The World Cup is over. Spain are (worthy) Champions, and the footballing world can look back at 30 days of world class football- or something like that.

For me, there were a few things that ruined the World Cup this year. Here are the top 10:

10- Opening Ceremony- Let’s start from the beginning. The opening ceremony was dull, boring, and so very uncreative. The fact that there was a giant bug roaming around the stadium (which was half empty), and a hundred people dancing randomly on the pitch summarizes the “organization” of the opening ceremony. Side note: the closing ceremony was much much more exciting.

9- The Jabulani- Ah yes, the much talk about Jabulani ball. Tests were conducted, experts had their say, and footballers voiced their concern, but FIFA and Adidas were too stubborn to listen. It is still debatable whether the ball actually made any difference. But the fact that so many players (especially ‘keeprs) complained about it left us wondering every time a long shot came in, whether that was a spectacular effort, or just the “Jabulani effect”.

8- All those Flops- The names Rooney (and half the England Team), Anelka, and Van Persie all come to mind. Simply put, this World Cup big stars failed to shine on the biggest stage of all. Some seamed hampered with pressure, others just disinterested with the game, and most just simply couldn’t live up to expectations. The fact that Thomas Muller and Diego Forlan collected the golden prizes of this World Cup shows you how many flops this tournament had- no offence to Muller or Forlan.

7- France- Yes, the whole team. The fiasco that emerged from Les Blues was a disgrace to French football. While the world tried to focus on some much awaited football, the French were left occupied with mutiny and disrespect. Ireland was laughing its heart out.

6- Raymon Domenech, Fabio Capello, and Dunga- three coaches who made some awful decisions both in tactics and team selections. The fact that these coaches left out key players (Walcott, Ronaldinho, Pato, Nasri, Benzema) ment that we were starved for real talent this World Cup. Fabio Capello’s tactics is a whole different story, especially for English fans.

5- (The Lack Of) Video Technology and Poor refereeing- It was 1966 all over again. Did it cross the line? This time, the whole world was sure that Lampard’s dipping effort crossed the line- well the whole world except for the referee and his linesman. But little blame can be placed on the officials. A lot of blame, however, can be placed on Blatter and (yet again) FIFA’s stuborness. As for some of the refereeing decision, were all left to wonder: How did Klose get sent off? How was Tevez’s goal not offside? All those penalties in the Spain Paraguay match? Why was the US’s goal disallowed? Oh, and Mr. Webb, how did you not send off 4 players from Holland (and a couple from Spain) in the final

4- Empty Seats- in 2006, I couldn’t remember a single game in which there were more than a few empty seats. This year, there were empty seats even in the quarter finals! In the last 16 game between S. Korea and Uruguay, there were more empty seats than occupied ones in the front row. It was an embarrassment for football, and probably caused by really high ticket prices.

3- Fernando Torres, Keita, Robben, Vidal (and many more)- All of the aforementioned players have one thing in common. I’ll give you a hint, they all do their diving at sea level. Anyone?  All of those players used play acting (Cheating?) to cause the sending off of opposition players. All of those players are a sorry excuse for professionals. And all of those players were hailed by their countrymen for all the wrong reasons.

2- The Netherlands in the Final- anti football was a common strategy (theme?) this World Cup for small teams. But for a team of the magnitude and history of Holland to play the way they did in the final is a disgrace to the “beautiful” game. In every way possible, the Oranje kicked and harassed the Spanish players and the Officials. It was a sad sight to see, and it (almost) ruined the Final.

1- The Vuvuzela- and could it be anything else. To be completely honest, this whole list was compiled just so that I can say how much the Vuvuzela ruined this World Cup. It is no understatement to say that I would have enjoyed each and every game ten times more had this “instrument” been absent. Elephants and bee hives are among animals compared to the Vuvuzela. The 5 foot horn drowned any hint of atmosphere from the crowd, and it annoyed the hell out of pundits and commentators on the pitch. It was simply a stupid stupid idea that ultimately ruined this World Cup for me, and for about 100 million other people.

So what else ruined YOUR World Cup experience? Drop us a comment and let us know!