Blatter gives World Cup 9.25 out of ten

FIFA president Sepp Blatter lavished praise on the World Cup in Brazil, saying it had been a "very special" event.
"What makes the World Cup so very special this time is the quality of the football, the intensity of the games," said Blatter yesterday, adding FIFA gave the tournament 9.25 out of ten.
"This World Cup on the field of play was exceptional," he added.
Blatter saluted the passion and intensity of the 32 teams in the event which culminated in Germany beating Argentina in the final on Sunday to win their fourth title.
"There was not one single match which didn't have this intensity," Blatter told reporters, while conceding that no tournament could ever be perfect.

"It's more than emotion and passion -- it is a drama," said Blatter, who was presiding over his fifth World Cup as the head of football's world governing body.

He said that after an explosive first phase, teams had become more tactical, but that the tournament had been one of the most attractive ever, with a joint record 171 goals scored.
Blatter admitted he had been "a little bit surprised" to see Argentine star Lionel Messi selected as best player after his fine early form tailed off during the knockout stages, but added "his goals were decisive" in the group stage.

Blatter also said the event had been notable for its spirit of fair play but said football had to continue to strive ever harder to erase racism.
Brazil's Local Organizing Committee said it calculated that some 700,000 foreign visitors had visited Brazil in June alone -- 132% more than the same month last year when Brazil hosted the eight-team Confederations Cup.