THE UGLY GAME.

As the massed ranks of the media battalions decamp to depart from their respective eyries, and the vast areas become once more 'Punditless in Pretoria'. To the truly sport minded, this was a few weeks of unmitigated mean. It was interesting that by the time we reached the semi-finals, to avoid bookings, the full set of studs disappeared from the usual suspects, when looking to scythe down the opposition.

The final followed in the footsteps of the last occasion in Germany four years ago. Spain managed to grind out another one goal win, hardly the style we were told to expect. In actual fact, their flair had diminished considerably from the European nation's success of two years ago. To enhance what is lacking in the game, they succeeded without a distinctive or penetrative forward line. This, therefore, speaks volumes about the state of the game.

I must admit that I took to the panel on ITV, finding, surprisingly, that Adrian Chiles has the rare ability not to patronise the game and the personnel. One of his final comments, following the final, was along the lines that, many folk who never watch football would have tuned in for the World Cup final; something that both he and his colleagues were endeavouring to sell to the viewing public; concluding that it was a diabolical advert.

However, probably the best of a poor crop emerged as the winners. What a pity that the cavalier style of the Dutch from the seventies can't manifest itself once more. Hey-Ho.

It would be churlish not to acknowledge the best player of the tournament, Diego Forlan, good feet, awareness and the ultimate asset, the talent to find space.

As it is only bad habits that the average Brit learns -------

VUVUZELAS WILL SHORTLY BE HEARD AT A FOOTBALL GROUND NEAR YOU.