'The World Cup is world class'
I've just returned from two glorious weeks in Germany.
There's so much to tell, I'm not quite sure where to start!
I guess I will have to break down the trip into various aspects and try to give you as much insight and information as is possible so that those who have not been to this tournament can comprehend and understand the sheer scope of this unbelievable football-festival.
One of the things that really stuck out during my time in Germany was the professionalism of the European football journalists.
I managed to chat to various scribes from around the world and found the ones I spoke to, to be professional in their analysis of the actual matches they covered.
They had great insight into what actually happened on the field and they had their own insight into what happened and why it happened, and furthermore they all wanted to know more about what each game meant to the various fans from each country.
The English press are consumed with only the English team, whereas their continental counterparts are more universal in their praise and analysis of the participating teams.
I spoke with an Israeli journalist and two days later I spoke with a German editor and was amazed how both echoed the exact same sentiments about the game of football (don't call it 'soccer' - that is only in America!)
They were both adamant that a good athlete will be picked ahead of a good footballer in the modern era of football.
Lots of teams have players who can run and tackle but can't pass over 30 yards, and so the game has become a battle of athletic footballers, and not footballing athletes.
A few nights later I had dinner with a Scottish freelance journo based in Barcelona and his compatriot who is the Chief Football writer on Scottish football.
These two gents had such insight into what was happening both on and off the field, that I started thinking of the coverage locally and whether our football journalists actually do the game any good with their often biased reporting.
Do they adequately question the players and coaches so that they can give the fans the answers they demand?
I really think our coverage of football can be improved.
Another aspect of the tournament that really impressed me was the camaraderie amongst all fans.
It sounds obvious, but when you have fans from Croatia and fans from Serbia-Montenegro mingling in the same fan-zone in Berlin, fresh from their civil war troubles, and in Frankfurt, you hang out in the main square with American and Iranians all waving their flags and shouting for their teams, while the various politicians do everything possible to start another war, it gives perspective on the average human being around the world.
As Coca-Cola's advertising jingle says 'We all speak football'.
Back to the tournament itself, there have been some great performances by the underdogs, and although Ghana's victory over the Czech's is the one everyone is talking about, I feel that Ecuador have been the surprise team of the tournament.
They have almost been the 'African' team of the tournament with their attacking play, their skill and their flair and they also possess a solid defence.
The Ivorians and Ghanaians have won a lot of friends in football circles with their performances to date.
The Ivory Coast versus Argentina match was a classic.
When people asked me why South Africa did not qualify, I just told them that Ghana were in the same group as us.
The answer seemed to make sense to a lot of people who have suddenly found out about the physical power of west African football.
Not only are these players able to compete physically with any others around the world, but their technique and skill is first rate.
The last piece in the puzzle is the tactical discipline, but this will only come with more players playing in the top leagues around the world.
There is still the sense that African defenders are attackers first and defenders second.
As Stefan, the German editor said to me, a game is won with an attack, but a tournament is won with a defence.
I put my money on Italy to win this year's tournament, based exactly on that sentiment.
They have a great goalkeeper and Nesta and Cannavaro are a great combination in the centre of defence.
With Totti fit again and Gilardino and Toni up front, I really thought they would do the business, but their performance - or lack thereof - against the USA on Saturday night, has given me doubts.
There is still a long way to go, and I will be watching as much as possible.
Posted by: www.SouthAfrica-CarHire.com
