N/A: Maracana Stadium, Mystery Jersey King Prints

Mat Jolin-Beech provides us with a break from Donald Trump’s Super Awesome Soccer Showdown with a look at an historic World Cup stadium. Built in 1950 for the first post-Second World War tournament, and prepared for the host nation’s coronation that never came, it became a symbol of sporting hubris as much as a national landmark. Whether global politics’ most risible tangerine takes this to strange new places is yet to be seen but the trophy will probably end up in the Oval Office even if the Septics crash out in the first knockout round. Over to Mat.

Since my subscription to Mystery Jersey King has lapsed, I’d not thought anything about it. Then, a couple of weeks ago, the latest, slimline, navy blue packaged had been shoved part way through my letterbox. Perplexed, I opened it. Now, call this cynical marketing, loss leading, or just a nice gesture, it was a freebie and included some goodies. And some not so goodies.

There was an Inter Milan t-shirt - not a kit, but one of those tops your aunt would get you when you’re eight because you like football, and it was probably reduced in the summer aisle of the supermarket. There was also a pair of Athletic Club socks, which I’m sure I’ll find a use for at some point, even if it is just to shove catnip in for the cats! There were some Match Attax style trading cards, probably more on these soon, and two Royal British Legion poppy badges. One with a Sunderland crest, the other with a Leeds United badge. If you want them, let us know, donate some money to the RBL, and we can then see what we can do.


What was interesting, however, were two football stadium postcards. One of which was the Maracana, THE football stadium of Brazil. A global icon. It got me thinking: what matches are so inextricably linked to stadiums (or cities) that you need only say their name? Now, this will probably depend on who you are a fan of, and how old you are. But my first thought went to the 7-1 defeat of Brazil in the 2014 World Cup. Which I assumed was at the Maracana - but alas no. The infamous defeat took place at the Mineral Stadium in Belo Horizonte.

What is probably the most significant Maracana game came in 1950. Uruguay 2 - 1 Brazil. World Cup final. I’m not doing Brazil many favours here am I? But iconic? I’m not sure if you said Maracana, many people would instantly think of that. Where as, to Manchester United fans - Barcelona. I don’t need to say more. Or, and I’ll terrorise Chelsea fans here, Moscow. I’ll allow myself a chuckle remember John Terry’s AMAZING penalty.

Moving away from Man U for a minute. Istanbul. Yep. You know the game. 3-0 down at half time. 3-3 full time. Dudek and his Grobbelaar legs. Wembley? Most English fans will probably think 1966. It’s ingrained into England fans, even though many (or potentially most by now) were not even alive then). How about the Rose Bowl, Pasadena? This also feels like rubbing salt into Italian wounds fresh off failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. Sorry Bobby Baggio.

Will the 2026 edition of the World Cup throw up another one of these? I’m not even sure I could name a single stadium being used. But the matches make the stadium. If England do win then another one can be added to this list. I’m sure I’ve missed loads so please comment and let me know what obvious ones I’ve missed!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

269: Trifon Ivanov, Bulgaria, USA ’94 World Cup, UK and Eire Edition

Image
The 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA was my introduction to football and, nearly thirty years later, probably the international tournament I remember most fondly despite the fact that I realistically don’t remember too much about it. I can attest to having witnessed Ray Houghton’s wonder goal/flukey lob in the Republic of Ireland’s shock victory over Italy as it was the centrepiece of a First Holy Communion celebration my family was attending. The joy and shock experienced by the predominantly Irish and Italian guests crowded around what seemed like the world’s biggest telly spilled over into the garden for all of us kids present and led to an inevitable kickabout. A few weeks later the quarter finals coincided with a primary school barbecue which, again, saw lots of people crowded around a telly watching Italy take on Spain . I remember very little about the game as my primary focus was the kickabout in the school playground and trying to digest ropey veggie burgers but one parent said ...
Read more

373: Andreas Köpke, Deutschland, Panini World Cup France 98

Image
The creation of the Premier League, for better or for worse, undoubtedly changed football forever. From Sky’s slick live coverage to the globalisation of squads, England’s top tier was transformed and the undeniable success of the project meant that everyone has wanted a piece of the lucrative markets that have sprung up in its wake. Before an era of sleeve sponsors , endlessly updated FIFA games and in play betting one of these markets was children’s toys. Some, like Pro Star Soccer (the magnetic cousin of Subbuteo), fell by the way side . Others carved out a place in the hearts of 90s football lovers that could only be filled with plastic figurines with disproportionately large heads. That’s right people, it’s a Corinthian figure retrospective. With my Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket and a growing obsession with the beautiful game it was in the Penge branch of Woolworth’s (RIP) that I bought my first Corinthian figure. With Crystal Palace cruelly denied a place in the 199...
Read more

81: Ruud Gullit, Chelsea, Merlin’s Premier League 97 Official Sticker Collection

Image
Today Richard Allinson takes a look at one of football’s most iconic figures who truly transcended the boundaries of the sport. Football in the 1990s wasn’t the slick operation we all enjoy today and, apparently, when today’s subject was being driven to the photoshoot to announce his arrival in West London the media team had to pop into Sydenham Soccer on my local high street to get their pristine Chelsea shirt printed with Gullit’s name and number. At least that’s what the geezer in the shop told me when I was spending my birthday money on some Sondico shinpads. Over to Rich and thanks to Peter Van Garderen for the suggestion! When I decided to write about Ruud Gullit I didn’t know whether to focus on Gullit the Ballon d’Or recipient , Gullit the FA Cup winning manager or Gullit the pop star. What I didn’t realise was that I’d be writing about a fella who’s birth name was actually Rudi Dil. Gullit (his Dad’s surname) was adopted for football purposes only as it “sounded like a footba...
Read more