Spanish reaches El Dorado in Madiba's land

Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas holds the trophy during the award ceremony following the 2010 FIFA football World Cup between the Netherlands and Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. Photo: AFP
Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas holds the trophy during the award ceremony following the 2010 FIFA football World Cup between the Netherlands and Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. Photo: AFP



With world class players throughout their line up, reigning European champions Spain went into the 2010 World Cup as hot favourites, where a combination of top drawer passing, pressing and finishing earned them a well deserved trophy.

It was winter in South Africa and the weather suited the European teams and in the semis Spain beat a thrilling young German side while beaten finalists Holland took out the swashbuckling gate crashers Uruguay.

Spain's striker David Villa celebrates after scoring against Portugal during the 2010 World Cup round of 16 match between Spain and Portugal on June 29, 2010 at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. Spain won 1-0. Photo: AFP
Spain's striker David Villa celebrates after scoring against Portugal during the 2010 World Cup round of 16 match between Spain and Portugal on June 29, 2010 at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. Spain won 1-0. Photo: AFP



Spain somehow contrived to lose their opener 1-0 to Switzerland in a match they totally dominated, but then a well oiled machine kicked-in and if Casillas, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa and Torres & co could only manage eight goals on their way to their first World Cup trophy they always played like champions.

Netherlands' midfielder Wesley Sneijder reacts with his silver medal after losing the 2010 FIFA football World Cup final to Spain in extra time on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. Spain won the match 1-0. Photo: AFP
Netherlands' midfielder Wesley Sneijder reacts with his silver medal after losing the 2010 FIFA football World Cup final to Spain in extra time on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. Spain won the match 1-0. Photo: AFP



The Dutch would also have made worthy winners with Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Mark van Bommel carrying the Oranje as far as an agonising 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final, where Andres Iniesta's clinical finish in extra-time sealed a win that Robben will long regret after losing out twice in one-on-ones with Casillas.

But the first ever World Cup in Africa will be best remembered for its local colour, the South African players trance dancing down the tunnel for the opener or the blare of the vuvuzela plastic trumpets.

Germany's striker Miroslav Klose takes tball as he is chased by Argentina's striker Carlos Tevez (L) and defender Gabriel Heinze during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final football match Argentina vs. Germany on July 3, 2010 at Green Point stadium in Cape Town. Photo: AFP
Germany's striker Miroslav Klose takes tball as he is chased by Argentina's striker Carlos Tevez (L) and defender Gabriel Heinze during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final football match Argentina vs. Germany on July 3, 2010 at Green Point stadium in Cape Town. Photo: AFP



Fresh-faced Germans shoot down Diego's dream

Germany and Argentina both had their moments in Africa. The Germans lost their captain Michael Ballack but his absence liberated a younger crowd with Thomas Mueller and Mesut Ozil impressing in their 4-1 win over England and also during the unexpected 4-0 thrashing of Diego Maradona's Argentina.

What a show Argentina provided though with Maradona loving his return to the limelight. He succeeded in creating team spirit and thrilling football. But he failed to get the best out of Messi and the tactics against Germany were naive.

Uruguay's striker Diego Forlan (R) vies with South Korea's midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng (16) during the 2010 World Cup round of 16 match Uruguay vs South Korea on June 26, 2010 at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth. Photo: AFP
Uruguay's striker Diego Forlan (R) vies with South Korea's midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng (16) during the 2010 World Cup round of 16 match Uruguay vs South Korea on June 26, 2010 at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth. Photo: AFP



Uruguay were the best of the Latin crowd with striker Diego Forlan in unstoppable form earning the player of the tournament award. The golden boot itself went to Muller, whose five goals equalled the tally of both Forlan and Sneijder, but had more assists. The German also won the young player of the tournament award.

Spain's midfielder Andrés Iniesta (L) celebrates after scoring past Netherlands' goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg the first goal during the 2010 World Cup football final between the Netherlands and Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. Photo: AFP
Spain's midfielder Andrés Iniesta (L) celebrates after scoring past Netherlands' goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg the first goal during the 2010 World Cup football final between the Netherlands and Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. Photo: AFP



England's campaign never really got started and Brazil was also a surprise disappointment. But France were the biggest losers with mutiny in the ranks, a strike, bitter infighting and unconcealed hatred of the coach Raymond Domenech providing a fascinating sideshow as the 2006 finalists came bottom of their group.

Germany's midfielder Thomas Mueller (C) celebrates as he scores Germany's third goal past England's defender Matthew Upson (R) and England's goalkeeper David James (L) during the 2010 World Cup round of 16 football match Germany vs. England on June 27, 2010 at Free State stadium in Mangaung/Bloemfontein. Germany defeated England 4-1. Photo: AFP
Germany's midfielder Thomas Mueller (C) celebrates as he scores Germany's third goal past England's defender Matthew Upson (R) and England's goalkeeper David James (L) during the 2010 World Cup round of 16 football match Germany vs. England on June 27, 2010 at Free State stadium in Mangaung/Bloemfontein. Germany defeated England 4-1. Photo: AFP



Defending champions will be thankful for the French catastrophe for it somewhat eclipsed their own meltdown, which included a draw with New Zealand, defeat to Slovakia and first round elimination.

And the Africans also failed to shine, only Ghana getting past the first round and you could never call them exciting. 

Uruguay's goalkeeper Fernando Muslera saves a penalty shot from Ghana's striker Dominic Adiyiah at the end of the 2010 World Cup quarter-final match Uruguay vs. Ghana on July 2, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. Uruguay won 4-2 on penalty shots. Photo: AFP
Uruguay's goalkeeper Fernando Muslera saves a penalty shot from Ghana's striker Dominic Adiyiah at the end of the 2010 World Cup quarter-final match Uruguay vs. Ghana on July 2, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. Uruguay won 4-2 on penalty shots. Photo: AFP