When Ian Cusack moved to Slovakia, he didn't expect to befollowed by No Surrender
England v Turkey: a grand total of just over 200. Arrests? Tooled-up Category C Top Boys? Scimitar-wielding descendants of Saladin bent on Bratislavan Intifada? Actually, it was the crowd, outnumbered at least three to one by the local riot police. Looked mighty impressive in a 40,000 all-seat stadium.
Germany always manage to fluke their way through tournaments undeservingly. Or not, says Uli Hesse-Lichtenberger
Oliver Neuville, the speedy Leverkusen winger who was so desperately out of form, pulled the ball back and Christian Ziege hit it first time. It was the Germans’ first serious shot at the Dutch goal, in fact their first half way ambitious foray into the opponents’ box. It also levelled the game at 1-1, as Edwin van der Sar failed to narrow the angle properly.
England peaked in 1966, not four years later, as is often believed, says David Montrose
It’s the view put forward in the official history of the England team. It’s what Geoff Hurst thinks. Sir Alf himself supposedly believed it, though I’ve never discovered when and where he said so. And, of course, it’s been the opinion of assorted scribblers. Joe Lovejoy of the Sunday Times, for one, whose contribution to the pre-millennial surfeit of list-making was his assessment of the Greatest Football Teams. Occupying the top five slots, a genuine celebrity parade: Brazil 1970; Real Madrid 1960; Ajax 1972; Brazil 1958; Hungary 1953. Then, England 1970 – outranking the boys of ’66 as well as every team produced by Germany, the Netherlands, Argentina, Italy and France. Praise indeed for a side that lost two out of four.
Cris Freddi pays tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews
It’s almost as if he just fancied seeing in the new millennium. Or maybe he thought 85 was quite a round number. We all assumed Stan would go on for ever.
Far from being Scotland's worst World Cup performance, Argentina 1978 was their best, says Ken Gall
For many Scots, the images of Argentina 78 are burned deep into the psyche: Ally MacLeod, head in hands, with the derisive taunts of the Tartan Army ringing in his ears; the disgraced Willie Johnston being interrogated by Frank Bough – ah, sweet irony – about the dangers of illegal substances; the terrible records, the atrocious carpet advertisements, the gruesome hairstyles.