So long, thanks for all the memories...
World Cup 2006 Awards
Congratulations Italy
They won the most important thing of all but here are a few of my own awards for those in Germany over the last month:
Best Goal
Maxi Rodriguez
I always prefer individual goals to team ones. Argentina gave us the best of both and this one wins out in terms of sheer skill and excitement
Best Team
Germany
A team that had looked shamoblic in defence and had been derided by the media in the build up showed a very un-German, attacking style of play. The enthusiasm created by the first match carried them through, with the team improving all the time, giving a new national pride and identity across the country. Enthusiasm only gets you so far, though, and their talent just wasn't enough to get them past Italy in the semis. Despite that, they were like a breath of fresh air. 3rd place has been celebrated like a win in the host country.
Most Disapointing Team
Brazil
To whom much is given, much is expected. Brazil turned up at the tournament with the biggest number of potential match winners but failed to perform, besides a thrilling 45 minutes against the Japanese. Ronaldo - fat, unfit but seemingly untouchable, Ronaldinho - well below par, Adriano - lumbering, Kaka - faded after a promising start, Robinho added some of the missing spark but was criminally underused.Least Inspiring Team
England
They always talked a good game, even after some terrible ones. Always promised that they would play better. They sucked so much of the life out of the game and the tournament when they stepped on the pitch. The so called Golden Generation lacked sparkle and value.Lack of passion, pace, strong leadership, intelligent play and skill. They presented themselves as the Bolton of international football.
Most Lovable Manager
Jurgen Klinsmann
Like his team, entered this World Cup with a country against him and left with the country firmly behind him. His energy on the sidelines and his celebrations of goals were, at times, heartwarming. He managed to change the perception of German football in the space of a month by having a vision and sticking to it. Good on ye, Klinsi.
Best Game
Germany vs Italy
Right from the start both teams went for it. They continued to try and win all the way through extra time and Italy delivered the dramatic finish the game deserved
Best Team Performance
Argentina vs Serbia and Montenegro
Six goals, five scorers and those 24 passes, yet no player stood out above anyother. They were all brilliant.Best Individual Performance
Zinedine Zidane vs Brazil
The highlight of my World Cup. Reminded everyone what he used to be and why we all loved it.
Best Newbies
Ghana and Ivory Coast
Ukraine got the furthest but were boring, Togo brought a certain ramshackle charm, the Czech's shone brightly.
The Ivory Coast were unlucky to be drawn in a tough group and it was great to see them celebrating the winning of the match against Serbia and Montenegro with such joy.
Ghana were fiercely competative and confounded expectations. It was a pity that they went out in such a limp match as that against Brazil
Much Ado About Nothing Award
Wayne Rooney
Could be given to the whole of the England squad but Rooney summed up their campaign. Everything promised, nothing delivered. England fans must have felt like Ricardo Carvalho and experienced a collective kick in the groin.Best Young Player
Franck Ribery
Not a great deal of choice with players who burst on the scene in Germany. Franck Ribery, though, became my personal cult figure through his looks and playing style. He was called up due to public demand and, like the rest of the French squad, started terribly but got better and better as the tournament progressed. His style of playing incorporated pace, skill and commitment. He also looks like someone who will only become a well known figure through his sheer ability, as he is not what some people may call conventionly attractive. You want attacking players to be exciting and unpredictable when they get the ball and Franck certainly was.An honourable mention should also go to Phillip Lahm. Again, he was a player who gave everything and allied it with a great footballing ability. The fact he reminded me of Phil Neville never dulled my enjoyment of watching him. Robinho caught the eye but was not used enough and, despite eveything else, you cannot deny Cristiano Ronaldo is highly talented.
Moment that Left You Thinking of What Once Was but Most Likely Will Never be Again
A portly Ronaldo running in on goal against Ghana, doing a trademark step over and sliding in his recordbreaking 15th goal in World Cups...but all slightly slower and more clumsy than it used to be...
Best Goal Celebration
Fabio Grosso
If he ever gives up football he should take up doing impressions. His Marco Tardelli, after scoring the late goal against Germany in the semi final, was very good.Best Bit of Commentary
"Holding his pants there, just a little tug on the pants" - David Pleat, the kindly old, unintentionally comedy, uncle of the punditry world
Worst Bit of Commentary
Sorry, don't have the time or the space to make a list that big. Suffice to say that ITV win hands down, although the BBC are closer to challenging them than in the past.
Best Fans
South Korea
Throughout their match with France, the South Korea fans never gave up hope, never gave up making as much noise as they could and raised the volume (in a strangely high pitched tone) when their team looked to mount an attack.Be the Reds!
Man Who Looked Least Likely to be a World Cup Manager
Otto Pfister
With a black shirt open to the belly, showing his medallion, coupled with pair of saggy blue jeans, and an equally saggy face Otto struck a very strange figure on the sidelines during Togo's opening match with South Korea.
Most Outrageous Show of Self Confidence
Zidane chipping his penalty in the World Cup final
If anyone else had done it you would have to have branded it arrogance but with Zidane it was mere self confidence. Buffon went the way of Zidane's semi final penalty, the ball went the way no one would have expected. You could almost believe that Zizou hit the bar on purpose.Extra marks for the ball having enough spin to bounce back out, hitting the bar for a second time
Most Outrageous Show of Arrogance
Basically anything Cristiano Ronaldo did at this World Cup. The Craig Bellamy of top class, international football. You'd like to admit he is brilliant but you can't quite bring yourself to do it.
New Pantomine Villan for English fans
Cristiano Ronaldo
The complain ing to the referee, the diving, the showboating, the arrongance, the wink, the pout, the kissing of the ball and the triumphant penalty.In the building tide of general dislike of the Portugese, Ronaldo was always going to be at the top of the list.
All together now....BOOOOO!!!!
(whisper it, he was brilliant at times though)
The Biggest "Oh NO!" Moment
The realistion of what Zidane had done, that he was being sent off and that was the end of his career.
I could go on and on but will leave with a heartwarming sight after such a heartbreaking one
Moment of Unexpected Beauty
The sunset over Berlin during the final