What a world cup

NIDDERAU, GERMANY: I enjoyed your editorial “A world cup to write home about” (July 13). In my view the real winner was South Africa which organised the event so successfully. I hear now South Africa is basking in the glory of successfully staging the first World Cup on African soil but the country’s thoughts have already shifted to another top sports event — the Olympics with rumours spreading fast that the coastal city of Durban is seriously considering bidding for the 2020 summer Olympics.

Spain won the cup, but their game was very defensive and boring; one required a lot of patience to see them score. Their average was about one in a game. Spectators love to see football where you see a lot of action and this was provided by Germany. It won 4-0 against Australia, 4-0 against favourite Argentina and 4-1 against England, another favourite. Games based on tactics alone may win cups, but they do not make football enjoyable. This credit goes to Germany alone, at least this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2010.