In the late 80s some publication made soccer predictions for the next decade. Among them were the Netherlands beating the Soviet Union in the final of the 1990 World Cup, the US advancing to the quarterfinals of the 1994 World Cup before losing to the eventual champions the Soviet Union, Romania winning Euro96, a new team called North Star being formed in France and signing Jean Pierre Papin, Marco van Basten winning seven Ballon d'Ors, geographic considerations being scrapped for the 1998 World Cup qualification and as such Italy losing to Gambia and not qualifying, and France defeating Germany in continuous time (meaning playing until someone scores regardless of how long it takes) 5-4 in the 1998 World Cup Final with Papin scoring the winner.
"My parents, brother, and I left Iran in 1980, shortly after the revolution. After a brief stay in Italy, we packed all our belongings once again and headed west to the exotic and the unknown: Vancouver. We had recently been accepted as landed immigrants, meaning Canada graciously opened its doors and we gratefully accepted; we arrived at Vancouver International Airport on my 10th birthday, three suitcases and one sewing machine in tow. After respectful but intense questioning at immigration, we were dropped off at a hotel on Robson Street, which was then still a couple years shy of becoming the fashionable tourist hub it is today. We were jetlagged, culture shocked, and hungry, so that first night, my father and brother courageously ventured out into the wild in search of provisions. I fell asleep before they returned. The next morning, I woke up at 5 a.m. and ravenously feasted on a cold Quarter Pounder with cheese and limp French fries that had been left by my beds...

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