Germany 2006: Superlatives

My contribution to the parade of post-tournament World Cup lists...

Best game

Argentina 2-1 Mexico (Round of 16)

This one had non-stop action in the second, as both teams desparately tried to score. It looked like Mexico could pull of the upset until Maxi Rodriguez brilliant volley (and goal of the tournament) toward the end of the first extra period.

Honorable Mention: Australia 3-1 Japan

Worst game

France 0-0 Switzerland

Zzzzzzzzzzzz.

Honorable Mention: England 1-0 Paraguay. After the own goal in the 3rd minute, it was time to have a nap.

Best player

Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)

Italy's best defender was nearly perfect throughout the month.

Honorable Mention: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)

Take a look where he winds up after the Serie A scandal leaves Juventus in shambles.

Best goal

Maxi Rodriguez's game-winning volley against Mexico

An incredible once in a career moment, and in crunch time, to boot.

Honorable Mention: Joe Cole's volley from chest against Sweden. A very close second.

Saddest moment

Zinedine Zidane's head butt and red card against Italy

This really was a tragic end to the career of one of the all-time great footballers. Rather than going out with dignity, something drove Zizou to a shocking assault on Marco Materazzi. Whether or not we learn what was being said between the two right before the foul, it was a shame to end such a brilliant career in such ignominy. I have a feeling that this single mindless act will be the moment of the tournament that is remembered most in the coming years. He will regret this for the rest of life.

Honorable Mention: Michael Owen crawling off the pitch on all fours in the first minute of the Sweden game.

Biggest disappointment

Frank Lampard
He was a mere shadow of his own club form for Chelsea.

Honorable Mention: (tie) Thierry Henry's dive against Spain leading to a Zidane penalty kick; Luis Figo's head-butt on the Netherland's Mark van Bommel. I love these two players, but it was hard to accept these unfortunate acts.

Most underrated team

France

Never given a chance to go as far as they did. If you predicted they would win before the games started, you're either lying or on crack. Allez les vieux.

Most overrated team

Brazil

They're arrogance has been reoportedly a major factor, especially when it comes to their paleolithic training schedule. They were definitely not the fittest side and Ronaldinho did nothing, despite being hyped endlessly around the world before June 9.

Honorable Mention: USA. Also failed to meet expectation, suggestion that 2002 was a fluke: that's two out of three tournaments of failing to get out the group stage.

Best World Cup website

BBC Sport

Like everything the BBC does, their football coverage is second to none. The World Cup website's columnists, live match coverage, cool virtual replays, and complete team info made it the best of a crowded group.

Honorable Mention: Official Site of the FIFA World Cup

Best World Cup podcast

Baddidel and Skinner's World Cup Podcast

Hilarious and fun. Frank Skinner's wacky references and banjo tunes combined with the dry wit of David Baddiel made this a real highlight of the past 30 days.

Best US broadcasting team

JP Dellacamera and John Harkes

Knowledgeable and understated, Dellacamera is as good as American football commentary gets. And John Harkes was an excellent color man, who never spoke just to hear his own voice.

Worst US broadcating team

Dave O'Brien and Marcelo Balboa

I actually feel sorry for O'Brien, because he worked so hard to prepare himself for the assignment. But as he showed, doing a crash course is not the way to prepare to broadcast the world's top sporting event. It's been said that to really be a master of something, you need to learn everything, then forget it. (Not literally, but that way you show a true knowledge.) O'Brien's problem was constantly not allowing himself to forget what he'd learned in his five month cram session. I will admit that the trivia lessened over time, but there was still the fish out of water vibe of an Olympic luge announcer. And his baseball announcer's cadence really was unsuited for the game.

Balboa was everything John Harkes was not, filling every free moment with a not terribly insightful insight.

Best US World Cup program

Ticket to Germany, Fox Soccer Channel

Max Bretos and company did a fine job giving match reviews and previews. Three guys who love the game.

Best British World Cup progam available on Comcast cable

Sky Sports News (on Fox Soccer Channel)

Despite being a Rupert Murdoch channel, Sky Sports does an excellent job covering football with good presenters, lots of player and manager interviews, and expert analysis. It gave a level of coverage unseen on US television. I can't imagine life without it!

Most flagrant foul

Zidane's headbutt

See above.

Honorable Mention: Luis Figo's headbutt; Daniele De Rossi's elbow to Brian McBride

Worst refereeing decision

Graham Poll's yellow card trifecta

Can there be any serious competition?

Most uninspired TV ad based on a good premise

The ubiquitous Adidas José + 10 campaign

The idea was solid, but the ads themselves were pretty shallow. Too much MTV-style fast editing. Not enough time with the individual players. Including Beckenbauer and Platini part was cool, but it really seemed like much ado about nothing in the way they merely walked in and weren't really seen again. Guess I'm spoiled by the amazing Nike "Secret Tournament" ads in 2002.

Honorable Mention: Nike's Joga Bonito spots. The individual ads themselves were unique and quirky, but we only got to see about 2-3 different ones in the US (the Brazil and US teams).

Worst hair

Loco (Angola)

Ridiculous.

Best kit

(tie) England home; Germany home

Both are simple and tasteful, light shirts with dark shorts. Classic.

Honorable Mention: Portugal home. Cool maroon color.

Worst kit

(tie) Croatia home; Ecuador home

Croatia for its ever-hideous red and white checks; Ecuador for its if-one-loud-color-makes-a statement-then-three-of-them-must-make-an-even-better-statement fiasco.