Here is a list of my Winners and Losers from the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
WINNER- SPAIN
Underachievers at the World Cup, they have finally achieved the ultimate prize. Were not at their best in this tournament and the Euro 2008 campaign was a much better performance.
Were let down by a misfiring Torres and even though they only scored 8 goals in 7 matches, a new record low for a winning team, this wasn’t won in the same manner as how Greece won its European championship in 2004.
LOSER – THE NETHERLANDS
They aren’t losers because they actually lost or because they played a more pragmatic style of football, they are losers for the way they conducted themselves in the final. Thuggish is the best description.
WINNER- SOUTH AFRICA
The fact that this country could host the tournament, just 16 years after the end of apartheid, is a testament to the people of South Africa. Although one wonders how much they will end up paying for it.
LOSER – ENGLAND
Every World Cup since 1966, the English go on about how they will win it, but every World Cup ends in dismal failure. Unfortunately it wont stop them from thinking that they can win another World Cup one day. They won’t. Honorable mentions for Italy and France, as well.
LOSER- THE FINAL
The most spiteful final since 1990. The Dutch should have been down to nine men at half time. Spain were no band camp leaders either. The constant diving, and complaining, led by Iniesta,made the Italians look like amateurs. Referee Howard Webb needed to stamp his authority on the game early but was too soft. Dreadful game.
WINNER – THIRD/FOURTH PLAYOFF
Derided as the game no one wants to play, but the third/fourth playoff once again proved to be the better match than the final. It shows how good football can be played when there is no pressure for a result.
LOSER- NIKE’s “WRITE THE FUTURE” STARS
After producing one of the best TV ads in sport, the Nike “Write the Future” ad will be remembered more for the failures of the players who heavily featured in it. The ad should have showed these guys holidaying on a beach somewhere, because that’s how the future ended up for them at this tournament.
LOSER – AUSTRALIA’s WORLD CUP BID
Fighting allegations of improper behavior, at a time when they need to be promoting the bid to FIFA delegates in South Africa, was not a good look.
WINNER – USA’s WORLD CUP BID
Record TV ratings for soccer and exposure made this the first World Cup that the Americans actually cared about. Add to the growing popularity of soccer in the USA, the best stadia and infrastructure in the world and it would be a brave man to bet against the USA grabbing the 2022 edition.
LOSER – CRAIG FOSTER
The fact that Craig Foster holds the title of “Chief football Analyst” tells me that no other person in Australia must know anything about football. His tirade against Pim Verbeek was the most amateur piece of TV I have ever witnessed. Another shout out for Les Murray for thinking this tournament was the best one ever. I mean really?? At least his colleague Jesse Fink got it right.
WINNER – SANTO SAM & ED’S CUP FEVER
The only SBS World Cup Coverage that was actually worth watching. The funniest show of the year and hopefully these guys do something football related in the future.
WINNER- THE MAKERS OF THE VUVUZUELA
They must have made a fortune. They were everywhere.
LOSER – THE PEOPLE WHO HAD TO LISTEN TO THEM
Can’t wait for 2014, as drums and samba music take centre stage.
WINNER – PAUL THE OCTOPUS
So popular that they had live coverage of his predictions on TV and he did get all the Germany games correct plus the final itself. Punters would have had a field day if they followed his tips. Would love to see him get the chance to predict the next federal election. In fact just let him decide to save us the time and effort.
LOSER- FIFA
Every World Cup, FIFA, sometimes unfairly, face criticisms about the referees, the ball, and just about everything else in between. This World Cup, however, the complaints were justified. From the ball to the state of the fields, the refereeing standard to the many empty seats,this World Cup had a lot of poor aspects about it. None more so than after claiming that goal line technology would never be introduced into football, were made to announce, in an embarrassing backdown, that it will be re-introduced in some form or another.
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