World Cup Baby - Quality Read - UPDATE
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News Discussion and Football Blogging
World Cup Baby - Quality Read - UPDATE
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[Now reviewed by Dom Post - http://www.yellowfever.co.nz/images/DomPost.pdf]
I wanted to give this book a plug. It's bloody good.
There are millions of books written on football and plenty on
World Cups, but not many of quality by a Kiwi whose football
obsession and experience you can fully relate to and whose witty
anecdotes strike a personal chord.
Most of what I write below is what Mccabe writes about. But, I
should first of all say, the book is more than its content. Its
also how he writes. It's a loose and quirky style, and it works
because he has a great sense of humour, tending sarcastic, and a
great ability to tell a yarn and maximise the punch line.
It's a book as much about what it is to be a football fan
(particularly a Kiwi one), as it is about football itself. Being a
football fan in a rugby-mad country, attaching yourself to a team
on the far side of the planet, the suspense of listening for
results announced without emotion on the radio every Sunday morning
and Shoot magazines that arrive 3 months after the FA Cup
final. That kind of stuff.
But, Mccabe also does a super job conveying the unique culture
of football support and perceptively nails just what it is that
makes football such a compelling game. How no two 1-1 draws are
ever the same - how one can leave you emotionally shattered and
gutted and another can leave you with you on a massive high with
adrenaline pumping long after you depart the scene. Its the real
essence of football stuff. And it think he nails it, like ive not
seen or read before.
Mccabes experience is as a long time Ipswich Town fan, and he
has some quality anecdotes about following thier ups and downs, but
everything he says is true for anyone who has ever
followed a European club side - or has now found the Phoenix.
I shouldn't forget to mention that the World Cup is the focus
of the book. Like Mccable, the World Cup to me as a Kiwi
football fan has always been a massive event. Pre internet and Sky
Sports 2, the World Cup was a glorious month long feast of
wall to wall football in a country otherwise starved of quality
football.
Mccabe takes the reader through his World Cup experiences -
beginning in '78 and including his trip to Italia '90. I still have
video tapes at home from 86 and 90, still remember vividly the
horrific injustice of the France v Germany semi in 82, Marco
Tardelli's unbelievable celebration in the 82 final, Maradona,
Linekder, Socrates, Platini in 86, Caniggia's back header and
Goycochea's heroics for Argentina v the hosts in 90.
He takes us back to Zidane's brilliance in '98, his perfect 10
in the 2006 quarter final with Brazil right through, of course, to
Materazzi and THAT brain explosion. Stacks and stacks more - but
you'll have to read it.
If you remember this stuff, you will absolutely devour this
book. I have.
Here's a link to the book's website - http://www.theworldcupbaby.com/
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Italy v Ireland in 94 was another great game - Houghton is a legend
and im not even irish.
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The World Cup stuff is secondary in importance... the Ipswich stuff
is superb.
(Disclaimer : This isn't true - up to 1994 myself Marius).
Hard News2007-10-23 15:42:13
(Disclaimer : This isn't true - up to 1994 myself Marius).
Hard News2007-10-23 15:42:13
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Someone linked to this book ages ago in a different thread, I read
the extract and loved it. I'll be looking at hopefully ordering
myself a copy in the near future.
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Anyone read fever pitch? Brilliant stuff though not from a kiwi
perspective. This guy sounds a lot like nick hornby. Will have to
get it
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Hang on, Nigeria v Italy at Usa `94 with Baggio finding the net
with 2' to go, that was a Mr. Goal!
or the game v Bulgaria, with Baggio scoring twice....
Baggio scored that screamer v Czecoslovakia, and Giannini enlightened the Italian midfield.
or the game v Bulgaria, with Baggio scoring twice....
Italy `90 represents my first disappointment ever. Was barely
7 years old and when we lost to Argentina in the semis nobody could
understand how we were out of the Cup without having lost a single
game... (in the 90').
Baggio scored that screamer v Czecoslovakia, and Giannini enlightened the Italian midfield.
Loved Lineker and Caniggia, and Maradona of course.
Cameroon were pretty good too.
That's when it all started for me. Despite the misery of that
3rd place, we got our act together, and arrived in the final 4
years later.
The 1998 world cup was cursed. Another defeat at the penalty
shootouts - with Di Biagio hitting the cross ba.
In 2002 that ominous creature called Bairon Moreno (who was
later imprisoned on corruption chareges in Equador) was obviously
brided and kicked us out. Still remember Totti getting that red v
Korea where it should have been a penalty to us.
Which brings us to Germany 2006....
VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life
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scotland v nz, '82 stands out for me - back in it at 3-2 with
wooden and sumner goals, before a late scottish rally
which brings me to fiji 2007 ...
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Baggio scored that screamer v Czecoslovakia, and Giannini enlightened the Italian midfield.
Guiseppe Gianninni - wouldnt be cos he was Roma?
Founder
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Best game in Italia '90. Possibly cameroon v england - milla, mkeke (phonetic spelling at least), Platt arriving far post, gazza's thru balls, lineker's clincal penalities, shilton the slowest and least mobile goalkeeper still playing international football.
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latest day to school during italia '90. i remember sneaking into
the greek clubrooms on adelaide road (only place in teh city with
satellite hook up) to watch england v egypt in crucial final group
game. mark wright (bandaged head and all) rising above to head home
england's winner (the only win in which every other game was drawn)
did i also watch belgium v england there feverish? (platt
late, late winner - with shilton already warming up for pennos) -
brilliant
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latest day to school during italia '90. i remember sneaking into
the greek clubrooms on adelaide road (only place in teh city with
satellite hook up) to watch england v egypt in crucial final group
game. mark wright (bandaged head and all) rising above to head home
england's winner (the only win in which every other game was drawn)
did i also watch belgium v england there feverish? (platt
late, late winner - with shilton already warming up for pennos) -
brilliant
yeah i did. Platt swiveling to beat Preudhomme from
memory
Founder
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1994 quarter-finals - Bulgaria v West Germany. Bulgaria win
it 2-1 with a superb diving header from the balding Yordan
Letchkov. Quality.
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i think it was Dahlin (?) who scored an unbelievable diving header for Sweden against either Russia or Brazil in pool play (sweden actually beat brazil i think in pool play but lost to them in the semis if memory is correct). it was even better than Letchkovs, although didnt quite have the same significance in outcome
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1986 Italy v Brazil 2nd round match
finished 3-2 to Italy from memory
amazing game
also lineker's finishing in that tournament!!!
finished 3-2 to Italy from memory
amazing game
also lineker's finishing in that tournament!!!
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1986 Italy v Brazil 2nd round match
finished 3-2 to Italy from memory
amazing game
also lineker's finishing in that tournament!!!
finished 3-2 to Italy from memory
amazing game
also lineker's finishing in that tournament!!!
that was '82, but still magnificent. paulo rossi, fresh out of
jail, scoring all three for the italians
Marius Lacatus2007-10-24 10:13:14
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yep, ooops 82
living in Hamilton for 2 world cups completely screwed my sense of time,
actually, living in Hamilton for that long probably accounts for many other synaptic stuff-ups
living in Hamilton for 2 world cups completely screwed my sense of time,
actually, living in Hamilton for that long probably accounts for many other synaptic stuff-ups
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They're looking forward to '82 in Hamiltron.
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It's not called Hamiltron - City of the future for no reason you
know lads.
Hotbed of football I tell ya.
Hotbed of football I tell ya.
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Incidentally lads, the book is now available from Dickie, Jamie and
the good folks at Champs.
Grab it while you pick up your yellow bucket hat, Fever Hoodie, Kelme Castas (superb indoor shoes) and Desert Storm Fever cap.
Grab it while you pick up your yellow bucket hat, Fever Hoodie, Kelme Castas (superb indoor shoes) and Desert Storm Fever cap.
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Just to let everybody know, the book can also be ordered by
emailing me on info@theworldcupbaby.com and
making a request
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just read some more - loving it.
Just read where you mention an article which was anti footy in
the paper during the 2002 WC (by some rugby head). I wrote a letter
the Dom Ed after that and got my letter printed with colour
picture. Needless to say I told the journo he was a ****head
Founder
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I actually thought it wasn't too bad a column, given the usual standard of WC columns that appear in this country. But I guess you're right - he's a f**khead.
You should have read the column by Gordon McLaughlan in the
Herald - the one I also mentioned in the book, the one about
'soccer' supposedly being 'a game solely for morons'. I could have
quite cheerfully decapitated the f**kwit if I'd run across him at
the time. In fact, come to think of it, I still would. And, as you
know from the book, I'm not ordinarily the violent type.
Especially today - because the mighty Town hammered Wolves
last night and are up into the play-off zone. And if that isn't
good enough - Norwich lost - again - and are now rock bottom. Tell
Hard News tonight that live seldoim gets better than this!
Unless, of course, the Nix win too.
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Indeed it doesn't. Still, I'd trade it for three points in
Adelaide. 
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i was loving you mentioning the brazil v england game in 02.
football did own this country for about two hours. i was at black
harp and it was amazing. people streaming onto featherston st out
the door trying to watch the game. same over road at the feathers.
friday night, 6pm, brazil v england. it had all the ingredients.
more crowded than i can ever remember any pub for an all black
game.
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i was loving you mentioning the brazil v england game in 02.
football did own this country for about two hours. i was at black
harp and it was amazing. people streaming onto featherston st out
the door trying to watch the game. same over road at the feathers.
friday night, 6pm, brazil v england. it had all the ingredients.
more crowded than i can ever remember any pub for an all black
game.
you were with me in Chicago werent you? if not why not
Founder
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i was at the black harp
i dont enjoy watching football with ugly drunks
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Hope everyone heard me today on the Phoenix football hour.
It's begs the question - Are you obsessive enough
to handle the WCB?
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Hope everyone heard me today on the Phoenix football hour.
It's begs the question - Are you obsessive enough
to handle the WCB?
Brilliant interview UDB, loved the bit when you described meeting the other Ipswich fans at Upton Park - just about had tears in my eyes remembering my return to Boothferry Park in 1979
and i suddenly remembered how at the age of 15-16, I'd set the alarm for 3.am and listen to BBC on shortwave for a couple of hours
I'm in the draw for the book, but if i don't get it that way, I'm definately off to champs to grab a copy
As Alex Ferguson said, "football, bloody hell"
Best drug on the planet
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You have GOT to read this book, tigers.
There is a piece in it about modern, sterile stadiums where I
actually mention the KC in Hull.
Lets face it, where would you rather watch HCFC - KC or
Boothferry?
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You have GOT to read this book, tigers.
There is a piece in it about modern, sterile stadiums where I
actually mention the KC in Hull.
Lets face it, where would you rather watch HCFC - KC or
Boothferry?
I'd watch them at that wind blown mud heap down near Owhiro Bay -if i could!
but, i take your point - in much the same way, I'm also saddened at the thought of all the history that is Anfield being replaced
and yep, like i said if i don't win the book I'll be buying it!
btw - when did you first start supporting Ipswich?
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November 1976.
Kevin Thomas Beattie. Legend.
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Beattie was a good un!!
Mick Mills at left back useful too in that era
I guess Whymark, Muhren, Talbot and co all came later
and Eric Gates after them
you've had some good larkers over the years
Mick Mills at left back useful too in that era
I guess Whymark, Muhren, Talbot and co all came later
and Eric Gates after them
you've had some good larkers over the years
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Just wanted to thank everybody who has bought the book so far.
Sales at Champs have been very encouraging.
It is also available at Unity Books in Willis Street and now in Auckland - at both Champs outlets, in Panmure and Glenfield, and at Unity Books in High Street.
Fred Woodcock is going to review it shortly in the DomPost.
And remember - this book is simply a 336-page metaphor for YOU, the NZ football fan. All of you should recognise something in it about yourselves. If you don't, then it obviously means you're a sane and balanced individual who is only pretending to be a football fan.
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thoroughly enjoyed it UDB,
you convey the addiction/madness for football well and it was a good laugh in places and moving about your mum and her understanding of what football is for you
great read, and brought back memories of listening to bbc on shortwave in the early hours of the morning
glad it's on my bookshelf
humble suggestion - like me you love your big words, like me you could possibly let one or two of them go as you edit
but as i said - well worth a read!!
cheers for that
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Italia 90 - Scotland v Costa Rica 
'02 Brazil v England - seemed my whole work left early to go to the local in Alexandria to watch the game - the place was packed!- plus I won $60 on a correct score predication :)
'02 Brazil v England - seemed my whole work left early to go to the local in Alexandria to watch the game - the place was packed!- plus I won $60 on a correct score predication :)
When Hibs, went up, to win the Scottish Cup - I wisnae there - furfuxake!
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