Skip to main content

Empty

So there it is.... they think it's all over... it is now... Back to life, impending parenthood and the like. Back to talking to the wife about more than the passing carousel.

A pointless game turned out to be one of the games of the tournament, very entertaining, and in Diego Forlan, you have no complaints about the man winning the golden ball. His endless energy and creative impact just not quite enough to get past the Germans, who did admittedly approach the game a little bit like a kick about, but after the war of attrition over the last month, 2 teams not bothering to really try to defend properly, was quite refreshing.

Probably most telling in his clinching of the player of the tournament award was the fact Forlan was not involved in one of the worst finals of all time.

I feel cheated. What was supposed to be the greatest show on earth turned out to be on a par with Leeds v Millwall. Clearly, I'm not delusional enough to expect a 5-4 ageless classic, but what I didn't expect was the Dutch to watch Wimbledon games from the '80's on the team coach to the ground. That can be the only explanation for their all out assault on the Spanish pass masters. De Jong's kung fu kick one of the worst fouls I have seen for years.....

Sadly, this tactic totally worked too.... Spain were kicked out of their stride and got tetchy themselves, harassing the poor Howard Webb who was trying to retain order with increasing ineffectiveness.

Thankfully, the football gods won through, the best team in the world won the cup. But I can't help feeling they won it because they are best in the world, but not that they showed it in this tournament - a misfiring Torres contributing to the least number of goals scored by a world cup winner. They just happened to be the only team who tried to play football.

So that's it. Well done Spain... a fully fit Torres could have put a different gloss on things, but he was not alone in the superstars not showing up this summer...... and after all said and done, thanks to Gazza for bizarrely providing the highlight of world cup final weekend...

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Arriving late at the far post...........

Well, out from behind a rock I come. Like Batman responding to the spotlight over Gotham, the sight of Alexi Lalas relaxing on ESPN's swanky new World Cup set spouting 'knowledge' of the beautiful game immediately triggered me into action. A personal excitement for me is the returning punditry on this side of the pond of one Roberto Martinez. 4 years ago, I listened to this polite young man with light enthusiasm....now I find myself hanging onto every word from Bobby Brown Shoes. A supremely classy guy, just hoping for the "and Neymar is close to signing, which is phenonemal (Bobby's most used word - quite impressive for a Spanish native) " Sooo, what have I missed so far (Brazil own goal aside).... - Roy Hodgson in old man sunglasses - An amazing lack of planning from team England organizing a friendly in Florida at 5pm in June and being surprised as a thunderstorm - Scapegoating of a key England player (Rooney) before a ball is kicked in anger - Overplay

Never give up (unless you are Brazil)

I'm sat watching the world's most meaningless football match, the World Cup 3rd place playoff - two teams who just want to go home, forced instead to play out a dead rubber. Even the Community Shield had more meaning. This time around, however, we have the morbid excitement and voyeurism of watching Brazil's very public meltdown. They are an object lesson in falling apart once things start to go against them, like the Newcastle of international football. As things stand they are two goals down and there's no chance I'm switching off as they could easily fold and become a laughing stock, just as they could suddenly find form and claw things back. Tomorrow sees the final and a surprising amount of people rooting for Germany, probably because they look the best team by some margin. I'm gunning for Argentina (a) because I'd win £50 if they win (b) because I predicted on this blog that they'd win and (c) because I want to see Messi lift that trophy. He's

Prediction time

Two great games today - a real South American affair. I really like Chile (and have money on them to get to the semi finals), but I was hoping they'd avoid Brazil at this stage. Almost an England v Germany mental block  - Brazil has beaten them every time they've met in the finals.  Think Chile will score, but a nervy (maybe even needing extra time) Brazil to win 2-1. As for the second game, 2-0 Colombia against the siege mentality of the Uruguayans. Feeling bad for the lunatic who likes to eat people doesn't detract from the fact they were undone by Costa. Rica when last without Chewy Luis. Liking the look of Colombia - could be a cracking quarter final vs Brazil