Great world cup, great end result! Some classic matches, especially in the group stages, but in the end it kinda of fizzed out.
However Espana 82 remains the best tournament I've seen. So many great teams Italy, Germany, France, Argentina... and of course the mighty Brazil with Zico, Socrates, Falcao, Serginho, Cerezo, Eder.
Come to think of it Brazil was the biggest disappointment. I'm not sure how you go from the likes of Serginho, Careca, Romario, Bebeto, Edmundo, Ronaldo (and even Adriano) to the likes of Fred and Jo. Or how you go from Zico, Socrates, Alemao, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka' to Hulk, Oscar, Ramirez and Paulinho. Such utter garbage. Even Neymar was too hyped up imo.
Argentina was also disappointing. For a country that has always produced great playmakers and has a distinct style, they were pretty poor. Defend first, and rely on Messi, Di Maria, or a striker moment to solve the game. It worked until it didn't. Outplayed for large periods by Bosnia, saved by Messi vs Iran, decent against Nigeria, took until the 117 minute to score against the Swiss, decent against Belgium, decent (but what a boring semi) against Holland. Their best match was ironically against Germany, but they didn't deserve to win it in the end. This was not a vintage Argentina. They scored 2 goals in 4 knockout games! For a country that boasts the talents of Messi, Aguerro, Higuain, Di Maria, Lavezzi seems poor. They could have done with Tevez, Pastore or Icardi considering Aguerro was never fit.
Italy, England, Spain were gash.
Loved Colombia, Chile, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, USA, Algeria, Ghana (thought they were slightly unfortunate), Mexico and at times France.
Germany was great, and Jogi played it well (JOGI BONITO!!!) considering the injuries to Reus, Gundogan, Schmerzler, Bender and that Bastian and Khedira were not fit on Day1. Bastian had a monster final, considering the injury to Sami and the concussion suffered by Kramer, he was basically a one man dynamo in midfield. Yet Messi wins the golden bollocks...
Anywhoo, it should be interesting to see how Spain and Italy shape up in the Euros.
