1982 World Cup (Soccer)

[Abishai100]

The 1982 FIFA World Cup was controversial, striking, unexpected, thrilling, and an under-rated watershed moment in international sports that effectively hoisted the nation of Italy to the level of global fame and perhaps drew it out slightly and thankfully out of the shadows of politics-clouded Mussolini-era mistakes.

All thanks to soccer (or football if you call it that).

For the first time, the World Cup finals expanded from 16 to 24 teams. This allowed more teams to participate, especially from Africa and Asia. There was some consideration given as to whether England, Northern Ireland and Scotland should withdraw from the tournament due to the Falklands War between Argentina and the United Kingdom. Italy became the first team to advance from the first round without winning a game, drawing all three (while Cameroon were eliminated in the same way), and also the only World Cup winner to draw or lose three matches at the Finals. By winning, Italy equalled Brazil's record of winning the World Cup three times (source of information: Wikipedia).

The star of this World Cup (held in Spain) was Paolo Rossi, leading Italy past Poland in the Semi-Finals with 2 goals and helping Italy defeat West Germany 3-1 in the Finals with 1 goal. Rossi was the top-scored in this World Cup, notching 6 goals total, ahead of Brazil's sensational Zico, and earning both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards.

Rossi became one of multiple players who earned fame simply for their World Cup feats and not necessarily for their international wizardry before their World Cup heroics (as did players such as Johann Cruyff, Diego Maradona, and Ronaldo) --- Argentina's Kempes, Portugal's Eusebio, and Spain's David Villa.

It was the 1982 World Cup tournament that brought soccer into the stage of the modern world and out of the shadows of politics and celebrity that marked the 1970s and earlier.

In fact, it was the 1982 World Cup that made me a fan of Italian soccer and player such as Baggio, Nesta, and Totti.





1982 FIFA World Cup

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Abishai100

It was the 1982 World Cup tournament that brought soccer into the stage of the modern world...

That's certainly true in North America. I actually remember this event because Toronto has two rather large 'Italian' neighborhoods and they both erupted with spontaneous street parties when Italy won the 1982 World Cup. I recall that it was a real surprise to everyone - no one seemed to know why these two neighborhoods were having a such a spontaneous street parties on that particular day (causing traffic jams throughout the city).

Ever since that day, World Cup soccer has been a huge event in Toronto celebrated by the local media and hundreds of bars and patios, as well as countless cars sporting national flags in support of various teams. The world cup final always gets broadcast inside the Skydome on the big screen these days with twenty or thirty thousand spectators.

[Abishai100]

It can even be argued that Germany's stand-out defender Franz Beckenbauer is 'invoked' by world soccer fans curious about 'field celebrities' in similar discussions that incur the name of Italy's 1982 World Cup superstar Paolo Rossi.

Isn't it interesting how media/TV/spotlighting changes the way we 'negotiate'? Is that a direct 'effect' of 'etiquette-paranoia' (e.g., Celebrity)?


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TRUMP: I'm so excited for the World Cup soccer tournament in 2018.
CARTER: You'll still be President...
TRUMP: International sports is more 'complex' (e.g., Munich, Invictus).
CARTER: The media has changed the way audiences respond to society!
TRUMP: Rossi (Italy) and Beckenbauer (Germany) both benefited from TV.
CARTER: They were true 'media-borne' celebrities...
TRUMP: You just don't get the same 'celebrity' feel with radio or newspaper.
CARTER: No, TV and Internet offer a more 'virtual' experience.
TRUMP: Correct, which is why sports-films are so popular.
CARTER: Maybe sports will do for politics what music did for religion. (Evita).

====

[Tom Palven]

The US is out:
https://www.theguardian.com/football...failure-soccer

[Tom Palven]

A "disastrous setback for the sport's growth" in the US seems a little too dramatic, and in fact the stunning loss might cause Americans to take more notice of the sport and create more interest in the World Cup in Russia than less interest.

https://www.theguardian.com/football...occer-football

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Tom Palven

A "disastrous setback for the sport's growth" in the US seems a little too dramatic, and in fact the stunning loss might cause Americans to take more notice of the sport and create more interest in the World Cup in Russia than less interest.

https://www.theguardian.com/football...occer-football

I strongly doubt that. Americans (as a group/nationality) tend to be parochial about some things and soccer is definitely one of them. Soccer will never be a major sport in America until America can get into the final playoff or win a World Cup. Until then, soccer will remain the 5th sport in the 4 sport world of America.

So I think it is very true - America failing to qualify is a major set back for soccer in the USA big time.

[NickKIELCEPoland]

Originally Posted by Michael

I strongly doubt that. Americans (as a group/nationality) tend to be parochial about some things and soccer is definitely one of them. Soccer will never be a major sport in America until America can get into the final playoff or win a World Cup. Until then, soccer will remain the 5th sport in the 4 sport world of America.

So I think it is very true - America failing to qualify is a major set back for soccer in the USA big time.

So the 5th largest sport in the USA may remain the 5th largest sport in the USA. I don't doubt that the leaders of USA 'soccer' will be bitterly disappointed about not qualifying, but I would be surprised if non-'Soccer' fans got any pleasure from the fact that amateur sport aficionados who are perfectly accustomed to having a lowly domestic status are disappointed on the sport field.