The Netherlands had beaten Italy 2-1 to reach their second consecutive World Cup final, and to deprive the Italians of the UFWC title. Dutch defender Ernie Brandts had scored for both sides in that game, with Arie Haan getting the winner. The Oranje were looking impressive despite the fact that they were without star man Johan Cruyff, who had stayed at home to consider his priorities following an alleged kidnap attempt on his family. The hugely experienced Dutch team still featured the likes of Jonny Rep, Johan Neeskens, big keeper Jan Jongbloed, and troublesome twins Willy and Rene Van der Kerkhof.

Nov 30

UFWC World Cup Classics: England vs USA, 1950

The 1950 World Cup tournament was an organisational shambles, with withdrawals and disqualifications leaving just 13 teams playing in four uneven qualifying groups of four, four, three, and two. Germany and Japan were excluded as they were under Allied occupation, while India were refused entry as they requested to play barefoot. But, crucially, for the first time the UFWC holders were involved. Back in the FIFA family, this was UFWC champs England’s first World Cup appearance, and much was expected of the so-called ‘Kings of Football’.

Nov 30

UFWC World Cup Classics: England vs West Germany, 1966

1966 and all that was the scene of England’s greatest football achievement. West Germany had beaten the USSR 2-1 at the semi-final stage to take the UFWC title. England then saw off Portugal by the same scoreline to set up an epic encounter. For the final, 93,000 spectators crammed into Wembley Stadium, and an estimated 400 million people tuned in on TV. Then it was game on as England and West Germany contested both the World Cup and the Unofficial Football World Championships.

Nov 30

UFWC World Cup Classics: Italy vs West Germany, 1982

Peru took the UFWC title into the 1982 World Cup in Spain, only to be beaten 5-1 by Poland and Zbigniew Boniek. Poland had a great tournament and reached the semi-final but, without the suspended ‘Zibi’, they lost to Italy and two-goal Paolo Rossi. So Spain 82 culminated with another UFWC / World Cup final decider, between UFWC champions Italy and West Germany. Italy had the likes of Dino Zoff, Guiseppe Bergomi, Marco Tardelli and the afore-mentioned Rossi. West Germany also had an impressive line-up, including Harald Schumacher, Paul Breitner, Pierre Littbarski and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

…