Nonsense and Magic (Part Two)

NO SLEEP: On a magical Rome evening the ancient ruins of the Colosseum were bathed in wondrous light as one last time it came alive to host the draw for the Greatest World Cup never played.

To select the teams and place them in their respected groups was the founder and original President of FIFA Jules Rimet. The World Cup had been Rimet's dream, one man's vision of a competition bringing nations from across the globe together to compete for the title of world champions.

But before the main event began there was to be a musical performance by Luciano Pavarotti of his eternal classic, the chillingly beautiful Nessa Dorma. Never had there been a song that encapsulated more the sheer emotion and heartrending passion of world cup football than the great Tenor's version of No Sleep.

The final verse so apt for events soon to unfold on Italian soil.
Vanish o night!
Fade, stars!
For at dawn I shall win

GROUP ONE: ARGENTINA: ENGLAND: HUNGARY: PERU:

The immediate focus of the draw fell upon Argentina whom would face England in their opening game of all places, Diego Maradona's Naples. Maradona was delighted when informed they would be taking on the English in his adopted city. Already he smelt blood.

'It feels good to be going home but it will be a fight to the death. I am convinced with the support of every Neapolitan we shall make the quarter finals. As for the English, maybe God had a hand in the draw'? He was at it again!

English reaction was more despondency for not only would they have to deal with a wholly hostile pro-Argentina crowd, also a Hungarian side that enjoyed putting them to the sword whenever the mood arose. The infamous 6-3 and 7-1 scorelines again coming to the fore.

Bobby Robson put on a brave face but it was clear he was shell-shocked with the monumental task that awaited them down in the toe of Italy. 'We cannot afford to make a single mistake', claimed Robson. 'The draw hasn't been kind to us but in this competition any team can beat the other on its day'.

Such fighting talk from the manager cut little ice with the English media who seriously feared the worst. A nightmare scenario loomed large. Taking on Maradona in the San Paolo was bad enough but Di Stefano, Puskas and Hidegkuti? They feared wanton humiliation.

The Hungarians were relaxed with coach Gustav Sebes seemingly content with his lot.'We respect all our opponents though feel no need to fear them'. When asked about meeting Argentina in Maradona's backyard he responded with a shrug of his shoulders: 'I don't ever remember a supporter scoring a goal against us'!

It was apparent the Magyars were not exactly shaking in their shoes.

Peruvians prayers had been answered with being drawn against Argentina. The Captain Hector Chumpitaz whom previously had appeared reluctant to mention the word revenge in relation to the infamous 6-0 drubbing by the Argentines finally let his true feelings slip.

'Our moment of redemption is at hand and God willing we will finally put matters right'.

GROUP TWO: BRAZIL: FRANCE: PORTUGAL: SCOTLAND:

The favourites Brazil would be against teams whom in the past had caused then much pain and coach Mario Zagalo was quick off the mark to stress over-confidence was a dangerous enemy to his countrymen.

'This competition will be won by the team who makes least mistakes so we must be wary of what lies ahead. That we have great players is not in question but then so do other nations. Our name and beautiful football alone does not guarantee victory, we must earn this prize by sweating blood and tears'.

These comments left many flabbergasted for it sounded rather worryingly like Mario Zagalo was running scared. Brazilians shook their heads; maybe the old man was simply using psychology? At least they hoped he was.

As for the French, the wildly, excitable Michel Hidalgo did not exhibit any of Zagalo's perceived concerns at the quality of opponent that lay in wait for his team, instead he exhumed confidence.

'It is an absolute honour to be paired with such wonderful exponents but cometh the hour then France must think only of victory. People talk about a group of death? I prefer it to be known as one of fantasy'.

When questioned on how he felt the table might unravel Portugal's Jose Mourinho simply could not help himself! 'It will be interesting to see who comes second to Portugal'. Knowing full well the world media awaited with baited breath his next sentence the poker-faced Mourinho paused for dramatic effect before continuing:

'Why are you all laughing? I am serious; Brazil and France have already beaten themselves. Hidalgo talks only of honour and playing fantasy football, whilst Zagalo sounds like a man going to the gallows! The only team I truly fear in this group is Scotland, as for the other two? They will go home crying'.

As was his plan Jose Mourinho had removed the pin from the grenade and Group two was ready to explode!

Sir Alex Ferguson refused to be downhearted by the draw and reacted angrily to those who claimed they could easily turn into the whipping boys. Ferguson snapped: 'Only an idiot would suggest that. Aye we are going to be in a helluva scrap but nobody is going to roll us over, I can guarantee you that.'

Asked about Jose Mourinho's astonishing comments regarding Brazil and France, a grinning Ferguson replied, 'Jose has started early! I jut hope he realises what he has done? Hopefully they all cut each other's throats'.

There was something in Sir Alex Ferguson's confident demeanour that hinted he really felt Scotland could stun the world.

GROUP THREE: ITALY: URUGUAY: CAMEROON: USSR:

Hosts Italy would pitch camp in Rome at the daunting surrounding of the magnificent Stadio Olimpico. Marcello Lippi was understandably cautious and ultra respectful to his group rivals. Speaking of what would be the tournaments opening match against Uruguay, Lippi emphasised the Uruguayans unique ability to spoil even the grandest of parties.

'Any team that possesses the calibre of player like Schiaffino, Francescoli and Varela can never be underestimated. A long time ago the Brazilians made this grave error and many took the pain of defeat with them to the grave. I feel progress can be made but we must be at our best or our opponents will kill our dreams'.

No player in the Greatest World Cup never played was held in higher regard amongst his peers than Obdulio Varela. A formidable midfield presence blessed with great finesse and tactical awareness. Though also a wonderfully decent human whom during his life had conquered barriers of class and racism with the same style he played football.

This meant that when the Uruguayan Captain spoke people listened: 'Do you think we care when dismissed as pawns to be easily knocked over by so-called bigger fish? Has not history taught anything? Size and reputations do not win football matches as the world shall soon discover.'

Russian coach Valeri Lobaonovski believed the draw handed his team a decent opportunity to make the quarter-finals and targeted victory over the Uruguayans and Cameroon to ensure this.

'That we are content with our draw is not necessarily a good thing because it means others will be equally so. All the matches will be tactical chess games where the wrong move could prove fateful. But this is our forte; Russian football is based around patient, counter-attacking football. Let them come.'

Such was the magnitude of African support for the Cameroon expectations had begun to blaze wildly beyond all reasonable hopes. Suddenly the Greatest World Cup never played had become a holy quest. The man responsible for harnessing Cameroon's sublime, attacking skills with a no-prisoner defending style was a one time disciple of Lobanovski, Valeri Nepomniachi.

He led their glorious charge to the 1990 Quarter finals where defeat to England was judged unlucky, if not scandalous. 'We have shown before that African football can compete at the highest level. In 1talia 90 we were not beaten by England, victory was stolen from us by a hidden hand.

Maybe then those in charge were not ready to see an African team win the World Cup. Well now they are gone and a new light shines. This time around we compete on an even level. '

GROUP FOUR: GERMANY: HOLLAND: DENMARK: SPAIN:

Once more two old foes would clash in what had become one of the World cup most enduring grudge matches. German Captain Franz Beckenbeuer expressed his admiration of their opening opponents Holland but it was one mainly for public consumption. For too much bad blood had passed in time for this to be anything less than a fiery encounter.

'The Dutch have many great players and have to be respected. I sincerely hope events of the past can be forgotten and that we can concentrate on producing a fantastic football match'.

For the Dutch Rinus Michels had already achieved one miracle by bringing immediate harmony to his squad. This he imposed with an iron fist in a velvet glove. Nobody dared risk the Generals' wrath for fear of being dumped unceremoniously.

When questioned about Holland's' game against Germany, Michels spoke happily of being re-united with 'old friends Helmut Schoen and Sepp Herrberger', but also of the importance of winning. 'It shall be wonderful to renew old acquaintances but that shall be afterwards'.

Beforehand winning is all that matters. My players understand the importance of a good start and I feel that if we beat Germany then our task to qualify will be made much easier'.Michels would not be moved to comment on the antagonism between the two nations and when one Dutch journalist mentioned revenge for their bitter defeat in the 1974 World cup final and hinted at events even further back he reacted angrily:

'So you wish to repay the Germans for occupying Holland in the Second World War? For stealing all our bicycles when they retreated back to Germany? Such talk is ridiculous and dangerous because it damages the player's concentration when they should only be fully focused on the game. I will not allow this to happen'.

Elsewhere Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel suggested that he could not see Denmark losing a game and when asked where such supreme confidence came from the Captain was only too happy to explain. Whether Schemeichel was simply playing mind games could not be certain but he appeared utterly sincere as he spoke:

'I feel all three teams are perfect for our style and those who say we are just here to make the numbers up are sorely mistaken. Let others write us off at their peril for Denmark are not just coming to play a bit part, we are coming to win'.

Spanish coach Miguel Munoz had built a team overflowing with skill and technique but doubts remained whether there was sufficient fire in the belly to advance beyond the group stages. If this could be achieved then many Spaniards would regard this as success itself, but not Munoz.

'It is regrettable that so many times we have failed to do ourselves justice and essential that we banish forever the myth that Spain cannot perform at this heady level.

I will not tolerate any player who does not give his all for in Italy there will be no Madrilenos, Catalans or Basques. No hidden agendas, we will be as one.