FIFA World Cup 2014

Congratulations to Germany - Champions of FIFA World Cup 2014. I also congratulate Argentina the runner up team of the tournament. 

32 days [12 June – 13 July] of excitement reached its end, when the German captain Philipp Lahm received the world cup from president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff.

 

It all started from June 12, 2014 with the  host beating Croatia 3-1 and it ended with Germany beating Argentina 1-0 at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Substitute Mario Gotze scored a stunning 113th-minute winner for Germany to give them fourth World Cup title, their first since German reunification and their first win outside Europe.

Before the match, Germany had reached the World Cup final seven times (six times as West Germany from 1954 to 1990), winning three (1954, 1974, 1990) and losing four (1966, 1982, 1986, 2002); Argentina had reached four finals, winning twice (1978, 1986) and losing twice (1930, 1990).

Every world cup leave some unforgettable moments. for me it all started from 2002 world cup. growing up in a country where cricket is like religion, naturally i was (am) more inclined towards cricket than any other sport on earth. but I had vague knowledge of what was happening in other sports like tennis and football, may be due to my reading habit.  

that was how I knew that France won the 1998 world cup against Brazil 3-0, where Zidan scored 2 headers. back then I didn't knew who Zidan was. 

but I started watching football only from 2002 world cup. I don't know why supported Brazil, may be because the only players I knew was RRR [ Ronaldo ,Riwaldo and Ronaldinho]

2002 - Ronaldo's hair style and the two goals he scored in the final against Germany still remains in memory from 2002 world cup.

2006 - Italy defeated France 5–3 in a penalty shootout in the final. but what remains in my memory is the Zinedine Zidane headbutting Italy's Marco Materazzi's chest and Zidane was sent off in his last-ever match.

2010 - Spain defeated Netherlands 1–0 after extra time, with Andrés Iniesta's goal in the 116th minute giving Spain their first world title. but what remains in my memory when it comes to 2010 world cup is Shakira's waka waka song and Paul the Octopus  and of course David Villa.

2014 - Germany beat Argentina. but what will remain in my memory is the Brazils 7-1 humiliating defeat against Germany in semi's.  perhaps the other things like Cristiano Ronaldo's failure to score. Neymar's injury. Messi's sad face might remain in my memory for some time I guess.

some of the interesting info of the finals are 

Mario Götze is the youngest scorer of a goal in a World Cup final since Wolfgang Weber in 1966.

This was the first time ever in World Cup history that Argentina conceded a goal in extra time.

Germany have scored 18 goals this World Cup tournament, the most for a team in a single World Cup since Brazil in 2002.

All three teams with more than 3 World Cup titles (Brazil, Italy and Germany) secured their 4th title 24 years after their 3rd title.  
 
Argentina captain Lionel Messi won FIFA's 'Golden Ball' award as the best player of the World Cup.

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, was awarded the Golden Gloves as the tournament's top keeper.

France midfielder Paul Pogba was named young player of the tournament, while Colombia took the Fair Play Award after receiving just five yellow cards in five matches in Brazil. 

so the joy and excitement of FIFA World cup is over now.  I don't know how many Indians going to follow football after the world cup because I have a strange habit of watching football only during world cup. as I mentioned earlier I am not great football fan but the world cup is a occasion, which I don't want to miss. 

lets wait for 2018 world cup at Russia.