Читать книгу Geoff Hurst, the Hand of God and the Biggest Rows in World Football - Graham Poll - Страница 10

QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENT: African nations boycotted the tournament because FIFA had stipulated that the continent’s top team should play off against the winners from Asia or Oceana for a place in the finals. The 70 teams that did contest the qualifying tournament were a record. England were given a place in the finals as hosts. None of the other home nations qualified. Germany had been divided into two separate countries after the Second World War. West Germany were among ten European teams in the finals.

FINALS: 11-30 July. The sixteen teams were divided into four groups of four. The top two from each team progressed to the quarterfinals.

HOSTS:England

MASCOT: World Cup Willie (the first World Cup mascot: a lion on his hind legs, wearing a union flag shirt)

FINAL: England 4, West Germany 2 (after extra-time)

MATCHES PLAYED: 32

GOALS SCORED:89

ATTENDANCE:1,635,000

TOP SCORER: Eusebio (Portugal, 9 goals)

HOME NATIONS: England played all their matches at Wembley, which gave them a huge advantage. They started slowly, with a goalless game against Uruguay, and only scored four goals in their group matches. Significantly, they did not concede a goal until the semi-final, in which they beat Portugal. The story of the Final is told in this chapter.