We have reached the end of another major international tournament, and it has been full of great goals, memorable matches, and a good insight into how South Africa will host the big one in 12 months time. Brazil may have been the overall champion (of champions), but these awards will go more in-depth, showing the overachievers, big losers, and vuvuzelas…
TEAMS
Best Team Award: BRAZIL – A near-obvious choice considering that they won the tournament, but they also won with immense style, and won the fair play award. A near-perfect tournament for the South Americans.
South Korea Award for the Surprise Package: USA – Taking away their opening two opening games, the USA went on a huge turnaround, dispatching Egypt 3-0 to qualify for the semis, where they comfortably beat Spain, then a 2-0 lead over Brazil in the final saw them on the verge of history. Brazil thought otherwise, and despite the heartbreak, the Americans did their country proud.
Underachievers ‘Award’: ITALY – World Champions, scraped victory over the USA, beaten by Egypt, thrashed by Brazil, knocked out in the group stage. Enough said.
Samba Award for exciting Football: BRAZIL – The famous South American side showed all their traditional flair in this tournament, being stopped only by South Africa (for 89 minutes) and USA (for 45). The Selacao broke through when it mattered, though…
Pure dullness Award: IRAQ – You would have expected a defensive approach from Iraq, but their negativity was surreal. No goals in 3 games, and even New Zealand seemed more attack-minded…
Game of the Tournament: BRA 4-3 EGY – An amazing game, and one that saw seven goals, a dubious penalty decision, and Egypt announcing themselves to the world. A thrilling open-ended match which set the standard for the rest of the competition.
Also Nominated: ESP 5-0 NZL, ITA 0-1 EGY, USA 3-0 EGY, BRA 3-2 USA
PLAYERS
Player of the Tournament: Clint Dempsey, USA – Kaka may have been FIFA’s choice, but the Fulham midfielder scored vital goals to help the Americans on their course and let the midfield with a huge amount of passion alongside Bradley and Donovan.
Also Nominated: Kaka (BRA), Michael Bradley (USA), Steven Pienaar (RSA), Tim Howard (USA), Essad El-Harady (EGY)
Goal of the Tournament: Guiseppe Rossi (ITA) (Goal 1 v USA) – The Italians didn’t have much to shout about this summer, but the three brilliant goals that they scored against USA turned the game around, with two of them being scored by New Jersey-born Rossi, the first being a 30-yard scramer with his left foot.
Also Nominated: Kaka (BRA) (Goal 1 v EGY), Guiseppe Rossi (ITA) (Goal 2 v USA), Dani Guiza (ESP) (Goal 2 v RSA), Katlego Mphela (RSA) (Goal 2 v ESP), Luis Fabiano (BRA) (Goal 1 v USA)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Essad El-Harady (EGY) – A close call between him and Tim Howard, in fact all of the first-choice keepers on show had at least one good performance, but El-Harady’s performance against Italy really stuck out, with several world-class saves to deny the world champions.
Also Nominated: Tim Howard (USA), Iker Casillias (ESP), Mohammed Gassid (IRQ), Julio Cesar (BRA), Glen Moss (NZL)
MOMENTS
The “Please just stop” Award for constant irritation: The Vuvuzelas – A so-called tradition in South Africa, you could not escape the din of these plastic horns, even when the Bafana Bafana are not playing, due to the large number of locals in the crowds. They appear to have no connection with the game and are always out of tune, but it is considered the norm in African football, and as pointed out by pundits and dignitaries alike, we will have to learn to adapt to it, and try to embrace its uniqueness. Xabi Alonso is still not convinced.
Something Said Award: Sepp Blatter’s Speech - The FIFA President adressed the crowd at Ellis Park befor the opening game, and it seemed as though the usually calm and held back Swiss man completley lost control of his emotions, excitedly proclaiming to the crowd “Your time has come”, before referring to them as his “Brothers and Sisters”, to a stunned and mixed reaction. At least he is passionate about this whole ordeal…
Also Nominated: Steve Wilson in RSA v ESP commentary (“If the USA qualify tomorrow I’ll eat my hat!”), Commentary after USA v EGY (“Forget [list of famous American books, characters, ect]… This is American fiction at its finest!!!”)
I hope you enjoyed this insight into what has been a fantastic tournament, and a great advert for attacking football. Only 343 days until the big one…
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