Gromit in ‘hand of god’ World Cup moment
The world cup is almost upon us, and everyone’s favourite animated dog Gromit is getting read in his own way with a TV commercial based on a classic moment from the World Cup’s history.
Every English football fan of a certain age remembers the 1986 football World Cup in Mexico, where England were valiant all the way to the Quarter Finals, before going down to Argentina 2-1. One of the goals was regarded as the greatest goal in World Cup history, where Diego Maradona skipped past the entire England team before slotting the ball past a despairing Peter Shilton. The second goal however is remembered for very contrasting reasons. The second goal, again ‘scored’ by Maradona, saw the little Argentine jump above Peter Shilton and punch the ball into the net. Everyone saw it, the crowd, the commentators, the viewers at home (and now you in the picture below) except for the referee.
That goal cost England a place in the semi final, and will never be forgotten or forgiven. Now, some 24 years later, Wallace and Gromit have recreated the moment for the latest Npower TV ad – where Gromit races to catch a wayward pie at a football match, before punching the ball into the open the goal.
The original Maradona goal was dubbed the ‘hand of god’ and Gromit’s, naturally, is the ‘hand of dog’.
The ad is the first in support of England’s official bid to host the 2018 World Cup, and is revealed on the day that England’s 2010 World Cup squad is announced.
Kevin Peake, from Npower, commented:
We believe a successful bid to stage the Fifa World Cup in England would be fantastic for the country and particularly for Britain’s businesses. Wallace and Gromit illustrate, in their fun and endearing way, how hosting the Fifa World Cup in 2018 could also benefit businesses’ revenue.
You can watch the advert here.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92agrwltBy8]
