Goalie- Iker Casillas
His save on Robben's first breakaway was as good as any in the tournament. Spain needed him to be perfect, winning each knockout game by 1 goal.
D- Maicon
The bending goal he scored from a yard off the endline was beautiful. To attempt it was crazy enough in itself. Also played solid defense, and is just downright mean looking. The best right back in the game?
D- Pique
Puyol scored a great header, but was also exposed a couple times defensively, and fouled to save his ass. Pique was a rock.
D- Lahm
Lahm is probably more known for his offense, but he might a couple last-man back saves, and was a perfect captain.
D- Ramos
I really don't like Sergio Ramos, but I gotta give the man his props. Was almost unstoppable going forward, but never seemed to get beat 1 on 1 defensively either.
M- Shweinsteiger
The easiest call for me of all the players. Very impressive for a former winger to move into the middle and control play so well. Watching him consistently hit 60 yard balls on a dime was sweet.
M- Snjeider
Scored 5 goals in clutch situations.
M- Ozil
Is this guy a future World Player of the Year? He played like a man agasint some of the biggest names in the world. So smooth under pressure.
F- Gyan
Yeah, he missed a big PK. But, he came back strong to hit one upper 90 in penalties. His upper body strength was phenomenal, which he showed against the U.S. Also had to play by himself.
F- Villa
A 1-man wrecking crew up front for Spain. I can't believe Spain was so successful playing without Torres, but Villa was c-l-i-n-i-c-a-l.
F- Forlan
Forlan scored a bunch of goals, but more than that, he figured out the jabulani before anyone. His free kicks were always threatening, and he scored 4 goals outside the box.
Manager- Low
Germany smashed England and Argentina without their best player and captain. Nuff said.
Players getting snubbed:
Xavi- I still dont see quite the player everyone else seems to see. Also, didn't take advantage of his goal-scoring opportunities.
Iniesta- I thought he would be on this list before the tourney, but 1 goal doesn't tell the whole story. Good but not great. Let's be honest- Spain ran through Ramos (and Navas) on the right, not down the middle.
Donovan- Was considered.
Mueller- Just not enough space. He certainly deserves to be listed.
I know I took the easy road out by not having specific positions, but was having a hard time filling the other center-back. Any suggestions?
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GK – Eduardo – Was clutch in every game he played in, not his fault his team didn’t advance further
ReplyDeleteD – Lahm – Quiet but effective, did everything Germany needed from him
D – Puyol – I’d usually say Pique, but this time I thought Puyol added just a little bit more
D - Mathijsen – Brilliant player
D – Maicon – Thought he played really well despite Brazil’s underachievement as a team
MF – Mueller – I don’t really like his style but it’s hard to argue with the golden boot at age 20
MF – Xavi – God
MF – Iniesta – God
MF – Sneijder – One of the few big name players who actually showed up with his A game
F – Villa – Ruthless - makes the cut despite a subpar final
F – Forlan – Annoyingly good all tournament long
C – Del Bosque – Managed his tactics well - won Spain its first world cup and did it all without arguably their best player.
Honorable mention:
Donovan – lifted the team on his back
Honda – Scored some great goals and looked dangerous at all times… great buy for CSKA
Schweinsteiger – Never seemed to stop running, solid in every aspect of his game…. the Fuhrer would be proud…Alle Hagel Deutschland werden wir selbst die Welt!!!!
Ozil – Cost me $50 and was impressive start to finish
The psychic octopus – Went 8-8, is now a citizen of Spain, and raised his own stock exponentially.