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Between now and the start of the World Cup, we will be looking back at previous tournaments with the help of some of the key characters and the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s archive footage. Today we speak to two men involved in the match of the tournament, and recall when Les Bleus swept all before them.

France, June & July 1998

This was a World Cup that ended with the hosts' finest footballing hour and left everyone guessing about the mystery of Ronaldo's missing minutes - but there was far more to than just a one-sided final where the Brazilians failed to turn up.

The Dutch gave us more moments to savour but again fell short, while new-boys Croatia announced their arrival with a dazzling run to the semi-finals. England? They left early, but with a new hero offering hope for the future - and a villain to pin all the blame on for their exit.

For one man, however, the tournament was over before it even began. but his lack of fitness and form - - saw him fail to make manager squad. It was a decision that angered many, including Gazza himself, and - not for the first time - he did not exactly hide his emotions.

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Between now and the start of the World Cup, we will be looking back at previous tournaments with the help of some of the key characters and the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s archive footage. Today, we speak to the scorer of one of the best goals at USA '94 and two members of the Swedish side that went close to upsetting eventual winners Brazil.

United States, June & July 1994

From a disco diva to the 'Divine Ponytail', ended in the same way it began - with the horror of a missed penalty. But, while I still laugh at I won't ever forget the tears of Italy's Roberto Baggio after he blasted over to lose the shoot-out that saw Brazil become

That was the final act of a thrilling tournament that, despite a disappointing final, and the succeeded - temporarily, at least - in conquering football's final frontier -

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Between now and the start of the World Cup, we will be looking back at previous tournaments with the help of some of the key characters and the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s archive footage. Today, we speak to the man who brought back the 1986 Golden Boot but was powerless to stop the best player on the planet from getting his hands on the main prize.

Mexico, May & June, 1986

It was a World Cup that produced many memorable matches and a succession of stunning goals but, while there were many stars of the tournament will only ever belong to one man:

At the peak of his powers and in formidable form, Maradona's individual contribution to Argentina's triumph was immense. The 25-year-old did not quite win the World Cup all on his own but at times - notably in a pulsating 2-1 win over England in the quarter-finals - it looked like he was capable of doing so.

In the space of four minutes during that match, the little maestro scored two of the most famous goals in footballing history. The first, notoriously, with his hand and the second, gloriously, at the end of a magical solo run.

England's players protested in vain about Maradona's illegal opener but even they recognised the magnificence of what followed. When I spoke to about it a few days ago, he told me: "That second goal was the one time in my life where I felt like I ought to applaud the opposition. I didn't, because I was gutted, but it was undoubtedly the greatest goal I had ever seen."

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Between now and the start of the World Cup, we will be looking back at previous tournaments with the help of some of the key characters and the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s archive footage. Today, we speak to the man who tried and failed to stop the great Brazil side of the 1982 finals, which ended up belonging to Italy and Marco Tardelli.

Spain, June & July, 1982

The best team might not have won the 1982 World Cup, but the best celebration definitely did.

For sheer artistry and jaw-dropping skill there have been few squads in history to match the one that took to Spain, not even in his own country's glittering past. Their names still trip off the tongue; the likes of Junior, Socrates, Falcao and Zico, while the flamboyant, attacking football they played under Santana deservedly lives long in the memory.

But, as with and the Netherlands in 1974, Brazil's brilliant performances won the purists' plaudits and most fans' hearts but did not secure them any prizes.

Instead, the trophy went to an Italy side that lacked any comparable verve but who, through the raw emotion of reaction to his goal in the final, still provided the iconic moment of a tournament that contained as much controversy as it did drama.

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Whatever happens in Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea, it will not be the end of the world for Portsmouth Football Club or its fans. As you probably already know, they have been experiencing the football equivalent of an apocalypse at Fratton Park for most of the season anyhow.

But for most of Pompey's players and staff, the weekend trip to Wembley is as far forward as they can look. It is only their supporters and, I daresay, most of the club's creditors who are considering a future any more long-term than that. Not that many of them can do so with much confidence.

The off-field circumstances make for a unique build-up to the game in Cup final week and are far removed from Portsmouth's preparations the last time they were on this stage.

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