Today, the World Cup Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin remembers 21 years ago when Brazil won the trophy over Italy.
The Sonora, California Union Democrat printed an article describing the scene at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl on July 17, 1994:
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Pasadena (AP) —Brazil’s players drew into a circle and held a brief prayer of thanks for their victory.
That was one of the few quiet moments at yesterday’s World Cup final.
Shortly after the prayer, the Brazilians were in the stands, dancing to the beat of samba drums.
Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira beamed and gleefully held up the World Cup trophy for fans to touch.
His players, who defeated Italy 3-2 in penalty kicks after playing to a scoreless tie, each kissed the World Cup championship trophy, held it skyward, then passed it down the line to a teammate for the same ritual.
Three biplanes circles overhead, each spewing a smoke stream of one of Brazil’s colors. A wing-walker on one of the planes waved a green, gold and blue flag.
As fireworks filled the air, in the stands a few bikini-clad fans danced to the sound of samba drums.
The 72-year-old Rose Bowl had never seen the like.
Although the flavor was distinctly Brazilian, the game drew soccer fans from around the globe, and the merely curious from nearby.
“Man, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Marvin Adamson said as he wandered about and watched with fascination outside the stadium just before kickoff.
“There are all sorts of people from all over the world. I’ve heard more different languages than I’ve heard in my whole life. I’ve been to a lot of sports, but nothing like this.”
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The World Cup Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin shows against a mid-20th century view of the Rose Bowl stadium.
