Finally, it is over. The Hundred Years War lasted for less time than the group stages of the World Cup; or so it seemed anyway.
But what have we learned so far?
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No-one seems to want to win the tournament – there is no outstanding side and several mediocre ones
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South Africa look the best balanced team and appear to be marginal favourites – but can they win their first knockout match ever in a World Cup? Or will the ‘c’ word raise its ugly head again?
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England are the most exciting, entertaining and unpredictable side in the tournament – eat your heart out, Pakistan.
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Shahid Afridi has proved to be a much better captain and galvanising force than anyone could ever have predicted.
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Given the batting collapses against England, South Africa and West Indies, India seem to be feeling the pressure of winning on home turf.
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Love him or loathe him, but Ricky Ponting is probably only one defeat away from retirement.
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Two groups of seven was a very bad idea. Keep the minnows and have four groups of four instead.
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England are the only side left in the competition who are unbeaten against the other quarter-finalists – just don’t mention Ireland and Bangladesh.
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Being the coach driver of the victorious opposition is an extremely hazardous vocation in Bangladesh.
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Don’t bowl filth to Ross Taylor and expect to get away with it.
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Ryan ten Doeschate is the next South African on Andy Flower’s wish list.
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George Dockrell is the next Irishman on Andy Flower’s wish list.
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You wouldn’t want a wounded Kevin Pietersen next to you in the trenches.
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Matt Prior is not a good choice to open the batting.
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James Anderson is knackered.
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Bob Willis and Jonathan Trott are not on each others Christmas Card list
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Asking Graeme Swann to bowl with a wet ball is worse than telling him that his cat is stuck under the floorboards.
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Kamran Akmal really is the worst wicketkeeper in the history of cricket.
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This World Cup is very difficult to predict, but here goes. Pakistan, India, South Africa and England (it would be folly to bet against them at the moment and yes, we know we predicted Sri Lanka would win the World Cup at the outset) to make the semi-finals.
Where next?
Check out our Reverse Sweep XIs
Read all our 2011 World Cup posts here
An XI of unlikely World Cup heroes and a not so heroic 12th man
If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep
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