Friday, November 07, 2014

World Cup '74 Portrait #185 (Giacinto Facchetti: Italy)




graphite & putty eraser, with watercolour pencil/30x21cm

The portrait subject here is Giacinto Facchetti, re-mediated from the sticker image as it appears in the FKS ‘Wonderful World of Soccer Stars World Cup 1974’ album (the player also being represented in the Panini ’München 74’ counterpart).
Although I would have been ignorant of such facts at the time of experiencing the televised coverage of the Finals (essentially my introduction to football), Facchetti captained the Italy squad & team, appearing in all 3 of the Italians’ matches in West Germany as they made another unsatisfactory First Round exit, having previously appeared at both the 1966 & 1970 World Cup Finals (a further 9 appearances, also captaining the team in 1970, to the final).

In other news, today's Guardian website carries a link to a lovely recollective story, of an experience of one of the great European nights in the history of Wrexham FC &, to be perfectly honest, any British club.
Personally, one recalls listening under the bed covers to the late-night radio commentary of events as they unfolded, unbelievably, to their incredible (then & now, 30 years on, still) denouement: a wonderful memory.

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