World Cup Round-up: 28-25

28. Algeria
Algeria did pretty bloody well to finish fifth from bottom. Topping France will be a patriotic boost, and holding England to an embarrassing 0-0 draw will go down as one of the shocks of the tournament. And in patches the Algerians didn’t look half bad. They had some creative players – all of whom fast and lively – who really caused problems for the experienced defences they faced. They were rubbish at finding the back of the net(as everyone seemed to be) and were prone to lapses of concentration, but otherwise, a good showing for an underrate team.

27. Nigeria
One-dimensional is the description that springs to mind when looking at this team of physically excellent and skilfully lacking players. Martins is their only real attacking threat – others show promise, but have the end product of a vindaloo to show for it. Nigeria could have got out of their group (if they’d played better), but it would have been a pointless exercise. Failing to prolong the inevitable will do this young side’s humility a few favours and maybe see them progress next time around.

26. Italy
What can you say? Woefully inept at pretty much every aspect of the game. The World Cup champions of 2006 were shadows of their former selves. Having an average age of 96 probably didn’t help, but you’d have thought with that level of experience they might have managed to navigate their way through a group that sent Paraguay and Slovakia into the last sixteen. They played alright against the Slovaks, but it was too little too late, and they failed to take the necessary point off the goal-happy Easterners. They were home with Lippi’s legend tarnished and without their beloved trophy.

25. Greece
Euro 2004 champs are still crap at football. That said, they did manage to score (at last) at the World Cup finals. That’s another first for their grumpy old coach to add to his glittering resume. Greece are a team without superstars or talent. They are solid and uninspiring with their main aim to send the other team to sleep. They might have failed in that, but succeeded in sending us back home to the land of nod. Fortunately, thanks to their early exit, they too can enjoy a nice kip early doors.


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