The month long tournament drew its final curtain on the 11th July 2010 with a match between Spain and Netherlands. Both teams yet to lift the trophy, the Dutch being twice in a final.
The tournament commenced in the beginning of the South African winter season, but many braved the cold to view the matches. But it wasnt our coldest winter, the world cup stars started a heat wave during the event.
The top 10 stars of the Soccer World Cup 2010 were:
10. Africa
For the first time the event landed on our shores, Africa was an excellent host and proved wrong all the naysayyers who doubted us. How does humble pie taste?
9. Pulpo Paul- Psychic octopus, Paul
He correctly predicted the outcomes of the match winners in advance! Please save him from being sushi or calamari, humans! Keep him alive for 2014 Brazil world cup predictions so I can make some bets and get rich!
8. Diego Forlan- Uruguay
He steered his country to the Semi finals with outstanding striking ability, especially from set pieces, Bafana was one of the victims of Forlan's prowess. He was the picture of composure when he took the setpieces and could teach other strikers a thing or two.
Uruguay finished 4th in the competition as Paul predicted!
Diego Forlan won the golden ball award 2010 as Player of the tournament.
7. Robin van Persie- Netherlands
The Netherlands were a formidable side and looked set to capture the final victory. It boasted in form strikers like Van Persie, Sneijer, and Robben! The Duth were in the final with Spain and ended up second for the third time in the history of the tournament.
6. Lukas Podolski- Germany
The 2010 soccer spectacular had a plethora of young talent. The German team had the youngest team around, with Lukas Podolski, and Thomas Mueller who was the leading goal scorer and best young player for 2010.
Germany finished third in the tournament.
5. Javier Chicharito Hernandez- Mexico
The Mexican team had some really good football as well as good looking players. It's leading striker was Hernandez, who has been signed onto the Manchester United team by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Hernandez paired with playmaker, Giovani dos Santos were an electrifying duo! Dos Santos was in the running for the best player of the 2010 tournament.
4. Giovani dos Santos- Mexico
3. Kevin Prince Boateng- Ghana
The Black Stars carried the hopes of the motherland, Africa, by going the furthest in the tournament. The team had a good mix between experienced and young players, which saw them reach the Quarter finals. They were unlucky to be eliminated by the hand of Suarez- Uruguay, and did not progress through to the semi's.
Boateng scored in the round of 16 match against the United States.
2. Andre Ayew- Ghana
The son of Abedi Pele has certainly come from under the shadow of his father to be an outstanding player in his own right and an asset to the team.
Ayew was a nominee for the best young player of the 2010 tournament.
1. Jesus Navas
The 1st half of the final match on July 11th was a dull afair with no goals.
The action for the Spanish began with the inclusion of Cesc Fabregas.
The Spaniards realised they needed a miracle in order to hoist the trophy in victory, and things changed to their favour when Jesus Navas entered the field. The fireworks flew and chances for la Furia Roja materialised.
Iniesta capitalised with the only goal of the match to catapult Spain victory.
Captain, Ikke Cassilas, won the best goalkeeper of the 2010 worldcup.
Spain, 2010 World Cup victors and Fifa fairplay team of the tournament!
