Saint Keef Posted 10 December, 2020 Share Posted 10 December, 2020 Not Saints related this, but I hope you don't mind me putting this up. One of the great strikers. And a short footballing story....... In 1982, I was on holiday with four mates in Spain, when the World Cup was on. Loret de Mar of all places (horrible place at the time). We had actually gone over to see the Rolling Stones in concert who were doing shows in Barcelona and Madrid. The World Cup was on at the same time. We were in a bar on the eve of the Italy v Brazil game and a German guy asked us if we wanted to buy 5 tickets for the Italy Brazil game the following day. We would be picked up by coach in Loret d Mar, taken to the ground in Barcelona, tickets for the match, and driven back afterwards. We thought it was a wind-up of course. The cost.......£18 each!!!! But we paid the guy and he handed over 5 tickets. Indeed, the next day the coach turned up, we were taken to the ground, (still thinking the tickets were dodgy), but they were genuine and we got in at the Italian end of the ground. The final score was 3-2 to Italy and Paolo Rossi scored a hat-trick. I had grown Italian men physically crying on my shoulder whenever Brazil scored and embracing me when Italy scored. The passion of the fans (Brazil's as well) was unforgettable. It has since been deemed one of the greatest World Cup matches of all time and I was there......and all for £18. The scenes afterwards in Barcelona and indeed in Loret De Mar were unbelievable. Happy memories indeed. But sad that another footballing hero has gone - and only 64 years old. Here's a youtube highlight of Rossi's hat-trick. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the saint in winchester Posted 10 December, 2020 Share Posted 10 December, 2020 Great story, Keith. I remember the 82 World Cup. Didn't Italian fans want Rossi omitted from the squad, yet he was included and was player of the tournament. A proper fox in the box. 64, no age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Keef Posted 10 December, 2020 Author Share Posted 10 December, 2020 1 hour ago, the saint in winchester said: Great story, Keith. I remember the 82 World Cup. Didn't Italian fans want Rossi omitted from the squad, yet he was included and was player of the tournament. A proper fox in the box. 64, no age. Yeh that's right. He had been out of the game for a couple of years having failed a dope test I believe. Just a footnote to the story. Of the five of us mates that were there, after that game, two of us split up and went down to Madrid to see The Rolling Stones as had been the original plan.. The other three had caught the whole "Italian bug" from Brazil match and managed to get tickets for the semi final Italy v Poland so they went off to that. Ended 2-0 to Italy and Rossi scored both in that game too if I remember rightly. The three of them I recall even came back to the hotel wearing Italian bandanas, scarfs and flags that Italian fans had given them once they found out they were English. We couldn't get tickets for the final. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangkoksaint Posted 10 December, 2020 Share Posted 10 December, 2020 Fantastic story, I love hearing things like that. Not wanting to steal your thread but at Euro 96 I was a guest at the England v Netherlands media match which was before the main event at Wembley. Afterwards in the hospitality area I got talking to an old chap about football. He was incredibly engaging and knowledgeable - I suppose we chatted for about 20 minutes. It was only afterwards that I learned I’d been talking to Stanley Matthews. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolution saint Posted 10 December, 2020 Share Posted 10 December, 2020 I was 10 when the ‘82 World Cup was on and still my favourite World Cup ever. Remember rushing home from school to watch the Brazil Italy game and loving it. Rossi was a hero but so too were Zico and Falcao. That game and the France West Germany semifinal were brilliant. The final also had the greatest goal celebration ever. Happy days and thanks for sharing the story. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alehouseboys Posted 10 December, 2020 Share Posted 10 December, 2020 Tragic to go so early - no doubt deeply revered in Italy despite being linked to a bit of scandal back in the day. But great story Saint Keef, loved that game - I loved watching that Brazilian side more - but a standout game from that World Cup. Fantastic passion from players and fans alike, who can forget Tardelli's goal celebration against the Germans - but also great to finally see England back in the tournament after a twelve year wait! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted 10 December, 2020 Share Posted 10 December, 2020 Brilliant World Cup. If only Keegan had scored that header... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewy Posted 11 December, 2020 Share Posted 11 December, 2020 Great story, appreciate you sharing. The Italian number 20 shirt was my first replica kit with a number ever. He was so revered in Italy. To be honest too young to remember how good he was, just remember the name and the goals and that ‘he’ beat the legendary Socrates, Zico and Falcao. Sad to see he’s passed at a relatively young age. RIP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedantic Pete Posted 12 December, 2020 Share Posted 12 December, 2020 What I would have given to be at that game! You were very lucky to experience that. I watched it live on TV and it was memorising, I can't even begin to imagine what it would have been like to be in the crowd. I wasn't what you would call a fan of Rossi, purely as he personally deprived the rest of the tournament of a fantastic Brazil side. Brazil only needed a draw too! However you had to admire him for what he did and it's a shame he has passed at much too young an age. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skintsaint Posted 13 December, 2020 Share Posted 13 December, 2020 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55290883 Some people.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 13 December, 2020 Share Posted 13 December, 2020 8 hours ago, skintsaint said: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55290883 Some people.. Didn't realise somwhere in Tuscany was twinned with Liverpool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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