Delaunay's dream: A World Football Timeline
- Thread starter ArupinumMaivista
- Start date
Coulsdon Eagle
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Still remember the original 1972 game at Wembley, as it was one of very few matches to be televised live in the UK. This 9-year old was allowed up to watch it!
(The seven -year-old me still remembers not being allowed to watch the 1970 FA Cup Replay between Chelsea & Leeds at Old Trafford. Shame as reckoned to be one of the dirtiest matches ever in England, but it was a school night.)
(The seven -year-old me still remembers not being allowed to watch the 1970 FA Cup Replay between Chelsea & Leeds at Old Trafford. Shame as reckoned to be one of the dirtiest matches ever in England, but it was a school night.)
Classic game. An equivalent here would be the 1987 Yugoslav Cup final between Hajduk Split and Rijeka. The fans of Hajduk brought a navy orchestra into the stadium and it had some of the funniest commentary from any TV commentator, who was most of the time falling asleep. Better times
Scotland likely to get out of the group and beat Brazil here. Given how they were a breath away from doing so IOTL, I'd suspect that with the national team being in a more experienced place ITTL, I'd go as far that they could knock Brazil out in the group stage had they beat Brazil and results remained the same.
Looking forward for the next update.
Also, considering that OTL, all three wound up with four points and the two best third-placers qualify here, even third place won't necessarily mean elimination.
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And considering some of these groups and irl results, Scotland has a great chance
Group 1 - Germany, Argentina (the top 3, including Romania, all finish on 4 points)
Group 2 - Scotland, Yugoslavia (but brain is saying Yugoslavia, Brazil)
Group 3 - Poland, Belgium
Group 4 - England, Czechoslovakia
Group 5 - Netherlands, Sweden (jesus what a group)
Group 2 - Scotland, Yugoslavia (but brain is saying Yugoslavia, Brazil)
Group 3 - Poland, Belgium
Group 4 - England, Czechoslovakia
Group 5 - Netherlands, Sweden (jesus what a group)
1974 World Cup: Group Stage
New
1974 World Cup
"A new kind of football"
"A new kind of football"
In 1972, the Olympic Games that were held in Munich underwent one of the worst tragedies in recent memory, once a group of terrorists of the Black September organisations killed 17 people. The effects of the attack have led to safety standards being considerably raised, as the hosting nation of the World Cup would be Germany. Indeed, for the first time, Germany would host the World Cup, after originally being planned to host it back in 1942. Now, the German Federal Republic not only had a far better reputation after seemingly rising from the ruins, but it was riding from the success of winning the 1972 European Championship and finishing 3rd in the football category of the 1972 Olympics . Large strides had been made for this tournament to be of highest standards. The stadiums had been renovated, most notably the Berlin and Munich Olympic Stadia, while Leipzig was given the new and Central Stadium - a 70 thousand capacity behemoth that had already been in plans back in the 30s. Now, the vision was brought to life, and Saxony had its own great stadium to gawk at.
For the first time in World Cup history, all of the continents would be represented in some way or another. In Europe, Poland was making its great comeback to the World Cup after 36 years, joined by the Netherlands. While the former was a bit of an unknown figure, the Netherlands was a team to watch after a period of domination held by Ajax and Feijenoord. Most notably, the player that was on everybody's tongue was Johan Croyff, who had established himself as a modern great in the footballing scene. Elsewhere, tiny Haiti was making its debut in the World Cup after shokingly beating out Mexico in the qualifications, while Argentina was making its return after being absent in 1970. The third and fourth south American countries would be Uruguay and Chile, which controversially qualified due to the Soviet Union refusing to play in Santiago. Finally, South Korea was making its return to the World Cup after 20 long years, while Zaire was to represent Africa.
Group 1
The favourites of the group, Argentina and Germany, ran into a bit of trouble when both played against the Romanians. Indeed, the Tricolor gave plenty of trouble to the hosts during the entire opening match, and the crowd grew ever more nervous when Florea Dumitrache shocked the Germans to level the scoring in the beginning of the second half, following a goal by Paul Breitner. Argentina on the other hand had a far easier time against Australia, smashing the poor Socceroos 3-1. Germany's shock draw against Romania had seemingly galvanized the team to bounce back in the following game, and Helmut Schoen's boys filled the Australians' net in the second half, with Colin Curran being unfortunate enough to score an own goal when trying to save a shot from Gerd Muller. With Argentina winning a tight game against Romania, it meant that Germany's venture to the second group stage was secure no matter the result in Berlin. Even then, Germany had somehow found itself in a position where it needed to come back from a 1-0 lead against the Argentines. If it wasn't for Jurgen Sparwassers' heroics in the last minute of the match, Argentina would've won that encounter in a truly upset victory, but a draw was just as good. Thus, Argentina was first and Germany second, with the latter clearly facing some trouble behind the scenes.
The Germans celebrating after Colin Currans' own goal
Group 2
In what was undoubtedly the group of death, the top three finished the preliminary stage all tied on points, but with goal difference playing a large role in deciding which team was on top. Zaire, while at first surprising Scotland with their attacking football, was quickly tamed, only to be embarassed by Yugoslavia, as the Blues demolished the Africans 9-0. Brazil had a rather mediocre set of games, drawing with Yugoslavia and then almost even losing to Scotland, before predictably beating Zaire. Finally, Yugoslavia and Scotland safely finished their match, with the knowledge of likely qualifying for the second round.
The Yugoslav demolition of Zaire
Group 3
In what the most unknown group of the tournament, Poland surprised many with its attacking flair and professionalism shown by their best man - Grzegorz Lato. While at first, Haiti looked like they might pose some sort of challenge after at first taking the lead against Bulgaria, the Lions and co. all filled their net with 14 goals in total. Belgium was comfortable in the group, having beaten both Haiti and Bulgaria, and they looked fine with a draw with Poland, with Paul van Himst being the top scorer of the group.
Polands' 7-0 thrashing of Haiti
Group 4
Having been shocked by the Polish in the qualifications, Englands' new and rejuvenated squad, led by Colin Bell and Norman Hunter, made a great impression in their group stage. The Three Lions won every match, only followed by Czechoslovakia. Chile and South Korea never exactly made a huge impact in the group, but the Tigers from Asia did manage to snatch their first ever point against an underwhelming Chilean side. Nonetheless, Alf Ramsey's boys looked keen on continuing this success to the next round, while the Velvets had exited the group stage for the first time since 1958. Ladislav Kubala had certainly done something right in that regard.
Channon on the move against the Czechs. Lovely kit as well
Group 5
In the most attractive group of the tournament, all eyes were on the Dutch, as Reinus Michels' side introduced to the worldwide audience a new, freeflowing style of football, not seen since the likes of Brazil or even Austria during the 1930s. This was "Total Football". Johnny Rep immediately opened the scoring, and the Uruguayans were simply overhwelmed by the pressing by the Dutch. The eventual score was 2-0, but it would get even worse for the Uruguayans. Over at Dusseldorf, Italy had a routine win against Sweden, as Pietro Anastasi and Gigi Riva made the most of their chances against the Blagult. Nevertheless, Sweden did manage to pull off a shaky draw against Holland, despite Cruyff making the entire world stop for a moment thanks to his dribbling. Finally, Cruyff would score twice against the Azzurri in the final match of the group, helping the Clockwork Orange achieve an emphtatic 3-1 victory against the Italians, while Swedens' 3-0 demolition of Uruguay was enough for the Scandinavians to qualify for the next round thanks to goal difference. And thus, Total Football had prevailed over Catenaccio, and Holland was now firmly in place as a favourite to win the competition. But can they do it? That is something everyone will have to see.
Johan Cruyffs' turn
Let me know who you think will win the subsequent Second group stage and the World Cup! Here are the upcoming matches:
Group A - Argentina, Poland, Sweden
Group B - England, Italy, Yugoslavia
Group C - Belgium, Germany, Scotland
Group D - Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Netherlands
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