Italia 90

4leto · 13-10-2011 1:06pm #1

Let's reminisce, let's be nostalgic.

Watching reeling in the years and the hairs stood up on the back of my neck, I remember those 2 weeks as the best time I ever had on a holiday, I didn’t go away, I was on my holidays from the job I had at that time and I stayed in Dublin.

A brief time when the nation was truly happy, united, we all draped ourselves in green, the women were amorous and the drinking was only celebratory.
The world loved us, the pope blessed us, our away fans gave us pride, we loved Jack and we all hated Dumpy, we had a hell of a team, and a hell of a time.

It all for me culminated for me at my brother’s wedding and Salvatore Schillaci and that sneaky goal, then the final when west germany won, then Pavorotti sang that song.

Will we ever have that again? What was Italia 90 like for you

chin_grin · 13-10-2011 1:08pm

Ah nostalgia, it's great isn't it? <stares in to distance>

force eleven · 13-10-2011 1:09pm

Toto Schillaci. Bastid.

FatherLen · 13-10-2011 1:10pm

I was two so I was probably playing with toys and doing other baby related activities

old hippy · 13-10-2011 1:10pm

Jeez. It's beginning to grate, isn't it. Not quite as bad as the usual suspects over here banging on about '66

ScumLord · 13-10-2011 1:10pm

I need to wait for these to arrive before I can appreciated this thread.

mikemac · 13-10-2011 1:12pm

There was an album you could buy and you could collect coins for every nation
Anyone remember these? People would be trading for what they needed
Costa Rica were impossible to get

Gateaux also had a wallchart and gave cards with every cake, I did my best to get the full squad
Plenty of cakes were eaten that summer

SEPT 23 1989 · 13-10-2011 1:12pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v24UKqJIKm8

Acidflash · 13-10-2011 1:12pm

4leto wrote: »

then the final when Italy won

what now?

migozarad · 13-10-2011 1:14pm

The shoot-out with Romania stands out for pure drama.Excuse the pedantry,but the OP referred to Italy winning the final when they lost the semi to Argentina;in fact West Germany beat Argentina in the final 1-0 after an Andreas Brehme converted penalty after Klinsmann had characteristically dived.
The last WC without the backpass rule.

deathrider · 13-10-2011 1:15pm

For those of you who still can't let it go:
http://356803.spreadshirt.de/****-schillaci-A6542228

Wertz · 13-10-2011 1:15pm

I was waitering in a hotel in Dundalk that summer...was a pisser working during it and the place was thronged and pretty tough to get around with a tray of drinks, but there was very few fights and everyone had a smile on their face. I did manage to watch some of the games when I wasn't working though...supping pints as a 16 yr old in a smokey old man's pub....them were the days.
Still recall the huge impromptu street parties after the group win and IIRC the weather was good too...Schillaci ruined it all but it was great whilst it lasted...I don't think it's an overstatement to say it was a pivotal period for the nation, we all got a lot of confidence and enjoyment out of it and I think we were saw ourselves in a new light after it...

4leto · 13-10-2011 1:17pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v24UKqJIKm8

Ahhh who could forget those anthems, IMHO the best soccer sporting songs EVER.

foxyboxer · 13-10-2011 1:20pm

I'd side with the Roy Keane school of thought.

You get knocked out of the quarter finals of the World Cup playing ugly football and celebrate as if you won it????? Would the Germans have celebrated that?

*i bet someone mentions Saipan - well he was right there too *

4leto · 13-10-2011 1:21pm

migozarad wrote: »

The shoot-out with Romania stands out for pure drama.Excuse the pedantry,but the OP referred to Italy winning the final when they lost the semi to Argentina;in fact West Germany beat Argentina in the final 1-0 after an Andreas Brehme converted penalty after Klinsmann had characteristically dived.
The last WC without the backpass rule.

LOL
Was it that much of a blur for me I better correct that

Lumbo · 13-10-2011 1:22pm

How big was that bandwagon???

foxyboxer · 13-10-2011 1:25pm

"Go out there and compeeeeeete"

do-do-do-do-do-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh

"We've got a game, we've got a game, we've got a game to win"

"We're gonna put em undah presha!"

That should be our national anthem.

foxyboxer · 13-10-2011 1:27pm

force eleven wrote: »

Toto Schillaci. Bastid.

Packie Bonner's ball handling skills. Bastid.

4leto · 13-10-2011 1:28pm

Wertz wrote: »

I was waitering in a hotel in Dundalk that summer...was a pisser working during it and the place was thronged and pretty tough to get around with a tray of drinks, but there was very few fights and everyone had a smile on their face. I did manage to watch some of the games when I wasn't working though...supping pints as a 16 yr old in a smokey old man's pub....them were the days.
Still recall the huge impromptu street parties after the group win and IIRC the weather was good too...Schillaci ruined it all but it was great whilst it lasted...I don't think it's an overstatement to say it was a pivotal period for the nation, we all got a lot of confidence and enjoyment out of it and I think we were saw ourselves in a new light after it...

I agree we went on to the world stage and did ourselves proud, it did something to us, Ireland was somehow lifted from Dev's Ireland and I think it was the beginning of growth years to the boom.

It somehow put Ireland on the atlas.

Dotrel · 13-10-2011 1:30pm

foxyboxer wrote: »

I'd side with the Roy Keane school of thought.

You get knocked out of the quarter finals of the World Cup playing ugly football and celebrate as if you won it????? Would the Germans have celebrated that?

*i bet someone mentions Saipan - well he was right there too *

Roy Keane doesn't know what the **** he's talking about. I reckon the man has psychological issues and 10 years of Sir Alec Ferguson whispering in his ear probably didn't help matter.s

Germany only got to the semi-finals in 2006 and the country went wild and treated them like heroes. In the modern era Germany have probably lost more major finals than anyone (82 86 92 02 08) but the achievement of even getting there does not go unappreciated. It's not just all about winning. It's about looking at what you have and seeing can you exceed reasonable expectations. Ireland in 1990 did just that.

OP as to your original question, no that vibe will probably never be recaptured here. Back in those days Ireland was considered more of a second class nation and the people themselves bought into it somewhat so to see an Irish team match the worlds best at something captured the nations imagination and inspired.

Current generations of young Irish people are as confident/arrogant as any other country and the psychological concept of matching the worlds best at something isn't nearly as impressive as it was during WC90.

I'd say Ireland would probably have to actually win Euro 2012 for it to come close to matching those scenes.

Dan133269 · 13-10-2011 1:31pm

foxyboxer wrote: »

I'd side with the Roy Keane school of thought.

You get knocked out of the quarter finals of the World Cup playing ugly football and celebrate as if you won it????? Would the Germans have celebrated that?

*i bet someone mentions Saipan - well he was right there too *

FúCK Roy Keane. And on the topic of football and patriotism, he never performed for Ireland anywhere near as well as he played for Man United. I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire.

starbelgrade · 13-10-2011 1:32pm

Roy Keane - great player.. in the Top 10 of his generation. I've a lot of respect for him as a person.

But by God, he's one miserable son of a bitch.

30txsbzmcu2k9w · 13-10-2011 1:32pm

Not '90 but still. It's strange cos we were losing and some wouldn't see losing you're temper as something to be proud of but this is one of my fav world cup moments.
Also that white jersey is the nicest strip Ireland ever had. FAI need to go back to Adidas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSJVL74OlQk

Dyr · 13-10-2011 1:34pm

It was like the whole rave explosion from the same era, great times, great memories but jesus, in retrospect the quality of entertainment was muck

4leto · 13-10-2011 1:35pm

Dotrel wrote: »

Roy Keane doesn't know what the **** he's talking about. I reckon the man has psychological issues and 10 years of Sir Alec Ferguson whispering in his ear probably didn't help matter.s

Germany only got to the semi-finals in 2006 and the country went wild and treated them like heroes. In the modern era Germany have probably lost more major finals than anyone (82 86 92 02 08) but the achievement of even getting there does not go unappreciated. It's not just all about winning. It's about looking at what you have and seeing can you exceed reasonable expectations. Ireland in 1990 did just that.

OP as to your original question, no that vibe will probably never be recaptured here. Back in those days Ireland was considered more of a second class nation and the people themselves bought into it somewhat.

Current generations of young Irish people are as confident/arrogant as any other country and the psychological concept of matching the worlds best at something isn't nearly as impressive as it was during WC90.

I'd say Ireland would probably have to actually win Euro 2012 for it to come close to matching those scenes.

I somehow find that depressing because you are probably right. We have all become very cynical. Someone somewhere would find something to complain about and dampen the mood.

maygitchell · 13-10-2011 1:35pm

foxyboxer wrote: »

"Go out there and compeeeeeete"

do-do-do-do-do-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh

"We've got a game, we've got a game, we've got a game to win"

"We're gonna put em undah presha!"

That should be our national anthem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrZAtp157KI

Jimoslimos · 13-10-2011 1:36pm

4leto wrote: »

A brief time when the nation was truly happy, united, we all draped ourselves in green, the women were amorous and the drinking was only celebratory.

Goddammit, I was only 9 at the time:(

Dotrel · 13-10-2011 1:36pm

Bambi wrote: »

It was like the whole rave explosion from the same era, great times, great memories but jesus, in retrospect the quality of entertainment was muck

True. Tho Charltons team played like Brazil compared to the current set-up. I reckon Ireland is going to be the most unpopular team at 2012 if we qualify.

maygitchell · 13-10-2011 1:37pm

Too young in the 90s, 2002 was a great summer, we had such high hopes, united. Shame we squandered our pride with the greed of the celtic tiger and our "houses", not homes but houses.

Curse upon you seanie fitz and you wánker developers

seamus · 13-10-2011 1:37pm

It was pretty much the first time since the creation of the state that any team from this country had gotten up on a world stage of any kind and put Ireland in the top rankings.
Our good show, particularly when we beat England 1-1, for the first time let us think that we weren't just some backwards, backwater minor country, but a country who could actually do things at a global level.

Of course, I was only 8 at the time so I wasn't aware of any of this. All I remember is how fncking awesome that summer was. Heard "Put 'em under pressure" on Today FM the other morning. Brought a big smile to my face.

Anyone who remembers that summer should read Roddy Doyle's "The Van". Good book, but it's set against a backdrop of that summer, great descriptions of the mood of the country at the time.

godscop · 13-10-2011 1:39pm

Dan133269 wrote: »

FúCK Roy Keane. He's a cúnt. And on the topic of football and patriotism, he never performed for Ireland anywhere near as well as he played for Man United. I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire.

As Roy would say..What have you won ? anyone who says he never performed for Ireland, knows **** all about football. clueless..

kfallon · 13-10-2011 1:40pm

Great days and I was only 11! I can still remember the sick feeling in my stomach when I thought we were gonna lose to England until Sheedy popped up with a belter! The Romania game was the highlight tho, remember me Da throwing me up in the air and then off into town to have a look at all the craic that went on. Great days never to be repeated!

Only downside was me missed Alf

:pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izpAVt_qIUI

problemchimp · 13-10-2011 1:40pm

Loved every minute of it, in a camper van with the lads pissed from morning 'til night. Best holiday ever, and I've had some good ones since( including honeymoon).

starbelgrade · 13-10-2011 1:40pm

Dan133269 wrote: »

FúCK Roy Keane. He's a cúnt. And on the topic of football and patriotism, he never performed for Ireland anywhere near as well as he played for Man United. I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire.

You may not like Keano, but don't let that blind you to the fact that he was one of Ireland's best midfielders ever.

70 caps for his country, team captain after Andy Townsend & some dogged displays & important goals for the country that helped us reach two World Cup competitions.

If you think Keano never grafted as hard for Ireland as he did for United, you either never saw him play in a green shirt, or you haven't a fucking clue what you're talking about.

Kerrydude1981 · 13-10-2011 1:40pm

mikemac wrote: »

There was an album you could buy and you could collect coins for every nation
Anyone remember these? People would be trading for what they needed
Costa Rica were impossible to get

Gateaux also had a wallchart and gave cards with every cake, I did my best to get the full squad
Plenty of cakes were eaten that summer

Ya I remember that,dont think I collected all the coins,I was too busy collecting World Cup 90 stickers,ended up sending away for the ones I was missing to finish the collection

Dotrel · 13-10-2011 1:41pm

kfallon wrote: »

Great days and I was only 11! I can still remember the sick feeling in my stomach when I thought we were gonna lose to England until Sheedy popped up with a belter! The Romania game was the highlight tho, remember me Da throwing me up in the air and then off into town to have a look at all the craic that went on. Great days never to be repeated!

Only downside was me missed Alf :pac:

Not a problem. You can still catch the episodes you missed on his official website.

problemchimp · 13-10-2011 1:42pm

godscop wrote: »

As Roy would say..What have you won ? anyone who says he never performed for Ireland, knows **** all about football. clueless..

There's no doubt he performed for Ireland but he's still a miserable knob

foxyboxer · 13-10-2011 1:42pm

Italia 90 could be paralleled to the celtic tiger bubble years.

Ireland got to the WCQF by scoring just 2 goals adopting a route one approach.

Bonner lobs it forward to the big man and everyone feeds off the scraps while hassling and harrying when the opposition have posession.

Meanwhile Eamon Dunphy became public enemy number one by persistently pointing this out. Dunphy was the Morgan Kelly in the bubble parallel.
People were so irrationally exuberant that they just didn't want to hear or know the cold hard facts.

As for the question of Keane never fulfilling his potential. He'd be the first to admit he's not the most skilled player. He had the requisite skill for top flight football but he was certainly one of the fittest. At United he would simply win the ball and give to the skilled players (Kanchelsis, Cantona et al), the classic playmaker, thus when playing for Ireland he was surrounded by less talented players and this was painfully obvious.

weiland79 · 13-10-2011 1:42pm

Dotrel wrote: »

OP as to your original question, no that vibe will probably never be recaptured here.

I don't know man i think the atmosphere in this country at the moment is ripe for a celebration of epic proportions. Even last week with the rugby squad in NZ you could feel peoples hopes and anticipation rising. I think if we had made it through to the semis we would have been partying like it's 1999 (or 90)
Unfortunatly i think we are going to have to wait a while as there isn't much on the horizon at the moment.

Wattle · 13-10-2011 1:43pm

I remember being part of a 15 man conga line of Irish guys in a bar on Long Island when we put Romania out. The rest of the day is rather hazy.

Wertz · 13-10-2011 1:44pm

That breathy vocal at the start of Put 'Em Under Pressure still sends a chill down my spine...even though I was fairly sick of hearing it 10 times a day back then.
Some really great music that summer too.

Kerrydude1981 · 13-10-2011 1:44pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3GeTQ21nxE

Dunphy hasnt chnged much in his opinion

foxyboxer · 13-10-2011 1:44pm

seamus wrote: »

It was pretty much the first time since the creation of the state that any team from this country had gotten up on a world stage of any kind and put Ireland in the top rankings.
Our good show, particularly when we beat England 1-1, for the first time let us think that we weren't just some backwards, backwater minor country, but a country who could actually do things at a global level.

Of course, I was only 8 at the time so I wasn't aware of any of this. All I remember is how fncking awesome that summer was. Heard "Put 'em under pressure" on Today FM the other morning. Brought a big smile to my face.

Anyone who remembers that summer should read Roddy Doyle's "The Van". Good book, but it's set against a backdrop of that summer, great descriptions of the mood of the country at the time.

That's called a draw. :pac:

maygitchell · 13-10-2011 1:44pm

starbelgrade wrote: »

You may not like Keano, but don't let that blind you to the fact that he was one of Ireland's best midfielders ever.

70 caps for his country, team captain after Andy Townsend & some dogged displays & important goals for the country that helped us reach two World Cup competitions.

If you think Keano never grafted as hard for Ireland as he did for United, you either never saw him play in a green shirt, or you haven't a fucking clue what you're talking about.

Hi Roy

im invisible · 13-10-2011 1:45pm

chin_grin wrote: »

Ah nostalgia, it's great isn't it? <stares in to distance>

its not what it used to be...

Cee-Jay-Cee · 13-10-2011 1:46pm

4leto wrote: »

Will we ever have that again?

Not likely.

seamus · 13-10-2011 1:46pm

foxyboxer wrote: »

That's called a draw. :pac:

Not here it wasn't

maygitchell · 13-10-2011 1:47pm

im invisible wrote: »

its not what it used to be...

Ah Peig how are you and your life of hardship?

godscop · 13-10-2011 1:47pm

problemchimp wrote: »

There's no doubt he performed for Ireland but he's still a miserable knob

I woudnt say he's a knob, he speaks the truth and people dont like to hear that.

Dotrel · 13-10-2011 1:47pm

weiland79 wrote: »

I don't know man i think the atmosphere in this country at the moment is ripe for a celebration of epic proportions. Even last week with the rugby squad in NZ you could feel peoples hopes and anticipation rising. I think if we had made it through to the semis we would have been partying like it's 1999 (or 90)
Unfortunatly i think we are going to have to wait a while as there isn't much on the horizon at the moment.

Hope you're right.

Also, we might have a chance to party next year. We 'only' have to beat Estonia to qualify for 2012. Tho knowing this team that won't be as straightforward as is looks.

keano_afc · 13-10-2011 1:47pm

I was 11, still remember that from a footballing point of view the entire tournament was awful. Over defensive, Maradona getting kicked all over the shop again, the Cameroonians kicking everything that moved, Klinsmann diving everywhere. To quote Roddy Doyle in one of his books: "we beat England 1-1, lost to Egypt 0-0, and drew with the Dutch".

Italia 90

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