The highs and lows of the 2010 World Cup

The World Cup is over for another four years and football fans are now left with just the scraps of transfer gossip and pre-season friendlies to feed off until competitive football once again resumes in a month’s time. As the players and fans head home from South Africa and as millions around the world try to work out what to do with their evenings in the absence of live football, here are The Football Blog’s highs and lows of the 2010 World Cup.

Best game
There weren’t too many memorable games to choose from, although Slovakia hammering the final nail in the Italian coffin with a 3-2 defeat of the holders got the pulses racing, as did the Keisuke Honda inspired 3-1 victory for Japan over Denmark and the German’s 4-0 demolition of Argentina. Maybe it’s because there was an element of care free abandon after their semi-final exits, but the highlight was in fact Germany’s 3-2 victory over Uruguay in the 3^rd place play-off game which excited all the way up to when Diego Forlan smashed his free kick against the crossbar with the final kick of the game.  

Worst game
A few to choose from: the goalless encounter between Uruguay and France in the second game of the tournament, the dour 1-0 victory for Slovenia over Algeria, England’s inept performance against the Algerians, and, surprisingly, Brazil vs Portugal were all instantly forgettable encounters. The questionable accolade probably has to go to the mind numbing 0-0 last 16 encounter between Japan and Paraguay however, if only because we were forced to endure 30 minutes more courtesy of extra time. A decent penalty shoot out almost rescued it, but most spectators had nodded off by that stage.

Most disappointing team
On the face of it, France and Italy, the finalists in 2006, deserve to share this award given the woeful performances which saw them head home after the group stage. However, their capitulation was perhaps more laughable than pathetic. England deserve a mention at this stage, as do Brazil whose second half implosion against the Netherlands was as spectacular as it was sorry. The prize has to go to Argentina however; Diego Maradona’s men got everybody excited with some scintilating displays before rather meekly throwing in the towel against the Germans.

Surprise package
Chile played with an innovative attacking formation before ultimately falling to Brazil, Slovenia were a whisker away from qualifying from Group C before Landon Donovan rescued the USA, whilst Paraguay were good value for their quarter-final place and may have gone through if it weren’t for a missed penalty. However, praise has to reserved for Ghana and the style of play which got them to the quarter-finals, as well as Uruguay who outperformed their more illustrious South American rivals and reestablished their nation’s footballing credentials on the world stage.

Player of the tournament
FIFA’s official award went to Diego Forlan and it’s difficult to ignore the part he played in the Uruguayan’s surge to the semi-finals. Wesley Sneijder recreated his Inter Milan form on the international stage, Asamoah Gyan led from the front for Ghana, whilst Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil produced mature performances beyond their years in the German midfield. However, David Villa’s goals were crucial in Spain’s triumph, especially with Fernando Torres so out of form, and he demonstrated why Barcelona have parted with €40 million for his services.

Best goal
The BBC have neatly packaged up their top 10 and there is no denying there are some belters in there, despite the tendancy to balloon the lightweight Jabulani to row Z with every shot. Siphiwe Tshabalala’s tournament opener was a classy effort and sent the host nation into raptures, Carlos Tevez’s strike against Mexico was sublime, whilst Carles Puyol’s bullet header in the semi-final knocked the wind out of Germany’s sails. The winner has to be Giovanni Van Bronckhurst however, whose thunderbolt from wide left against Uruguay set the Netherlands on the way to the final and was executed with amazing power and accuracy

TV coverage highlights
Both the BBC and ITV transpired to produce coverage of the tournament which was much hyped but ultimately lacked quality. There were a few redeeming features however; the Dutch imports of Clarence Seedorf (BBC) and Edgar Davids (ITV) offered a refreshingly un-cliched perspective and Roy Hodgson was both insightful and articulate during his short stint on the BBC. Gary Lineker continued to look assured in the anchor role on the, whilst Mick McCarthy’s no nonsense co-commentary was as amusing as it was accurate. 

TV coverage lowlights
Too many to choose from. On the BBC, Emmanuel Adebayor was virtually indecipherable much of the time, Alan Shearer seemed incapable of independent thought, whilst Guy Mowbray and Mark Lawrenson spent the tournament bickering in the commentary box. ITV hardly endeared themselves to viewers by missing England’s opening goal, Peter Drury continued to frustrate with persitent hyberbole, their coverage of the Ghana vs Uruguay game was somewhat biased, whilst some of Kevin Keegan’s comments made you wonder how he ever found success in management.

Team of the tournament
Casillas (Spain); Maicon (Brazil), Friedrich (Germany), Lugano (Uruguay), Coentrao (Portugal); Schweinsteiger (Germany), Xavi (Spain); Muller (Germany) Sneijder (Holland), Villa (Spain); Forlan (Uruguay).

So as the sound of the vuvuzelas dies down, what are you abiding memories of the tournament? Who, or what, stood out for you? What lessons will FIFA have learned ahead of the 2014 tournament in Brazil? As ever, let us know your thoughts.

July 13, 2010