Soccer City in Johannesburg became the mecca for the globe's football fans and delivered a spectacular closing ceremony which was attended by Nelson Mandela who tragically lost a great-granddaughter in a car accident just as the tournament kicked off.The final, an all European affair provided the opportunity for either Spain or Holland to not only become champions of the world for the first time but also become the first European side to win the cup on foreign soil.On the stroke of 7:30 Howard Webb gave a blast of his whistle and World Cup final 2010 was underway.Sergio Ramos had the first chance of the game in the 5th minute when his header forced a great save from Dutch keeper, Stekelenburg. On 11 minutes it was Ramos again who smashed a shot across the face of goal only for it to be... Similar posts

The final is almost upon us There are a couple of things we know for certain ahead of the World Cup final on Sunday. One is that Englishman Howard Webb will referee the big game, after having what many, including FIFA quite clearly, consider to be a commanding and controversy free tournament. Webb’s standing on the international stage is still a lot higher than it is back in England of course, numerous errors in the Premier League over the past 18 months tarnishing what was once a stellar reputation. Ask any Newcastle fan about Webb for example, and they will point to a game towards the end of season 2008-’09, when he disallowed a perfectly good goal that would have given the Magpies a vital win over Bolton. The error sent them down. The other thing football fans will be... Similar posts

A little later then expected, here is part two of BPF’s Top 50 players to watch out for at the World Cup. Making an appearance in this section of the list is a marauding Brazilian full-back, a Serbian making waves around Europe, one of Chile’s biggest emerging talents and a rising star of English football. 37 Michael Bradley USA We kick off part-two with the third American player to make the list, Michael Bradley. The Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder was a shining performer in last year’s Confederations Cup competition, and at just 22 the son of the boss has already made over forty appearances for the States. Bradley is an all-round box-to-box midfielder. He’s got the presence and fitness to join in attack as well help out at the back, and it undoubtedly the first... Similar posts

Not that there was ever much doubt but once his brilliant header flew past Edwin Van Der Sar in the European Cup final Lionel Messi was always going to be this years recipient of the Balon d’Or. The little genius from Argentina lit up European football throughout season 2008-09, playing an instrumental role in Barcelona becoming the first Spanish club to do the treble. Indeed the Catalan club has  four players in the top five in the voting. Xavi, Andres Iniesta and the departed Samuel Eto’o came 3rd, 4th and 5th, giving as clear an indication as is needed as to how much superior they were last season. They simply ran away with La Liga, defeated Athletic Bilbao in El Copa del Rey and taught Manchester United a lesson on that summer’s night in Rome. But we already know... Similar posts