Wow, how my pre-World Cup nonchalance has taken a turn what was I ever thinking? Can I dare to go as far as to say, this (so far) has been the best edition over the last couple of decades?
Brazil was OK last time around, but despite the promise of a mental Samba carnival of football, it didn’t knock my socks off.
South Africa 2010 of course was brilliant for us great for the country, cheap tickets, easy access and all that but I didn’t find the football that exciting generally.
It was a very defensive World Cup, with games often cancelled out in the middle of the park. The German edition in 2006 was decent, but how many people can remember it further than Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt to the chest of Marco Materazzi?
Mind you, it was the first time I’d ever seen that as a fighting move, which made it quite special.
2002 in South Korea and Japan was alright. Couple of less fancied teams got to the latter stages, but for me it was a bit distant.
Not quite sure what I mean by that. It just didn’t ever really take off as the footballing spectacle we wish for both on and off the field.
Prior to then, my memories (which span from the 70s to the 90s) were a lot different.
Football was still football then.
And stadiums were full of football supporters rather than football tourists.
There was also the meeting of different styles of the game which made it that much more interesting.
The flair of the South Americans against the efficiency of the Europeans, the lesser-known style and power of African teams and the mystery of Asian football.
In those days, the European Leagues weren’t as cosmopolitan, coverage was minimal and there was uniqueness in the way the game was played.
Today, watching Brazil is much like watching a top-end European side.
Their game could be compared to Manchester City or Atletico Madrid. There’s no real distinction between anyone anymore, it’s more about the best drilled sides and the togetherness of the squad.
This couldn’t be more apparent than watching “lesser- rated” nations like Serbia, Croatia and Russia.
Serbia play Brazil on Wednesday and it’s not a foregone conclusion that it’ll go one way.
What I’m saying might sound contradictory, because this clinically run, tourist filled edition, lacking varied styles is still proving to be super exciting.
I think the best explanation I can give is that I’m finding the games very much like FA Cup football.
Not necessarily the best technically, but really exciting, end to end in many of the group games so far and full of passion commitment.
The Germany v Sweden game on Saturday encapsulated all of that.
Heartbreak for the Swedes as Toni Kroos scored the injury-time winner that kept the world champions in the hunt.
It reminded me of Ronaldo’s equaliser in the dying stages against Spain.
Kroos hit that ball with such incredible technique, his purpose on this planet realised in a single moment off his right boot.
No doubt there’ll be more upsets and more incredible moments. It’s just too hard to call right now.
Despite the traditionally big sides struggling, my feeling is that one or two of them will slip into gear and power through to the final.
I can’t see any of the minnows reaching the semifinals, but as with FA Cup football, the old cliché “football is a funny ol’ game” I’m not counting on anything yet.
Come on Englaaaaaaaand!