World Cup) that was without doubt one of the best performances in the latter stages of the World Cup since 1966…check.

Bobby Robson. All I can say about the man, his place in history as an England manager is….check.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

Germany Argentina 2014. Solely because I was in Ibiza then went to Space (a club) straight after it.

[Donnywolf]

66 obvs

[BobG]

Netherlands v Argentina

BobG

[Scooter]

Italia 90 100%

All what Usher said but add with

David Platt’s goal against Belgium

And of course… Roger Milla!

[Bessie Red]

66 & 70 the two best however  because England won in 66 it has to be that one.

[NickDRFC]

2006, just because I was there. Two great days in Cologne & Gelsenkirchen with German, Mexican, Argentinian, Swedish & English fans. Pints shared with an absolutely battered Tim Ryan, Andy Liney & Ray Winstone. Witnessing one of the best goals England have ever scored at the WC with a Joe Cole screamer (admittedly as part of an otherwise underwhelming 2-2 draw).

[scawsby steve]

For me it has to be ‘Italia 1990’.

Nessus Dorma theme tune on BBC..check.

England’s kit…check.

Gazza, that booking in the semi’s & those tears of realisation that the booking would see him miss the final should we progress…check.

The Republic of Irelands progress through the tournament & their win on penalties against the host nation…check.

Footage of Jack Charlton & his squad meeting the pope & the pope holding Jack’s hand & calling him ‘the boss’….check.

The hope, so tangible throughout the nation as the team progressed in the tournament despite all the vitriolic press coverage of the team, the manager, the travelling support…check.

The ‘entrenchment’ within the England camp against the press, the governments puppets of Colin Moynihan (Sports Minister & ex coxswain of the 1977 Oxford winning boat crew) a Prime Minister who had sought to have us banned from the tournament before a ball had been kicked…check.

A semi final against West Germany (the last time a ‘divided’ Germany participated in the World Cup) that was without doubt one of the best performances in the latter stages of the World Cup since 1966…check.

Bobby Robson. All I can say about the man, his place in history as an England manager is….check.

Pedantic check, UW. Ireland lost to the host nation in the quarter-finals, 0-1.

[BradwellRover]

Scooter and Usher are correct. Final
answer! 

[Ldr]

Some memories here

https://youtu.be/hqnuD-LgoYE?si=ASPZ4jzL2m4w0z3P

[Stocksbridge Owl]

For quality and drama then the 2018 tournament in Russia was my favourite.

For personal enjoyment and adventure then the 1982 World Cup in Spain is my favourite because I was there for 4 weeks!

The stories I could tell!

[BradwellRover]

Some memories here

https://youtu.be/hqnuD-LgoYE?si=ASPZ4jzL2m4w0z3P

I had this on VHS and watched it until it was practically worn out. I still know the commentary! 

[Reg of the Rovers]

Italia 90 for me as well. Classic kits, great players and just a dramatic and glossy tournament with loads of big moments. The Cameroon v Argentina game where they're all trying to take down Caniggia still a classic. It's the first one I can properly remember, watching it as a footy mad ten year old. My Grandad bought me the Italia 90 tumbler which I still have now.

[selby]

  1966 all the country believed in the team, also the first I think to be broadcast on colour TV.

[IDM]

I was still living in Bagdad in 1966, so for me it’s 1982.

I was 14 and watched almost every kick.  That Brazil side surely the best not to win.?

Lots of drama and of course Tardelli’s iconic celebration in the final..

[Plumbster]

That Italy Brazil QF in 82 was breathtaking

[idler]

I was still living in Bagdad in 1966, so for me it’s 1982.

I was 14 and watched almost every kick.  That Brazil side surely the best not to win.?

Lots of drama and of course Tardelli’s iconic celebration in the final..

The Dutch team in 74 and 78 were a great side to watch but fell short. Many said that the Hungarian side of 1954 were the best side not to win a World Cup.

[Ye-Aul-Tavern]

For me it has to be ‘Italia 1990’.

Nessus Dorma theme tune on BBC..check.

England’s kit…check.

Gazza, that booking in the semi’s & those tears of realisation that the booking would see him miss the final should we progress…check.

The Republic of Irelands progress through the tournament & their win on penalties against the host nation…check.

Footage of Jack Charlton & his squad meeting the pope & the pope holding Jack’s hand & calling him ‘the boss’….check.

The hope, so tangible throughout the nation as the team progressed in the tournament despite all the vitriolic press coverage of the team, the manager, the travelling support…check.

The ‘entrenchment’ within the England camp against the press, the governments puppets of Colin Moynihan (Sports Minister & ex coxswain of the 1977 Oxford winning boat crew) a Prime Minister who had sought to have us banned from the tournament before a ball had been kicked…check.

A semi final against West Germany (the last time a ‘divided’ Germany participated in the World Cup) that was without doubt one of the best performances in the latter stages of the World Cup since 1966…check.

Bobby Robson. All I can say about the man, his place in history as an England manager is….check.

Great stuff.

As an Irishman, nothing comes close. I was ten years old and obsessed with football as the whole country here was. We got to the quarter finals without really winning a game (4 draws and a win on penalties). Ireland have only qualified two other times. In 94, we started with a famous win against Italy in the giants stadium (the Paul McGrath masterclass) but did little else going out in the second round. Then in 2002, Roy Keane packed his bags and a very very good Irish side lost on penalties to Spain in a game we should have won.

There's another great story about a group of Irish fans hiring a boat in Naples and trying to sail to Sicily for the Netherlands match with no experience and some cans. Great stuff.

https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/how-we-tried-to-sail-to-italia-90-and-ended-up-nearly-drowning/31286877.html

[PDX_Rover]

1978 for me. The first one I can remember. Archie Gemmill. Ticker tape.Commentary that sounded like it was coming from another planet…


Joint top: 1990 - the music, Pav, New Order, and the ecstasy and the agony. Character building

[scawsby steve]

"Some people are on the pitch; they think it's all over".

"IT IS NOW"!

Need I say more?

[DearneValleyRover]

Although the format for the second round was awful 1982 for me. There were some great games and it’s the last time Brazil were the Brazil the Media go nuts over