And the 2014 ‘Golden Dive’ Award Goes to …
Lionel Messi of Argentina got the Golden Ball for best player of the 2014 World Cup, which ended Sunday in Brazil. Dazzling newcomer James Rodriguez of Colombia won the Golden Boot for most goals. And Manuel Neuer of Germany got the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper (all protestations that it should have been Tim Howard aside). But surely, given how much diving or flopping has become a part of the sport whether we like it or not, there should also be an official “Golden Dive” award handed out after the final whistle? Now there is, kind of, courtesy of a YouTube channel that claims to belong to the Diving Is Cool Society. The group of soccer fans count down their pick of the top 5 dives of Brazil 2014 — starting with the infamous flop by Fred in Brazil’s opening match against Croatia, a dive that won the host country a crucial penalty. Seasoned soccer fans won’t be surprised that the award goes to Dutch star Arjen Robben, for dives too numerous and exquisite to select just one. Robben freely admitted that he dived in the first half of the Netherlands’ game against Mexico (although he didn’t admit the dive that won one more of those crucial penalties in the second half). “One of the moments in the first half was a dive,” he told the Dutch TV station NOS. “Sometimes you get kicked, but that was not the case at that particular moment.” He said he regretted his decision to dive and called it a “silly action.” Arjen Robben, may you treasure this award more than the Netherlands’ third-place medal. World Cup Awards #ThingsTimHowardCouldSave Ned Stark. pic.twitter.com/gk7fV9jmn4 — Arya Stark (@GoT_Arya) July 2, 2014 1. Best Meme: Tim Howard 2. Most delicious player: Giorgio Chiellini Luiz Suarez will agree. 3. Worst/Best hairdo: Rodrigo Palacio Image: Frank Augstein/Associated Press 4. Best goal celebration: Colombia 5. Coach most ready to go clubbing: Joachim Low Image: Thanassis Stavrakis/Associated Press 6. Tightest jerseys: Uruguay Image: Natacha Pisarenko/Associated Press 7. Internet’s most beloved coach: Miguel Herrera After World Cup ending defeat vs Colombia, Japan fans stayed after FT whistle to help clean up the stadium. Respect. pic.twitter.com/pfOXJtnbyJ — Natter Football (@NATTERFOOTBALL) June 25, 2014 8. Cutest fans: Japan for cleaning the stadium after losing Read more: http://mashable.com/2014/07/14/and-the-2014-golden-dive-award-goes-to/