It's captivated people across the world for the past month and, for those lucky enough to have been there, the memories are unforgettable.

Some of Bermuda's football hierarchy were among the thousands privileged to be in the stands at some of the 2002 FIFA World Cup's most riveting games - Senegal's opening 1-0 shocker against France, the USA's 3-2 dismissal of Portugal and the Brazil-Turkey clash in which Rivaldo feigned being struck in the face.

For president of Bermuda Football Association, Larry Mussenden, the experience was one of the highlights of his life and he's already looking ahead to Germany which stages the next World Cup in 2006.

"I definitely recommend it to any football fan. I am going to invite people to start planning now for Germany in four years' time. Whether I am president or not, I'll be going," he declared.

Mussenden, the BFA's General Secretary David Sabir and Second Vice-President Robert Calderon represented the local association at the FIFA Congress before attending a few first-round matches.

Mussenden was almost lost for words as he reflected on the opening encounter between defending champions, France, and first-timers, Senegal.

"The atmosphere was tense and electrifying throughout the entire game. You would have had to be there. When the whistle blew for the end of the game the stadium erupted and everybody, expect the French of course, was celebrating.

"We had about a 10 minute walk from back to our bus and the entire way was a mass of partying Senegalese with other nationalities joining in. There were drummers. There were Africans from many different countries just jumping and celebrating and David, Robert and I were right in the middle of it. It was huge.

"The really fun part about that evening was that Senegal were staying in our hotel and, when we got back, the atmosphere there was unbelievable. Everybody was excited and greeting the Senegal players and it was a wonderful experience to be part of that. It was a total buzz and the players were saying it was a dream come true for them to beat France."

Portugal's defeat by the Americans was equally stunning, said the BFA head, particularly with the USA scoring within four minutes of the start.

"I was shocked, especially when the USA scored their first goal. That was a stunner. I was sitting up there with my Portugal hat on. We were supporting Portugal since there is a large Portuguese population here in Bermuda but there were still some mixed emotions because the USA is a CONCACAF team," noted Mussenden.

Like many football enthusiasts across the world, he admitted that had someone told him before the World Cup that France, Portugal and Argentina would have been booted out in the first round and that Italy would be ousted in the second round, he would have dismissed their predictions.

"I would definitely have sent them back to the drawing board," said Mussenden, chuckling.

The surprises in this year's tournament, he reasoned, showed football was truly becoming a much more global sport which he believed was a plus for the game. "I am always an optimist and I go for the underdog. I am glad that a wider group of countries got to the quarter-finals. The difference in ability among countries is narrowing as more players get into the professional ranks.

"It seems they have been able to take that professional experience back to their respective countries when they play for their national teams. That's something Bermuda can take heart from and maybe getting to the World Cup is something we will be able to accomplish in the not too distant future."

While Mussenden was hoping Senegal would have been in the finals, he still has a soft spot for Brazil who gave an awesome display of skill in their first-round 2-1 victory over Turkey whom they will again oppose today for a place in Sunday's final.

"Watching Brazil was most entertaining. You didn't want the game to end. They showed a lot of skill. The person I enjoyed watching the most was Denilson. He gets the ball and off he goes. He says `I've got the ball, you come and get it from me'.

"The World Cup was a fantastic experience - the organisation, the matches, the whole atmosphere - and I am grateful I had the opportunity to be there," said the president.