We're continuing our Saturday series of throwbacks, with the 2010 World Cup today.

This comes one week after we relived the 1986 tournament - and the legacies left by the respective tournaments could hardly be more different.

Andres Iniesta celebrates with the trophy after the 2010 FIFA World Cup final match between the Netherlands and Spain at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa 11 July 2010.

One conjures memories of Maradona ducking and diving, the other brings to mind De Jong kicking Xabi Alonso in the chest.

Vuvuzela debate

Each encounter was accompanied by the monotone drone of the vuvuzela.

The horns created a bee-buzz-like noise and sparked a series of debates about whether you can police how fans show support.

PA Images

When there were calls from some quarters for a ban - FIFA argued that it's part of South African sporting culture and that its presence was part and parcel of the country's matchday experience.

Although the origins of the instrument are contested - it was a fixture at games in the country before the WC arrived.

File photo dated 11-06-2010 of South Africa's Siphiwe Tshabalala scores.

As ever John Duggan was joined by John Duggan and Dan McDonnell for today's review.

Dan recalled being at the tournament for the Irish Independent and feeling that while the noise was extremely annoying - he argued that you can't bring a tournament to South Africa and then try to ban or belittle their customs.

But 10 years later, it's fair to say that they don't make the tournament any easier to re-watch.

Peak-anti football?

To put this tournament in context, it came months after Jose Mourinho masterminded Inter Milan's Champions League coup by stopping Pep's earth-shattering Barca side in their tracks. That was the year after the Catalans had beaten Manchester United 2-0 in the 2009 Champions League final.

That defensive-style permeated the 2010 World Cup - while many traditional international power-houses were in transitional phases, or in decline.

Uruguay's Diego Forlan (right) and his teammates celebrate winning the penalty shootout

France fell apart and didn't make it out of their group - Italy didn't even qualify.

England were dumped out by Germany after a 4-1 loss in the Round of 16.

Maradona's Argentina suffered a similar fate, losing to Germany 4-0 in the quarter-final.

The Dutch beat an undercooked Brazil side who had Kaka and Robinho in their ranks, but totally fell apart against The Netherlands - dragging the tie into a physical street fight where the Oranje were more-than able to hold their own.

Kaka (L) of Brazil receives a red card by referee Stephane Lennoy (R) during the FIFA World Cup 2010 group G match between Brazil and Ivory Coast at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg

Suarez

Ghana put a run together with the hope of becoming the first African side to reach a semi-final, but were undone by Uruguay in the 'Suarez handball match.'

It's testament to the tournament that despite that inglorious act of cheating, Uruguay were the feel-good story going into the semi-finals.

They were the underdogs in the round, alongside The Netherlands, Spain and Germany.

Without Luis Suarez who was suspended for his goalkeeping improvisations, they lacked bite and lost to the physical Dutch side.

A final to forget...

This all culminated in the Battle of Johannesburg as Spain and The Netherlands served up 14 yellow cards (nine to Dutch players, with Heitinga getting two yellows - and Spain accumulating 5).

While most memories of that match focus on the physicality - the Dutch created the best goal-scoring chance in the 90 minutes when Robben failed to convert a one-on-one opportunity.

Spain's Andres Iniesta celebrates scoring the winning goal as Netherlands' Joris Mathijsen (left) and Rafael van der Vaart are dejected

The Netherland's pivot to that style of play came after Robben suffered an injury in the nation's final warm-up friendly. He played throughout the run, but was compromised. Lacking his flare, well, the Dutch got physical.

This resulted in Ajax-legend Johan Cryuff turning his back on the Dutch side and publically criticising the team - and insisting that he'd be supporting Spain in the final:

"I am Dutch but I will always defend the football Spain play... It is Spain's game to lose but I will take intense joy if they win it," he said ahead of the showdown.

An undated adidas handout photoghraph shows Jabulani, the official ball for the FIFA 2010 World Cup South Africa, on display in Herzogenaurach, Germany. ADIDAS - HANDOUT CROPPED VERSION - EMBARGO CONDITIONS! Do not use earlier than 04 December |

The ball was awful too

Dan McDonnell raised the issue of the tournament's controversial football - the 2010 Adidas Jabulani.

It's a star in the genre of World Cup footballs with a mind of their own. The light ball bobbled around and moved in the air, making it hard to control.

It was also a distinctly mediocre time for shirt designs - with bland templates dominating across the board.

Conclusions

We've not even got into the fact that Irish fans entered the tournament with heavy hearts following the Henry handball fiasco ending our World Cup dreams.

Sky Sports images of 'that' moment...

There was also a series of ticketing controversies as high prices pushed out many locals and FIFA struggled to fill stadiums.

All things considered and taking each World Cup on its merits - it wasn't a great World Cup, was it?

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