2014 FIFA World Cup

[Steven M. McCann]

As a fellow European, congratulations to Germany on giving our Continent a third successive World Cup victory!
I was pleased it didn't go to penalties and that the better team won (although there wasn't much in it).
To his credit, Lionel Messi looked embarrassed collecting the Golden Ball for player of the tournament, very few people seem to think he deserved it.(pre-tournament he was top priced 8/1 2nd favourite behind Neymar, to win it.)
I don't think Higuain will get much sleep tonight, between missing the "German gift", going too soon for his offside "goal", then getting flattened by Neuer, he had an eventful evening.
The jammy Racing Post tipped Schweinsteiger to be the first player booked @ 14/1! giving them a small profit on all their tournament tips, rather than a small loss!

[Gavin Chipper]

To his credit, Lionel Messi looked embarrassed collecting the Golden Ball for player of the tournament, very few people seem to think he deserved it.(pre-tournament he was top priced 8/1 2nd favourite behind Neymar, to win it.)

By the way, I disagree with this sort of award. FIFA are just there to objectively judge the game and give awards for winning. Golden boot is OK for objectively scoring the most goals but this is too far. They should leave it to public polls, newspapers etc.

[JimBentley]

To his credit, Lionel Messi looked embarrassed collecting the Golden Ball for player of the tournament, very few people seem to think he deserved it.(pre-tournament he was top priced 8/1 2nd favourite behind Neymar, to win it.)

By the way, I disagree with this sort of award. FIFA are just there to objectively judge the game and give awards for winning. Golden boot is OK for objectively scoring the most goals but this is too far. They should leave it to public polls, newspapers etc.

It's a marketing award though, isn't it? It's purely for publicity purposes.