Monday, July 5, 2010

Garth Crooks' team of quarter-finals

Blimey, we're down to the final four teams - and there are only four remaining matches remaining at the 2010 Fifa World Cup. The South American giants crashed out in the quarter-finals so we could well end up with an all-European final next Sunday.

Friedrich celebrates Germany's fourth goal

Highlights - Argentina 0-4 Germany

Here's my team of the quarter-finals:

Iker Casillas
Spain keeper Iker Casillas

Goalkeeper
Spain

His penalty save and last-minute block helped secure Spain their first World Cup semi-final. He hasn't had a great deal to do this tournament, but he was superb against Paraguay when it mattered.

Gregory Van Der Wiel
Netherlands defender Gregory Van der Wiel

Left-back
Netherlands

This impressive young man looks better every time I see him. He is a stereotypical Dutch full-back who's quick, aggressive and comfortable on the ball. The Ajax man is not afraid to join in the play when required.

Arne Friedrich
Germany defender Arne Friedrich

Centre-back
Germany

Another very impressive display from the Hertha Berlin defender, who shackled Messi, Tevez and Higuain. In truth, Argentina never really looked like they would score.

Andre Ooijer
Netherlands defender Andre Ooijer

Centre-back
Netherlands

Came in at the last minute for the quarter-final against Brazil when Joris Mathijsen suffered a knee injury during the warm-up. He was rock solid as Brazil were sensationally knocked out.

Philipp Lahm
Germany defender Philipp Lahm

Right-back
Germany

What a tournament he's having. The inspirational captain was outstanding against England and even better against Argentina. One of my BBC colleagues said recently that he wouldn't have one German player in his England side. Really!

Wesley Sneijder
Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder

Midfielder
Netherlands

Just when you thought his season could not get any better, he's proved to be the inspiration behind the Netherlands' march into the semi-finals. The Dutch would have struggled without his goals.

Andres Iniesta
Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta

Midfielder
Spain

This pocket dynamo was pure perpetual motion. There were times when it looked as though Spain had blown their chances, but the Catalans' favourite son had different ideas. An inspiration to all kids under 5ft 6in.

Bastian Schweinsteiger
Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger

Midfielder
Germany

This is by far the best tournament I have seen the Bayern man have. Could the absence of captain Michael Ballack have something to do with his performances? The Germans may have lost one leader but they have certainly found another.

Thomas Mueller
Germany midfielder Thomas Mueller

Midfielder
Germany

The Bayern Munich star is proving to be one of the players of the tournament. Any player who destroys England and Brazil in a matter of days must be a bit special. He wears number 13 in honour of the legendary Gerd Muller. If he continues to score goals at this rate, he will eclipse him.

Miroslav Klose
Germany striker Miroslav Klose

Striker
Germany

Another German with a big match temperament. He may not have had a great season in the Bundesliga but who cares! The hit man seems destined to take Gerd Muller and Ronaldo's record during this tournament.

Diego Forlan
Uruguay striker Diego Forlan

Striker
Uruguay

Another great strike from the Uruguayan against Ghana and a cool head under pressure in the penalty shoot-out. One of the few players who has had any success with the ball from long range in the tournament.

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