World Cup Delights
Germany
It seems an unwritten rule of world football that the home nation should always wow its home crowd when hosting a World Cup and it seem as if Germany 2006 was no different to those before it. There was a genuine fear at the beginning that the host nation of 2006 tournament would struggle with them being ‘The worst German side ever’, the fear was perhaps even greater than that of four years ago when it was believed that Japan and Korea didn’t have the footballing muscle to compete with the best.
Proven wrong once again however, the football World was shown that it is only ever possible to write off the Germans when they are out of the competition completely. SO close to making it a dream come true in the capital Germany’s play dazzled not only German fans but the rest of the World as well. Many of the players we knew little about before the tournament have now become household names.
Down the left with Lahm and Schweinsteiger the youngsters showed a real understanding of the game and in the middle the industrious Ballack was ably backed up by Schneider, Frings and Borowski. Whether he stays or whether he goes Klinsmann has undoubtedly revolutionized this German side and some 2008 and 2010 when major tournaments come rolling round again there may be a fair bit of money staked on the Germans.
Italy
Very much like Germany the Italians were seen to be in some what of a renaissance. With all 23 players in the Italian squad hailing from Italy it was feared that the task of beating the World’s best would be too much for Italy, however by beating France in the final they showed that Spain and England may have overtaken them when it comes to domestic football but when it comes to competition and big game players, Italy are still up with the best.
When as England, Spain and Brazil could not raise themselves past the quarter finals Italy did the simple things well. They improved as the tournament went on, they scored goals and they defended well when the going got tough. Against USA and Ghana Italy looked decidedly shaky but no matter what was thrown at them, they seemed to be able to cope with it. Marshaled excellently by Cannavaro it was a breath of fresh air to see Italy shedding the stereotypical ‘boring’ and ‘defensive’ tags to entertain us with some excellent football.
The game which highlighted their strengths the greatest was their epic semi final battle with Germany. Despite being under the cosh for long periods of the game, outnumbered to a man by supporters Italy played bravely and without fear to defeat the hosts. Throughout extra time, there was no willingness to sit back and play for penalties, they wanted to win and they wanted to be in the final.
Deserving of every accolade they receive and just like Germany they proved that it is never possible to write them off in a major tournament. Adding a fourth star to their shirt and winning the final on penalties Italy were worthy World Cup winners.
Zinedine Zidane
Let’s forget his final flurry as a France player. Madness aside Zidane looked more like the player who cost Real Madrid 42.5 Million at times during this competition. Despite looking uninterested against Korea and Switzerland, something must have switched in Zidane’ head after the Togo game he was suspended from and reminded him that this really was his last time around.
Struggling for form during a poor season for Madrid, Zidane has constantly been questioned as to whether his heart was still in the game. The greatest player of our generation proved once more that his ability, desire and drive should never be questioned, not even in the gravest of circumstance. He was fantastic.
In the first two matches when Zidane looked a shadow of himself there were still inklings that if he wanted to turn it up a little bit then he could. And that is exactly what he did against Spain and Brazil. Seen for the last time were shimmy’s, dummy’s, tricks, flicks, skills and thrills, Zidane was in full fight against a young and upcoming Spanish side. Against Brazil, the man was simply untouchable. Flicking past two players in the first few minutes, Zidane was a sight to behold showing the man who could take over his role as the ‘legend’ of World Football Ronaldinho exactly what being a great player is all about.
Despite the sending off and despite the fall from grace which Zizou may now suffer from the Frenchman showed that with a ball at his feet, his class if difficult to match.
World Cup debutants
It was always going to be a tough task for several new teams to break up the European and South American domination of World Football. But the 2006 tournament may have given belief to the ‘new’ nations who braved their way through at least three matches at this tournament.
With the World Cup 2010 in Africa there is an expectancy that one of the home continent nations can do better than ever before and reach the latter stages of the competition. Whilst that prediction may be rather bold given the quality of the teams they would have to beat to do so, Africa proved it was alive and well during its three week stay in Germany. With Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa and Senegal all sitting at home watching it was a joy to watch four debutant nations but up such a good fight in their first World Cup ever.
Something which African football lacks in the supposed technical ability that other nations have because of their players who play in superior leagues but sometimes it is impossible to deny dreamers of their fairy tales and Ghana made history and many friends along the way as they pushed past Czech Republic to break up European domination. Even though Togo and the Ivory Coast didn’t make it past the first group stages they can be proud of their achievements and draw a lot from the experience they endured. Ivory Coast particularly will be one to watch out for in South Africa, if they can continue to harness the talents of the young players they have then they will be one to avoid, especially in conditions suiting their players.
Wayne Rooney’s healing process
The Wayne Rooney saga in England became a national obsession. Love or hate football it was impossible to avoid hearing about the Manchester United and England superstars broken metatarsal. In the end it wasn't to be for Rooney and England as he was sent off in their quarter final defeat but for Rooney the build up to him coming back can be something to be proud of.
With England suffering in the heat in their first game, Michael Owen struggling to find fitness and young Theo Walcott untested at this level, it was the determination of Wayne Rooney that eventually opened up Sven’s hand and made him bring on the talismanic young scouser against Trinidad.
Rooney may not have scored at the World Cup but the way in which he developed his fitness after suffering an injury which he should have been out with for six weeks was nothing short of a miracle. Suddenly when he entered the fray England were given a lift by his presence, though he looked short of fitness against Sweden when he was withdrawn much to his frustration he was back to his best against Ecuador bustling through challenges and creating havoc wherever he went. Under Steve Mcclaren the young player is sure to blossom.
The Supporters
Germany 2006 was groundbreaking in many ways, but for the first time it was a competition which actually welcomed supporters to its shores and said ‘enjoy the World Cup with us’. Usually it is a case of no ticket, no entry but Germany decided to be different and it prospered because of it.
Supporters from all 32 nations were represented naturally at the biggest sporting event of them all and because of this the carnival atmosphere was at its peak. Supporters mingling with others in towns and cities everywhere, sharing campsites, photos and a drink together whether winning of losing it was truly enjoyable to experience.
Never before may we see the likes of this in club football as rivalries run strong but International football is sure to want to continue the bond between nations as everyone embraces the game as one.
The Games
Sometimes just because the best players from the best teams from around the World are present it doesn’t necessarily mean that there is going to be some great action on show. We've all seen it in the Champions League or the Premiership, trophies, wins and prizes mean so much to people that often the spectacle is taken away from football. Germany 2006 was exactly the opposite, aside from a few drab games in the early stages each match has been packed with entertainment, skills and more importantly goals.
Football supporters are a difficult breed to satisfy and often goals mean that games contain lots of mistakes, however World Cup games were an exception, because of what was at stake it seemed to bring the best out in players and caused matches to be more open than ever before in living memory. The World Cup was a true delight for football supporters and over the next four years I'm sure most will be keeping their fingers crossed for entertainment of the highest caliber four years on.
Germany
It seems an unwritten rule of world football that the home nation should always wow its home crowd when hosting a World Cup and it seem as if Germany 2006 was no different to those before it. There was a genuine fear at the beginning that the host nation of 2006 tournament would struggle with them being ‘The worst German side ever’, the fear was perhaps even greater than that of four years ago when it was believed that Japan and Korea didn’t have the footballing muscle to compete with the best.
Proven wrong once again however, the football World was shown that it is only ever possible to write off the Germans when they are out of the competition completely. SO close to making it a dream come true in the capital Germany’s play dazzled not only German fans but the rest of the World as well. Many of the players we knew little about before the tournament have now become household names.
Down the left with Lahm and Schweinsteiger the youngsters showed a real understanding of the game and in the middle the industrious Ballack was ably backed up by Schneider, Frings and Borowski. Whether he stays or whether he goes Klinsmann has undoubtedly revolutionized this German side and some 2008 and 2010 when major tournaments come rolling round again there may be a fair bit of money staked on the Germans.
Italy
Very much like Germany the Italians were seen to be in some what of a renaissance. With all 23 players in the Italian squad hailing from Italy it was feared that the task of beating the World’s best would be too much for Italy, however by beating France in the final they showed that Spain and England may have overtaken them when it comes to domestic football but when it comes to competition and big game players, Italy are still up with the best.
When as England, Spain and Brazil could not raise themselves past the quarter finals Italy did the simple things well. They improved as the tournament went on, they scored goals and they defended well when the going got tough. Against USA and Ghana Italy looked decidedly shaky but no matter what was thrown at them, they seemed to be able to cope with it. Marshaled excellently by Cannavaro it was a breath of fresh air to see Italy shedding the stereotypical ‘boring’ and ‘defensive’ tags to entertain us with some excellent football.
The game which highlighted their strengths the greatest was their epic semi final battle with Germany. Despite being under the cosh for long periods of the game, outnumbered to a man by supporters Italy played bravely and without fear to defeat the hosts. Throughout extra time, there was no willingness to sit back and play for penalties, they wanted to win and they wanted to be in the final.
Deserving of every accolade they receive and just like Germany they proved that it is never possible to write them off in a major tournament. Adding a fourth star to their shirt and winning the final on penalties Italy were worthy World Cup winners.
Zinedine Zidane
Let’s forget his final flurry as a France player. Madness aside Zidane looked more like the player who cost Real Madrid 42.5 Million at times during this competition. Despite looking uninterested against Korea and Switzerland, something must have switched in Zidane’ head after the Togo game he was suspended from and reminded him that this really was his last time around.
Struggling for form during a poor season for Madrid, Zidane has constantly been questioned as to whether his heart was still in the game. The greatest player of our generation proved once more that his ability, desire and drive should never be questioned, not even in the gravest of circumstance. He was fantastic.
In the first two matches when Zidane looked a shadow of himself there were still inklings that if he wanted to turn it up a little bit then he could. And that is exactly what he did against Spain and Brazil. Seen for the last time were shimmy’s, dummy’s, tricks, flicks, skills and thrills, Zidane was in full fight against a young and upcoming Spanish side. Against Brazil, the man was simply untouchable. Flicking past two players in the first few minutes, Zidane was a sight to behold showing the man who could take over his role as the ‘legend’ of World Football Ronaldinho exactly what being a great player is all about.
Despite the sending off and despite the fall from grace which Zizou may now suffer from the Frenchman showed that with a ball at his feet, his class if difficult to match.
World Cup debutants
It was always going to be a tough task for several new teams to break up the European and South American domination of World Football. But the 2006 tournament may have given belief to the ‘new’ nations who braved their way through at least three matches at this tournament.
With the World Cup 2010 in Africa there is an expectancy that one of the home continent nations can do better than ever before and reach the latter stages of the competition. Whilst that prediction may be rather bold given the quality of the teams they would have to beat to do so, Africa proved it was alive and well during its three week stay in Germany. With Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa and Senegal all sitting at home watching it was a joy to watch four debutant nations but up such a good fight in their first World Cup ever.
Something which African football lacks in the supposed technical ability that other nations have because of their players who play in superior leagues but sometimes it is impossible to deny dreamers of their fairy tales and Ghana made history and many friends along the way as they pushed past Czech Republic to break up European domination. Even though Togo and the Ivory Coast didn’t make it past the first group stages they can be proud of their achievements and draw a lot from the experience they endured. Ivory Coast particularly will be one to watch out for in South Africa, if they can continue to harness the talents of the young players they have then they will be one to avoid, especially in conditions suiting their players.
Wayne Rooney’s healing process
The Wayne Rooney saga in England became a national obsession. Love or hate football it was impossible to avoid hearing about the Manchester United and England superstars broken metatarsal. In the end it wasn't to be for Rooney and England as he was sent off in their quarter final defeat but for Rooney the build up to him coming back can be something to be proud of.
With England suffering in the heat in their first game, Michael Owen struggling to find fitness and young Theo Walcott untested at this level, it was the determination of Wayne Rooney that eventually opened up Sven’s hand and made him bring on the talismanic young scouser against Trinidad.
Rooney may not have scored at the World Cup but the way in which he developed his fitness after suffering an injury which he should have been out with for six weeks was nothing short of a miracle. Suddenly when he entered the fray England were given a lift by his presence, though he looked short of fitness against Sweden when he was withdrawn much to his frustration he was back to his best against Ecuador bustling through challenges and creating havoc wherever he went. Under Steve Mcclaren the young player is sure to blossom.
The Supporters
Germany 2006 was groundbreaking in many ways, but for the first time it was a competition which actually welcomed supporters to its shores and said ‘enjoy the World Cup with us’. Usually it is a case of no ticket, no entry but Germany decided to be different and it prospered because of it.
Supporters from all 32 nations were represented naturally at the biggest sporting event of them all and because of this the carnival atmosphere was at its peak. Supporters mingling with others in towns and cities everywhere, sharing campsites, photos and a drink together whether winning of losing it was truly enjoyable to experience.
Never before may we see the likes of this in club football as rivalries run strong but International football is sure to want to continue the bond between nations as everyone embraces the game as one.
The Games
Sometimes just because the best players from the best teams from around the World are present it doesn’t necessarily mean that there is going to be some great action on show. We've all seen it in the Champions League or the Premiership, trophies, wins and prizes mean so much to people that often the spectacle is taken away from football. Germany 2006 was exactly the opposite, aside from a few drab games in the early stages each match has been packed with entertainment, skills and more importantly goals.
Football supporters are a difficult breed to satisfy and often goals mean that games contain lots of mistakes, however World Cup games were an exception, because of what was at stake it seemed to bring the best out in players and caused matches to be more open than ever before in living memory. The World Cup was a true delight for football supporters and over the next four years I'm sure most will be keeping their fingers crossed for entertainment of the highest caliber four years on.