European football power on the wane at this World Cup

PORT ELIZABETH - They can blame on the Jabulani, on the high altitude, or the long domestic seasons.

But as the final stages of the 2010 World Cup loom, the unmistakeable conclusion is that the tournament has been as bad for European football as the Greek crisis was for its currency.

A European team may yet win the 2010 World Cup. It would be foolish to bet against Germany, the Netherlands or Spain based on their recent performances.

But it could also well be the first time since 1930 that no European team makes it to the final if Germany lose to Argentina, the Dutch to Brazil and Spain to Argentina.

Results so far show clearly that Europe is on the wane, its football superceded by a new world order dominated by the skill, technique and new found discipline of the best South American sides.

The continent that boasts an overwhelming number of the world’s best players on its club’s rosters started with 13 of the tournament’ 32 teams. South America had five teams, North and Central America had three, Asia had four, Africa six and Oceania one.

By the second round only six European teams were still left in, a record low. With all the quarter-finalists now selected Europe has just three, South America four, and Ghana is Africa’s lone representative.

The failure of the European teams including Italy, France and England has clearly taken FIFA by surprise.

The allocation of teams to the World Cup is weighted heavily in favour of Europe, and not only because that’s where FIFA earns the most from television rights. In past years European teams had a high level of success in the competition, where Germany, Italy, France, Spain and England were challenged only by Brazil and Argentina.

This time around things are very different. While poor European performances usually coincided with the tournament being held in South America, the 2010 World Cup was held in wintry South Africa, which was supposed to be an advantage.

It didn’t turn out that way, acknowledged FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke this week.

“All the confederations are moving up and getting stronger. It shows that Europe is not as strong as in the past,” he told a news conference.

Valcke said that despite the disappointing showing Europe was not in immediate danger of losing spots for the 2014 World Cup. But the final allocation by FIFA will be done in 2011.

“There are a number of explanations: some teams did not change enough from 2006; maybe also these European players play a lot of games, but most of the players on Brazil and Argentina play in Europe, too - in fact most of the players on all these teams play in

Europe.

“Mainly, I think football in other countries is more strong than in the past.”

Claims that the Jabulani ball, which is difficult to control when kicked hard in the air, has favoured the Latin-American short-passing style, or that the high altitude of many of the World Cup stadiums could also work in their favour, miss the main points.

South America has always nurtured players with personal skills that most Europeans could only dream about. Given the honing of defensive tactics at this World Cup it is those silky skills, the ability to maneuver in tight spaces and wriggle one’s way out of double-markings, that are the greatest assets a team can employ.

Adding to the continental imbalance is the fact that South America’s greatest players now come and play for Europe’s top clubs at an ever younger age, where they benefit from the professionalism and resources that are poured into the game.

Their arrival blocks the way for Europe’s promising youngsters, while at the same time opening spaces back home for the development of more young talent.

“The South American teams are now better organised and play on a European level,” said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.

The marathon World Cup qualifying campaigns are also a key factor in the success of the South Americans, says former Uruguayan midfield star, Enzo Francescoli.

“The South American qualification is the hardest and this strengthens the teams,” says Francescoli,, who pointed out that even Diego Maradona’s celebrated Argentina team did not qualify until the very last day of the 18-match campaign.

Maradona, meanwhile, warned it’s too early to write Europe off.

“We’ll never be bigger than Europe,” Maradona told FIFA.com this week. “But we will have good players and we must also pay attention to youth leagues and make kids dream of playing in Europe and being ready.”