Now it is time to select the best of teams and the worst of teams from the galaxy of stars and misfits who have entertained us for the past month.
For each side I am going to go with a 4-4-2 formation and to make it a bit more interesting there can only be one player from each country in each side.
BEST XI
Goalkeeper: Oliver Kahn (Germany) - possibly the easiest choice as the big Bayern Munich keeper has virtually single-handedly taken the Germans to the final.
Right back: Umit Davalla (Turkey) - not a great hair-do but one of the most consistent players, scoring a couple of key goals and setting up the golden goal winner.
Centre back: Rio Ferdinand (England) - one of the real stars of the tournament his display against Argentina was immense and he is now talked of as a £35million player.
Centre back: Choi Jin Cheol (South Korea) - in a team that succeeded collectively he was an important presence at the back with a string of good displays.
Left back: Pierre Wome (Cameroon) - athletic and enterprising he loves to get forward and could easily be a target for Premiership clubs given the dearth of talent in this position.
Right midfield: Joaquin (Spain) - the best player against Korea, sadly missed from the spot to send them home.
Centre midfield: Marc Wilmots (Belgium) - his stocky shape belies the fact that he has a good engine and also scores vital goals. Harshly denied what would have been an opener against Brazil and could have changed the face of the competition.
Centre midfield: Gerardo Torrado (Mexico) - blotted his copy-book with a disappointing display against the United States but was his nation's star as they won Group G ahead of Italy.
Left midfield: Damien Duff (Ireland) - no one scared defences more and Ireland always looked a better side when he was out wide rather than in the central role alongside Robbie Keane.
Centre forward: Ronaldo (Brazil) - has looked to be close to his brilliant best, scoring goals and beating players like in the old days.
Centre forward: El Hadji Diouf (Senegal) - a real box of tricks who was absolutely outstanding against Sweden. He would be a lively partner for Ronaldo, floating around and proving hard to hold down. Liverpool fans are in for a treat next season.
MISFITS XI
Goalkeeper: Al Hilal Aldeaya (Saudi Arabia) Duff's goal for Ireland, enough said.
Right back: Beto (Portugal) - stupid second booking saw his side reduced to nine men against South Korea.
Centre back: Marco Materazzi (Italy) - useless sub against Croatia.
Centre back: Frank Lebouef (France) - opening game blunder set his side on the road home.
Left back: Celestine Babayaro (Nigeria) - did little to help his country's cause.
Right midfield: Stig Tofting (Denmark) - helped England no end with a shocking display in Round Two. Looked and played like a pub player.
Centre midfield: Juan Sebastian Veron (Argentina) - reproduced his United form and was promptly dropped.
Centre midfield: Robert Prosinecki (Croatia) - It did not take long to realise it was one tournament too many.
Left midfield: Kevin Kilbane (Ireland) - willing worker but too many mistakes.
Centre forward: Carsten Jancker (Germany) - his side got to the final despite his presence rather than because of it.
Centre forward: Hakan Sukur (Turkey) - the most inept display of striking in the quarter-final against Senegal.
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