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WC Final: Spain v Netherlands at Soccer City, Jo'Burg - 11th July 2010

SachDan

By SachDan
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SachDan Newbie

SachDan

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Preview from ESPN

JOHANNESBURG -- Sunday will be a game of firsts. It will be the first World Cup final held on African soil. It'll be the first time either Spain (playing in its first final) or the Netherlands (a two-time finalist) will raise the trophy in its history. And regardless of who wins, it'll be the first time a European country will win a World Cup played outside of Europe. So which team will make history? It was the Dutch, of course, who in the 1970s played a style of soccer that became known as "Total Football." The team's coach, Rinus Michels, preached that all 10 field players should move with the ball and that every field player should be able to play any position at any moment, depending on the game's flow. But come Sunday, it will more likely be Spain playing something closer to Total Football. Vicente del Bosque's Spanish side has skill all over the field and plays a peerless passing game. Players such as FC Barcelona's Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta and Xavi have played so many games together at the club level that they bring a sort of telepathic understanding of one another to the field. Combining with Real Madrid stars like Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos, as well as David Villa, Spain's greatest individual talent, La Roja Furia (the Red Fury) are a national team that plays like a well-honed top club. Spain rolled through qualifying, winning all 10 of its games, but was stunned 1-0 by Switzerland in its first match in South Africa. That game with the Swiss no doubt gives this Netherlands team -- also perfect in qualifying -- enough belief that it, too, can take down the Spaniards. The Dutch have a pragmatic, hardworking crew that might be able to turn the tide on Spain the way its rivals did on the Oranje during the Total Football days. On its way to Sunday's final, the Netherlands did not lose or tie a single match. Its most impressive victory was its 2-1 come-from-behind win over Brazil in the quarterfinals. Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has his team believing in a compact 4-2-3-1 formation that will certainly be hard for Spain to penetrate. If the Dutch can frustrate Spain's intricate passing game and create timely turnovers in midfield, there's explosive skill in attacking players Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben that can create a goal or two. Of course, Spain's resolve is not to be questioned at this point. Del Bosque's men have proved to be more than just an outfit that can play pretty soccer. They've been as tough as anyone in this tournament, winning three times by the score of 1-0 to advance to the final. A match of toughness and guile between these two sides makes it too close to call. And it might require more than 90 minutes to decide. If that's what it takes, neither will give in. Because there's nothing like winning the World Cup for the first time. Jeff Bradley is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine.
B-> History will be made because a new World Cup winner is guaranteed today !!
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Jadoo Newbie

Jadoo

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I would personally prefer Spain to win, though would not mind if Holland win it as well. Both play positive and are great to watch, it's just a shame that one of them is going to have to lose. This should be a mouth watering encounter, lets hope the game lives up to it's billing.

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Karan114 Newbie

Karan114

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I would personally prefer Spain to win, though would not mind if Holland win it as well. Both play positive and are great to watch, it's just a shame that one of them is going to have to lose. This should be a mouth watering encounter, lets hope the game lives up to it's billing.
Yeah, don't mind either of these teams winning. Holland had that brilliant team in the 70's but they weren't able to cross the final hurdle in two finals. Spain, on the other hand, has at long last started to realize its potential in big tournaments, and my, they can be so exquisite to watch in full flow (although, granted it still took a goal off a set piece to seal the deal yesterday, and that too Puyol). Like you, I just hope the final is a great game and not a disappointing affair.
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ludhianvi Newbie

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If Spain win this, then they will have the crown of being both defending World Cup Winners and Euro Cup Winners. France after winning the World cup in 1998, then went on to win the Euro Cup in 2000. Still cant believe Greece won the Euro Cup in 2000. Btw, the header by Robben against Uruguay in the semis reminded me of Zizu's headers. :woot:

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