Disaster. I didn’t get Argentina. Miffed isn’t too strong a word. Instead, I’m West Germany. I quite like the Germans, but I don’t have a German top and they killed my great grandad. Understandably my gran, a keen football fan, refused to support them in any of their World Cup efforts, even in 1966. I do have some some German football shorts but it’s maybe not the time of year for those. Still, it gives me the chance to mention the time I went to Germany to play in an amateur football tournament with Lytham FC and I was presented with a medal by Uwe Seeler (pictured above). Unfortunately it was was only a runners-up medal. We did win the Fair Play trophy, although with a rather robust all-Scottish midfield someone suggested it was awarded sardonically. Seeler is a World Cup legend though so he must know a thing or two. He was a prolific goal scorer who netted in four different World Cups from ’58 to ’70 and did so faster than Pele. I think his last World Cup goal was the equalizer that took the game into extra time and helped knock England out in 1970. Sweet revenge for ’66 no doubt, but Uwe is too nice a chap to say so.
It looks like my West Germany have landed in the ‘group of death’ with Bloo’s Mexico, Ross’ Poland and Trudi’s Tunisia. If I’m being honest those three are my least favoured opponents from EVERY pot. I can’t think of a worse draw. Nightmare!
There are no easy groups though. I’ll be supporting Simon’s Scotland against Tiger’s Netherlands, Ralph’s Peru and Andy McLean’s Iran – poor Andy, but somebody had to be Iran. I think Andy was on to John T. today asking who he’d drawn so he could buy a top. Good luck finding that. Only three days to grow an Ayatollah Khomeini beard. It won’t be easy.
Sean’s Brazil versus Mark’s Sweden could be a bit of a volatile clash. That group also features Andy Howie’s Spain and John T. with Austria. Then, over at Table One, there’s the group I wanted to be in; Stephen’s Argentina, James’ Italy, Marie’s Hungary and Stuart’s France. I’m actually going to tip France to do well. If Stuart can get off to a good start I think he could go far.
I’m looking forward to seeing what national costumes or football tops people find. No offence to John ‘bad luck’ Chalmers, but the fact that his cowboy outfit and England top won’t be making an appearance seems wholly appropriate for a World Cup where Scotland represented Great Britain alone. Unless John C. decides to pop along for the cash side-table of course. It is a poker for all night and Christmas party after all, so the more the merrier.
“England cannae dae it ‘cos they didnae qualify… We’re on the march wi’ Simon’s Army!”
| Group 1 Table 1 | Group 2 Table 2 | ||
| Seat 1 | Argentina – Stephen | Seat 1 | W. Germany – Joe |
| Seat 2 | Italy – James | Seat 2 | Mexico – Bloo |
| Seat 3 | Hungary – Marie | Seat 3 | Poland – Ross |
| Seat 4 | France – Stuart | Seat 4 | Tunisia – Trudi |
| Group 3 Table 3 | Group 4 Table 4 | ||
| Seat 1 | Brazil – Sean | Seat 1 | Netherlands – Tiger |
| Seat 2 | Sweden – Mark | Seat 2 | Peru – Ralph |
| Seat 3 | Spain – Andy Howie | Seat 3 | Scotland – Simon |
| Seat 4 | Austria – John T. | Seat 4 | Iran – Andy McLean |
