World Cup reflections: I wish it wasn’t all over... but it is now

Gerry Buckley reflects on the 2014 World Cup which ended last Sunday night when Germany defeated Argentina in the final.

 

So what do we now of an evening (as they say in some parts)? The guts of 1,500 days to Russia in 2018 and not as much as a single World Cup finals match to savour in the interim.

This columnist at least has the small satisfaction of collecting a few bob from my pre-tournament bet on Germany to win at 17/2. Indeed, the night that they hammered us 6-1 in the Aviva was the occasion when I should have called to the bookies as I sensed that they would not be beaten come Brazil 2014.

A similarly small flutter on Italy at 10/1 in 2006 means a 'two out of three ain’t bad’ haul from the last three World Cups. For the life of me I can’t recall who I backed in 2010 – but it certainly wasn’t Spain.

The epitaphs will be glowing in the days and weeks ahead for the soccer extravaganza which gave us a bit of everything, except a really superb team which is the main reason (there are others) that I unhesitatingly say that Mexico 1970 – with that truly magnificent Brazilian side victorious – remains unchallenged as the all-time great soccer tournament.

All of 44 years later, the only similarity between the Brazilian sides of then and now was the jersey colour. An inaugural summer job enabled this 13-year-old fanatic to write away for the winners’ kit in 1970 (the only similarity between a proper soccer player and all members of the Brazilian side was the jersey colour).

What happened on Tuesday night of last week (when Germany hammered Brazil 7-1) will forever remain a surreal experience. Looking at the telly and wondering, “is this another German goal or a replay of the last?” Will they reach double figures? Can Scolari warm up an Andy Keogh for the late consolation goal (a la the aforementioned Aviva massacre)?

All the time thinking back to happy bygone days attempting to coach some basic defensive ideas to U12s, all the time sincerely thinking how gently you could approach the parents of 'little Johnny’ who kept 'defending’ like we saw a week ago before suggesting, “Johnny might be better concentrating on draughts.”

Two (of many) confirmed betting stories come to mind. I fully expected Joachim Löw’s troops to win, but not by a cricket score. However, a clearly shrewder pal had them backed at huge odds to win 6-0 and recounted to me the following morning how frustrated he was that “Germany had the six goals scored so quickly!” Similarly, my brother had three bets laid – Germany by 1-0, 2-0 and 3-0. He inadvertently arrived home late, switched on the TV and was appalled to see the men in the hooped jerseys just netting their fourth, with three quarters of the game left!

Germany undoubtedly deserved their fourth World Cup triumph. I would fear for Martin O’Neill and his double-jobbing assistant when facing the new World Champions in both legs of the Euro 2016 qualifiers (while Poland and Scotland will be far from pushovers either).

Lionel Messi is not yet quite in Maradona’s league, I feel, albeit the latter had better back-up when Diego produced his unlikely-to-be-replicated tour de force in 1986. Also, the latter dragged Napoli from semi-obscurity to unprecedented Serie A success, without a Xavi or Iniesta-like 'helper’ at club level.

Messi really should have scored from the one-on-one chance in the final. All speculation, I know, but one suspects Maradona would have given even a 'keeper of Manuel Neuer’s excellence no chance if he had been afforded that opportunity in his prime.

So that’s it now till 2018, please God. Okey doke.

Footnote

Never say never! The following is not a misprint: I actually want Meath footballers to win a game – specifically, this Sunday’s Leinster SFC final. Dublin’s increasingly-monotonous annual procession through an alleged provincial campaign is just not healthy for the game.

Incidentally, less I sound as if I am mellowing too much towards our neighbouring nemesis, it is important to add that I want the Royals to win without throwing the ball in the net to do so!

I got a very positive and widespread reaction to my heartfelt opinion piece last week about the current plight of Lake County football teams.

Sadly, the Offaly minors’ humiliating loss to Dublin on Thursday of last week, together with Cavan seniors’ meek capitulation to Roscommon two days later, merely exacerbate the problems facing Westmeath.