So, yeah, the World Cup has ended. Some hated it. I enjoyed it. Of course, I took into account that no even can realistically live up to the hype as “the greatest and most entertaining” sporting event on Earth. Still, from the fluid counter-attacking Germans to the patient passing Iberians, this tournament was light years ahead of the catenaccio Italians and plodding French of 2006. Yes, Zizou was amazing in the outrounds of that tournament. No, that did not redeem the other 31 teams or other games.
But enough of that, onto links and classic videos from South Africa 2010.
The final was not particularly memorable but for the dirty Dutch and Iniesta’s wonderful strike in injury time. Here is that strike again…
The only thing sharper and more brilliant than that sweeping Spanish attack was Nick Dunmore’s satire of the latest incarnation of Dutch Football, known simple as “Total Bastard Football.” You must read it. Here.
Brook at DirtyTackle has done an admirable job of aggregating every single amusing celebration-video-gone awry. The first is what happens when you combine Germans’ two loves: fast cars and celebrating their national team’s success on the international stage.
I assure you no Kraftwerks were injured in the filming of that video. Conversely, Spain celebrated their first title in style, with Pepe “Reigning King of Mirth” Reina a bit tipsy on the team’s bus after too much sangria.
Pepe Reina’s antics began several hours earlier, though, where he led a drunken conga line in the airplane that carried the Spaniards home.
Does anybody else find it odd that he is so excited to have won a title? After all, Liverpool finished a respectable semi-finalist in the Europa league and have a new manager. I hope he does not expend all this “title celebratory energy” too early on and not have enough gas in the tank come next May.
The Tournament’s Best Player, Diego Forlan, showed a samuraiesque mastery of the jabulani. While others complained about the shape, size, and flight of the new ball, Forlan spun miracles with his right foot. His first goal of the tournament, against South Africa, defied gravity, aerodynamics, and your lowly expectations of Uruguay.
Forlan was not done there – in the quarterfinals against Ghana, his spinless free kick fooled the keeper, finding the far corner and even fooling one of the cameramen. (Please ignore the commentator)
But, ahem, he similarly was not done. With his charrua compatriots overmatched by the mighty Dutch, Forlan’s fearsome left foot let go from distance, again fooling the keeper and keeping the match close.
I know what you’re thinking – yeah, this guy has a cannon of a shot, but where’s the touch, the timing, the grace, the balance? Is he just lugging a rocket launcher around the field? Nein. Just ask the Germans…
Wow. Shades of Zizou? Yes. Granted, the third place game is not as grand a stage as the Champions League final, and it was on Forlan’s favored right foot, but the bouncing was beyond fantastic. For you Spanglish speakers, the proper term would be “picadita.”
So there you have it – drunken Spaniards and dancing Uruguayans, the World Cup summed up in a handful of Youtube videos as you get ready for the European transfer rumor mill and a boring August. Hasta luego…
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