Congratulations Spain but mainly for Toni's benefit.
I too was disapointed at the game and the whole quality of soccer throughout the world cup for those bits and pieces i happened to watch.
The Dutch should be embarrassed with the unsportsmanlike play that they exhibited. Seems to me win at all cost becomes the sporting mantra today. I could not believe the boot to the chest.
The officials well in some ways i think they follow the party line of the hierachy that rules on where the cup should be awarded. That is such a corrupt committee why should we expect more from the people that they choose to put on the field. And the ethics of the players follows on from there. I find it difficult to stomach unethical play it runs against what i would like to see my son learn to be like, but its more and more prevalent and not only in soccer.
As for Blatter he should go. Its time for change just like Hockey and Gary Bettman. Some of these guys are way too influencial and powerful for the good of the sport.
As an ex South African I am proud of what South Africa did in hosting it but i have totally skeptical views as to whether there will trully be any long term benefit come from it. I would like to see the stadiums in 2 years time and see their condition then.
The real reality is the money spent on this event in local currency terms is huge in purchasing power terms and for a nation where not everyone has access to clean running water or classrooms in reasonable proximity an event like this is a luxury.
The aurguments that it will attract investment since it exposes the country to the world are in my opinion nonsense.
Business is about a market size and its economic puchasing power. A country that has just over 40 million people and located so far from everything where unemployment is around 25% or more in some areas with an economically active population of less than half this amount when they are employed is not the most attractive place to invest.
Crime has not changed it dropped for a month due to police and army being out in force but not for the people that are really affected it also affects the poorest the most. Hiv infection rates are the highest in Africa and the funeral business is the biggest growth opportunity. Yet most of the government remains in denial.
sorry for the downer but i think they could have done better with the cash and Fifa took away $3.2 billion dollars who the heck for????
It cost the host nation $5.4 billion last time i checked or saw something about the cost.
As the phrase goes "TIA" this is Africa.