Why this was the best World Cup EVER

By Beth Neil in 2010 World Cup Blog

Published 23:00 11/07/10

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They said the stadiums wouldn’t be ready. They said violent crime would overshadow the tournament.

And even the football’s been derided as being dull and too defensive. But South Africa 2010 is possibly the best World Cup EVER. And here’s why:

Madiba

Nelson Mandela missed the opening ceremony after the tragic death of his 13-year-old great-granddaughter Zenani in a car crash, and at 92 he’s not in the best of health, but the presence of the world’s most famous - and admired - man made the World Cup final a truly unforgettable event.

Paul the psychic octopus

He may be almost 6,000 miles way from South Africa in an aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany but thanks to his incredible fortune telling skills, the eight-legged sea creature became a football star.

Having bombed in the tournament, the Italians grasped at straws and claimed Paul is actually Paolo and caught in Italian waters. Argentina’s fans went ballistic when he foretold of their defeat in the quarter finals and threatened to turn him into an octopus stew. But Paul simply refused to be intimidated. And when Mani the psychic Parakeet gave him a late run for his money, he remained unfazed. Atta boy!

Top 10 things you need to know about World Cup star Paul the Psychic Octopus  

Vuvuzelas

We tolerated them, then we hated them, then we laughed at them and we eventually learned to love them. Almost. The constant drone of the vuvus has come to characterise the unique atmosphere South Africa 2010. Just don’t bring them over to the Premier League, eh?

The mood inside the grounds and out was euphoric, friendly and carnival as the Rainbow nation welcomed the world by hosting the biggest party on earth. Best of all NO crowd trouble.

No WAGs

How lovely to wake up to reports of ACTUAL GAMES rather than sloshed up professional girlfriends dancing on nightclub tables, spending extortionate amounts of money on designer clothes and getting their acrylic nails done. Yes the WAGs steered clear this time round. Well, until the game against Germany that is. And we all know what happened there – go figure.

The Germans

Fantastic to watch, their fast flowing football was as stylish as it was clinical. They demolished Australia, England (sob) and Argentina, knocking four goals past each team. We now, officially, love the Germans.

And if uber cool manager Joachim Lowe and his lucky jumper ever fancy a change of career, there’s surely a man-band with a place going spare. Best haircut of the tournament, hands down. But the question remains - was it his own?

Maradona

He might be a coke-snorting, hand-balling, debt-ridden recovering alcoholic. But the world has fallen in love with Diego Maradona all over again. His touchline histrionic, patrolling the pitch like a barrel in a cheap suit, were a joy. His pre and post match press conferences the soundbite-packed stuff journalists dream about.

On his enthusiastic embraces with the players: “No! I like women! I’m dating Veronica. She is 31. She is blonde. She is very pretty! Don’t start rumours about me. I may have my weaknesses towards some of my players, but that’s normal.” The guy’s mad. But he’s a genius. And never dull.

It’s (not) criminal

Dire predictions foreign fans would fall victim to violence, muggings and murder proved largely unfounded. In fact, crime overall in South Africa has fallen over the last four weeks due largely to the increased police presence on the streets.

Pavlos Joseph

The man who stumbled into the England dressing room post Algeria while looking for the loo. As a naked Joe Cole sauntered past him, Londoner Pav decided to take advantage of his extraordinary circumstances and confronted the squad and David Beckham. “You are a disgrace,” he told them, accurately.

But the South African officials didn’t appreciate his intervention and he soon found himself arrested, charged with trespassing and packed off home.

The ball

The poor old Jabulani - surely the biggest scapegoat of the entire tournament. Whingeing Capello, Maradona and French goalie Hugo Lloris have claimed its lightweight design made it difficult to control and affected its flight. The problem - it was too round! But FIFA insist it’s here to stay. Which is bad news for Rob Green.

England’s early exit

Yes, we were rubbish - and so deservedly went home with our tales between our legs.

But, but, but, England’s early bath meant we could enjoy the rest of the competition without the agony, without the pain, without the threat of a penalty shoot-out looming large. Well, one we cared too much about anyway. We could marvel at the predatory David Villa without the fear of ever having to defend against him. We could admire the skill and grit of the Netherlands, knowing we’d never have to face them.

And Frank Lampard got to cavort around Sardinia with Christine Bleakley, so everyone’s a winner, really.

Goal line technology

This World Cup could prove to be pivotal in whole the future of the game.

Fair enough, Germany were too good for the English and even if the ref had spotted Frank Lampard’s strike was a mile over the line, it’s unlikely that Capello’s men would have romped home to victory.

However, that incident and Carlos Tevez’s clearly offside goal for Argentina against Mexico on the same day, has lead to renewed calls – perhaps louder than ever before – for technology to be introduced.

A new winner

Neither Holland nor Spain have ever won the World Cup, so last night’s final was always going to give us a World Cup winning debutante. Which is nice.

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