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Cape Town - With just two days until Brazil and Croatia kick off the 2014 Soccer World Cup, it's hard not to look back at the 2010 edition.
It was a wonderful tournament hosted for the first time on African soil. All of South Africa united together to host a World Cup that put the country on the global stage like never before.
We look back at the 2010 World Cup and have our five most memorable moments that will not be forgotten.
1. OPENING CEREMONY
Millions of eyes were glued to TV screens across the world to see if indeed Africa could host the biggest tournament in the world. On June 11, 2010 South Africa proved that not only could it host the World Cup but would do so in fine style with world class stadiums and passionate fans.
For so many South Africans the start of the 2010 Soccer World Cup will live forever in the memories from the Bafana parade early in the morning through Johannesburg to the global unveiling of Soccer City, a 84 490 capacity stadium, to the local talent on display and finally the surprise appearance of the late president, Nelson Mandela. It was a wonderful time to be South African.
2. FAN PARKS AND FRANCE
The fan parks were a great way for ordinary South Africans to get together and watch not only the Bafana Bafana games but also every other game as all matches were broadcast live on big screens as well as being able to enjoy post-match concerts and musical performances.
For those not able to attend the games live, the fan parks were a great way to watch the game with a "live" game atmosphere. Another memorable moment was the Bafana victory over France. Here is a glimpse of what happened at the Port Elizabeth fan park during that game.
3. MOST MEMORABLE MATCH
For most South Africans fans as well as other African countries, the Black Stars of Ghana were the "second team" and once Bafana Bafana were eliminated. We all become Ghanaian in spirit. The quarter-final against Uruguay will long live on as the most memorable game of the 2010 edition of the Soccer World Cup. Suarez's handball was seen across the world as against the spirit of the game and many still hold the grudge against the Uruguayan superstar.
Deep in extra-time, Ghana sent in a free-kick into the box, first Luis Suarez blocks a Stephen Appiah's shot on the line only to then stop Dominic Adiyiah's headed follow-up with his hand. Suarez is sent off and up steps Asamoah Gyan. Gyan runs up and balloons his penalty over the goals. To make matters worse, Ghana go on to lose the shoot-out against Uruguay.
4. FRANK LAMPARD'S NO GOAL!
Never before has goal-line technology (or the lack thereof) played such a prominent role at the Soccer World Cup. With Germany taking on England in a Round of 16 match, the Germans led 2-1 in the first half and then came Frank Lampard's wonder strike. The ball clearly crossed the line and millions of English fans were sent into hysterics as the belief started to swell that England could conquer Germany.
The drama that followed has gone down in World Cup history. Jorge Larrionda from Uruguay, ruled out the goal as it rebounded off the bar and the score remained 2-1 in favour of the Germans. The English never recovered and slumped to a 4-1 defeat.
5. START OF THE SPANISH REIGN
Spain came to South Africa as one of the pre-tournament favourites and left as a first-time winner of the most coveted title in world football. After being shocked by minnows Switzerland, Spain went on to beat Honduras and Chile to progress out of the group phase. Spain managed to overcome Portugal(Round of 16) and Paraguay (last eight) and faced Germany in the semi-finals. Carlos Puyol headed Spain into the final where Andres Iniesta scored an extra time goal to hand the Spanish a victory over the Netherlands.
The final was vicious affair with no fewer than 12 yellow cards to go with John Heitinga's red card. Spain hardly set the footballing world alight in South Africa only scoring 4 goals in the play-off phase but importantly their defence was not breached in the knock-out rounds.
It was a wonderful tournament hosted for the first time on African soil. All of South Africa united together to host a World Cup that put the country on the global stage like never before.
We look back at the 2010 World Cup and have our five most memorable moments that will not be forgotten.
1. OPENING CEREMONY
Millions of eyes were glued to TV screens across the world to see if indeed Africa could host the biggest tournament in the world. On June 11, 2010 South Africa proved that not only could it host the World Cup but would do so in fine style with world class stadiums and passionate fans.
For so many South Africans the start of the 2010 Soccer World Cup will live forever in the memories from the Bafana parade early in the morning through Johannesburg to the global unveiling of Soccer City, a 84 490 capacity stadium, to the local talent on display and finally the surprise appearance of the late president, Nelson Mandela. It was a wonderful time to be South African.
2. FAN PARKS AND FRANCE
The fan parks were a great way for ordinary South Africans to get together and watch not only the Bafana Bafana games but also every other game as all matches were broadcast live on big screens as well as being able to enjoy post-match concerts and musical performances.
For those not able to attend the games live, the fan parks were a great way to watch the game with a "live" game atmosphere. Another memorable moment was the Bafana victory over France. Here is a glimpse of what happened at the Port Elizabeth fan park during that game.
3. MOST MEMORABLE MATCH
For most South Africans fans as well as other African countries, the Black Stars of Ghana were the "second team" and once Bafana Bafana were eliminated. We all become Ghanaian in spirit. The quarter-final against Uruguay will long live on as the most memorable game of the 2010 edition of the Soccer World Cup. Suarez's handball was seen across the world as against the spirit of the game and many still hold the grudge against the Uruguayan superstar.
Deep in extra-time, Ghana sent in a free-kick into the box, first Luis Suarez blocks a Stephen Appiah's shot on the line only to then stop Dominic Adiyiah's headed follow-up with his hand. Suarez is sent off and up steps Asamoah Gyan. Gyan runs up and balloons his penalty over the goals. To make matters worse, Ghana go on to lose the shoot-out against Uruguay.
4. FRANK LAMPARD'S NO GOAL!
Never before has goal-line technology (or the lack thereof) played such a prominent role at the Soccer World Cup. With Germany taking on England in a Round of 16 match, the Germans led 2-1 in the first half and then came Frank Lampard's wonder strike. The ball clearly crossed the line and millions of English fans were sent into hysterics as the belief started to swell that England could conquer Germany.
The drama that followed has gone down in World Cup history. Jorge Larrionda from Uruguay, ruled out the goal as it rebounded off the bar and the score remained 2-1 in favour of the Germans. The English never recovered and slumped to a 4-1 defeat.
5. START OF THE SPANISH REIGN
Spain came to South Africa as one of the pre-tournament favourites and left as a first-time winner of the most coveted title in world football. After being shocked by minnows Switzerland, Spain went on to beat Honduras and Chile to progress out of the group phase. Spain managed to overcome Portugal(Round of 16) and Paraguay (last eight) and faced Germany in the semi-finals. Carlos Puyol headed Spain into the final where Andres Iniesta scored an extra time goal to hand the Spanish a victory over the Netherlands.
The final was vicious affair with no fewer than 12 yellow cards to go with John Heitinga's red card. Spain hardly set the footballing world alight in South Africa only scoring 4 goals in the play-off phase but importantly their defence was not breached in the knock-out rounds.
