Win Tragiek & Triomf, the book about the history of the World Cup by John Swelsen

Tragiek & Triomf is an updated and partly rewritten edition of Swelsen’s first book from 2018. The history is colorfully described and illuminated in Tragiek & Triomf using parallel events and analogies. Ranging from Il Duce en la Junta, Football as political propaganda, to the Wunder, Wende, Weltmeister about Germany’s four world titles. From Pelé and Maradona, the Kings of Azteca, to the new realism of Van Marwijk and Van Gaal and football as political propaganda part 2 at the last World Cups in Russia and Qatar.

All important countries, the greatest players, the best goals and the most spectacular matches are discussed. Swelsen also investigated various facts and tried to unmask stories that have taken on a life of their own. Such as the infamous decision by assistant referee Bachramov and colleague Espinosa about ghost goals, those of Geoff Hurst and Frank Lampard respectively. Orange is of course also discussed extensively. Although we never managed to win the World Cup. Johan Cruijff and Rinus Michels put our country on the world map with total football. Countless classics were played and in those World Cup matches Dennis Bergkamp, ​​Johan Cruijff, Robin van Persie, Arie Haan and Giovanni van Bronckhorst scored beautiful goals.

Of course, the many greats who have passed away in recent years are not missing: Diego Maradona, Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Paolo Rossi, Bobby Charlton, Mario Zagallo and Gerd Müller. The golden cup, with which Messi crowned his career at the last World Cup in Qatar, was a natural moment for Swelsen to rewrite history. The book can be ordered online via this link.

The book can be won this week via elffootball.nl.

Which player scored three times in the last World Cup final?

Send your answer to: [email protected]. Do not forget to mention your name and address.

John Swelsen
Print: Pumbo
ISBN 978-94-6481-839-0
NUR 256
434 pages
Paperback