Northern Portrait

Stefan Larsen from the hotly-tipped Northern Portrait recounts some iconic memories from World Cup history.

Stefan Larsen from the hotly-tipped Northern Portrait recounts some iconic memories from World Cup history

Copenhagen-based Northern Portrait remain relatively unknown in this country but it can only be a matter of time before someone influential hears their quintessential English sound and breaks them over here. Their first two EPs 'The Fallen Aristocracy' and 'Napoleon Sweetheart EP' were released to critical acclaim in 2008, while debut album 'Criminal Art Lovers' will have fans of The Smiths digging out the gladioli and contemplating whether they can still get away with sporting a quiff. Signed to Matinee Recordings, Northern Portrait combine a driven, jangling guitar sound with vocalist Stefan Larsen's complex, wry and always dry lyrics. Larsen has said in the past 'to me sophistication is about taste, refinement and complexity'; if you'd like to think you're any of the aforementioned, get your hands on 'Criminal Art Lovers' before Northern Portrait are on the front of the NME.

World Cup memories

Mexco '86

The first time Denmark ever qualified. It's one of the highlights of all my childhood summers. The fondest memory was DK beating Uruguay 6-1 with some now legendary goals by Michael Laudrup, Preben Elkjær Larsen and Jesper Olsen. Jan Mølby, whom some might remember from Liverpool, was part of the Danish side too - he's always been my personal favourite. It was devastating but not entirely unfair when Spain kicked us out after several brutal goals by Emilio Butragueño. Apart from that I, like everyone else, remember a few quite brilliant goals by a certain monsieur Maradona. By the way, 1986 was also the World Cup where I started my private tradition of betting around £20 on Mexico as cup winners - which I still do whenever they've qualified. I mean, people who've invented hats like that must have something up their sleeves.

Italia '90

When thinking of the 1990 WC I seem to remember the West German team best. Andreas Brehme scoring the penalty in the final against Argentina. Cameroun added a nice touch too. Mexico hadn't qualified so my bet went to Czechoslovakia instead. No luck with them either.

USA '94

Denmark had miraculously won the European Championship two years earlier, but failed to qualify which felt sort of ridiculous and slightly embarrassing. So my support went to our former Scandinavian enemies from Sweden (we've been friends for a couple of hundred years now). That actually got far more exiting than one would have imagined as they went on to take the bronze. This was the first time I witnessed the much talked about Samba football from the quite stunning Brazilian team, with the amazing Romario. Samba football had seemed like the sports world's equivalent of the Loch Ness monster to me, but now I finally got to see it with my own eyes. One event following the tournament that's really stuck in my mind was the Columbian Andrés Escobar, who got shot and killed upon returning after having scored an own goal. In 1998 I suppose the atmosphere around Beckham must have seemed rather frightening with the Columbian episode in mind.

France '98

The hype around Ronaldo was completely outrageous. I think people expected him to win the whole tournament more or less single-handedly, which of course never happened. The French seemed very fit in the final, especially Zidane. My memories are a bit clouded, though. But one fond memory was the Danish 3-2 loss against Brazil in the quarter-final after having beaten Nigeria 4-1 in the round of 16 - both very exciting games.

Japan/Korea 2002

Wasn't that the year of the Paraguay goalkeeper and eccentric Chilavert? Quite a personality, I guess. I still remember the pictures of him hitting a ball boy in a qualification match. Kindness probably wasn't his strongest side. I did some betting with two colleagues that year, but I must say that it was the most unlikely results ever - I mean Turkey and South Korea in the semi-finals!? Also, it seemed like the only reason why Germany got to the final was that Oliver Kahn hadn't been passed - not because the Germans scored any goals. In the end the fortress Kahn fell. Denmark had a nice and unexpected win against France who fell completely apart, but then suffered a poor loss 3-0 to England in the round of 16. I had to turn the car radio off when we reached 2-0.

Germany 2006

Well, I suppose Zidane's tête-à-tête or rather tête-à-poitrine with Materazzi is the first memory that springs to mind. The Italian team had played some terribly boring football and didn't deserve the win in my opinion. Drinks were had afterwards and Caspar (bass player in Northern Portrait), who witnessed the game in a Southern France bistro, has told me that he felt forced into downing a bottle of white wine and a dozen oysters in sympathy with the French.

Quick-fire round

World Cup winner?
Germany Top scorer?
Miroslav Klose Dark Horses?
Mexico Gazza or Rooney?
Gazza Pele or Maradona?
Maradona Three Lions or World in Motion?
Three Lions Pub or the couch?
Couch - drinks within reach Club support?
BK Frem (2nd Division working class club from Copenhagen, est. 1886) To learn more about the sublime Northern Portrait click here. Click here to listen to New Favourite Moment from their debut album Criminal Art Lovers.