graphite & putty eraser, with watercolour pencil/30x21cm
This evening might see the kick-off of the 2014 World Cup, with the
hosts Brazil playing Croatia in the opening match, but here at TOoT, whilst we
will doubtless keep an eye on proceedings over the next month, we’re very much still
& settled in 1974 in World Cup terms (when, in a curious coincidence, then-holders
Brazil faced the former Yugoslavia - from part of the ashes of which Croatia has
subsequently re-emerged, of course - in the tournament’s inaugural fixture), as the project
concerning the representation of some of those players who featured in, & some of those of those who didn’t, continues.
That being the case, the latest subject to emerge from the drawing
process is the legendary Jan Tomaszweski, who was selected for inclusion in
both the FKS & Panini ‘World Cup ‘74’ sticker albums, the Poland squad for
the Finals &, subsequently, the team for each of the Poles’ 7 matches in
the tournament, where he excelled to the extent of becoming the first
goalkeeper to save two penalty kicks at a World Cup, all this in addition to
his prior heroics in famously keeping England at bay in the 1 – 1 draw at
Wembley that saw Poland qualify for the Finals at their hosts’ expense.
Having already such a high profile enabled Tomaszweski’s to become one
of the few names I recognized (quite a few, though, whom were goalkeepers:
obviously it’s the singularity of the position that renders its incumbents
memorable, more so than many an outfield player) during my first
real, concentrated exposure to football as a televised spectacle, & remain
in the consciousness, able to be recalled instantly, thereafter.
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