What will be the abiding memories of South Africa 2010?

To many, it seems the plus points all seem to come OFF the pitch, with the relatively smooth organisation, little, if any, crowd trouble and the celebratory feel-good atmosphere surrounding the games.

But on the pitch the same onlookers have bemoaned the lack of quality football on show, criticised the ball, the referees, the players and the sterile nature of some of the football compared with tournaments gone by.

I don't entirely agree. South Africa 2010 provided a welcome break from the money-drenched pollution of Premier League and European cups, and it was wonderful to see if in Africa for the first time.

True, some of the world's best underperformed, but still others shone, and the way the tournament ebbed and flowed from the early dominance of the South Americans to the eventual triumph of the Europeans was fascinating.

So over all, I think we had the lot.

Shocks and big names going out early (France and Italy)

Outstanding counter-attacking football (German)

African flair and drama (Ghana and in a small way the hosts, South Africa)

Sublime football (Spain)

Wretched football (England).

All to the background din of the Vuvuzelas,

If you were a football fan, South Africa 2010 was a terrific tournament.