Special Edition: The Golden Nuggets World Cup 2010 - FIFA Most Entertaining Team

By Sports Magician

At the conclusion of the World Cup FIFA dish out various awards such as the Lev Yashin and Best Young Player awards. The category which interests the Golden Nuggets is the award for the Most Entertaining Team. The criteria for which are teams that have ‘done the most to entertain the public with a positive approach to the game’. FIFA has a technical committee which analyses and breaks down each game – with all the information and findings available soon after the conclusion of each match – in which the progressive attitude of team playing styles are dissected. However, for the purposes of the award the winner is determined by the public itself, via an internet poll. For this reason, the award is clearly not as technical as it could and possibly should be. With that in mind it could be argued the award becomes more of a popularity vote, rather than a true reflection of team performance.

The award has been in existence since 1994, with the roll of honour as follows;

1994 – Brazil (World Cup Winners)
1998 – France (World Cup Winners)
2002 – South Korea
2006 – Portugal

Let’s take a look back at these past tournaments and assess how true a reflection the voting proved to be given what transpired on the pitch. In all cases the winner of the award reached at least the semi-final stage.

1994

Brazil, Romania, Sweden and Italy were the most entertaining sides at USA ’94. The Brazilians, captained by current coach Dunga, were pragmatic in one sense but were able to rely on Bebeto and on-fire Romario to please the neutrals. Winning the tournament can’t have hurt their chances either, although the final with Italy was a drab affair that had to be settled on penalties. Romania were inspired by Gheorghe Hagi and won the match of the tournament against Argentina in the second round.



Failure to reach the last four may have damaged their chances, while the team who ousted them from the tournament – Sweden – scored plenty of goals, as well as drawing with Brazil in the group phase and being narrowly beaten in the last four. Italy had the outstanding player of the competition – Roberto Baggio – and had it not been for Baggio would have been very unwatchable, but sometimes all it takes is one great player to light up a tournament and capture the hearts of the watching world.

Brazil seem to have been deserving winners.

1998

France won the tournament and the most entertaining team award but I’m not convinced they deserved the artistic accolade. Brazil and Croatia were more entertaining to watch, although France ended up beating both of them to win the World Cup on home soil. The French struggled to create much in the knock-out phase against Paraguay – who they defeated by virtue of a golden goal – and Italy, whom they beat on penalties in a match of very few clear cut chances. The way Brazil lost the final with all the controversy and mystery over the exclusion and then inclusion of a virtually comatose Ronaldo may have played a role in them not winning the award. Croatia were reaping the benefits of a golden generation of players who were technically outstanding. Had they held on to their lead against France in the last four, they may well have ended up taking the award.

2002

South Korea were the surprise of the 2002 World Cup as they reached the last four of the competition. Were they the most entertaining side? No. Were they the luckiest? Yes. Host nations always benefit from the odd big decision during World Cup’s, but South Korea may have used up all the luck and 50/50 decisions for the rest of time as far as host nations are concerned. Brazil were clearly the most entertaining side with Ronaldo in particular completely unplayable for the entire month, ably supported by Rivaldo and Ronaldinho.

2006

It’s no surprise that neither the winner nor runner-up of the 2006 World Cup won the most entertaining team award as both Italy and France were underwhelming for the majority of the tournament. Argentina were surely the best playing side in the competition and if evidence is required, how about exhibit A?



Much like Romania in 1994, perhaps failure to go beyond the last eight counted against the Argentines. I can’t say I found Portugal particularly entertaining, although they were more expansive than any of their other last four rivals. In fact, Portugal were involved in a match against Holland that made the Battle of Santiago in 1962 almost seem tame.



2010

Who will wow the crowds in South Africa? Spain are rightful favourites in the market betting, the Spanish are the best technical side in the tournament and in a competition where keeping possession will be vital, no one can claim to be better on the ball than the current European champions. Brazil are second in the betting, but only blind Brazilian fan adoration could see them take the award given that Dunga’s side play purely on the counter attack with a central midfield of Felipe Melo and Gilberto Silva being about as progressive and creative as Lady Gaga. How on earth has Lady Gaga managed to fool the world into thinking she is the “new Madonna” is beyond me? Her music is crap, her outfits are only shocking and cutting edge for how utterly pathetic and attention seeking they attempt to be, although the magnitude of her following only goes to prove how stupid too many people on this planet are.

Anyway, enough about Gaga, back to the football. Argentina, led by a Lionel Messi who will have the shackles off and plenty of attacking support through Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez and Angel Di Maria have the potential to (a) reach at least the last four and (b) can’t be hurt in the entertainment stakes by boasting the world’s best and most beloved player.

England might reach the latter stages, but they are generally poor in possession and not always easy on the eye. Holland are a threat in this market, but with Arjen Robben expected to miss at least some of the tournament and Brazil possibly waiting for them in the last eight, it’s quite possible the quarter-final exit that must have played a part in affecting Romania (1994) and Argentina (2006) chances in past tournaments could strike again.

Chile are another side capable of entertaining the crowds and are a big price at 23.00, but with such a difficult section of the draw for them to contend with, it’s unlikely they will be able to get far into the tournament to merit winning the award.

Backing Spain and Argentina in this market can provide us with a healthy return.

PICK: 4*SPAIN TO WIN FIFA MOST ENTERTAINING TEAM AWARD @ 5.00 (WILLIAM HILL)

PICK: 3*ARGENTINA TO WIN FIFA MOST ENTERTAINING TEAM AWARD @ 8.00 (BOYLESPORTS)

Sports Magician