PLAYER NUMBER 10

I’ve been so busy watching football haven’t had time to breath nevermind blog, and now as I still back and look at this incredible tournament there are a few talking points.

First the successes, Spain – well many expected the Spanish to break their jinx and progress all the way to the final, which they have done however they have not been as convincing or as overpowering as expected. But an excellent performance in the semis and the fact that they’ve been so unbeatable over the last 3 years makes them the favourites for the Cup

The Netherlands – in one of my last blogs I wrote about how Real have egg on their face for spending fortune for former World footballers of the year Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo and flogging off Robben and Sneijder – who then led their teams to the Champions League finals .. well lets rub it in further shall we?? … I have little doubt if the Dutch are successful on Sunday Wesley Sneijder will be player of the tournament and New World footballer of the year .. Robben is another candidate and after both men scored in the semi well lets says thats enough said. Eternal Fan favourites ”the Oranje” are one game away from becoming Legends.

Both these teams have promised much in the past and failed to deliver with the Dutch failing at the last hurdle twice before and the Spaniards having a world cup record that was even surpassed by South Korea and Cameroon .. time to correct these injustices .. whose time has FINALLY COME??

Germany – ok so they fell at the semifinal stage again they are the most consitant nation over the last 3 editions playing 1 final and 2 semis .. The best organised and prepared team in the competition outdone by Spains Experience and well Brilliance, this breed of young talents are definitely giving the German fans hope for the future and something to smile about!

Ghana – the same can be said here these youngsters are worth keeping an eye on, and with the well publicised fact that they won the u-20 version of this competition in Egypt, Brazil 2014 is going to be a perfect time for these players to improve on Africa’s quarter-final bogey!

Uruguay and Paraguay – Listed together as both outdid themselves even though arguably had easy games to progress through, they did top their groups and weren’t out done by the bigger South American teams Brazil and Argentina.

And now the failures

The aforementioned Brazil and Argentina made the quarters and reaching this stage playing good football can not be deemed a failure, although expectations weren’t met I think they did enough to avoid the wrath of my blog these are less lucky:

England – lucky lucky lucky to get through the group stage with only 1 win and a 1-0 at that, they CRASHED out haplessly and although that legit goal was disallowed even if it was given and the game complexion changed, I would never of seen them progress past the Germans. Steven Gerrard’s destiny filled captaincy always had a hint of “not the real captain” and for me this and his personal form hindered Englands performances. Too much pressure on all the big names and no one lived up to it.

Portugal – an impressive 7-0 thumping of minnows North Korea but not 1 other goal in the tournament to speak off … BORING and very unimpressive!

Nigeria and Cameroon – Awful Nigeria unforgivingly lost to Greece after take the early lead, and Cameroon well were outplayed in every game not collecting a point. These are not the powerhouses of Africa they once were .. how did Egypt miss out??

And the biggest flops of the tournament will be fought out against last tournaments finalists

The off the field debacle which pushed on to the field has convinced me to not give them the worse title, runner-ups again France – Domenech’s time should have been long up and it proved to be their down fall, 1 point collected in the first game and Malouda scoring their only world cup goal in their final game against hosts South Africa were their highlights.

But the winner Italy. – another old dog with no new tricks Lippi, now the reason they win ahead of France despite getting 2 points, is the fact that the FIGC ignored all warnings and continued to protect Lippi and he’s crazy choices. The confed cup and a 3-0 battering to Brazil and a loss to Egypt should have had on his way – surely then the FIGC should have said if we carry on like this we won’t win 2010 .. and that MUST’VE been an objective? Or was the primary objective give Lippi all the faith in the world and pray? From winning to ending last in a group with Paraguay, Slovakia and NEW ZEALAND!!! Complete and utter failure.