Absorbing, but few standouts

I've really had to battle with sleep over the last couple of weeks. Given most of the crucial World Cup Games have taken place past midnight local time, I convinced myself that it's worth sacrificing several hours of sleep over it, a not-so-easy task considering I've had to work late for most part. As always, the Cup never fails to keep you glued. But, as the competition draws to a close (only the third palce playoff and final remain), I get the feeling it's not been an entirely satisfying viewing experience. Absorbing? Definitely. Exciting? Yes. Entertaining? Often. Memorable? Hmmmm....

Among the people here who've been following the proceedings, two kinds readily come to mind. The first is an ardent supporter of one or maybe two or more teams, and for him, of course, supporting 'his' team makes it all the more intense. The second kind doesn't care so much about taking sides as whether the game's good or not. I'm not sure whether I actually fall under any of these categories (though I do have a soft corner for a few teams; including the Dutch, who made a second-round exit), but the point is, apart from Ukraine, the final eight was made up largely of the Big Guns and that should have kept both those types of people happy. The first kind, because I haven't met too many Serbia or Ghana or USA supporters, and the second kind because it presented a mouth watering lineup of unpredictable games to savour. The elimination rounds of this WC edition were the most competitive ones in a long time. Yet, at the end of the semis, I feel there was something missing. For all the big matchups, there were few sparks to remember.

It's probably not fair to turn back the clock and run a comparison with previous WorldCups, but then this is (arguably) the biggest sporting tournament in the world. at the end of it, you'd have to ask: What will this world cup be remembered for? So many parallels have been drawn in the press with the 1982 edition in spain, so that seems an appropriate place to rewind and start the run-thru. In 1982 there was the coming of age of Paolo Rossi as a striker, single handedly snuffing out Brazil. In 1986 it was the brilliance of Maradona, left-foot and right-hand (was it his right? would like a clarification). In 1990 it was the battle of the two skippers, Matthaus and Maradona,even if the final was miserable, and an enterprising Italian side not able to drive 'home' the advantage. In 1994, attacking play returned and we celebrated the skills of some deadly strikers (Romario, stoichkov, Klinsmann and the unfortunate Roberto Baggio)....the mascot for that one had been fittingly named 'Striker'. In 1998 it was the coming of age of a superb French side, and the contrasting fortunes of zidane and Ronaldo. In 2002, Ronaldo set the record straight, as Brazillian magic was at its best since the days of Pele. It was also worth rememebring for unfancied but resourceful teams like Senegal, South Korea and Turkey making it to the quarters and beyond.

So what about 2006? It's down to the clash between rejuvenated French and the Italians who seem to be peaking at the right time. Whatever happens in that final, the reality is that the tournament has lacked the sort of spectacular moments which would be remembered for a long time to come. So far, the World Cup (to me) has largely been about two things. 1) The rebirth of Zizou, whose career could have been over in the first round itself. 2) The diappointing title-defence of holders Brazil. Most of the big games have been fairly scrappy, decided by the odd set-piece or a one-off breakaway goal. The Holland-Portugal match was a bar-room brawl which will not be easily forgotten, but it wasn't a gime you'd really like to recall either. Teams have seemed overawed and managers have been cautious, most notably when Jose Pekerman refused to bring on Lionel messi in the clash with Germany. There's been no shortage of high drama, and deserving winners and losers. But the overall quality of football was hasn't been as good as it could be. There hasn't been the sort of greatness, or feeling of higher moments, that you'd normally associate with the WC.

The elimination rounds were contesed by a motley bunch of teams and players often battling their own self-doubt. Spain, who had a marvelllous first round, made their customary early exit as they were tactically found out by the French in a dramatic shift of momentum. Holland perhaps paid the price for over-reliance on young blood, but they could just as easily have made it to the semis. Brazil appeared disinterested in the quarters - you'd have thought a rematch of the 98 final would be motivation enough - and deserved to be sent packing. The decision to play Ronaldinho up front with the lethargic Ronaldo seemed to deny them a trump card. The rest were either too old or not committed enough to the cause. Germany have had a fine world cup and were heroic in defeat against Italy. The Klose-Podolski combination worked wonders and their defence was typically resiliant when it amttered most, against Argentina. Hopefully, they'll provide some fireworks in the third place game. Portugal won few admirers for the manner in which they contested their last 3 games, full of diving and theatrics. Despite having such a talented lineup, they never looked like scoring frequently and simply did not play well enough against France and England. Both games were typically scrappy affairs. The less said about England, the better. Much has been made of rooney's sending off, and perhaps rightly so, but I looked at their quarterfinal exit as a case of being put out of their misery. They perhaps deserved a better fate than going out yet again on penalties, after valiantly keeping afloat with ten men on the field against portugal.

Argentina were probably the team which looked to have the sheer talent and (perhaps)greatness we like to remember World Cup winners by. Their 6-0 demolition job against serbia in the frst round was probably the high point of the World Cup, and Maxi Rodriguez's goal against Mexico left us with great expectations. In the quarters, however, they discovered the never say-die spirit of the Germans, which along with some questionable tactis from the coach was enough to send them packing.

Whether Italy deserved to be past the second round after the game against australia is a moot point. Superbly organised as always in defence, they've found a refreshingly attacking approach which Marcello Lippi had promised before the sart of the WC. They scored when it matted most, especially against czech Republic in the first round and that final fling in the semis (great to see Del piero come on and score). Cannavaro and Gattuso have just got better as the tournament has progressed. Francesco Totti appears to have made amends for his poor World Cup in 2002, which ended in him being sent off against the South Koreans. At the moments, they looks on top of their game and are surely favourites for the title. However, they too seem to be short of the class and the magic touch which world cup winning teams in the past have had. Unless Totti scores a hat-trick or something, their victory will be praised but not considered particularly impressive.

That leaves us with France, and for me, the one bright spark in this competition. While Zinedine Zidane has not been back to his best, he's turned the corner sufficiently enough to inspire his initially insipid teammates to lift their game. France were quite pathetic in the first round, and even in the victory against Togo, (for which zizou was suspended; it could have been his last game), both Henry and Trezeguet looked incapabl of finishing well. Since then, things have fallen into place. In the midfield, Patrick Vieira has proved a real asset, as has the speed and freshness of frank Ribery. Claude Makalele continues to perform game after game making him an indispensable part of this unit. France were also tactically ahead of Brazil and Spain, teams who were supposed to roll over them on current form.

If France were to win, it would be the perfect send off for one of the few remaining all-time greats in the game. It would also be fitting in a sense, that a team which started so poorly managed to regroup and fight their way through to the title, including a triumphant rematch with Brazil (Zidnane again proved to be a thorn in the brazilian's flesh). The magic of Zizou refuses to die at the moment, and I'll be extremely happy if he can recreate it one last time. So, while Italy look the stronger side, it's France I'll be rooting for all the way. Allez les bleus!