I suppose that being an England fan it was very easy to lose interest in the tournament really early as it became clear within about thirty minutes that we had absolutely no chance what so ever.
Before looking at the tournament as a whole, I would just like to congratulate Germany and Uruguay for putting on an excellent third place play-off game last night. Both teams did their country proud and it was probably just about right that the exciting young German team picked up third place.
Lover
Putting my personal bitter disappointment behind I have tried to watch the tournament as a lover of the game, hoping to see some good football and hoping that the teams that play the game the way I think it should be played getting the success they deserve.
The ‘lesser’ teams such as North Korea, Honduras, New Zealand and, dare I say it, South Africa, all had their moments to cherish but were ultimately found out and dismissed from the tournament as we all knew they would be.
Limp
Some big names, particularly France and Italy the 2006 World Cup finalists, bit the dust in the group stages and others, like England, just about managed to limp through to the round of sixteen.
Early defeats for Germany and Spain were a shock but nothing more than a temporary blip.
As for the African teams, I’m afraid only Ghana showed any real promise but they did show a lot and the likes of Asamoah Gyan and Kevin Prince-Boateng were a revelation.
Favourites
As we reached the round of sixteen we all thought that Argentina and Brazil were the favourites and that with Uruguay also looking good, it was going to be a South American World Cup.
The round before the quarter-finals saw England humiliated by Germany with the help of FIFA’s previous refusal to consider the use of technology. Uruguay got a last gasp win over South Korea and Ghana won an epic battle over the USA to knock them out for the second World Cup in a row.
Ease
Argentina eased past Mexico with ominous ease, Brazil beat Chile without breaking into a sweat and Holland edged past Slovakia. With Paraguay beating Japan on penalties and Spain beating a horribly defensive Portugal the quarter-final line-up was complete.
Holland came from behind to shock Brazil and all of a sudden, they were looking like a decent bet for the title. Uruguay beat Ghana on penalties after the excellent Gyan missed a penalty that would have made Ghana the first ever semi-finalists with the last kick of the game.
Thumping
Germany followed up their thumping of England with a remarkable thumping of Argentina and now it was them who looked to be the favourites. Spain won again, edging out Paraguay with a late goal and still not quite looking like European champions.
The semi-finals saw Holland take on Uruguay and Spain play Germany in a repeat of the Euro 2008 final. Holland and Uruguay was a good game but Holland ended the South American interest in the tournament with a fairly clinical performance. A late Uruguay goal made the score 3-2 but that was really nothing more than a consolation.
Enough
The other semi-final was totally dominated by Spain who showed England and Argentina that Germany were not actually the best team in the world. Despite having nearly two-thirds of the possession they could only manage one goal, but it was enough.
So now we have a Spain against Holland final and two teams who believe in passing and moving and trying to open up the opposition with free-flowing clever football have made it to the last game. I am pleased that they have. It should be a good game although both sides will undoubtedly be a little cagey.
Feast
I’m not sure whether this World Cup has been a particularly good one or not really, but it has been a whole lot better than having to watch cricket and tennis all Summer!
I think a lot will depend on how the final goes. If it is a feast of football then I think the tournament will be remembered fondly.
Before I say what I am next going to say, I would like to send a heartfelt apology to Spaniards everywhere.
I’m certain that Spain will be adding the World crown to the European one they already hold.
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