The England team have returned home, taken a look around and scarpered for far flung shores much faster than any of them moved on the pitch against USA, Algeria, Slovenia or Germany.
Not that I'm bitter.
Actually I'm not bitter, I'm over it, because the spectacle that is the 2010 World Cup goes on, or at least it does when the quarter finals kick off this afternoon after this two day break we've all enjoyed/endured.
There are some great teams battling for supremacy, and some 'lesser' sides, who could cause an upset.
The commentators would have you believe that there is 'a new world order' essentially because Paraguay reached a quarter final for the first time in their history.
But don't listen to them dear readers!
Of the eight quarter-finalists, four have won the World Cup at least once.
In fact Brazil have won it five times, Germany three times and Uruguay and Argentina twice each.
And just to show no favouritism, although for the record I'm supporting Uruguay, i'll go through the teams in alphabetical order.
Argentina - Described, presumably ironically, by Messi as 'the prettiest team' in an attempt to woo Cheryl soon to be Tweedy again, Argentina have been the most consistently good side in the competition.
Not only did they win Group B outright with a 100% record and a goal difference of six, they have more stars than a Richard Curtis movie and more talent than Britain or America!
Oh yeh and some guy called Maradona is the manager...
Brazil - Besides having three players who all look like Robinho (one of them is him, but when they are all singing the national anthem, or sat on the bench, its very hard to tell which!) Brazil have developed into a more balanced side. All the attacking flair is still there (though the goals were sadly lacking against Portugal) and they now look more organised, it could be an unbeatable formula, or they could stifle their own genius, sides like Holland will be hoping its the latter.
Germany - Young and hungry after winning the Under 21s World championships, Germany also have the experience of players such as Klose and Schweinsteiger backing up the flair and youthful exuberance of Ozil, Muller et al. They are very dangerous and could go all the way.
Ghana - The only African side left in the competition are something of a surprise package. They lack the star power of a player like the Ivory Coast's Drogba but have some very good players and an excellent team spirit. They play for each other and for African pride, it would be a mistake to underestimate them.
Also notable for having two John Mensahs.
And their goal celebrations are already legendary!
Holland - A team of players who promise a lot and tend to deliver only up until a point. But they look revitalised by the return of Arjen Robben and may have improved their form at precisely the right time in the competition. Brazil will be tricky today, but if Holland can beat them the boost they would get could take them to the final.
Paraguay - The lesser of the two 'guay' sides, Paraguay are sort of summed up by Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz, decent touches, won't lay down for bigger opposition and fairly easy on the eyes, but lacking in the kind of firepower which is necessary at this stage of a major competition.
Spain - If Carlsberg made football teams, they'd probably create something that looked an awful lot like the Spanish national side. Any team where Cesc Fabregas is a nice occasional option and which is picked from the best and brightest of Barcelona and Real Madrid are always going to be one hell of a line-up.
But all the talent has so far not really translated onto the pitch, with the exception of David Villa.
A bit like Holland, if they bring their A game, they should be unstoppable, but the original favourites to win the competition are in danger of disappointing.
Uruguay - My favourite team left in the competition have a quiet confidence rather than the silly bravado of teams like England. Twice winners, a long, long, time ago, they nonetheless have the knowledge that they beat Argentina and Brazil to win the World Cup before, and probably feel that they can do it again.
Billed as a one man team because of Diego Forlan's prolific scoring habit in European competitions, the goals actually come from Luis Suarez.
What Forlan does is pull the strings. He is the heart of the team and the architect of much of their play.
First published on www.SportingPreview.com on 2/7/2010
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