By Gianni Truvianni
The world cup "South Africa 2010" was the first one held on the African continent and as such it will for the most part be remembered. Africa in fact being the last major continent to host a world cup, it being a tournament won by Spain. This factor making Spain the first European nation to win the world cup outside of Europe as well as giving Europe a grand total of 10 world cup wins which passed the 9 won by South America. Europe in fact going ahead of South America in total number of world cup championships for the first time since Italy won in 1938.
South America however for its part despite not having overly successful runs by either Argentina or Brazil managed to set two records for their continent. The first being to have all five of their teams qualify in to the round of 16 and four in to the quarterfinals. It was however unfortunate for South America that 3 out of their 4 teams would be eliminated with Uruguay being the only South American team to go on to the semifinals.
Africa for its part despite having the home field advantage only managed to get Ghana in to the round of 16, where they defeated the USA to make it to through to the quarterfinals. It being in the quarterfinals where Ghana would loose to Uruguay yet it was Ghana who could have made it to the semifinals had they just converted a penalty in the last minute of overtime which would have made them the first African nation ever to get to that stage of the world cup.
South Africa 2010 was also marred by bad calls from officials, most notably England's goal against Germany which was not seen by the referee or Argentina's first goal against Mexico which was scored from a clear offside. It being these and several other officiating errors which led to many fans and teams to ask for video and other forms of technology to be used in matches to decide controversial calls.
For myself, perhaps however this world cup was more than a tragedy as Italy not only did not qualify to the second round of a world cup for the first time since 1974 but failed to win as much as a single match. This being the first time ever in the history of Italian football that the national team did not at least win a match. Italy, of course one could say was plagued with problems from the start, such as loosing their starting goalkeeper, Buffon to injury in the first half of their match against Paraguay. It being against Paraguay that they would dominate yet despite of it were not able to get a win which they should have. Against New Zealand, they went down early by 1-0 thanks to a goal which was scored by a player who was clearly on offside yet despite this Italy would tie the game though could have won; if a shot had gone in instead of hitting off the post. It however was in the match which saw them exit the tournament against Slovakia that on one occasion they scored a goal which to me seemed onside though not to the referee. It also being in this match that an Italian shot was cleared off the Slovakian goal line which might have gone in for a goal though it is hard to tell with certainty from the angels presented during the match. I, as an Italian fan and total supporter would say that Italy's performance was substandard for our team which has won four world cups yet it did not have to end so quickly in the first round and perhaps if a few factors had gone differently it would not have.
Regarding interest moments, this it did have and I would say they are as follows.
First Round
1. Slovenia 1 Algeria 0
This was the first game ever played in a world cup on a field which was not 100 % natural grass.
2. Germany 4 Australia 0
In this game three Foreign born players scored goals for Germany. Klose and Podolski were born in Poland while Cacau was born in Brazil.
3. Brazil 3 Ivory Coast 1
In this game Brazil's Fabiano scored a goal in which he clearly used his hand twice yet the referee saw nothing or perhaps did not care to say anything as he in a jest suggested to Fabiano that he was allowing him to get away with blatantly breaking the rules.
4. South Africa 2 France 1
South Africa despite winning this match became the first host nation to be eliminated in the first round of a world cup.
Round Of 16
5. Ghana 2 USA 1
US President, Obama's father was born in Ghana which makes him half Ghanaian and half American. This perhaps creating conflict for the American president for whom he should cheer for.
6. Germany 4 England 1
In this match England's Lampard scored a clear goal in the first half which would have brought England level with Germany at 2-2 yet the referee failed to see that the ball had crossed the line. It being a shot similar to the one Hurst got a goal on in 66 though the goal was given despite the ball not going in while on this occasion the goal was not given though the ball did in fact cross the plain of the goal. England and Germany also played each other in the round of 16 for the first time which made them the only two teams to have played against each other in every phase of a world cup past the first round.
7, Argentina 3 Mexico 1
In this match Argentina's first goal scored by Tevez was a clear offside with not even one player standing between Tevez and the Mexican goal at the time of the pass.
Quarterfinals
8. Uruguay 2 Ghana 1
In this match Uruguay's Suarez prevented a Ghanaian goal by stopping it with his hand on the goal line which gave Ghana a penalty which they missed in the last minute of overtime. This causing many Africans to feel they were cheated and calling his the "hand of the devil". This as opposed to Maradona's "hand of God".
9. Spain 1 Paraguay 0
In this match both teams missed penalties, almost within a minute of each other. It being Paraguay who failed to convert on their spot kick followed shortly by Spain who likewise failed on theirs.
Match For Third Place
Germany 3 Uruguay 2
In this match Germany and Uruguay became the first two teams to face each other twice for third place. The first time being in Mexico 70 where Germany won by 1-0.
Final
Spain 1 Netherlands 0
With this win Spain became the first European nation to win a world cup outside of Europe and Europe overtook South America for the first time since 1938 for having won the most world cups.. The Netherlands, for their part became the first nation to loose three finals without having won at least one.
In conclusion, I would say that the world cup South Africa 2010 was the worst ever played and it was not really a matter of not enough goals being scored or too much defensive play like in Italia 90 but of teams seeming as if they were weak or simply did not care to win. This perhaps due to the long seasons most of the players are made to endure by their very demanding European clubs which undoubtedly took its toll. It being a case that players through out the year are made to play sometimes as many as three matches a week and contrary to some sports do not really get an off season since they also have to play for their national teams.
I, for my part got the impression that none of the teams were really playing well or were all that good. It being a case of them being able to give a good performance or perhaps two but not being teams of the great quality of some in the past. It also being a case of several great players of the time, who in my opinion are not as good as those from generations past; simply not showing what was expected of them. This specially applying to players like Kaka, Ronaldo and Ribory, who perhaps had too much pressure heaped on their shoulders not only by the media but their fans back home.
Another factor which in my opinion influenced mediocre performances by the usual powerhouses like Italy and Brazil was the fact that both these nations were caught between generations. This meaning that the new generations were still too young while their more experienced players were simply too old. This being what can be called a world cup which was used to develop future generations. This perhaps being what will lead to both Italy and Brazil coming back very strong in the next world cup and perhaps once again playing for top honors yet hopefully it will be the "azzuri" to once again come out on top.
My name is Gianni Truvianni, I am an author who writes with the simple aim of sharing his ideas, thoughts and so much more of what I am with those who are interested in perhaps reading something new. I also am the author of the book entitled New Yorks Opera Society which is now available on Amazon.
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