Eternal

Viva Espana, again!

Forgive me, for I am about to gush. I guess it must be my destiny not to watch major football tournaments in HD. The last World Cup I watched on my half-dead CRT TV, this year thanks to my move I have been resigned to watching repeats on state TV and streaming the final on my laptop. Regardless, I loved every moment of it and am truly grateful that, somehow, in between the packing and quite a few hotels (I even switched hotels at one point after discovering that a certain 5-star resort in Miri wasn't showing the games), managed to catch (almost) everything. And all the hassle was worth it.

Because Espana took it home. Again.

Man, what a final! IMHO The Spanish team embodies what every other hyped-up team lacks (England, France, Holland) - a total lack of showboating, a kind of team spirit and togetherness that makes you think believe that these guys are not just teammates, they're a single, lethal unit built on a foundation of true friendship. The team above all else. While the attacking midfielders defended, the defense uncompromising, the goalkeeper unwavering, it was how they gelled together that really captivated.

To quote the game commentator,it really seemed that LaRoja had more than 11 players on the pitch during the final game. Everytime the much-touted Mario Balotelli or Andrea Pirlo had the ball a swarm of red shirts converged upon them, applying pressure and forcing retreat. When Iniesta or Xavi had the ball another flurry of reds run forward in anticipation. And the passing, oh, the passing, have you ever seen anything that majestic?

Now I am just repeating what every columnist/reporter says. But most reports gloss over the fact despite such success, despite the praise, the expectations, that this team has managed to avoid the egoism, selfishness and one-upmanship that we see too often these days (Wayne Rooney cutting a sulky figure during the match with Italy, Arjen Robben's petulant reaction of jumping over the adboards and not even acknowledging his replacement when he was subbed, even Mario Balotelli's "I'm hunky" reaction (which, BTW, is getting lots of hilarious photoshop touchups - can't resist putting one here) when he scored against Germany. And let't not forget Samir Nasri's off-field antics and tirades against the press.

Contrast all that with Cesc Fabregas applauding Fernando Torres, who cost him his place in the starting line-up, when the latter was subbed out after 2 goals against the Republic of Ireland, and vice versa when Torres replaced Cesc in the final. Look at how they celebrate their goals - Xabi Alonso pointing to Jordi Alba when he scored from Alba's cross in the match agains France,and a truly hearwarming moment when Fernando Torres flicked the ball to Juan Mata for a goal, eventhough he had a clear shot and would have been guaranteed the Golden Boot should he had scored himself. It was just a wonderful, unselfish moment of team play -one friend helping another. And, Mata's appreciative reaction and Torres's grin after the goal - truly heartwarming and a really rare moment in today's cynical world of professional football. And to cap it off, what did Torres credit for the win? "Togetherness." Ditto Cesc Fabregas.

And what about this amazing story - while Italy was down to 10 men and Spain was practically toying with them - their Captain, the one they call San Iker (Saint Iker) in Spain, asks the assistant referee to stop the game early, out of "Respect for Italia." What sportsmanship. Pure class.

These are the moments (and these adorable post-match ceremony photos of the Spanish team's children invading the pitch) that I will remember for years to come, and I will measure all the future matches I watch, whether club or nation, against. To quote Pep Guardiola before Barcelona's Club World Championship final began, "Gentlemen, if you lose today you will continue to be the best in the world – but if you win today you will be eternal." In my mind, they are.