Team of the 2010 Fifa world cup

So having got 13 out of my 23 predictions correct during the world cup I'll now look back and say who I feel were the team of the tournament. Playing a 4-5-1 formation here goes:

Goalkeeper - Iker Casillas
The Real Madrid goalkeeper and Spain captain showed in the final, when it mattered most, why he is the best goalkeeper on the planet. From his penalty save against Chile, his clean sheet against the dangerous Germany and to his string of match-winning saves in the final he is an easy choice for the goalkeeping position.

Right Back - Sergio Ramos
The Real Madrid defender had a great world cup and was a constant threat going forward while he also proved dangerous in the air. Spain only conceded two goals in the tournament and he certainly contributed to that.

Centre Backs - Carlos Puyol and Diego Lugano
These two stalwards helped their team to achieve great things in the world cup. Puyol scored a fine goal against Germany to put them through while Lugano's presence at the back was one of the reason's Uruguay made it to the semi finals.

Left Back - Phillip Lahm
Although Phillip Lahm didn't really play at left back, he gets the nod for some outstanding displays and for great leadership. Many questioned the decision to make him captain before the first game but few will be questioning it now.

Right Midfield - Thomas Mueller
What can you say about this 20 year old that's not been said already. He scored 5 goals and had 3 assists which helped him claim the golden boot and best young player award at the world cup. He also works very hard for the team and it was no coincidence that Germany looked a lot less potent on attack when he missed the semi final against Spain.

Centre Midfield - Bastian Schweinsteiger and Wesley Sneijder
Xavi always dictated the tempo for Spain, but I think the two players I picked had phenomenal tournaments and deserve credit for that. Schweini was always considered a wide man, but he ran things from the centre and totally dismantled Argentina's midfield. He was good on the ball, solid defensively and energetic as always and for that he had to be selected. Sneijder on the other hand scored crucial goals for Holland and one could not imagine the Dutch being in the final had it not been for him.

Left Midfield - Andres Iniesta
The man who scored the winning goal in the final deserves to be in the team simply because of that finish. But he did so much more than that and ultimately he enhanced his reputation even further with some fine displays.

Attacking Midfield - Mesut Ozil
The young German superstar announced himself to the world at this tournament with some outstanding displays. He was able to make great runs, pick a pass and score a winner in the crucial match against Ghana. Many have said what a joy he is to watch and I certainly can't disagree with that. A player with good technique who is sure to join a top club in the near future.

Striker - Diego Forlan
The worthy winner of the golden ball. Forlan scored 5 fantastic goals and showed why he is such a top marksmen. He proved to the world that there wasn't anything wrong with the Jabulani ball when he scored four of his five goals from outside the box.

Casillas
Ramos Lugano Puyol Lahm
Mueller Schweinsteiger Sneijder Iniesta
Ozil
Forlan

World Cup 2010 Review

So the world cup has come and gone and now its my time to look back on what was a spectacular world cup. From security, to atmosphere, to transport, to the vibe and football it was a very well organised event that as a South African one can only be proud of. Speaking from experience, having gone to four world cup games, it was an absolutely awesome experience. Yes the football itself could have been better but what we did see was that the smaller nations held their own against the so called bigger names. Apart from one or two results, few matches turned out the way many expected. Certain teams enhanced their reputation such as Germany, Ghana, Uruguay while other teams went from so called world cup contenders to being sent home early. Those sides included Italy, England and of course France. The vuvuzela's, the ball and the lack of full stadiums for certain matches were big talking points but ultimately when you see people like Alan Hansen say this world cup in terms of atmosphere was the best ever, and you see goals such as Giovanni Van Bronkhorst and Carlos Tevez from long range then surely those former mentioned things are not as big of a concern as made out to be. As for the ticketing, FIFA got it wrong. They deliberately kept tickets back in the hope of selling the more expensive tickets first and that ended seeing people who waited in queues not to get tickets even though they wanted to, so hence it was not empty due to lack of demand but rather because FIFA tried to sell tickets when they wanted to and eventually people either could not afford the tickets or they went to watch it at the fan parks. Trust me, I have never seen as many females and youngsters into the World Cup as I did this year. The whole country embraced the world cup and for that it will always be one of, if not the greatest FIFA world cups ever!

My World Cup quarter final predictions

With the World Cup reaching the quarter final stages today I thought I'd give my predictions for the four matches. Having got 11 of the 16 2nd round teams correct, lets hope I can keep up a good ratio.
Brazil - Netherlands. This has to go to Brazil. They have looked in good form throughout the tournament and seem to have the most complete team in the tournament. Holland are a good side, don't get me wrong, but I just cannot see them beating the mighty Brazil today. For Holland to win, they will need Robben, Van Persie and Sneijder to dictate things, but with the Brazilian defence having kept two clean sheets recently I think the guys dictating things are going to be Kaka, Felipe Melo and Gilberto Silva.

Ghana - Uruguay. For me this may prove the tightest of matches and may even go to penalties, but I think the pressure will tell for Ghana and that Uruguay will go through from this match. They have defended well this tournament and Luis Suarez seems to be hitting form at the right time. I'd like to be proven wrong though, for I'll be supporting Ghana in this match.

Germany - Argentina. What a match in prospect. Ozil vs Messi. Klose vs Higuan. Khedira vs Mascherano. Mueller vs Tevez. Its going to be a fascinating match. Matches like this are usually defined but one moment and just like Diego Maradona in 1986, I think this will be the defining moment for Lionel Messi. He has yet to score in the tournament so I'm going for him to break his duck and for Argentina to go through.

Paraguay - Spain. This will prove to be straight forward for the silky Spanish. They'll have too much quality and ultimately a mouth watering match in the semi's with Argentina may await.