In 1988, 750 teams took part in the Gothia Cup, which also saw the welcome return of Tahuichi from Bolivia. But perhaps the biggest development was on the entertainment side, with the arrangers taking over the city’s big exhibition hall for the week and creating the very popular Gothia Disco, which attracted 6,000 youngsters every evening. This year’s tournament also presented the first ever Gothia Cup match between Russia and USA. The Russians had entered their team in the wrong class and were a size too small for the Americans, but the press had a field day. They also reported on a bad-tempered match between an Italian team and a Norwegian side, which ended with the two teams spending the evening together, grilling sausages. A rather unwelcome visitor was a gigantic rainstorm, which emptied 95mm. on Gothenburg in one day – the biggest amount since 1876!
In the youngest boys’ class, UDI Guyana took the Gothia Cup. Totally unknown back in Venezuela, this first European cup victory brought out both radio and TV to welcome them on their homecoming. How did it go for Tahuichi? They won, of course.
