Lillian Thomson
Hall of Fame Member
Died aged 57. Part of the greatest team never to win the World Cup in 1982.
For anyone of a certain age, that side will always live on, despite it's relative failure, "the day football died".Died aged 57. Part of the greatest team never to win the World Cup in 1982.
Been circling the drain before. Was admitted to hospital in August with gastrointestinal bleeding.What happened to him? Noticed on SSN last night that he was on life support but didn't really see the story behind.
Suspected it might be lifestyle related.Been circling the drain before. Was admitted to hospital in August with gastrointestinal bleeding.
Alky, basically and his smoking was a matter of record.
Wonderful, wonderful team, even if Holland and Hungary might have something to say about that particular title. And Socrates was simply outstanding in that particular tournament. Criminally young, but seems to be self-inflicted. It's a good excuse to spend some time youtubing the 1982 Brazil side.Died aged 57. Part of the greatest team never to win the World Cup in 1982.
France that year as well. The last great World Cup (although 86 was pretty good).Wonderful, wonderful team, even if Holland and Hungary might have something to say about that particular title. And Socrates was simply outstanding in that particular tournament. Criminally young, but seems to be self-inflicted. It's a good excuse to spend some time youtubing the 1982 Brazil side.
Hey Mario is cool.Just been reading about how Socrates used his position as a national hero to challenge the military junta ruling Brazil at the time. He persuaded team-mates to wear shirts printed with 'I want to vote for my President' in one game. He challenged them to arrest him in post-match interviews. As well as a fully qualified Doctor he was a classy, elegant, intelligent and frequently explosive player too.
Nowadays we have Balotelli epitomising modern football.
France were a good side in 82 but were a tad fortunate up until the Semi against Germany. England took them to the cleaners in the first group stage and were rewarded with a second round group with Germany and Spain. France on the other hand celebrated being beaten by England by ending up with Northern Ireland and Austria in their second round group.France that year as well. The last great World Cup (although 86 was pretty good).
All true. The French side were a joy to behold, but a really good team would never have let their two goal lead slip against that West German side, even allowing for Schumacher's assault on Battiston. tbt even when winning the Euros in 1984, and even allowing for home advantage, they struggled like crazy to beat a moderate Portugese side in the semis and needed a ****-up from the Spanish keeper to win the final.France were a good side in 82 but were a tad fortunate up until the Semi against Germany. England took them to the cleaners in the first group stage and were rewarded with a second round group with Germany and Spain. France on the other hand celebrated being beaten by England by ending up with Northern Ireland and Austria in their second round group.
Yes, it was a magnificent tournament - possibly even better than 1970, and certainly way superior to anything since. I think you're slightly over-stating that England side though -Aye, theirs was a fragile talent and able to implode at a moments notice. Over-reliant on the midfield to make up for lack of firepower elsewhere too. But they were sublime to watch and consecutive world cup semis either side of being European Champions was not a bad return - and one that would be grabbed by most English teams.
England's '82 campaign was one of their best, undefeated over 5 games against mainly tough opposition. Makes you wonder what could have been achieved without the injuries to Brooking, Keegan and Coppell. Bryan Robson was entering his peak years as France found to their cost but that wasn't enough. Weird second round going straight to semis that maybe saved us from an earlier start to the sequence of disastrous penalty shoot-outs.
Like I say, a great World Cup.