Ten things we loved about the 2010 World Cup

Article by James

Was it really just five days ago that we sat slurping beer as Howard Webb pulled his yellow card out for the umpteenth time in that Holland v Spain Planet Cup battle? I guess it was…But prior to we forget all about the final month, all people targets, all these moments of controversy, and all these vuvuzelas, I thought we ought to get a seem at the top ten items that we cherished about this World Cup…

1.Spain – The European champions proved they’ve got the talent to get on and beat the entire world. There had been expectations on them to complete, and in spite of the early setback versus Switzerland, they managed to elevate their sport and carry on all the way to the ultimate. Viva Espana!

two.Goal content Germany – The Germans surprised every person by…not currently being typically German! What a revelation – three games exactly where they hit 4 objectives, which includes individuals matches against England and Argentina, plus the new young gamers that look to be paving the way for a new German team – Muller, Ozil and Schweinsteiger (still only 25) specially.

3.North Korea – Despite the threats of world domination from their president, I feel North Korea played really effectively in their opening match in opposition to Brazil, even grabbing a goal in a hard fought 2-one defeat. Would have been fascinating if somehow South Korea and North Korea ended up meeting each and every other…

4.Paul the Octopus – Our favourite eight-legged football predictions guru. The Consensus ought to start taking suggestions from this man!

five.France and Italy acquiring knocked out at the group stage – There’s practically nothing like seeing former planet leaders being pressured to eat humble pie. Some might argue that France actually shouldn’t have been in South Africa anyway, right after the Thierry Henry handball in the play off with Ireland, even though Italy just seem to be to have aged beyond belief and perhaps want a new era to come in and get over.

six.Diego Maradona – The greater than life Diego Maradona. What can you say about him that hasn’t been mentioned ahead of. We cherished his suits, and his passion on the sidelines, as it would seem did the SArgentine FA who are set to offer him a new agreement. Will we see him at Brazil 2014?

7.Keisuke Honda, David Villa and Landon Donovan – 3 players that we cherished at this Entire world Cup. Japan’s Honda had some wonderful moments of ability, Villa proved his target-scoring qualities and just why Barcelona have splashed the cash on him, although Donovan carried the USA almost single-handedly into the 2nd spherical with difficult function and a by no means-say-die frame of mind.

eight.Jo’bulani balls – The official Planet Cup ball and its new grip ‘n’ groove technology was certainly a aspect in some of the much more nuts goalkeeping errors at this World Cup. Not certain several goalkeepers cherished it, but I think it brought an further aspect of unpredictability into some of the matches, which is never a undesirable thing…

nine.Christiano Ronaldo fluffing it – The man is unquestionably gifted, but there’s a thing gratifying about seeing him lose and observing that surly face get even surlier. He’ll be back again at the next Globe Cup, so he’ll have other days to shine on the globe stage.

ten.The men and women of South Africa – There was a whole lot of speak about the chance of hosting this World Cup in a nation supposedly rampant with crime, but hey, I believe everyone has been delighted with the enthusiasm shown by the men and women of South Africa and the way they took to the matches (fears of matches getting played ahead of 50 percent-complete stadiums proved unfounded). And yes, I think we can excuse them for introducing the world to the vuvuzela.

About the Writer

James is the footie-mad Brit over at hunchers.com, who writes all about the Premier League, the Champions League, and now, whilst it’s very hot, all the newest transfer rumours. Hunchers.com is a quick developing sports prediction community – get on more than there to show you know a factor or two about sports!