Wales 2 Italy 1 2002, Were You There?

My favourite and most emotional football match I have ever witnessed and one of the best nights of my life. Never been in an atmosphere of total jubilation and ecstasy as that night. Have had some City moments that come close, but this night was something else.

Me and Shanka the Jock got prepped up on St Mary St drinking Desparados, then walked into that cauldron. Simon Davies goal was outstanding, fantastic build up play and pass and move with Bellars. Bellars winner left the legendary Buffon clutching the Cardiff night air. Remember Savage being everywhere, Delaney having the game of his life, Gabbidon awesome, Speedo at left back, and Hartson showing a different side to his game, in fact the whole side were just immense. I know the momentum got lost and Russia was a cock up, but this night was so special as we partied in the City Arms after the game.

Four years later a lot of players in that Italian squad were lifting the World Cup. Say no more.

Were you there, how was your night!? Mine was very hoarse and tearful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KursZIQe ... re=related

No, I was in a hotel in Cornwall. I had a little bet with the owner that England wouldn't win their game and we would - he thought it was a gimme. Obviously, we won and England drew with Macedonia. Fair play, he kept his word and a very large bottle of champagne came my way

I was banned.

Missed loads of good games, including that, Leeds FA Cup, QPR Play Off Final
to name a few.

I was there great night also went to Germany 1.0 Rushy la scoring ace!

I was there and sat right behind and to the side of the goal where Bellamy scored the winner and the whole place went ballistic fantastic win got to be right up there has one of the best ever.

Brilliant night but after a battling draw in Russia we went and f*cked it up at home and failed to qualify again

I was there for every home game during the Mark Hughes era.
Beating Germany (earny scoring against Khan!) , drawing with Argentina (with the likes of saviola and veron in the squad) but the Italian game was the best of all. Absolutely amazing game

This is a sour point for me......

Went to Milan for the away tie but, had to watch the home match in dempseys because I couldnt get a ticket.

Same thing happened in the play off match. Went all the way to Moscow for the game but couldn't get a ticket for the home leg.

It was bouncing in dempseys though fair play. I remember moaning and having a rant that the keeper should be subbed at half time because he was playing shite ( jones I think), he ended up having a storming second half for us. Didn't mind being proved wrong with that one.

Best player on the park that night without doubt.................... Danny Gabbidon ( Took a couple of English mates with me that night and they still say the best atmosphere they have ever experienced ).

I was there!

i was there with my father who missed another winning goal by going for a piss.. he done the same for the qpr play game an he didnt get to see the goal til a few days later

I was there, all ready had tickets for the match but got offered 2 wru box seats from a rugby man up here so the whole family went. My second son and I were sat next to Sam Hamman and Lennie Lawrence and we were all hugging and dancing when Bellers scored the second. Magig night on of the best. It was written from the first note the Manics played, how the anthem obviously impressed the Italians, who stood and applauded at the end of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau and the one and possibly only time Savage played well for Wales! Brilliant!!

I was there

One of my best ever games too.

I was there, all ready had tickets for the match but got offered 2 wru box seats from a rugby man up here so the whole family went. My second son and I were sat next to Sam Hamman and Lennie Lawrence and we were all hugging and dancing when Bellers scored the second. Magig night on of the best. It was written from the first note the Manics played, how the anthem obviously impressed the Italians, who stood and applauded at the end of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau and the one and possibly only time Savage played well for Wales! Brilliant!!

Savage was MOM in my opinion absolutely awesome that night. The anthem brought a lump to the throat but I will always remember the look of consternation on the faces of the Italians when Ali played the Joe Dolce song Shut uppa your face

I was there. Porn planes everywhere!

this was 16th October 2002...reason why i know is because i was there and my son was due on this day.i can always remember going into the ground with the Manics belting out tunes on the pitch, do i have the right game??

Last edited by ozzy31 on Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:39 am, edited 1 time in total.

tis was 16th October 2002...reason why i know is because i was there and my son was due on this..i can always remember going into the ground with the Manics belting out tunes on the pitch, do i have the right game??

You do, we didn't play them in 2004, the op is a mis informed gimp.

i knew i was right lol

I Have changed the date...i was there with my brother and my dad for this game...great night.

Also remember putting in the shop window Simon Davies to score 1st and Wales to win 2-1 ...it paid £500.00 for a £5.00 bet.
There were 3 - 5 shops who put that bet up...some happy punters that night

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 330095.stm

Being behind the goal when Hughesy scissor kicked the 2nd versus Spain in '85 was pretty f*cking special.

Being behind the goal when Hughesy scissor kicked the 2nd versus Spain in '85 was pretty f*cking special.

Was there that night too.Special!

I was there. I just played the youtube clip to my son and told him what a great night it was (he was only 3 when the game was played, so I didn't take him).

Such a fantastic, memorable night. Definitely in my top 10, but not sure if I can name my absolute favourite match.

I couldn't fault any player that night, I honestly thought they all played their hearts out for Wales.

A magical night and I hope we're blessed with more in the future.

Yes I was there, and in all my years involved with the game it stands above everything for me. The moment I cried when everyone including all the Intalian applauded the "Gentle Giant" before the game. the Manics playing and lets face it the most amazing atmosphere I have every experienced in a football match.
Over the years I have been fortunate to witness many memorable matchs
- the 85 game at Wrexham with Sparkys overhead kick
- the night we beat Real Madrid whe Clarkie rose like Vulture at the far post to head Nigel Rees's cross in
- The night the lights went out at Swansea (but did the jacks pay the electric bill? )
- as a 14year lad watching England play Wales at Ninian and then rushing up to platform one seeing Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and Martin Chivers waiting to catch the train back to London after playing (that would never happen today)
- The 2008 Cup Final sat there looking out on Wembley and singing abid with me and then seeing little old Carfiff City walk out of the tunnel
- Night Wales beat Germany (World Champions) when Rushie scored that wonderfull goal from Paul Bodins long pass
- Giggs Wales debut with that free-kick goal
- The night after the Play-off final against QPR when I got pissec as a fart (the game itself was crap)

What are your great football memories???

I was there with my mate and stepson and witnessed a fantastic performance from the team as a whole and although I thought Savage was superb in the middle of the park, I'd have to give my MOTM performance to Bellamy!

I was behind the goal and up in the Gods when Bellamy scored the winner and it was a fantastic feeling when the full time whistle went!

I was there. A few of us purchased tickets of some big black brummie tout outside only to get in and find somebody sat in the seats. The kent sold us duds...fair play to the stewards they stuck us in a few other seats albeit in a family section. Was still a great game to witness.

Sadly I can't see too many days like that under the current set up.

Being behind the goal when Hughesy scissor kicked the 2nd versus Spain in '85 was pretty f*cking special.

Still one of my all time favourite goals and i was also just behind the goal when Hughesy scored it and the whole end erupted shennanigans with the local yokels in Shrewsbury later that night made it a day never to forget

yes I was there with my dad.

took my old man to 'the borough ' for a pre match drink - next thing we knew, place erupted with bloobirds fans charging through the pub to get at some jacks in the entrance way - he laughs about it it now ! (didn't at the time ! )

I was there for every home game during the Mark Hughes era.
Beating Germany (earny scoring against Khan!) , drawing with Argentina (with the likes of saviola and veron in the squad) but the Italian game was the best of all. Absolutely amazing game

same, i did the block booking order, same seat for all the qualifiers.... amazing night the italy game... wales played fecking class....

I went and as said a brilliant night ad atmosphere.

The manics sang before and really got the place buzzing.

As mentioned above Savage was amazing that night, like a mad man closing down.