Two mornings later..... Review on FIFA World Cup 2010

Before the start of the 1994 world cup in the USA (I was a 11 yr old kid then, still well initiated into the sports crazy world) I happened to see the official FIFA video of the 86 version. Yes the same one where Footballing devotees, the world over got a new God named Diego.It was a fantastic video and showed exactly how exhilarating and mindblowing this once-in-four-years event can be.With players of the calibre of Platini, Ruminegge, Socrates and the would be God himself setting the grass in the fields of Mexico on fire the fans certainly got what they waited for with bated breath. 16 years have past and after following the next 5 world cups religiously(to my peril, be it a school or college going kid or an office going guy, the costs of such late night vigils are huge, I can see most of you nodding at that) I still can't take that video off my mind.

Before the start of the just concluded version in the Rainbow Nation, all the talk was basically centered on the obscenely earning glam boys(Rooney, Messi, Ronaldo, Kaka, Henry, Drogba) and how they are going to shape history.What happened to their reputations is quite well documented by now and it would be fair to say that the next version in Brazil will see a renewed attempt from these guys(Henry might not be around at that time probably).Time and again it has been proven that the pressures and tactics involved in donning the national coloursat the World cup finals is quite a lot different than scoring goals at will against oppositions in the European Leagues.Not everybody is a Zidane or a Ronaldo(the bald headed goal machine from Brazil), you see.

History repeats itself, quite an overused term, isn't it?Came absolutely true for the Germans though.Akin to their fate in 2006 they finished third again.I felt they had the best team in the tournament and deserved nothing less than the trophy.The massacres they carried out on England and Argentina will be remembered for long especially the later where the much fancied Argentines were looking lost for most of the time.Even their match against Uruguay was more worthy of a final than the final which we saw.It will be safe to say that it is the Germans who dazzled the most in the tournament much as they did four years later.

Another German (British born though) hogged all the headlines as well although being thousands of miles away and being enclosed in a box filled with water.

Wasn't much of a shock though with what happened to France and Italy.France were uninspiring to say the least and the Italians, well simply ran out of luck, the single biggest factor in their victory in 2006.Portugal and England both had good teams capable of further advancing more than they actually ended up doing.England Can't keep on ranting about that Lampard goal which was disallowed as the Germans just steamrolled them anyways.The English have to realize that it's a well organized team that wins world cups not a bunch of pin-up stars.

The Africans did their bit with Ghana advancing till the quarters and the hosts performing well.Much was expected of Ivory Coast but people should realize that they were pitted in the same group as Brazil and Portugal.The Asians though were a huge let down with not a single worthy performance, a far cry from their earth shattering achievements in 2006.

The thundering goals from Forlan were the real highlight of the tournament.8 years earlier he scored a similar beauty at Korea and was lapped up by Man United.He was the single most influential factor in his side doing so well and quite deservedly won the Golden Ball.Hence forth it will be safe to say forget about Beckham, foot it like Forlan(doesn't quite rhyme like the Gurinder Chaddha movie title, whatever...)

For a guy who has watched the Brazillians with awe for so many years, I was very disappointed with the current side.Gone are the super skilled Ronaldos, Rivaldos, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinhos.The current lot simply doesn't measure up.I am sure they will come up with something a lot better in 2014.After all it will be their home soil.I am sure they still remain as the true global footballing favourite.What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear someone say Brazil????

That brings us to the finalsits.Both had been perennial under achievers, more so the Spanish who despite of boasting the best league in the world had a quarter final finish to show as their best effort at the biggest stage.The Dutch were hoping to be third time lucky.Although they had some fantastic results especially the one against Brazil and their lucky escape in the Semis.On the final night however, they simply lost it.8 Yellow cards, I mean what the ...., Dutch were never a good Rugby side.They were deservedly second best on that day.Although Players like Schneider, Kuyt and Robben have had a fantastic tournament and they have done thier reputations no harm at all.They have to carry the tag of "the best nation not have won the cup" for some more time, I suppose.They did come very close this time, though and they were my favorites for the final.

Unlike England.most of the Spanishstars did come to the party, especially Cassilas, Villa, Puyol andFabregas.For most of the Spanish stars including their Coach Del Bosque who have won every other accolade in the footballing world this must be the end of a frustrating long wait.They were hardworking, sometimes dazzling as well and did stick to their tactics even though they had a very rough start.Ole Espana, you deserve it.

So how is this world cup going to be remembered.Besides being South Africa's great success against all odds and Shakira's new hip shaking number , this will be remembered for Paul, the eight legged Oracle, the refereeing blunders that shook two nations in one night, the super dud performances by the stars.But hey there was that Van Bronkhost goal in the semi final.That for me was a moment of true magic.Remember the free kick of Ronaldinho against England in 2002.