9 Great Cup Runs

Back in September I had a great day out at the inaugural NYC Footy Governors Cup on Governors Island. It was an all day tournament culminating in some glorious trophy lifts. The day got me thinking about the best cup runs in my living memory. I’m sure I have left plenty of good ones out, but the following spring to mind.

1. Ireland Make It To The World Cup Quarter Final

I am a broken record in these articles talking about Ireland in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. But as it was Ireland's first appearance at a World Cup, not so much was expected from us in the tournament. First we had to get out of a tough group that included The Netherlands (fresh from winning Euro 88), England (who would go on and reach the 1990 World Cup semi finals) and the unknown quantity of Egypt. Not only did we get out of the group, but then overcame Romania in the round of 16, before ultimately getting knocked out by a solitary goal from Italy in the quarter finals in Rome. The team came home to a hero's welcome of 800,000 people on the streets of Dublin. Can you imagine if we won the thing?

2. South Korea Make It To The World Cup Semi Finals in 2002

Pressure is always on for host nations of big tournaments. The same was true of South Korea ahead of the World Cup they jointly hosted with Japan in 2002. But under the management of great Guus Hiddink, the team topped a tough first round group that included Portugal, USA and Poland. The South Koreans then sensationally beat both Spain and Italy in subsequent rounds before losing by just one goal in the semi finals to Germany. Granted the run to the semis was marred in all manner of controversy and suspicious referee decisions. But you can’t let the truth get in the way of a good story.

3. USA Make It To The Quarter Finals in 2002

For me, USAs run to the quarter finals of the World Cup in 2002 is the greatest achievement in US soccer history. It is also one that is strangely forgotten in recent history. Perhaps it's because soccer's popularity in the USA has only really bloomed in subsequent years, and the new fans and media attention that has came with it only have a football memory that goes back so far. Nevertheless, the US came out of a group by gloriously beating Portugal 3-2 and then beating permanent rivals Mexico 2-0 in the last 16. Yes, folks, the US beat Mexico when it really mattered. In the quarter finals, the US got knocked out by just one goal to Germany who would go all the way to the final. USA! USA!

4. Celtic Reach The UEFA Cup Final In 2003

Another personal choice for me. Playing in the Scottish Premier League, little is ever expected from Scottish teams in European competition. But in the 2002-2003 season under the management of the inspiring Martin O’Neill (who also had legendary cup runs with Leicester City), Celtic made it all the way to the UEFA Cup final, only to lose to the then unknown Jose Mourinho's Porto in the final. On the route to the final, Celtic beat both Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool. Both ties were dubbed a ‘Battles of Britain’ with English pundits giving Celtic little chance. I went to a number of games on that famous cup run, and was behind the goal in Anfield when John Hartson scored a screamer that knocked out The Redmen.

5. Ajax Reach The Champions League Semi Final In 2019

Ajax have always been one of Europe's greatest clubs. But sadly, in recent years with TV finances being stacked towards the big leagues in Europe, their power to compete on the biggest stage appears to have diminished over time. That was until last season when an exciting crop of young players took Ajax all the way to the Champions League semis. I could argue that Ajax's run was the biggest surprise in Champions League football since Porto won the competition in 2004. Ajax’s run is made more impressive by the fact the Dutch giants had to overcome three qualification rounds just to get into the competition proper.

6. Denmark Win Euro 1992

Denmark winning the 1992 European Championship was truly a fairytale story. The story is made fully incredible by the fact that Denmark hadn’t even qualified to compete in Euro 92. But, due to the outbreak of war in Yugoslavia a team was needed at the last moment to replace the war torn country. The story goes that many of the Danish players were on their summer holidays when they got the phone call that they were needed to play. The Danes beat France in the group stage, The Netherlands in the semis and Germany in the final.

7. Greece Win Euro 2004

It always upsets me the way the Greek team of 2004 is spoken about. Their glorious win in 2004 coupled with Leicester City winning the Premier League are arguably the two biggest football surprise stories that I can think of. I think the Greek team is thought of unfondly because their whole team were unknown with awkward to pronounce names and also because their football was tough and pragmatic. To put some perspective on Greece’s victory - before the tournament Greece were 150/1 to emerge victorious. Personally, I don’t care how you get the job done, as long as you get the job done.

8. Wigan Win The FA Cup in 2013

Although it’s prestige has been severely diminished in recent years - The FA Cup is still the most famous domestic cup competition in the world. It is also the oldest national football competition in the world. The romance and myth of the competition suggests anyone can win it on their day. But in truth the winners, certainly in my time are the usual suspects - Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and recently Man City. So with that in mind, the most glorious winners by far were Wigan Athletic in 2013. In truth they had a favorable draw to the final which included ties against Bournemouth, Macclesfield, Huddersfield, Everton and Millwall. But they did then have to beat the big spending Manchester City in the final. Despite the glory of winning the cup, Wigan were also relegated from the Premier League in the same season

9. Iceland Reach The Quarter Finals of Euro 2016

With a population of just 330,000 people - Iceland's very qualification for Euro 2016 was considered remarkable. For their first qualification game at home to Turkey, only 7,000 people turned out in the 15,000 capacity national stadium. That was the beginning of an incredible story which captured the hearts and minds of people the world over. Iceland ultimately made it all the way to the quarter finals of Euro 2016. Along with the thunderous Viking Clap, for me the greatest moment of Iceland's story was when they knocked England out, beating them 2-1 in the second round. And this video reaction by former England manager Steve McClaren to Iceland’s 2nd goal is priceless:

If you feel I’ve missed an obvious one, leave a note in the comments…

7 of the most memorable goalkeepers

After making this weeks video about goalkeepers of NYC Footy I thought it would be fun to make a list of 7 of the best goalkeepers (err, my favorite goalkeepers).

The list in no particular order, since it’s not really a “top goalkeeper” list. Well, except for No.1. He’s in that spot because I actually feel he is the best keeper of my lifetime.

Without further ado, “the list”:

7. Bruce Grobbelaar: Bruce Grobbelaar was a Liverpool keeper in the 80s and early nineties. He stood out for his cat-like agility. He would stop shots in a style I have rarely seen a goalkeeper do since. As a kid, I thought Grobbelaar had a funny look to him - he seemed small for a goalkeeper - round head and a stand out mustache to go along with that iconic green jersey. Grobbelaar’s life has been full of drama too. Here is a video on his story:

6. Packie Bonner: A proper emotional choice here and someone I have already referenced in previous articles. Packie Bonner became my first football childhood hero after his penalty kick save v Romania that put Ireland into the 1990 World Cup Quarter Final. After that moment I had to get the jersey and the gloves. I would then try to mimic Packie in every way - from his kick out style to angry gestures. In later years, Packie struggled with the back pass rule which only came into effect in 1992. Whenever the ball was passed back to him, I would almost have a heart attack in hope he wouldn’t mess up. Scroll forward to 11:40 here and relive Packies greatest moment:

5. Thomas Ravelli: An obscure choice. I first saw Ravelli play for Sweden in Euro 92, the first major tournament I could sink my teeth into. Ravelli had a peculiar scruffy look to him. He was a bit like a Swedish Grobbelaar in his movements. But what I always remember most about Ravelli was his curious and risky habit of juggling the ball behind his back before he would launch goal kick out of his hands. I’ve had to watch a lot of videos to try and find an example of him doing it. Here is a good doco piece about Ravelli, and you can spot his ball juggling at the 7:20 mark:

4. Rene Higuita: Top of the nutter list - Colombian keeper Rene Higuita. You know when you are playing 5-a-side, and your keeper decides to recklessly go on a run up field while leaving the goal empty? Well Higuita would do that during a World Cup match. Here is a fantastic montage of his antics (excuse the awful choice of music). But for me the stand out moment by Higuita will always be his ‘scorpion kick’ save he pulled off v England in a friendly in 1995. I was lucky to watch the save live. The next day the UK news was telling how kids were in danger of getting badly injured in attempting the stunt. It’s a classic football moment:

3. Andy Goram: As a Celtic fan in the mid and late 90s, Andy Goram of Rangers broke my heart over and over pulling off what seemed to be impossible saves. Rangers at the time were the dominant force in Scottish football. But Celtic were getting closer and closer to over taking them. And when things got so close, it seemed like literally only Goram was getting in the way. Goram was another keeper who didn’t seem like he had quite the right look for the role - short, stocky and scruffy - but despite this he got in the way of everything. As he played for Glasgow Rangers there really is not much more I wish to say about him.

2. Jorge Campos: Mexican goalkeeper Jorge Campos had a few claims to fame. Through his career he would often play as striker and scored a hatful of goals doing so. But what stood out most about Campos to me were his incredible jerseys. My friends and I were such football nuts growing up, that we would often draw our dream football kit designs. So due to this - Campos jerseys were the stuff of our childhood fantasies. What was even cooler was that Campos actually designed his kits himself. My dad would tell me the crazy designs were to put the strikers off during one on ones. Decent logic if true.

1. Peter Schemeichel: I first saw Peter Schmeichel when he played for Denmark in Euro 92. During that tournament he seemed taller and more impressive than any keeper I’d seen. With his blonde hair he brought back memories of Ivan Drago in Rocky 4. Schmeichel had unique attributes as a keeper in ‘92. He would come out far and fearlessly, and pull high crosses out of the air. He would then launch a long throw out. We would marvel that Schmeichel could throw the ball out as far as most other keepers could kick it. After Euro 92, Schmeichel moved to Manchester United where he had a sparkling career. Specialising in the starfish save, and with agility he got from handball, Schmeichel is the all round best keeper in my memory.

Till next time…