No, I haven't come late to the George Bush re-election party. I'm merely lamenting the fact that it'll be four more years until the return of the greatest show on Earth. It's been a thoroughly enjoyable, if curious, four weeks of football. The play was far more open and exciting than it was four years ago, but far fewer goals were scored - thanks in no small part to a cagey second round of matches, and an inordinate number of goalless draws. Having said that, a lot of those supposedly boring draws offered up some real excitement, not least in the match between Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago. What a story that was - tiny Trinidad and Tobago (hey look, it's alliteration!) taking a point off goal-shy Sweden.
Unlike the tournament in Japan and Korea, there weren't any real surprises in the group stage. Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Netherlands, England, Brazil and France all qualified, even if the latter three failed to convince along the way. Some of the tournament's most memorable moments came early on - Phillip Lahm and Torsten Frings setting the hosts on their way; Ivan Kaviedes's "Spider-Man" tribute to a teammate who passed away last year, Argentina's spectacular destruction of Serbia and Montenegro (including that breathtaking goal from Esteban Cambiasso); the magnificent football played by the Ivorians, who really should have gone further than they did; Ghana's qualification from Group E in their first ever World Cup, and others that I cannot recall at this moment.
From the second round onwards, it was the story of two legends - Figo and Zidane - contriving to turn back the clock and spur their respective teams toward the ultimate goal. Both ultimately failed, but not for lack of trying, either from them or their equally illustrious teammates. It was a joy to watch them play, completely free of whatever had shackled them in the past. Ultimately, neither of them were destined to lift the trophy above their heads, but their imprint on this World Cup will not be forgotten, whatever the reason. In Figo's case, our final memory of him as an international footballer will be a quick shimmy and a cross to set up Nuno Gomes' goal in the third place playoff. Unfortunately for Zidane, he may be remembered more for that headbutt on Materazzi than for what had preceded it. If that is indeed the case, it would be immensely unfair on a player so vastly gifted and - barring one or two indiscretions - so calm on the field.
In the final analysis, the Italians came up trumps. Champions of the World for the fourth time. While they successfully broke the 3964 trend once and for all, they inadvertently created a template from which subsequent Italian teams can plan their World Cup campaigns. Firstly, Italy need only send a team to the World Cup every twelve years, as that is the frequency with which they have made the final since 1970. Secondly, all major Italian clubs are henceforth advised to fix matches and pay off referees every twelve years. It happened in 1982, and it has happened in 2006. If you're a believer, that's all you have to do.
The awards - I cannot understand the voting system behind some of them. For instance, how can Lukas Podolski be the best young player at the tournament? I'm not doubting his class, but there were at least three players who played better than him - Cristiano Ronaldo, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm. Portugal, for all their merits, were not even close to being the most entertaining team. Seven goals in seven games and a misfiring lone striker - yeah, exciting stuff. May I suggest, somewhat blasphemously, that particular award should have gone to Germany or Argentina. As for the player of the tournament - Zidane was fantastic...in the last three games. Cannavaro and Pirlo were excellent over the course of the tournament. Surely that must count for something. I'm sure they won't be too chuffed about it though. They have the most important trophy of them all. Let the countdown to South Africa begin.
Unlike the tournament in Japan and Korea, there weren't any real surprises in the group stage. Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Netherlands, England, Brazil and France all qualified, even if the latter three failed to convince along the way. Some of the tournament's most memorable moments came early on - Phillip Lahm and Torsten Frings setting the hosts on their way; Ivan Kaviedes's "Spider-Man" tribute to a teammate who passed away last year, Argentina's spectacular destruction of Serbia and Montenegro (including that breathtaking goal from Esteban Cambiasso); the magnificent football played by the Ivorians, who really should have gone further than they did; Ghana's qualification from Group E in their first ever World Cup, and others that I cannot recall at this moment.
From the second round onwards, it was the story of two legends - Figo and Zidane - contriving to turn back the clock and spur their respective teams toward the ultimate goal. Both ultimately failed, but not for lack of trying, either from them or their equally illustrious teammates. It was a joy to watch them play, completely free of whatever had shackled them in the past. Ultimately, neither of them were destined to lift the trophy above their heads, but their imprint on this World Cup will not be forgotten, whatever the reason. In Figo's case, our final memory of him as an international footballer will be a quick shimmy and a cross to set up Nuno Gomes' goal in the third place playoff. Unfortunately for Zidane, he may be remembered more for that headbutt on Materazzi than for what had preceded it. If that is indeed the case, it would be immensely unfair on a player so vastly gifted and - barring one or two indiscretions - so calm on the field.
In the final analysis, the Italians came up trumps. Champions of the World for the fourth time. While they successfully broke the 3964 trend once and for all, they inadvertently created a template from which subsequent Italian teams can plan their World Cup campaigns. Firstly, Italy need only send a team to the World Cup every twelve years, as that is the frequency with which they have made the final since 1970. Secondly, all major Italian clubs are henceforth advised to fix matches and pay off referees every twelve years. It happened in 1982, and it has happened in 2006. If you're a believer, that's all you have to do.
The awards - I cannot understand the voting system behind some of them. For instance, how can Lukas Podolski be the best young player at the tournament? I'm not doubting his class, but there were at least three players who played better than him - Cristiano Ronaldo, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm. Portugal, for all their merits, were not even close to being the most entertaining team. Seven goals in seven games and a misfiring lone striker - yeah, exciting stuff. May I suggest, somewhat blasphemously, that particular award should have gone to Germany or Argentina. As for the player of the tournament - Zidane was fantastic...in the last three games. Cannavaro and Pirlo were excellent over the course of the tournament. Surely that must count for something. I'm sure they won't be too chuffed about it though. They have the most important trophy of them all. Let the countdown to South Africa begin.
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