So here it was the 2012 Peel World Cup Final, the Black Stars of Africa, Ghana versus the Balkan powerhouse of Croatia, at Stade Louis II in France.

Both managers not too accustomed to each others style of play and very nervous at the start, exchanged handshakes and chatted a little prior to the big kick off. Trepidation filled the arena as the players entered the pitch, both sides wary that any slip was likely to cost the game.

Croatia started very strongly as nerves got to the Ghanaians lost of missed passes and shortened runs caused the ball to ping back to the mighty Croatian midfield at will. Modric orchestrated with care and purpose and several times in the first few minutes it looked like there would be a breakthrough, but it never came. Mensah and Vorsah stood like pillars at the back refusing to let the ball passed.

That is until Krancjar fizzed one past the post on 30 minutes, a few hearts in mouths at this point. Ghana slowly but surely worked their way into the match and Gyan, K. Asamoah and Kevin Prince started to have a bit more influence on the game and realised that they just couldnt keep giving the ball to Kip's super Croats, they played out of their skins as every ball was challenged every man pressed and no easy pass was given.

After what seemed like an age and with both teams slowly opening out into some better passing and more expansive football, the half time whistle blew. Nil - Nil.

Stewdog went into the dressing room and had a quick chat with the team, he quickly switched Adiyah and Ayew round as nothing was coming from the left and more work was needed to stop the runs of Srna who was becoming more and more influential.

As the second half got underway the Croats went close again and were miraculously stopped by the outstretched hands of the Ghanaian reserve keeper Adjei, who had a fabulous game in goal. This spurred the Ghanaians on and after some excellent recycling of the ball provided Pantsil with the space to squeeze over a cross to the front post where Gyan beat his marker just to head the ball straight past the ailing Runje! 1 - 0.

Kipniko on the sidelines quickly changed up a gear and threw on Jelavic for the tiring Petric, and the game continued to ebb and flow.

Stewdog knew he needed a second, really needed it Kip was in fine form and his passing was exquisite but some how Annan and the defence managed to keep him at bay. Then as the Croats drew forward Ayew burst into life and with a mazy run managed to win a corner on the far side. Asamoah took a second collected himself and sent the ball in, KP who had been barely functioning in the game so far, rose higher than the rest and buried it in the far corner. 2 - 0 and relief hit the home fans, could this be Ghana's year could they do it for the whole of Africa? The restart came and Kip threw on Eduardo too and pressed and looked for that breakthrough goal, Adjei was in inspired form, Vorsah produced some incredible blocks and Annan tidied up, then a mistake from Pantsil set Croatia free and hearts in mouths again the ball was cleared with the keeper well beaten by a back pedalling Annan, the game calmed down, Ghana knew it was theirs if they could just hold out, Croatia knew it was too late, and finally the whistle blew, the Croats dropped to their knees the whole of Africa jumped in the air! Ghana were the World Cup Winners.

By Stewdog