Final Recap & Awards

> Even though I went 7-0 on my picks I was kind of disappointed in the final match because the quality of play was no where near what I thought it would be. Give the Dutch credit for their game plan though. Oranje coach Bert Van Marwijk knew his side had to ugly the game up to have a chance, and they did just that to the tune of NINE yellow cards (14 total, smashing the old record of 6 in a Final).

The only problem was that Holland botched their opportunities to score; especially Arjen Robben who I bet has not been sleeping well lately. Wesley Sneijder did not have his best match and Robin Van Persie was practically nonexistent. The Dutch had their chances but with those three off their top form it was too much to overcome.

In winning their first World Cup Spain scored only eight goals total (11 was the previous low), won all their games in the knockout round 1-0 and were the first team to win it all after losing their first round robin match. Which just goes to show that with all their talent on offense it was their trio in the middle on defense (goalie Iker Casillas/central defenders Gerard Piqué & Carles Puyol) that carried them.

> Awards…..

Golden Ball (best player) – Diego Forlán (Uruguay). He certainly would have received my vote for his ability to control the dreaded Jabulani ball and make it swerve in just the right way.

Golden Boot (top scorer) – Thomas Müller (Germany). He won the boot based on a tiebreaker (most assists), but that shouldn’t diminish his accomplishment since he missed a game due to a dubious second yellow card in the Quarterfinals.

Golden Glove (best goalie) – Casillas. “The Saint,” as he is known, was flat out stellar. You had to beat him outright because anything 50-50 and he was making the save.

Best Young Player – Müller. This is the only award I have a problem with. For my money his teammate Mesut Özil was more deserving, but I guess if you win the boot and are 21 or younger it has to go this way.