British Sea Power

British Sea Power recount to skysports.com their favourite memories from World Cup history.

British Sea Power remember some iconic moments from World Cup history

As one of the country's best rock groups British Sea Power are known for their sweeping yet angular guitar pop, which is always original and often epic. Although three of the band are from Kendal, lead guitarist Martin Noble hails from Bury, British Sea Power are Brighton-based. To date the band has released three critically acclaimed albums and a soundtrack to the documentary Man of Aran. Having just put the finishing touches on their fourth album the band are to play a series of live dates in May. BSP have toured with and been commended by David Bowie, The Flaming Lips, Lou Reed, Radiohead and Jarvis Cocker, with their live shows always eclectic and often moving. Here, band mates Martin Noble and Phil Sumner recount to skysports.com their World Cup Gold.

World Cup memories

USA '94 Opening Ceremony - Martin

By American standards, it wasn't a great opening ceremony, though the icing on the cake was Diana Ross' appearance. She danced and skipped down the pitch to take a penalty. She ran up to the ball, hoofed it well wide, and then the goalposts inexplicably collapsed. Classic. To give her credit, she redeemed herself years later by appearing in a Pizza advert with Darius Vassell.

France '98, Holland v Argentina - Phil

Classic group game in which Dennis Bergkamp at the peak of his career gets sent a ball from practically his own half into the six-yard box. One touch, I think, to bring it down, and inside the defender, and then he smashed it in the top left corner.

Germany '06, Argentina v Serbia - Martin

I remember watching Match of the Day for this one. Alan Hansen and co led us through every single move of Argentina's 26 pass goal when they beat Serbia 6-0. I mostly remember the lovely back heel in the box before Esteban Cambiasso finished the move, banging it in the back of the net.

Italia '90, West Germany v Argentina - Phil

This was a classic moment, I think it must have inspired a generation to try out stunts like this. Jurgen Klinsmann picked the ball up far out on the right. He took a run towards the defender, but didn't even give him the chance to foul or tackle him. Before you knew it, Klinsmann arches his back as if it's his swansong and follows it up with three or four high speed G-Force rolls, plants his shoulder for the final twist of the knife and dies on the spot.

Italia '90, England v Belgium - Phil

I think Bryan Robson was injured in a previous match which gave David Platt a chance to come off the bench. In the final minute of extra-time the ball came in from a free-kick, it seemed to float over Platt's head and he did one of those almost perfect volleys. The ones that you saw Mark Hughes do. I always remember Lineker's face to the bench when they all hit the deck for a celebratory pile on. Sheer excitement.

Italia'90, Holland v Germany - Martin

The Dutch had won the 1988 European Championships, which increased the usual tension and animosity between these two sides. In one act of filth Frank Rijkaard gobbed phlegm in Rudi Voller's curly mullet, where it remained entangled. Gross.

France '98, USA v Iran - Martin

Politics and religion don't mix well in football. When Iran and the USA were drawn together in the group stages, more than a few eyebrows were raised. People feared the worst, and it was thought the game would not be allowed to go ahead. But on with the show! Peace! Love! Harmony! Goals from Hamid Estili and Mehdi Mahdavikia secured victory for the Islamic state over their arch enemy.

Spain '82, West Germany v France - Phil

In a scene reminiscent of personal injuries gained via diving headfirst off a 15ft PA stack, Patrick Battiston suffered at the hands (or bum) of Harold 'Tony' Schumacher. Schumacher ignored the fact that Battiston had played the ball past him, bulldozing the striker with his bum and leaving him unconscious with two front teeth missing. Michel Platini thought he was dead as did Nobby upon seeing me.

Austria and Switzerland '06, Graham Poll - Martin

Graham Poll, England's best referee, was picked for the 2006 World Cup. He was even tipped for the final. He had an awful game refereeing the Australia versus Croatia match, sending innocent people off, allowing offside goals and not awarding blatant penalties. His biggest gaffe was giving three yellow cards to Josip Simunic. He was sent home red faced.

USA '94, Argentina v Nigeria - Phil

Maradona scores a goal and runs to the TV Camera. It was a bit like looking through the perspex glass at the animal sanctuary. On the strength of this performance and the size of his pupils he was subsequently found to have enhanced himself with something like mephadrone.

Quick-fire round

World Cup winners?
Argentina Top scorer?
Messi Dark horses?
Chile How far can England go?
All the way Gazza or Rooney?
Gazza, because he used to train wearing bin liners to lose weight. Pele or Maradona?
Maradona. We were old enough to see him live in action, cheating, and being incredible. Three Lions or World in Motion?
World in Motion. It's a great New Order song, even without the ending and the Barnes Rap. Will Becks be missed?
His dead balls and crosses will be missed, but when we see Lennon whizzing down the wing, with his hand cocked like a teapot, we'll stop lamenting Becks. Pub or the couch?
You can't beat a pub atmosphere. It's frightening Club support?
I (Martin) support Man United and Bury, and Phil supports Shrewsbury. For info on the band's live dates in May click here.