4. Uruguay
La Celeste surprised the world. Diego Forlan, their talismanic captain, went home with the Golden Ball – the award for the tournament’s best player – an accolade he attributed to the efforts of his team. A lot of thanks must go to Luis Suarez: the Ajax striker’s game-saving goal-line hand-ball against Ghana, gave Uruguay the chance to progress provided they were able to navigate a penalty shoot-out – a task they managed with comparative ease. A 3-2 loss to Holland sounds closer than it was, but even though they spent large portions of the game without the ball, the Uruguayans looked more dangerous in front of goal, but lacked the final touch Suarez might have given them had he not been serving a suspension for said hand-ball. They returned home heroes and justly so. Coming form a nation of only 4 million and boasting less pro footballers than England has postmen, Uruguay should not have been able to best giants like England, Argentina, Brazil, Italy and France. But they did. And it was awesome. And I love them. And I hope they win in 2014. Forlan is my hero. That is all.
3. Germany
By far and away the most exciting team of the tournament. Losing to Spain in the Semi-finals really – for want of a better word – sucked. They battered Australia. They destroyed England. They humiliated Argentina. In those three games alone they scored 12 goals –four more than Spain scored in the entire tournament. Germany were an inspiration – a word that has possibly been overused when attempting to describe this team of talented youngsters, but it is no less applicable for its ubiquity. Germany have shown the storied teams they beat a thing or two about organisation, team selection and unity. England should mirror Germany by placing their faith in youth. That said, the Germans are always good whether their average age be 25 or 45. They are just world class, and they deserved their bronze medal, maybe more.
2. Netherlands
Finding Uruguay waiting for them in the Semi-finals must have seemed like a dream scenario. Prior to the tournament they could have been facing England or France – much more daunting prospects (on paper). They won the game 3-2, continuing their superb run in the competition that saw them win every contest but the one that mattered most. Losing to Spain in a bitterly violent display was a low point for a Dutch side that has enjoyed little but success over the past few months. Had they rolled past Spain in the same electrifying style that saw them dispatch Brazil and, before them, Slovakia, they would have been crowned worthy champions and praised for their unblemished stroll to victory. As it is they return home with silver medals, heavy hearts and facing an uncertain future. The Euros should be this team’s last chance to snare silverware before an influx of younger players is needed to fill the gaps left by departing veterans. Coach Bert has his work cut out to restore the battered confidence of the Oranje before they take to the field once more.
1. Spain
The champions scored a record low 8 goals en-route to their first world title and looked machine-like throughout. They did not play the kind of football people tune in to watch, but they did what was important – they won. Their passing game was stuttering but present for the most part, but their finishing was woeful. Villa was unduly praised for his 5 goals. In all honesty he should have bagged twice as many, and the goals he got were almost all unmissable tap-ins and stuffy efforts. The defence, however, was world class. Spain conceded just two goals throughout the competition – both in the group stages while they were clearly suffering from that brutal one hour’s jetlag. With a relatively young side, Spain are the favourites to win the Euros in 2012 and possibly even repeat their World Cup triumph two years later in Brazil. Hopefully next time around, the defending champions will play with more abandon now that they’ve finally got the monkey off their back and put Spain’s name on the honours list. Congratulations to coach and team for a solid march to victory. The team, if not their play, deserved the crown entirely.
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