played for the Italian side Perugia at the time. His earth shattering winner also ended up shattering his fledgling career in Italy, where his club took great offence at the audacity of their player scoring against their national team and duly sacked him.

Notwithstanding the familiar look to the final, the refreshing nature of so called lesser nations progressing far in the tournament and achieving victories against some big hitters along the way will remain as one of the defining aspects of 2002.

Germany 2006

Fussball came home in 2006 as Germany hosted the tournament. Again, Scotland didn’t qualify. The underdog theme as described above had continued in the intervening Euros where Greece had emerged victorious, but this tournament wasn’t as forgiving to the “wee guys” as Italy ultimately emerged victoriousRonaldo’s subsequent appeal for justice. The reigning champions Brazil also made it to the Quarters, but the tournament was Italy’s. Engulfed by the Calciopoli match fixing scandal, there was a lot of bad press surrounding the Italians but their team was truly brilliant at this tournament. With attacking flair including Andrea Pirlo and the simply unbeatable Cannavaro at centre half, looking back there was simply no alternative. It is quite fitting that a tournament in Germany was won not by an underdog but by a cold, hard, ruthless side who set aside associated turmoil and bad press to claim the title.

South Africa 2010

Another tournament, another stay-cation for the Scots. The World Cup continued in South Africa regardless however. This tournament will mostly be remembered for the continuation of