For the day that's in it

On the day of a big, big Uruguay-Argentina World Cup game at the Estadio Centenario, here's some film from the 1930 finals. The Centenario was built for this, the first World Cup, and was of course the venue for the final between the two aforementioned teams. If I were to draw up a list of the matches in history I wish I could have attended, this would be very near the top.

Also included in this film is footage from Uruguay's triumphs at the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games and from the construction of the Centenario. Enjoy.

(Long-time readers may remember that I posted this film before. Two things: those videos have since been removed from YouTube; and, more importantly, it's wonderful, so sssshhh.)

Read more...

God bless the internet

I had no idea of the existence of this until I chanced upon some clips from it while flicking through the telly last week. It is an official FIFA film containing footage of Uruguay's triumphant hosting of the first World Cup. We see footage of Uruguay's gold-medal-winning displays at the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games, the construction of the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, the World Cup's opening Opening Ceremony (note how the US team line up behind a sign saying not 'Estados Unidos' but 'Nte. América') and scenes of the Uruguay team in relaxed mood.

But best of all is the footage from the final itself, beginning towards the end of the first part. It's colourised, and even though it should therefore feel adulterated, for me it gives the whole scene an extra verve. And despite the quality of the film not being very high, it's thrilling to see this record of one of football's greatest days.

Read more...