The fever has atlast come to a halt!!!

I had been suffering from fever since last month and had experienced many sleepless nights during this period.. Yes, it was the FIFA WC fever once again and this time I decided to support the Germans.. Though the Germany line up didn't contain Michael Ballack due to his injury, there were others like Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, Philipp Lalm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Mueller who I thought could take Germany to the first position.. The grand opening took place on June 11th at the Soccer City stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa.. The Wavin' Flag of K'naan completely rocked.. There were 32 competing teams each with an appetite of tasting the WC victory, but I wanted Lahm to lift the trophy..

With this dream, I sat out to watch the Germans taking against the Aussies in a group match.. I was elated when at the eighth minute, Lukas Podolski opened the scoring for Germany.. The 26th minute goal from the veteran striker and my favourite player Miroslav Klose added to the delight.. The Germans with the score of 4-0 romped off the Aussies..

I had a hope that the Germans can easily win against Serbia in the next match.. But, my dream got shattered.. But alas, Kloser received red card, Jovanovic scored for Serbia and the equalizer attempt of Lukas Podolski's penalty kick was saved by the Serbians.. Germany lost to Serbia and Kloser missed the next match..

Germany had to face Ghana in their third match.. Ghana gave a tough fight, but Germany won the game by 1-0 with Mesut Oezil's goal at the 60th minute.. With this the Germans reserved a place for the pre quarter finals..

Germany being the winner of Group D had to take against England, the runner of Group C.. The Germans got the green signal to the quarter finals with a 4-1 win in the round of 16.. Klose was back to play from the suspension he had received in the group match.. Kloser came between John Terry and Matt Upson, poked the ball right into the goal post, which took Germany to the lead.. Lukas Podolski shot the second goal for Germany, but within 5 min England opened their account with Upson's shot.. England could have had an equalizer but Lampard missed it out.. Thomas Mueller confirmed Germany's ticket into the quarter finals with two breakaways..

This was the big match in which the Germans had to face Maradonna's side.. And there was a big match in my house too- between me and my bro.. My bro is a big fan of Lionel Messi.. He took side of Argentina and we both had a debate on Argentina vs Germany.. I had talked too much and was watching the match with my fingers crossed.. The third minute goal from Thomas Mueller humbled the hopes of Argentenian supporters.. Kloser, in the 24th minute, could have made 2-0 but it didn't happen.. In the middle of the game Argentina got the ball into the net but it was of no use.. It was declared off side.. Bastian Schweinsteiger was excellent through out the game.. The disappointment caused by Klose was completely forgotten when he hit the balls to the net in the 68th minute taking Germany to 2-0.. Schweinsteiger assisted in taking Germany to the 3-0 lead in the 74th min, Anne Friedrich completely utilized his chance of scoring the first international goal.. It was Kloser in the 89th minute who scored another goal that made him score 14 WC finals goals and he equalized Gerd Muller.. Kloser completely rocked in the second half.. The Germans pulverized the Argentanians and got qualified for the semi finals..

It was Germany vs Spain in the second semi finals of the 2010 WC.. The German line up had to lose Mueller who got the yellow card in the match against Argentina.. I expected Klose to set history by surpassing the Brazilian legendary Ronaldo's 15 WC finals goals, also win the Golden Boot for the second time and write his own records of the only player to have won the Golden Boot for the second time.. I wanted Germany to head to the finals.. But, Spanish were really powerful.. They had a flawless team each one playing splendidly well.. It was Carles Puyol's and the Spanish day.. They made no mistakes and completely outwited the Germans..

After the Germans had been thrashed by Spain, I felt Germans should atleast retain the position they had earned in the FIFA WC'06.. Was in a hope that Kloser would recover from his injury; if not he surpasses, he would atleast equal my all time favourite Ronaldo.. The match started with no Klose, no Podolski, no Lahm and no Neuer in the line up.. Schweinsteiger took up the responsibility of being the German skipper.. Mueller, assisted by the long range shot from Schweinsteiger, started the points for Germany at the 19th minute, he levelled David Villa and Wesley Sneijder who had already 5 goals added to their cart.. It was soon equalized by Cavani.. The first half ended with 1 all.. Diego Forlan took Uruguay to the 2-1 lead in the 51st minute.. He became fourth to reach the five goals in FIFA'10.. Jancen's score at the 56th minute brought back the Germans into the game.. Mesut Ozil's corner onto Sami Khedira's 82nd minute header took Germans to the third place..

I was happy that the team I supported finished third among 32 contestants.. I dunno if I should be sad in Klose not being able to level Ronaldo or if I should be happy in my all time favourite football hero Ronaldo of Brazil remaining unbeaten in the list of top WC goal scorers.. I will surely miss Kloser in the FIFA'14..

Paul, the octopus' prognostications can never been forgotten.. He made eight predictions in the FIFA'10 by eating away the mussel in one of the two boxes that also contained the flags of the competing teams.. All the eight predictions(involving seven Germany matches and the FIFA'10 finals) of Paul the psychic has been right.. I was of an opinion that the oracle could be wrong in predicting the Spanish as the winner against Germany in the semis.. Some angry and nefarious German fans want him to be fried for his predictions becoming true.. I believe Paul would be protected to give his auguries in the matches to come..

The much awaited FIFA'10 came to an end atlast with Spain bagging the title for the first time after defeating the Oranje.. Diego Forlan of Uruguay got the Golden Ball for his outstanding performances.. Thomas Mueller of Germany was awarded the Golden Shoe for five goals and three assists in the tournament.. He also received the Best Young Player award.. Iker Casillas of Spain bagged the Golden Glove award as he emerged as the best goal keeper.. The one month of FIFALARIA has come to an end!!!