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Ben Smith, CYT UK, World Cup Memories: Gazza, Nessun Dorma and The Cure

Published:  30 June, 2014

Things are hotting up down in Brazil as the World Cup is now well in to its knock-out phase. As the tensions mount over the next fortnight, Harpers will be turning to key people in the trade to look back and pick out their favourite World Cup memories.

 

 

Things are hotting up down in Brazil as the World Cup is now well in to its knock-out phase. As the tensions mount over the next fortnight, Harpers will be turning to key people in the trade to look back and pick out their favourite World Cup memories. 

Today's World Cup memory man is Ben Smith, head of communications at Concha y Toro UK.

Gazza's tearsGazza's tearsSource: The GuardianPaul Gascoigne's famous tears after England's painful loss to Germany in the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup.

Favourite World Cup and why.

1990 sticks in the mind for that semi final, Gazza's tears, Nessun Dorma, Roger Milla etcetera...

Best overall World Cup game and why?

I think Holland's demolishing of Spain in this World Cup would be up there.

Greatest World Cup goal?

Michael Owen 1998 v Argentina.

Favourite all time player in the World Cup and why?

Zinedine Zidane apart from the headbutt. Just pure pirouetting poetry.

Earliest World Cup memory?

Argentina World Cup - 1978.

Best all time English World Cup player?

I never saw Bobby Moore or his generation, but would imagine one of that squad. Otherwise Gascoigne, for all his huge fallibility.

Worst all time English World Cup player?

Too many to choose from. Rooney has been a constant disappointment - although a little better this time around ironically.

Ideal wine or spirit/cocktail to drink whilst watching World Cup Final?

Supporting Chile - anything light and white!

Any personal funny World Cup related story you would like to share?

I watched the famous England v Argentina 'hand of god' match in a tent at Glastonbury in 1986. We were naturally gutted at the result, but then went and watched the Cure - took some of the pain away!

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