8. Paraguay
If you’d asked the Paraguayans pre-tournament whether or not they’d have taken an eighth place finish, I figure the response would have been a resounding; ‘yes!’ These boys – their frontline headed by Manchester City’s Santa Cruz – have done extremely well, and lost out on a place in the Semi-finals to eventual champions Spain. They had a chance to win to, but missed a penalty that would have put them one up. Spain too missed a pen in that match, but as they in football, momentum is king. Who knows what would have happened had they slotted one past Spain captain, Iker Casillas? They topped a group that contained the disappointing champions from four years ago, Italy. Their efforts have seen them climb the FIFA world rankings and, with a decent infrastructure in place, they should be back next time; playing in more familiar climes in Brazil.
7. Ghana
This team became a favourite of the neutrals. Personally, I wanted the Uruguayans to beat them in the Quarters (which they did), but that’s only because I’m a fan of repeat victories and the pool of World Champions being kept to a select few. I feel I am likely in the majority here, but I believe African football has a long way to go – despite the immense strides it’s taken in the last decade – before the teams are really taken seriously enough to make the possibility of an African nation actually winning the World Cup in any way digestible. Ghana will feel as if they were robbed: in a manner of speaking, they were. Suarez’ handball will go down in history as an infamous an incident as Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’. But Ghana had chances- chances they didn’t take. They will be back and better than ever in 2014. Watch out for the Black Stars: if they continue to progress at the same right, playing them in 2014 might very well be like stepping into a Black Hole…
6. Brazil
Brazil lost 2-1 to the runners-up. They had a one goal lead and looked strong after a first half they should’ve exited 3 to the good. And then they fell apart. Many touted this Brazil team as the champions elect. I never saw it, and must admit I am glad they lost when they did. Contradictorily to my earlier suggestion that repeat winners suit my preference, Brazil’s increasingly boring march to victory has irked me more than any other team’s success. There’s something thoroughly lacklustre about the Brazil teams of late. They have a lot, perhaps too much, to live up to. Sure, they will probably win a couple more World Cups in my life time – maybe even on home soil in four years time – but will any be as romantic as Spain’s triumph or France’s romp to the podium in ’98? Probably not.
5. Argentina
Fancied by many as the team to beat, Maradona’s poorly organised clutch of superstars fell to bits when it mattered. Unceremoniously booted-out of the competition by a German side who made a name for themselves by exceeding everyone’s expectations, not least their own, Argentina were left looking a bit stupid. They must be getting sick of such talent going to waste, but for a nation who lives and dies on the back of passionate, unpredictable characters fuelled by desire and aggression, they can expect little more. 2014 is a real opportunity for the Argentineans, but they need a solid coach and a stable routine if they are to make the most of playing on what is very nearly home territory. Watch out in 2014 – Messi will be at his prime and the next generation will be in full flow.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
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