FINAL - NED v ESP: Football Was The Winner

In the history of world football, some games really stand out.

Games in which both sides are intent on taking it up to their opposition and players are prepared to express themselves freely despite the danger that any error may be capitalised upon by their alert adversaries.

Games in which the slick interchange of passes is only surpassed in technical brilliance by the clinical and decisive finishing.

Games where both sets of defenders are totally uncompromising, yet still play within the spirit of fair play.

Games where there is an engrossing struggle for dominance between the evenly-matched midfields and the forwards of both teams work tirelessly for the full 90 minutes.

Games when you are really hoping that the teams are tied at full-time, just so you can see another 30 minutes of engrossing and enthralling action.

Yes, there have been some truly great games that grabbed the hearts and minds of football lovers everywhere and will live long in our memories.

Unfortunately, today's final was not one of those games.

QF 3 - ARG v GER: Train Like You Play

When I was a youngster, learning the basics of the game at Heathfield Rovers, our ever-patient coach Gene Vecchio used to repeat the phrase "if you don't train like you play, you will play like you train".

But we'd had a full-day of school, and we thought his accent was funny, and most of us were taller than him, so none of us heeded what he said.

Besides, it was far more fun to wear the witches hats on your head.

In retrospect though, Mr Vecchio was correct, and as a result we never won a thing...

Stunned with the demolition job that Germany did on Argentina overnight, and looking for answers, Gene's words came back to me.

Hmmm... I wonder what Argentina training is like?

Mr Vecchio - you have been vindicated!

QF 2 - URU v GHA: I Think I'm Ghana Throw Up

Luis Suarez, you are a cheating son-of-a-bitch.

But unlike Arjen Robben I don't want to punch you in the head.

Your "hand of the devil" cost you a red card and suspension, and it cost your team a penalty. But it saved us from the "rise of Africa" stories that no doubt would have come had Ghana progressed to the last eight. And for that you should be praised!

Ghana should have won from the spot-kick (given all the penalties they have taken in the past two World Cups), but the fact that Gyan could not put it away is indicative of the poor performance of Africa at this tournament.

African nations played 20 games at this World Cup. They scored just 17 goals, and four of those were from the penalty spot. Algeria were dull. Nigeria and Cameroon were ill-disciplined. Ivory Coast proved that they are they over-hyped and heavily reliant on Drogba, and were also responsible for one of the most cynical pieces of "sportsmanship" resulting in Kaka's ridiculous red card. South Africa, despite some bright spots became the first host nation not to make it out of their group. And Ghana were presented with gift after gift, and their physical style was not punished as it was for some other teams.

I don't know why Sepp Blatter and half the media are so exultant about African football.

Thank you Luis!

QF1 - NED v BRA: Daylight Robbenry

Arjen Robben, you are a cheating son-of-a-bitch.

You deserved those studs in your thigh.

Actually, you deserve them in your face.

Your antics conned the referee and frustrated the Brazilians. You won the game, but you won no friends. You sir, are a c*** of the highest order.

Brazil lost their heads and forgot one of the golden rules of football: if your opponent is constantly falling over and staging for frees, then make damn sure that the next time he hits the floor it is because of a genuine foul. And make sure it is a crippling one!

And if you're going to take a red card for it, then don't just rake your studs over the guy's leg - break the bastard!