Finally it is upon us once again, after months of speculation and anticipation, the real poll is finally being processed. Does it really seem so long ago that Didier Deschamps lifted the World Cup trophy in the Stade de France, after that rare-headed Zidane double inspired Brazil's de-throning? Pundits throughout the world will be holding their breath in the mere hope that there will be some truth in their predictions, and unless they were possession of a crystal ball it seems unlikely that many will have gotten the first one right. First we were given that usual dosage of another seemingly endless World Cup ceremony with the most notable point being the unanimous booing of FIFA president, Sepp Blatter. Admittedly there must be some value in it, but at the end of the day it's the football that matters and when you are offered an opening game possessing such excitment as France-Senegal held, you can hardly complain, as the opening fixture never really lives up to the billing.
On the 30th of June, we will discover who has been elected or indeed re-elected as the best team in the world, but first a month of fascinating emotion and sporting wonder will all but preoccupy millions of people lives worldwide, as football takes centre stage. That team running for re-election is already in serious trouble, and have a major task ahead of them if they want to compete against England or Argentiwithout.na in the second round. Although after today's amazing shocker, it could just as easily be Nigeria versus Senegal in the next round.
Few could have predicted that Senegal would actually go ahead and beat France with Zidane or without. Senegal are debutants at the World Cup and despite narrowly missing out on the African Nations Cup, that tournament will always be remembered as one of the drabbest affairs of all time, with few goals and the individual skill that has typified the African game virtually absent. In fact Cameroon won the competition without conceeding a single goal!
But perhaps that is precisely the point, as playing purely for the result has now also become central to the African game, just as it is has been in Europe for living memory. The easiest conclusion to draw is the fact that virtually every top competitor in Africa at the moment is under the leadership of a European manager, and most of the top African players play in Europe. Senegal's performance against France illustrated none of the naivety that has cursed African teams for years. While African teams amazed neutrals by exhibiting wonderful skills on the ball, they were criticised for losing it too easily, and having great difficulty in holding onto leads, due to a lack of that killer instinct. But Senegal defended resolutely against France and broke majestically, with El Hadji Diouf possessing that bit of individual class that seperates a team that always draws, from one that could potentially get a run together. Admittedly they did face France on a very off-day, with Henry and Wiltord underperforming and Djorkaeff and Petit looking like shadows of their former selves, but Daf, Diatta, Coly and Cisse form a strong back-line, that will trouble virtually every other team possessing none of the dramatic firepower of the French.
How they perform against Denmark in their second game will tell us much more about whether Senegal can be seen as serious outsiders to advance to at least the quarter-finals. Senegal will surely be favourites for that game, and whether they can deal with not being the underdogs remains to be seen. Perhaps a lot could be learnt from how Cameroon perform against Ireland on Saturday, as the Africans will face a similar hard-working team to the Danes, and Cameroon will be seen as favourites in the absence of Roy Keane. African teams do now have the advantage of not having to meet European or South American teams in their own back-yard, but whether this could be the year that an African team finally lifts the World Cup remains to be seen. France can hardly be written off after one lesser performance, but will surely have dropped behind Argentina and Italy as third favourites now, especially considering the fact that neither Uruguay or Denmark will be a walkover either. With Zidane back in the side, they should still progress, but a highly difficult task awaits them if they want to the first team since 1962 to defend the World Cup.
Finally it is upon us once again, after months of speculation and anticipation, the real poll is finally being processed. Does it really seem so long ago that Didier Deschamps lifted the World Cup trophy in the Stade de France, after that rare-headed Zidane double inspired Brazil's de-throning? Pundits throughout the world will be holding their breath in the mere hope that there will be some truth in their predictions, and unless they were possession of a crystal ball it seems unlikely that many will have gotten the first one right. First we were given that usual dosage of another seemingly endless World Cup ceremony with the most notable point being the unanimous booing of FIFA president, Sepp Blatter. Admittedly there must be some value in it, but at the end of the day it's the football that matters and when you are offered an opening game possessing such excitment as France-Senegal held, you can hardly complain, as the opening fixture never really lives up to the billing.
On the 30th of June, we will discover who has been elected or indeed re-elected as the best team in the world, but first a month of fascinating emotion and sporting wonder will all but preoccupy millions of people lives worldwide, as football takes centre stage. That team running for re-election is already in serious trouble, and have a major task ahead of them if they want to compete against England or Argentiwithout.na in the second round. Although after today's amazing shocker, it could just as easily be Nigeria versus Senegal in the next round.
Few could have predicted that Senegal would actually go ahead and beat France with Zidane or without. Senegal are debutants at the World Cup and despite narrowly missing out on the African Nations Cup, that tournament will always be remembered as one of the drabbest affairs of all time, with few goals and the individual skill that has typified the African game virtually absent. In fact Cameroon won the competition without conceeding a single goal!
But perhaps that is precisely the point, as playing purely for the result has now also become central to the African game, just as it is has been in Europe for living memory. The easiest conclusion to draw is the fact that virtually every top competitor in Africa at the moment is under the leadership of a European manager, and most of the top African players play in Europe. Senegal's performance against France illustrated none of the naivety that has cursed African teams for years. While African teams amazed neutrals by exhibiting wonderful skills on the ball, they were criticised for losing it too easily, and having great difficulty in holding onto leads, due to a lack of that killer instinct. But Senegal defended resolutely against France and broke majestically, with El Hadji Diouf possessing that bit of individual class that seperates a team that always draws, from one that could potentially get a run together. Admittedly they did face France on a very off-day, with Henry and Wiltord underperforming and Djorkaeff and Petit looking like shadows of their former selves, but Daf, Diatta, Coly and Cisse form a strong back-line, that will trouble virtually every other team possessing none of the dramatic firepower of the French.
How they perform against Denmark in their second game will tell us much more about whether Senegal can be seen as serious outsiders to advance to at least the quarter-finals. Senegal will surely be favourites for that game, and whether they can deal with not being the underdogs remains to be seen. Perhaps a lot could be learnt from how Cameroon perform against Ireland on Saturday, as the Africans will face a similar hard-working team to the Danes, and Cameroon will be seen as favourites in the absence of Roy Keane. African teams do now have the advantage of not having to meet European or South American teams in their own back-yard, but whether this could be the year that an African team finally lifts the World Cup remains to be seen. France can hardly be written off after one lesser performance, but will surely have dropped behind Argentina and Italy as third favourites now, especially considering the fact that neither Uruguay or Denmark will be a walkover either. With Zidane back in the side, they should still progress, but a highly difficult task awaits them if they want to the first team since 1962 to defend the World Cup.
