Spain are better at football than everybody else
The bridesmaids became brides. The kittens became cats. The ugly caterpillar metamorphosised into a majestic brightly coloured butterfly. The rebirth of an entire football culture was completed this morning in Johannesburg, after years of trying, finally, Spain won the World Cup. It’d be hard to claim they don’t deserve the honour of world champions. A 100% record in qualifying and only conceded two goals in the tournament. True, they started their World Cup Finals campaign with a disappointing defeat to Switzerland but they dusted themselves down and rectified things…. in exactly the same way that England didn’t! They are now the only team ever to win the World cup having lost their opening match.
Unlike many people I thought the final was a good game. It was an intense war of attrition. It was Johan Cruyff, the man who has significantly influenced both these nations football cultures, who once declared that football is a game you play with your brain. His analaysis has rarely been more appropriate. It could be argued that by sitting deep Holland had ruined the game as a spectacle BUT what are they supposed to do? Play open and let Spain walk all over them? Like when Stoke City play a big team, we aren’t there to entertain we are there to try and get something. And despite Spain’s dominance of possession Robben squandered the best chance of the match. That wasted opportunity will haunt Robben and his nation like Rensenbrink hitting the post in the dying seconds in Buenos Aires in 1978 did. It could be another thirty years until the Dutch get so close to the biggest prize of all. But Casillas was there to make the save, proving that in a successful team every player does their bit. And Casillas is a chronically underrated bit!!
Howard Webb got some criticism much of it unfair in my opinion. Had he played by the strict letter of the law yellow and red cards would have been handed out willy nilly and he’d have received as much criticism for ruining the game. He had to make allowances for the various factors and overall did OK. The real glaring error was failing to give Holland that corner. Van Marwijk was fuirious about Webb after the match. Well he would be wouldn’t he.
After all the speculation regarding Nelson Mandela’s appearance it was great to see him attend. The word was that he would be presenting the trophy. It must have been a downer for Casillas who must have been expecting Nelson Mandela’s stature and greatness receive the trophy off Blatter!! They must have wondered why they bothered!
So, thats the end of that then. In the end Dunga’s pragamtic approach didn’t work for Brazil. Domenech really is as rubbish as has been implied for several years. Maradona really does have little tactical knowledge… but it took a while for confirmation of that!! Lippi’s ageing squad couldn’t hack it, despite it only being seven games and amzingly, New Zealand were the only unbeaten side in the competition. BUT England were definitely absolutely rubbish.
Brazil 2014 next. 1235 days to go. Anyone coming?