June 27th at this year's World Cup is the day when the teams in groups E and F play their final first round matches. Germany and South Korea should be a confirmation of the Germans' top spot in the group and Mexico-Sweden could be a winner takes all (or at least second place) battle. In Group F Brazil might have a tricky match against Serbia, or they might canter to an easy win. At the same time Switzerland will probably be hoping they cab beat Costa Rica and secure second place.
Germany and South Korea have played each other before on June 27th. It was in 1994, when the Germans won 3-2.
On June 27th 1998 Brazil beat Chile 4-1 in the last 16 on their way to the final. Uncannily, Brazil have played Chile two other times in the last 16 in my World Cup lifetime and they were not on June 27th but both on the 28th. Brazil won 3-0 in South Africa in 2010 and after penalties four years ago in Brazil. It's a pity Chile aren't at this year's tournament to almost guarantee Brazil a win on the 27th or 28th.
Today can't end without a mention of Cyrille Regis, who sadly passed away today at the age of 59. Cyrille Regis put West Bromich Albion on my football radar. They were Cyrille Regis' team. He was the strong striker who scored lots of goals. It was only years later that I heard of, and understood, the amount of racial abuse that he, and his teammates Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson suffered from fans all over England. For me as a young fan, Regis scored goals. That's all that mattered. How the three of them made it to where they did through the endless amount of abuse aimed at them is horrendous and incredible. And I was oblivious to the stories of what pioneers they were for black footballers in England. And through it all, Regis was a gentleman and somebody who always had time for everybody.
I hope he rests in peace and watches over a World Cup in Russia where players from all over the world are treated with equal respect by all fans.
On June 27th 1998 Brazil beat Chile 4-1 in the last 16 on their way to the final. Uncannily, Brazil have played Chile two other times in the last 16 in my World Cup lifetime and they were not on June 27th but both on the 28th. Brazil won 3-0 in South Africa in 2010 and after penalties four years ago in Brazil. It's a pity Chile aren't at this year's tournament to almost guarantee Brazil a win on the 27th or 28th.
Today can't end without a mention of Cyrille Regis, who sadly passed away today at the age of 59. Cyrille Regis put West Bromich Albion on my football radar. They were Cyrille Regis' team. He was the strong striker who scored lots of goals. It was only years later that I heard of, and understood, the amount of racial abuse that he, and his teammates Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson suffered from fans all over England. For me as a young fan, Regis scored goals. That's all that mattered. How the three of them made it to where they did through the endless amount of abuse aimed at them is horrendous and incredible. And I was oblivious to the stories of what pioneers they were for black footballers in England. And through it all, Regis was a gentleman and somebody who always had time for everybody.
I hope he rests in peace and watches over a World Cup in Russia where players from all over the world are treated with equal respect by all fans.
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