FIFA World Cup 2010: The Best of the Best From South Africa

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So, it's all over for another four years.

For the first time, a European side won the trophy outside of its own continent, and for the first time Spain have taken the trophy home to the streets of Madrid.

This has been a tournament of indifference.

There have been some average games, but a mirage of talking points.

From France's flops to Uruguay's warriors, World Cup 2010 has kept us entertained in some form or another over the last month.

Here, we take a look at the best of the best, although some may not want the crown.

Best Goalkeeper—Iker Casillas (Spain)

Arjen Robben holds his head in his hands as he rues a missed chance.

It wasn't so much missed, but taken away as a result of great goalkeeping.

Spain have a lot of thanking to do to their 'keeper and Captain, Iker Casillas. The Real Madrid stopper was immense in goal since the mistake which saw Switzerland beat Spain in their opening game.

Brave, strong in the air, and intimidating the forwards into making a decision in a one-on-one situation in World Cup 2010, Casillas has written himself into folklore.

Honorable Mentions: Manuel Neuer (Germany), Mark Paston (New Zealand), Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria).

Best Defender—Phillip Lahm (Germany)

It's hard to imagine that Phillip Lahm is still only 26. He is one of those players that seems to have been around forever.

The Bayern Munich man got the nod for the Captain's armband after Michael Ballack fell foul to injury, and how he has justified the decision.

Lahm lead Joachim Loew's young German side to a 3rd place finish with style and team-work.

His added experience since his last World Cup outing in 2006 has seen Lahm grow as a player. He knows when to raid down the flank in attack, and also knows when it's best to stay and defend.

One of the few full-backs who seem equally adept at defending and attacking, he proved it in South Africa.

Honourable Mentions: Maicon (Brazil), Carles Puyol (Spain), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Holland)

Best Midfielder—Bastian Schweinsteiger

Another German, and another whose age belies how long he has played at the pinnacle of football.

Schweinsteiger was always known as a decent wide man, but he came into his own when he was moved into the middle of the field at his club Bayern Munich. The same change as happened at international level to the same effect.

In the last couple of months, Schweinsteiger has shown that he is turning into a proper midfield general. He puts in hard tackles without being dirty, while he also gets involved in the creative side of the game.

He was virtually impeccable for Germany throughout their stay in South Africa.

Honourable Mention: Andreas Iniesta (Spain), Xavi (Spain), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), Anthony Annan (Ghana), Arevalo (Uruguay), Diego Perez (Uruguay), Keisuke Honda (Japan), Landon Donovan (USA).

Best Striker—Diego Forlan (Uruguay)

Uruguay's Diego Forlan was last night voted the Golden Ball winner of South Africa 2010 and no-one could begrudge him the accolade.

Forlan played with passion and pride throughout.

During the tournament he scored five goals and was a major influence as his side finished a respectable fourth.

Deemed a failure after his time at Old Trafford, Forlan has bounced back with aplomb and is now considered one of the world's finest strikers.

Honorable Mentions: David Villa (Spain), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Thomas Mueller (Germany), Luis Fabiano (Brazil), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Carlos Tevez (Argentina), Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina).

Best Goal—Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Holland Vs. Uruguay)

As with every World Cup, there was the usual fair share of great goals.

For its sheer power, pace and its importance, the award of best goal goes to Holland's Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who caught Uruguay's Muslera out cold with his long range strike.

Honorable Mentions: Maicon (BRAZIL versus North Korea), Luis Suarez (URUGUAY versus South Korea), Siphiwe Tshabalala (SOUTH AFRICA vs Mexico), Luis Fabiano (BRAZIL vs Chile), Fabio Quagilarella (ITALY vs Slovakia), David Villa (SPAIN vs Honduras), Diego Forlan (URUGUAY vs Ghana).

Best Celebration—South Africa Vs. Mexico

One thing this World Cup lacked was premeditated celebrations.

The South Africans saved the day with their routine after Siphiwe Tshabalala opened the scoring against Mexico.

I can't remember any other celebrations of note.

Best Tears—Jong Tae-Se (North Korea)

The World Cup is meant to be an emotional time and no-one was more emotional that North Korea's Jong Tae-Se.

The young man wept his way through the national anthem as North Korea made their first appearance in South Africa against Brazil.

It is an iconic moment from this World Cup.

Honorable Mentions: Iker Casillas (Spain), Gerardo Martino (Paraguay)

Best of the Worst—France

They came, they saw, they didn't play football.

While some teams had a poor World Cup, nobody's was worse than the French. People had an inkling they would be bad, but not this bad.

The players didn't like the coach before hand and refused to listen to him as it was already clear he would be replaced after the World Cup.

Nicolas Anelka was sent home for calling him the son of an (inappropriate word). Captain Patrice Evra then refused to play and it all ended when the squad refused to train.

It can only get better for France. Because it can't get worse.

Best Houdini Act—Marc Van Bommel (Netherlands)

Caption competition time:

"Eeemh, who's legs will I chop off next?"

Marc van Bommel is a good player, but there is being physical and then there is being a bit mad. Van Bommel is a bit mad.

How he escaped the tournament without getting sent off, or even suspended, would leave the great Harry Houdini dumbfounded.

Best Diver—Luis Suarez (Uruguay)

Maybe he's not the best diver, but he does it an awful lot.

Uruguay's Luis Suarez caught the ire of most of Africa after he cleared the ball off his own goal-line with his hand, but his diving had already saw him out of favour with many fans.

Honorable Mentions: Arjen Robben (Netherlands), Have you all night?