Gary Hamilton-Irvine: Nothing beats the thrill of World Cup

Siphiwe Tshabalala celebrates after scoring during the Group A match between his side, South Africa, and Mexico at Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, to kick off the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa. Photo/File

I remember the opening game like it was yesterday.

Well, parts of it anyway. It was one of my final years at university and all the flatmates had played a big Xbox tournament (Fifa 2010) the night before.

Later that night, during some early hour, we all rose to watch the opening game of the 2010 Fifa World Cup between hosts South Africa and Mexico.

A player by the name of Siphiwe Tshabalala, who the world did not know only hours before, scored a screamer to open the tournament.

That goal set the tone for the rest of the competition and put Tshabalala on top of the world. I don't think I'll ever forget that goal.

It might sound cheesy, but the World Cup is full of big moments like that.

Nations' hopes and dreams fall or spring to life and history is written for many football-crazy countries.

And the fans? We just soak it up.

Next Friday it starts all over again, during the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

I made sure this year I booked two weeks off work, to watch the main chunk of games.

Honestly, I can not wait.

I've already bought a World Cup jersey (Ivory Coast, Didier Drogba jersey) and have been looking up anything World Cup-related.

Who do I think will win, you may ask?

Still not sure but, as a Chelsea man, I'm going with Brazil (we have lots of them).