Yeah, it's been ages since the 2021 Draft World Cup ended (and even long since I actually played out the final), but the Euros and Olympics - and general parenting tiredness - have put this on the backburner.
We're going to wrap up this year's DWC season with a look at the tournament and hand out some awards.
Group stage
We're going to wrap up this year's DWC season with a look at the tournament and hand out some awards.
Group stage
In a normal year, Brazil's exit behind Egypt and Austria would have been the main story, along with Japan's DWC debut leading them to topping a group containing Spain. However, undoubtedly the biggest shock in DWC history came when Iraq beat Italy to knock out the three-time semi-finalists. Remember, this isn't just the national sides, it's a side composed of players in those leagues, so the Serie A XI lost to the side representing the Iraqi Premier League.
Knockout rounds
Knockout rounds
The cruelty of the draw meant that Iraq and Egypt, having won their group, took on Spain and Germany - finishing 2nd would have left them facing Japan and Ukraine. Iraq couldn't match Spain, but Egypt should have beaten Germany - the 2017 & 2019 DWC champions only saved by a late equaliser by Manuel Neuer, who saw them win on penalties. Reigning champions France also came through a penalty scare against Colombia.
In the next round Neuer came up for a late corner again, but this time saw red for a handball (IMO a glitch). Germany still got to a shootout, but this time lost to Spain.
But overall, there were few shocks as France, Spain, England and Ukraine - on paper the strongest team in each quarter - made up the semi-finals. Easy wins for France and England saw them meet in the final, and this one went all the way to another shootout - a first in a DWC final - and it was France who defended their title.
Rankings
How does the action from this year affect the world rankings? Let's see...
In the next round Neuer came up for a late corner again, but this time saw red for a handball (IMO a glitch). Germany still got to a shootout, but this time lost to Spain.
But overall, there were few shocks as France, Spain, England and Ukraine - on paper the strongest team in each quarter - made up the semi-finals. Easy wins for France and England saw them meet in the final, and this one went all the way to another shootout - a first in a DWC final - and it was France who defended their title.
Rankings
How does the action from this year affect the world rankings? Let's see...
At the top, France maintain their number 1 ranking but England close the gap, overtaking Spain for a new high ranking of 2nd. But the disasters suffered by Italy and Brazil have huge consequences as they plummet to 8th and 13th respectively. Ukraine, Colombia and Scotland take their chance to move into the top 10.
Those heavy falls for Italy and Brazil go hand-in-hand with huge boosts for Iraq and Egypt, with the former flying up 27 places to 62nd (12th in Asia) and the latter up 21 places into 26th, becoming the highest-ranked African side by a huge margin.
Anyway, let's hand out some trinkets...
Golden Boot
The easiest one to measure, it's for the top scorer. Players tied are separated by games played, shown in brackets:
Those heavy falls for Italy and Brazil go hand-in-hand with huge boosts for Iraq and Egypt, with the former flying up 27 places to 62nd (12th in Asia) and the latter up 21 places into 26th, becoming the highest-ranked African side by a huge margin.
Anyway, let's hand out some trinkets...
Golden Boot
The easiest one to measure, it's for the top scorer. Players tied are separated by games played, shown in brackets:
The two finalists are the top two here, with one game missed through injury enough to win it for Sadio Mané of England. Nothing could separate Austria's Patson Daka and Japan's Chanathip Songkrasin, not even assists (1 each).
Team of the Tournament
Team of the Tournament
Only two players from champions France make the team of the tournament, with beaten finalists England having three - top scorer Mané plus both full backs. Despite a chaotic campaign, stand-out performances from Dani Olmo and Neuer give Germany two players.
Elsewhere, Colombia's remarkable defending - keeping both finalists out in 0-0 draws - gets recognition in the form of a nod for Geisson Perea, whilst Antonio gets the reward for Ukraine's run to the semis. Songkrasin was an easy pick after shining in the group stage, whilst up front Ala'a Abdul Zahra is chosen for his efforts in Iraq's historic performance, particularly his role against Italy.
Golden Ball
To the award for the player of the tournament. Consider the team above as your shortlist...
Elsewhere, Colombia's remarkable defending - keeping both finalists out in 0-0 draws - gets recognition in the form of a nod for Geisson Perea, whilst Antonio gets the reward for Ukraine's run to the semis. Songkrasin was an easy pick after shining in the group stage, whilst up front Ala'a Abdul Zahra is chosen for his efforts in Iraq's historic performance, particularly his role against Italy.
Golden Ball
To the award for the player of the tournament. Consider the team above as your shortlist...
It is actually three of the top four goalscorers who take the top 3 spots here, but this time it is Neymar who pips Mané. It means he adds the award to his Golden Boot from last year, to join Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players to have won both.
Goal of the Tournament
Goal of the Tournament
A reminder of each goal...
3rd: Sadio Mané (ENGLAND vs Russia) - Mané scored a hat trick in this game, and the first two were both on the shortlist for this award. But it is the first that gets a podium position, as he runs the length of the pitch and drills a low shot past Igor Akinfeev.
2nd: Chanathip Songkrasin (Spain vs JAPAN) - a team goal, Japan out-Spain Spain with a flowing passing move, and it is only fitting/inevitable that it was Andrés Iniesta who played the killer through ball for Songkrasin to run onto and finish. It means both Songkrasin is in the top 3 for all awards given out, as is Mané.
1st: Ala'a Abdul Zahra (Italy vs IRAQ) - with Iraq needing something against all odds against Italy, they certainly had to take all their chances, and Abdul Zahra notched a hat trick to do the job. But it was his first that set the tone, a remarkable 30-yard drive past Wojciech Szczesny when it looked like he had run out of options.
3rd: Sadio Mané (ENGLAND vs Russia) - Mané scored a hat trick in this game, and the first two were both on the shortlist for this award. But it is the first that gets a podium position, as he runs the length of the pitch and drills a low shot past Igor Akinfeev.
2nd: Chanathip Songkrasin (Spain vs JAPAN) - a team goal, Japan out-Spain Spain with a flowing passing move, and it is only fitting/inevitable that it was Andrés Iniesta who played the killer through ball for Songkrasin to run onto and finish. It means both Songkrasin is in the top 3 for all awards given out, as is Mané.
1st: Ala'a Abdul Zahra (Italy vs IRAQ) - with Iraq needing something against all odds against Italy, they certainly had to take all their chances, and Abdul Zahra notched a hat trick to do the job. But it was his first that set the tone, a remarkable 30-yard drive past Wojciech Szczesny when it looked like he had run out of options.
So that's all the awards, and the proper end of this year's Draft World Cup season! We'll be going again next year, but before then we will be doing the women's event, so stay tuned for that!