WORLD CUP AWARDS: PART ONE

So, finally the dust has settled and the biggest event of the year has come to an end, with Zidane's headbutt proving to be the talking point, instead of the quality of football. I shall do a little round up of the WC based on my own judgement and feeling. Agree or not? Write to me!

Player of the Tournament:

1) Fabio Cannavaro (ITA) - I think there's no use for me to write anything more than this player already. Everybody's praising him and to be honest, he's been immense and there isn't any players in this World Cup that came close to dethroning him from being the best player of the tournament.

2) Zinedine Zidane (FRA) - Despite what he's done during the Finals, I personally believe that he's still had a pretty good campaign, bar the first two games where the entire French team just couldn't find the momentum of the game and struggled, including Zizou himself. Got suspended in the match against Togo, which was crucial, but came back with a wonderful performance against Spain and of course, instrumental in the defeat of Brazil. Converted the all important penalty against Portugal and sent the Les Bleus to the finals.

3) Andrea Pirlo (ITA) - A wonderful passer of the ball, his set piece causes the French to panic during the finals and everytime a corner is floated in, it always seemed certain an Italian's gonna get to the end of it. Scored the first goal for the Azzurris against Ghana, which was a scorcher and has been pretty consistant throughout, bar the Finals, where he seemed a little off-coloured.


Surprise Player of the Tournament:

1) Fabio Grosso (ITA) - I think his name should be in the player of the tournament instead. But because prior to the WC, he was a relative unknown and has only turned proffessional 4 years ago. His career have to be one of the stories of the competition, as a left-back, he proved to be Italy's hero with that last gasp winner against Germans and he provided Totti with the chance to score from the penalty spot against Australia with 5 seconds left on the clock. Without Grosso, maybe the Italians wouldn't have came so far.

2) Owen Hargreaves (ENG) - Got booed and jeered before the World Cup started, but one of the few England players that can actually said 'I've done my best, I don't regret'. Got so much stick from the fans, yet his performance against Sweden and Portugal are going to triump Lampard's '25 shots and no goals' effort. He played in the right-back position against Ecuador as well. What a man, he deserves the spot right here.

3) Philipp Lahm (GER) - Before the WC started, I think only those who've played Footballl Manager knows him. But he made himself an instant hero after scoring the first goal of the World Cup with only 6 minutes on the clock. His tireless runs down the left flank has been a constant threat to teams and statistics doesn't lie. He's one of the players with the highest success rate in tackling.


Flop of the Tournament:

1) Frank Lampard (ENG) - Do we still have to go on about him? Oh dear, shoots from all over the place but misses the sitters. A penalty for him to take from 12 yards out and still, couldn't hit the barn's door with a banjo. 2nd best player in the world, my ar*e.

2) Ronaldinho (BRA) - Really, really disappointing. Seriously, nothing of note from him for the 5 games in Germany and the Samba Boys are out with a whimper. Other than an assist, he was no where to be found and he seemed to be a little fatigued from the long European season with Barca. Best player in the world, my ar*e too.

3) Pedro Pauleta (POR) - A record goal scorer for the Portugese, but this time round, he failed to shine. One goal against might Angola was all he got and maybe due to the lack of support from his midfielders, he always seemed to isolated upfront. But he did get a few chances yet squandered them all.


Drogballs' Team of the Tournament:

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (ITA)

Right-back: Philipp Lahm (GER)
Centre-back: Fabio Cannavaro (ITA), Roberto Ayala (ARG)
Left-back: Fabio Grosso (ITA)

Right-wing: Maxi Rodriguez (ARG)
Central Midfield: Patrick Vieira, Zinedine Zidane, Franck Ribery (FRA)
Left-wing: Arjen Robben (HOL)

Striker: Miroslav Klose (GER)


Substitutes: Ricardo (POR), Rafael Marquez (MEX), Lilian Thuram (FRA), Gianluca Zambrotta (ITA), Esteban Cambiasso (ARG), Torsten Frings (GER), Gennaro Gattuso (ITA), Fernando Torres (ESP), Lukas Podolski (GER) ;

Far too much blue for my liking, but it seems like teams wearing the blue jersey gets the furthest and deserves the most. Anyway if you have a difference in opinion, do drop me a mail or write a comment down below! Much thanks and I'll have a part 2 for you guys tomorrow. Stay tune!

Tags: World Cup 2006, Football, Soccer