[NookieJunkie]

No one died. No one was stabbed, no one was kidnapped and no one took a wrong turn into the clutches of a gang of garrotters. One American tourist did get shot ? in the arm ? but he wasn't here to watch the World Cup.

History will show that South Africa defied fears of violent chaos to host one of the best-attended World Cups ever. It has put Africa on the global sporting map in a way which seemed unthinkable only six months ago when Togo's footballers were ambushed by machine-gun fire before the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola. Afro-pessimism spiked, with a prophet of doom in the unlikely shape of then Hull City manager Phil Brown questioning whether South Africa was up to the job.

In fact, low expectations were the hosts' greatest gift. When Armageddon did not happen and smiling crowds flocked to world-class stadiums, it was hailed as a glorious surprise, if not another rainbow nation miracle. The ultimate accolade was that, from the moment of kick-off on 11 June, people were debating French egos rather than burning tyres, goalline cameras rather than CCTV evidence and hands of god rather than hands wielding machetes.

As it became clear that matches were kicking off on time, floodlights were staying on and terrorists were staying away, newsmen shrugged and packed their bags. But this World Cup was about much more than what didn't happen. South Africa was an extraordinarily friendly and joyful place to be. Thousands of people in a nation defined by race united in the national colours in stadiums, fan parks and streets. Britain had Beatlemania, America had Obamania, now South Africa had Bafanamania. And the symbol of it all was an irrepressible plastic horn, the vuvuzela, whose buzz-drone noise looks set to be this World Cup's questionable legacy at stadiums around the world.

Bafana Bafana, who embarked on an open-top bus parade before the tournament, became the first hosts to be knocked out in the first round. Continental disappointment was shared by Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. Africans rallied around Ghana, only to be denied by a very professional foul.

But the momentum kept going. Danny Jordaan, who today ends a 16-year journey as chief advocate and organiser of Africa's first World Cup, said: "This is something special, that people came not only to support the South African team, they came to support the event. This has been an incredible experiencefor our country."

There were, though, problems off the field. Teargas and rubber bullets were fired at match stewards who went on strike and had to be replaced by police. Transport was predictably imperfect, especially when hundreds of fans missed the Germany v Spain semi-final because an airport was full of private jets. There were muggings and picked pockets ? seemingly mostly those of journalists. But only a hundred people were convicted at special World Cup courts.

And Fifa came under renewed scrutiny. Ticket sales were badly mishandled, while Fifa marketing officials mounted a draconian crackdown on businesses accused of "ambush marketing" in an attempt to protect their corporate family.

The cost of it all? About 38bn rand (?3.3bn), the government says, roughly the equivalent of four Millennium Domes and shackled by similar doubts over white elephant stadiums. The economic benefits? With elegant symmetry, also about R38bn, say the government. Fifa, meanwhile, walk away with a reported profit of ?2bn, tax free.

Jacob Zuma, the South African president, has now hinted at a bid to host the Olympic Games in 2020 or 2024. "I don't think anyone would say 'No' if South Africa said 'Let us have the Olympics' because they know we have the facilities," he said this week. "Our appetite has been whetted. We might end up asking." Oh fuck I hope not...

As for the World Cup, the baton is now passed to Brazil, with concerns already raised over crime, transport and whether stadiums will be ready on time. Sound familiar?