The World Cup Ends.

So, it is finished. The Dutch and the Spanish faced off in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the world cup final and after 117 minutes of intriguing soccer, the Spanish scored to win the game. I say intriguing in the sense that the game really hinged on tactical prowess. How were the Dutch going to stifle the open, possession game of the Spanish and how would the Spaniards, in turn, nullify the efficient Dutch attack. The Dutch kicked the Spanish off the field and the Spaniards did what they do: patiently pass the ball back and forth until the opening comes. It took a long time to find the opening but it appeared and with two touches--a sublime chipped pass from Fabregas and a cool finish from Iniesta--the Spaniards became world champions.

It is not a classic game. Barely a shadow of the final of 2006 (Zindane going mental, remember?) and that one was hardly the stuff highlights tapes are based upon. I missed the Dutch team that punished Brazil barely two weeks ago. As turns would have the petulance and disrespect exhibited by the Brazilians in their loss was contagious and the Dutch exhibited the same degree of ignorance and selfish complaining.

Referee Webb is not blameless, not at all. His officiating is poor at best and is almost a mirror of the English game. Is this the best the English can offer?

So, it is finished. The hours and hours of soccer have come to a halt. The readily availability of the worlds finest talent has been taken away and soon the worlds best soccer talent will be swept away to specialty channels and odd times and I will be following it all online, no more games at the local watering hole or shared with family friends. Soon the punditry will peter out and I will be left with the grim realization that all in the world is much the same as it was a month ago.

I had half expected a magnanimous change in response to the showcase of the world's game. To emerge, somehow, better and improved and in a place of ambition and promise. But, to be honest, nothing has changed. I polished the bar at the Copper Hog and held down a couple of tables at Coconut Kenny's and consumed mass amounts of other peoples thoughts and insights on the teams of the world. But tomorrow I face the same challenges and fears I had to face a month ago...a week ago...yesterday.

A fun distraction that has come to an end. It was fun while it lasted.