FIFA World Cup 2010 Final: Spain vs Netherlands – Match Preview
The World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands will have historical ramifications. Not only will there be a new champion on the roster of Football World Cup champions, but also that no matter which team wins, this is will be the first time that there will be a European champion in a World Cup tournament held outside Europe. This final also brings together two of the best teams never to have won the World Cup before.
Spain, home to some of the most talented players in the world, has had a dismal World Cup record, never having finished higher than fourth in Brazil more than 50 years ago. Even that was in a playoff system where they finished on the bottom of the pile. Yet after winning the Euro 2008, they have embarked on a brilliant run which has made them one of the most successful and feared teams of modern times. Under the stewardship of former Real Madrid coach, Vicente Del Bosque, Spain look primed to win the greatest award of all.
Holland, on the other hand, have been the exponents of "Total Football", a concept which purists of the game have been purring over since that infamous final in Germany in 1974 when Johan Cruyff's team was consigned to defeat. Another Finals loss to Argentina four years later deprived some of the most talented footballers of all time the greatest footballing award.
Now both teams meet on the battleground with one team which will finally cast off its tag as underachievers of the game. Despite being such luminaries of the sport, these two teams have curiously only met thrice in championships in over 90 years of International football. In the head-to-head between the two teams, it is Spain which slightly edges out the Netherlands two to one. Maybe it is time the Netherlands draw level with a win on the biggest stage of all.
The contrast between the two teams starts with their respective managers. Bert Van Marwijk is a relative unknown who, before this tournament, many people would have struggled to remember. The Dutchman has had very few successes, one in the now-defunct UEFA Cup in 2002 and later a Dutch Cup, both with club side Feyenoord. He came into the Dutch fold after legend Marco Van Basten's Holland side was bundled out of the Euro 2008 after initially sparkling in the group stages. Marwijk, despite his low profile, has more than anything brought peace to a side often riddled with internal strife, including a continuous, simmering argument between Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie. Del Bosque, on the other hand, is a decorated manager, having won the Champions League twice with Real Madrid. Under his stewardship, Spain has been an almost unstoppable force and rightfully came into the tournament as favourites. Their only real blemishes in the last 2 years have come at the hands of the United States in the Confederations Cup in South Africa and then Switzerland in the opening match of this tournament. Incidentally, if Spain do win, they will also become the first side to go on and win the World Cup after losing their first game.
Even though football is a collective game, it is usually decided either overtly or covertly by individuals, which is why it is important to look at the key battles which will take place all across the field.
First up will the crucial battle between Dutch enforcer Mark Van Bommel and Spanish maestro Xavi Hernandez. Xavi has been instrumental for Spain so far, pulling the strings for his team and setting up attacks and retaining possession. If the Netherlands have any chance of winning, Van Bommel will have to disrupt the Spaniard's influence and try and hurry him off the ball as much as possible.
Likewise, the match can be decided by how Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets handles Wesley Sneijder, who is currently the joint top scorer of the World Cup with David Villa. The creative midfielder is looking to make a clean sweep of all the awards on offer this year by winning the World Cup, and will need to be put in check by Busquets if he is not to add to his already impressive tally of goals.
On the wings, Joan Capdevila will have his hands full with the pace and trickery of Arjen Robben. Arguably the best player on the planet when he is in full flight, Robben single-handedly brought the Netherlands back in the game against Brazil by having Felipe Melo sent off and Bastos substituted. Capdevila will have to keep an eye out for the tricky winger.
Finally, David Villa will be up against the Netherlands defence, which despite leaking a few goals, has been ponderous and slow so far. Villa will be looking not just for the World Cup, but also the Golden Boot along the way.
The match promises to be a mouth-watering display of brilliant football and will be one to remember for ages to come. Whatever happens, history will be made and just for that, one must make sure they are somehow witness to it.
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