2008 - a good year for 2010

[chrisonderstall]

It’s the time of the year for the media to draw up lists – the best, the worst, the biggest. In what was a tumultuous twelve months, marked by a global economic crisis, power shortages, xenophobic attacks and political upheaval, World Cup stories have been pleasantly lacking in drama. Although it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for FIFA and the local organising committee (LOC), for the most part preparations have taken significant steps forward. And so, in haphazard order of importance, we present the biggest World Cup stories of 2008:

The economy
LOC staff changes
Confederations Cup draw
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium dropped from Confed Cup
Zakumi
Orlando Stadium completed
Soccerex
OR Tambo International Arrivals Hall
Call for volunteers draws thousands
‘Plan B’ officially dead

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