ALBRECHT GEYER
On 11 July 2010, a month-long celebration of football was concluded when Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time winner secured victory for Spain over the Netherlands in Soccer City, ensuring that La Furia Roja were crowned world champions for the first time in history. However, Spain are not the only victors as South Africa proved we are capable of organising a world class event, defying the “naysayers” who wrote off the host country before the World Cup started.
South Africa exceeded expectations by hosting a successful tournament. FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, applauded the rainbow nation for the manner in which they embraced the World Cup. “It is down to the people of South Africa for the way they opened their arms to this event.” Blatter also stated that he is “more than satisfied and happy with the smooth running of the tournament. It was a huge success for both South Africa and the continent of Africa. They can be proud of their achievements. They showed they can organise such an event successfully.”
Blatter scored South Africa nine out of 10 for hosting and after the final game he remarked: “Nobody in the world is perfect but the organisation of this first World Cup in Africa and in South Africa was pretty close.”
Local Organising Committee CEO, Danny Jordaan, commended Blatter for his vision in bringing the World Cup to South Africa. “The president (Blatter) took a big risk in championing Africa and especially South Africa to stage the World Cup. We sit here today glowing in the success of a fantastic tournament just completed but, had it gone wrong, Blatter would have been made to answer. We thank him for his faith in us and making our dream come true.”