A Month in Paradise
Posted July 16, 2010 by james in Sports Journal | 0 Comments
A month in paradise, and now, it is over!
Sixty four games, sometimes three in one day. I can still remember how excited I was back on June 11th. I was up early to see the opening ceremonies, but then had to leave to play in a golf tournament, that was an all day and evening affair. Thank goodness for television recorders.
I very much wanted the South African team to do well…which meant beating Mexico in their opening match. Trouble was, I like the way Mexico plays football…I like their offensive style and their enthusiasm. So, the 1-1 result was not a disappointment, especially when I heard that South Africa had scored the first goal of the tournament and the entire country went nuts.
Each day revealed a special gem, or two.
England-U.S.A. drawing 1-1 on July 12th., the Americans receiving a gift goal from the English keeper.
Germany drubbing Australia 4-0 and Ghana beating Serbia 1-0 to give Africa its first win on the 13th.
Shades of things to come on the 14th. when Italy had to score late to tie Paraguay 1-1. The 15th. had another shocker, co- favoutite Brazil squeaking out a 2-1 victoy over the mysterious North Koreans.
June 16th. was the day that reigning European champion and tournament favourite Spain went down to little Switzerland 1-0, sending shock waves through the football universe. Host South Africa had its bubble burst that same day, with a 3-0 loss to Uruguay.
Mexico thumped France 2-0 on the 17th., and Maradonna’s Albiceleste’s from Argentina spanked South Korea 4-1.
The German Mannschaft came crashing down to earth with an unexpected 1-0 loss to upstart Serbia on the 18th., and the U.S.A. had to come back from a 2-0 halftime deficit to tie Slovenia…and endure a winning goal that was called back by the referee. That same fateful night, mighty England was held to nil-nil draw against Algeria, and the knives were coming out over’ome.
On the 19th. the Netherlands beat Japan 1-0, to land their second victory, and June 20th saw the Italians manage only a tie 1-1 tie with a game New Zealand squad. The Azzurri looked slow and uncertain.
Portugal had a feast at the expense of North Korea running up a 7-0 scoreline, the most lopsided win of the tournament, on the 21st.
Uruguay beat Mexico 1-0 to win Group A, and wonderful South Africa topped the French 2-1 and sent them home on the 22nd. Unfortunately for the Bafana Bafana hosts, the goal differential meant that their tournament would be finished that same day.
The 23rd. decided Group C, England sneaking through in second place after a 1-0 win over Slovenia, and the U.S. topped the group with a fantastic late goal by Landon Donovan, 1-0 over Algeria.
Italy would bid South Africa arrivederci, after its shocking 3-2 loss to Slovakia,who advanced, and South American team Paraguay would secure top spot in Group … and a ticket to the round of 16 with a 0-0 draw against New Zealand on the 24th.
The last day of the first round saw Brazil and Portugal play to a safe but dull 0-0 result, to both go through in Group G. In Group H, Spain and Chile would move on, in that order, after the Europeans beat the Chileans 2-1.
Whew, that’s a lot of football. Upsets and surprises galore.
A month in paradise recap will continue, and I will give you my thoughts on the round of sixteen, when every game is sudden death.
