Having just watched the final, I'm pretty gutted for the Netherlands, as cynically as they played at times. Spain just about deserved their victory, but have not been the great side you might think listening to the so-called experts. More on this later.
First though, what can we take from this tournament? From an organisational and cultural point of view, it was a success. Further indication that countries other than the footballing superpowers can put on a show and enrich the experience for players and fans. But I'll leave this area for those more well-informed.
Looking at the football side of things, excitement and tension mixed with controversy and disappointing standards of play. But South Africa 2010 provides us with some interesting lessons.
Firstly, the importance of a 'winning mentality' or idea of a 'mission'. Team spirit is vital to any side: some had it (Netherlands, Germany, Spain) and others plainly did not (France, England). Brazil should have wiped the Dutch off the pitch with the players they have; spirit meant the Dutch, still in the game, retained belief and Brazil collapsed under the pressure.
A key part of this is down to the manager. They can inspire, educate, encourage or, in some cases, deflate players. Domenech was a disaster. Dunga and Maradona paid for getting the mix of emotion and rationality (i.e. discipline and sound tactics) wrong.
The manager also brings change and continuity. Too many African sides changed coaches in the year(s) or even months before the tournament. As a result, only Ghana progressed from their group, having belief in their manager and themselves. England saw too radical a change in manager style and team set-up. France and Italy paid for not enough change. Domenech should have been fired long ago, while a desperate Italy sought security in Lippi and the likes of Cannavaro and Pirlo.
If we look at the three European sides in the last four, all changed manager quite recently (del Bosque appointed in July 2008, van Marwijk in August 2008 and Löw in July 2006). Yet all three continued where their successful (for the most part) predecessors had left off, be it formations, players used, or footballing ideologies. They brought change where needed, but the continuity that remained allowed a team spirit and way of playing to develop. Look at Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United - new players, different coaches, but a footballing vision shaped by him and expressed in the Premiership for almost 25 years.
What about formations? A back four remains the norm, with Chile's back three producing two 1-0 wins and, eventually, a pasting by 'more conservative' Brazil. All of the semi-finalists used two (in Uruguay's case, three) holding midfielders to break up opposition attacks, protecting the defence and setting the creative players on their way. Hence it is not negative strategy, but pragmatic thinking. Having Busquets and Alonso behind them allowed Xavi, Iniesta, Villa and Torres/Pedro/Fabregas the freedom to create opportunities without worrying about defending. Four (or at least three) players given goalscoring as their remit ought to make games more exciting, even if this does not always happen in practice.
So England stuck to 4-4-2. Barry played badly, but should not have been given the task of protecting the back four on his own. Milner, Lampard and Gerrard could only look back as Germany tore their defence apart, perhaps caught in two minds about whether to help at the back or go forward.
Playing a lone striker seems a successful tactic. There is increased pressure, perhaps, but if that striker can hold the ball up, make intelligent runs to distract defenders and bring the likes of Sneijder, Özil and Iniesta into play, they will be treasured. Getting a few goals is a bonus, especially if you can be relied on to take chances. van Persie hardly lit up the World Cup, but his first touch, strength, running and distribution allowed Sneijder and Robben to steal the limelight.
That's enough for now; in part 2 I will discuss players, ways of approaching games and media attitudes.
Again, comments or questions welcome at the bottom. Also, please vote for goalkeeper of the tournament.
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