Right back at the start of this world cup I predicted Italk would win. Admittedly they haven't been the best team, and probably haven't deserved it, but it seems my prediction has one through. Maybe it is the 12 year rule (reach the final every 12 years, win it every 24), or more likely facing up to the adversity they face at home with the corruption scandal. Either way, Italy are the world champions.
In memory of a great tournament I have come up with a few questions that summarise it quite nicely. Feel free to answer them yourselves, no doubt everyone will have different answers, especially as mine are quite biased towards England (no surprise there).
1) Best Player
There have been no stars this world cup, many of those predicted to shine were highly disappointing. Today Zidane was named player of the tournament, but I have to disagree. Up until his moment of madness maybe he was, but for his overall display Cannavaro, the Italian captain deserves the award as by far the best defender in the world, and the outstanding performer of the tournament.
2) Worst Player
This is far more difficult, as there have been SO MANY underachievers, especially amongst the forwards. Ronaldo, Toni, Pauleta, Lampard all have a claim for this award after strings of poor performances, as does the other Ronaldo for his cheating ways. However the stand out candidate for me is Totti, who was crap from start to finish despite being billed as the Italians best player. His only achievement was that dodgy penalty against Australia, and he won his place in the team for that.
3) Best team
I guess I ought to say Italy, after all they did win it. Also the germans won many fans with their attacking style. However for entertainment and the spirit of an outsider I have to go for Ghana. They played magnificently to get out of a tough group and threaten Brazil despite a 3-0 loss. I remain a fan of the African nations, as their passion and style of play is fabulous to watch, and here's hoping in their own continent next time they can do even better.
4) Worst team
Again, many candidates as so many teams underperformed. Brazil had a shocking start, as did France for that matter. Spain underperformed as usual, and the Czech Republic and England were blighted by a severe striker shortage. And of course Serbia and Montenegro finished last due to their drubbing by Argentina. However I have to go with Portugal, despite reaching the semi finals, for their endless cheating and diving throughout the tournament (and I don't just mean the Rooney incident). I went in to the tournament liking them as an outside bet, and come out of it hating their style of play and many of their players. They have won no fans this tournament, and indeed lost many.
5) Best goal
Everyone keeps going on about that Argentina goal, but I am going to go with the volley from Joe Cole. That has to be one of the best strikes from distance in World Cup history.
6) Best match
For comebacks it has to be the Australia match against Japan, coming back to win 3-1 in the dying minutes. For drama, the Germany-Italy semi final and that amazing finish in injury time. For craziness, Portugal-Holland and the insane referee. But for sheer quality I'm going to go for Argentina-Mexico, which was brilliant from start to finish, and won by a brilliant goal.
7) Worst match
Easy: Ukraine-Switzerland, enough said
8) Most memorable moment
There are so many moments in any World Cup, and this is no different. The wink from Ronaldo (yep, I'm still going on about it), the crazy Portugal- Holland match, with all those bookings, the winning penalty from Italy, or South Korea having their national anthem played twice against Togo. However the madness of Zidane last night saddly surpassed them all, and i fear he will forever be remembered as a great player who lost his head in the world cup final, adn possiblt cost his nation the championship.
So thats it, another 4 years to wait before the drama starts again The greatest show on Earth comes to an end with many changes to the game; the Germans being popular, the Portugese hated, the referees worse than ever before, and also much the same; Spain underachieving, and the hopes of England dashed by a penalty shootout.
