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The World Cup

P Maguire

Wednesday, September 8th, 2004

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 In 1930 the World Cup was born
And its birth pangs sang its joy
Jules Rimet the guardian and maker
The victors Uruguay
The strength of Meazza and Monti shone free
1934 in the glory that was Rome
Zamora and Langara jewels for Spain
But it was the squadra azzurra who took the cup home
1938 and the playing fields of France
Before truth and justice began to die
Italy the victors Mussolini smiled
But it was Leonidas who caught the world’s eye
1950 broke the heart of all Brazil
Whilst the English in their debut fell to ground
Chico and Zizinho flew from heaven for Brazil
But Ghiggia with his boots he shot them down
1954 and the miracle of Puskas
The Major his Magyars the kings
But the Germans just ripped up the script
And galloped away with the win
1958 Didi magician with Pele and Vava
Against Kopa and Fonataine they shone
Without one defeat the world at their feet
Brazil brought the spirit of football home
1962 Decca turned down The Beatles
Guitar groups are on their way out
Elvis retired but then changed his mind and
The Boys from Brazil kept their crown
1966 Charlton and Beckenbauer duel
A disputed goal a hat trick for Hurst
Eusebio shone his boots of fire
An England victory the glorious first
1970 burst in colour onto the screen
As football glimpsed its very soul
Brazil served up a football dream
The Carlos Alberto screaming goal
1974 the reincarnation of Van Gogh
His swirling colours on a canvas of grass
Cruyff and Neeskens and Krol picked up the brushes
But Beckenbauer and Muller made them put them back
1978 and the legend Mario Kempes
His boots ringing with those goals
Blew right through defences
And tore up the dreams of the Dutch Soul
1982 Rossi would find forgiveness
And bring his country joy
In the final fired his cannons
And German defences all destroyed
1986 and Maradona
Scored a goal with his left hand
But the second such a miracle
Did God watch from the stands?
1990 Germany defends
And Klinsmann takes the prize
Maradona’s boots still pulled the tricks but
Crocodile tears fall from his eyes
1994 Romario smiles but
It’s deep despair for Baggio
Brazil gained its fourth World cup
By selling the beauty of its soul
1998 and Les Bleus
Multi-racial colours blend
Zinedine Zidane commanding all
Are you watching Le Pen?
2002 and Brazil burns back
Ronaldo finds his golden boots
The kings are slain by Senegal
The swordsman? El Hadji Douf.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/the-world-cup-2/