Spanish reaches El Dorado in Madiba's land
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.