Waka Waka - FIFA World Cup 2010...lets drool one last time !!!

While we bade farewell to the World Cup 2010, lets take a quick look at the highlights & showstoppers......

Uruguan star striker Diego Forlan won many hearts as he picked up the coveted Golden Ball.....a recognition given to the best player of the tournament. He richly deserved the award, having almost single handedly taken his country to the semifinals & almost took them past the mighty Germans in the 3rd place play off. His freekicks were a treat to watch & his never say die attitude was what champions are made of. He was the soul of the Uruguan squad. That he won the award ahead of favourites like David Villa, Iniesta, Sneijder, Messi & others was a clear testimony to his achievements.

Germany under the coaching of Joachim Loew was an outstanding unit.....very young...very energetic & very attractive in their gameplan, untill they met their match in the semis against the eventual champions, Spain. But the team did enthrall the football fans, the world over with their attacking game. They scored the most goals as a team in this tournament, securing the 3rd place, now twice in succession. Thomas Muller, was fascinating with his goal scoring abilities, picking up the Golder Boot for being the top scorer with five goals to his credit. While, Forlan, Sniejder & Villa also scored five apiece, Muller also managed three assists, more than any of this rivals. German striker Miroslav Klose managed to take his total Would Cup goals tally to 14, one behind the all time leader Ronaldo of Brazil. Chances of his returning in the next world cup looks bleak as of now, & he would be rueing his missed chances. So near...so Klose & yet so far......

Iker Casillas, the Spanish captain & goal keeper deservingly won the Golden Glove award for making some fascinating & awe inspiring saves under the bar & ensuring that the Spanish Armada bring home their maiden World Cup.......finally.

Spain as a team played a game that left viewers asking for more. They captivated the world with their short passing game, which would spread across the whole ground, mesmerising the opponents & scoring just enough to sail through....truly a Champions performance. They focussed on their strength of ball play & possession football & even the ugly physical tackles of the Netherlands in the final could not take away the game. Quite deservingly, Spain won the Fair Play award along with the World Cup.
While, they scored only 8 goals in their seven games, they did not concede a single goal in all the four knock out games they played, becoming the first team to keep a clean sheet in the elimination rounds.
They also became the first team after Brazil in 1958, to win the Cup outside their continent.
Interestingly, they also became the first team ever, to win the tournament after losing their opening game in the tournament.

And finally, it would be incomplete if I don't mention about Paul, the two year old octopus, who was spot on with all his predictions, through the world cup. Housed in the Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, Paul correctly predicted the outcome of eight matches, seven for the Germans(two defeats & five wins) & the Spain - Netherlands finals. Despite death threats from various sections, he continued his prophecy. As a prize, the authorities of the aquarium presented Paul with a replica of the World Cup which was garnished with three morsels of mussel (his favourite food). Paul took a while, before devouring his prize food, while paparazzi kept clicking at him.....
Breaking News : Paul, the Oracle Octopus has gone into a Coma !!!!!....apparantly he was asked to predict when India could win the World  Cup !!!!..........hehehehohohohahahahihihihi....

While Spain immerse themselves in a dash of Red & Yellow,......finally, we take a bow at the Champions & look forward to their dominance in this beautiful game of football......

Gracias......Viva Espana !!!!!