Watching those teams competing amid the various coaches' strategies was like witnessing the spirits, hopes and aspirations of the respective competing countries. National pride was the ultimate price. To be the best in the world is such a good feeling. However for those of us whose countries were not competing, we turned the event into something we wanted to enjoy especially when it came with an element of prediction based on the track record, skill and type and style of team games. Of course there is also the element of betting which has been there since time immemorial, the Roman gladiators in the years before Christ comes to mind as well as fighting fish and fighting cocks as betting platforms. People just love to gain (and many lost) on so-called luck.
Thousands of fans came together to root for and celebrate with their teams. You could see people praying hard each time a penalty was taken that I wondered whose prayer would God grant! They roared, shrieked,shouted,screamed,jumped and in those fan-packed stadiums, they blew the vuvuzelas... what a blaring sound! The excitement was palpable. There was, somehow a sense of emptiness when the final whistle was blown on 12 July.
There were some negative reports related to the tournament like a South Korean student who drowned while celebrating his country's entry in the round of 16, the man in South America who throttled his step child who would not stop crying while he was watching the match between USA and Chile and a few members of a family who died when their house collapsed while watching the game in Africa. The latest negative incident where 64 people in Uganda died while watching the final on 11 July was senselessly tragic as it was due to a series of bombs being planted by mindless terrorists! God makes all kinds of people in this world.
Now we know which teams are standing apart. Spain lifted the World Cup after defeating the Netherlands in the final. Spain also won FIFA fair play award (the least number of yellow and red cards). Germany came third and Uruguay fourth. The last two nations have ever become the cup champions before and for Spain, this is their first time, how historic for the nation! They deserved it. Viva le Espana!
Uruguayan Striker -Diego Forlan -Golden Ball winner
I managed to watch the final live and managed to also come to work. On the way to work last Monday, I noticed the city-bound traffic was very light compared to other days and similar low traffic volumes were also reported in several cities in Malaysia... gosh, just look at the effect and impact of the World Cup! People took leave to watch the final and that says volumes about the popularity and magnetism of the World Cup football and after all it is held once in four years, so bosses who don't like football please understand.
Germany Thomas Muller - Golden Shoe winner
And about Paul the psychic octopus in a German aquarium which was 100% right on his prediction of German team - participated match winners and including the final, I regret for not following him. Now I do not know where to find octopus to cook my asam pedas ( Chilli Octopus with tamarind juice) as promised if the Netherlands lost.... and the Dutch who played disappointing football during that final ,by the way, actually lost in extra time. Spain 1 and Netherlands 0
A Spain businessman has offered to buy Paul for USD 66,000 to bring it over to Spain... I wouldn't part with the creature at any price! A string of bookmakers from around the world have also expressed an interest to buy the octopus from the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre, with marketing experts predicting he could become a big hit with advertisers. But apparently the life centre said Paul would call it a day and go into retirement... what a waste of his psychic power!
Much praise have been showered on the host country which has put together a successful greatest game on earth. Their stadiums at Durban, Blomfontein, Port Elizabeth and Soccer city in Johannesburg are world-class and their people so gracious. We know more about South Africa and its people and culture now and thanks to Astro, the satellite TV company, for giving us such an exciting experience of watching and re watching all the matches. The antics of the fans who added sound,colour, humour, excitement and life to the games are also unforgettable. Real great!
Looking forward to European Cup 2012 and the 20th FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014!
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