Thieves, prostitutes, Italy's exit, a United States miracle and vuvuzelas; it's all been happening at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa which climaxes tomorrow at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg.

No one will dare suggest the tournament has not been a success, no chance. The football has been breathtaking, the organisation superb and the world finally has a glimpse of what to expect next year.

Still, the tournament has not gone without incident and in the words of South Africa 2010 organising committee CEO Danny Jordaan, "an unperfect Confederations Cup will give us chance to tighten things up in time for the World Cup."

The Good: Nervy group deciders

With South Africa playing Spain in the final Group A match in Mongaung/Bloemfontein, interest in the Iraq-New Zealand was minimal at best for the locals. The mathematics was straightforward for Bafana. A draw or win was needed to see through the Bafana Bafana. But defeat for the hosts would have left their fate in the hands the Iraq-New Zealand match several miles away in Johannesburg. South Africa suffered defeat to the world's number one ranked team and waited anxiously for the outcome of the other result.

Needing victory to advance, Iraq was second best to a New Zealand side which probably deserved all points on the basis of its performance but had to settle for a draw. Despite being eliminated, the Oceanian champions created the best chances, enjoyed more possession and barely looked the team that was trounced by Spain and South Africa. The host nation advanced only just, and can thank the surprisingly good 23,000 crowd at Ellis Park which cheered Iraq.

Group B was even more dramatic. No one in his or her right frame of mind could have fancied USA to reach the semi-finals. But the Americans thrashed Egypt in a one-sided affair in Johannesburg and were stunned to learn that they had qualified after Brazil strolled past Italy in Pretoria. The tension, nerves and drama from last Saturday and Sunday made it a lasting memory.

America

Where were you when Spain's 15-match winning streak was brought to a halt? The venue was Mongaung/Bloemfontein, the stage Free State stadium and the lead actors Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Oguchi Onyewu and Jay DeMERIT.

At last, a team showed the world how to beat Spain. Take the game to them, then sit deep, ride your luck, fashion a goal out of nothing, defend well, panic not, throw your bodies at everything in the box, shut out Xavi Creus Hernandez, make Fernando Torres and David Villa inept and score a second against the run of play. On an extremely freezing Wednesday night in Bloemfontein, USA created one of football's greatest shocks to emphasise football's oldest cliche that 'soccer is soccer'.

Free tickets

In an economy where unemployment is 25%, Fifa's decision to offer 70,000 free tickets for group matches reflected brightly on its 'Fair Play' campaign. Crowds have considerably grown since the tournament started and tomorrow's final will be full to capacity. Although European, Asian, South American and North American fans will be expected to storm the World Cup, a huge South African presence in and out of the stadiums is desired for a special World Cup. And Fifa's free tickets gesture should go a long way in emphasising that.

Hospitality

Many media people I have engaged in conversations have confessed to being shocked at finding a different South Africa from what they expected.

"The people here are very, very nice," said Brazilian reporter Bruno Freitas. "We have heard crime and the so many dangers of Johannesburg but that, on this evidence, is out of proportion." He couldn't have put it better. The locals have been receptive in the streets, bars and stadiums everywhere. The 4,036 volunteers, selected from over 40,000 applicants, have done a good job in handling and helping visitors, be it fans, media or Fifa delegates. At the World Cup, the number of volunteers is expected to rise to 15,000.

Vicente Del Bosque

The Spain coach is famed for his humility and calm persona, right from his time at Real Madrid. At the press conference after the defeat to USA, Del Bosque gave the victors due credit for a 'wonderful performance' and chose not to give reasons for his team's failure for it would suggest he would be despising the organised tactics employed by the Americans.

The Bad : Theft allegations

According to the Egyptian team, 'lies' perpetrated by the local media - of prostitutes stealing their property and not thieves - have tarnished the team's reputation.

I chose not to believe that, having spoken to two or three people with inside knowledge on the matter. The damage towards South Africa's Local Organising Committee (LOC) was already done despite attempts by Jordaan to contain the situation. Claims by Brazil fullback Kleber that he lost a jacket with money in his hotel room scarcely helped.

Still, the general view is that South Africa 2010 will be safe. And considering Jordaan and 2010 World Cup chairman Irvin Khoza want chinks exposed now and not this time next year, there should be little to be afraid of.

Julio Baptista

Who does he think he is? He enjoyed modest success at Sevilla, failed at Real Madrid and Arsenal and is looking mediocre at AS Roma. Yet coach Dunga still picks him for the Selecao. Good. So why does he consistently ignore TV, radio and written press in the mixed zone after matches including Brazilian journalists? Kaka is ten times a better footballer but will talk to a Spanish, Brazil, Italian and Ugandan journalist any day.

Lippi ranting

On arrival in Italy, Lippi appeared to retract some of the comments he made in his post match press conference. "I will make changes to this team," the World Cup winning coach said. In Pretoria after being thrashed by Brazil, an adamant Lippi had indicated he would retain faith is his ageing team. "You speak so much about young people - what young people!?" Lippi raged. The veteran coach was deflecting attention from his failures and lost his cool to everyone's bewilderment.

Man of the match

The Fifa Technical Study Group decides the Man of the Match award. But how did Mohamed Homos outshine goal keeper El Hadary when Egypt beat Italy, never mind the former scoring the winner? And with all due credit to Clint Dempsey's display, was he more important to USA's victory over Spain than Oguchi and DeMERIT? No. Not for me.