On RTE, the lads started out in rich old form as they anticipated a match that Chippy Brady predicted would be "a hell for leather classic". Gilesy confirmed that he "would agree with that" and, for a brief and unforgettable moment, a tangible air of bonhomie filled the studio.
Just three pals shooting the breeze about the beautiful game. Heartening to behold. But, before you could say "Kevin Keegan", the atmosphere changed irrevocably, mutiny replacing harmony and all for Bill's fatal weakness for trivia.
If the lads were to analyse the turning point they would be well advised to examine Gilesey's description of the celebrated Bergkamp goal and to "hold it there" (the phrase seems almost poignant now). "I never get tired of seeing this," sighed Gilesey, all misty eyed and wistful as he inhaled leisurely as though about to deliver soccer's equivalent of the Gettysburg Address.
At this stage, Bill - an undeniably congenial host - leaned forward and, with a grin that made you fear for the worst, informed Ireland - smack on the cusp of Gilesey's deliverance - that Paddy Power was taking bets on how often Ronaldo's girlfriend Suzanne would be shown on the screen.
"I hope it's plenty of times," offered Chippy gleefully, suppressing the urge to throw Bill a knowing wink. "I'll go for 10," he declared. "And I hope we have something better to talk about before the next game," lamented Gilesey. Twenty minutes into the match and you felt that the French producers were giving serious debate to the possibility of turning the camera on Suzanne permanently. The play was less than scintillating; minds began to wander.
"Unless I've gone crackers . . oh, I thought . . Denilson was on there for a moment, but, eh, he isn't," stuttered Brian Moore over on ITV. "Well, you've not gone crackers, Brian," soothed Big Ron. Dubious assurance, given the source. It's a pity they don't allow Big Ron to comment from the studio because it isn't difficult to imagine him watching the games with a ludicrous pair of shades, a Malcolm Allisonesque fur and a big hoor of a Cuban cigar clenched between two gold rings.
"You don't go to sleep on him," he informed nobody in particular as Ronaldo skipped through for the first goal. "That's a world class striker. What's that phrase you use, Brian?" he shouted. "Ehh, snooze and you lose," revealed Mooro sheepishly.
As the second-half ebbed away, the tempo began to match the scale of the occasion. Big Ron was ready to marvel. "That's unbelievable - how many times was that, 18?" he gasped as Denilson - now happily on the field - lollypoped in front of the Dutch goal.
Extra time and the action swayed beguilingly from side to side. Early on, half the world must have held their breath as Frank de Boer glanced a ball from his own line. For an instant, you could see the reasoning behind the perverted golden goal creation.
Brazil's Emerson entered the cauldron and tried for glory with a long distance shot which corresponded with the general World Cup philosophy on lengthy strikes; `take your points and the goals will come'. And naturally, they came with the penalties. "There's got to be a fall guy here," pointed out Brian Moore before asking Glenn Hoddle and Ruud Gullit if it was an advantage to go first. "Depends if you score," they replied sagely with a guffaw.
Cocu and Ronald De Boer signed for the David Batty Distraught Men's Club. On RTE, Jim Beglin observed that Ronald De Boer had - inadvisedly - opted for the `Aldridge shuffle'. In studio, Giles admitted that he had felt the Dutch would profit from spot-kicks. "A case of another prediction bites the dust?" smiled Bill.
But Johnny was smiling again; by opting for Brazil to win, he'd broken a streak of unfortunate calls which dated back to the days when Japan and the USA were potential winners. All was well again. And there wasn't even one shot of Suzanne. It's a funny old game.
