FIFA World Cup 2010: Spain Prepares for WC Final
The Spanish team is set to take part in the final of the football World Cup for the first time in their history and the excitement in the country passionate about its football and team is set to reach dizzy heights as the final draws closer by the hour.
The match is set to take place at the Soccer city stadium in Johannesburg and many fans of European champions have arrived at the venue of the final to witness the clash against fellow Europeans and two time finalists The Netherlands.
Hundreds of Spanish fans arrived in Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport on Sunday before the nation's biggest match in soccer history.
The current European champions will become the first ever team to win the greatest prize in international football having lost their opening game in the tournament, if they go past the Dutch tonight.
The Spaniards went down 1-0 to Switzerland a result that initially jeopardized their chances of qualifying for the second round of the tournament.
Despite their defeat to Switzerland, the European champions re-grouped in time putting their campaign in order recording a series of victories on their way to the final, defeating three time champions Germany.
"Spain should definitely prove that they are worthy of being here, we won the European championship and the team has only lost two matches since then," said a Spanish fan.
"We beat Germany, so we are going to eat Holland without any trouble," another fan expressed.
The Spanish juggernaut had been led by Barcelona's new signing David Villa has been inspirational to the team.
Villa has remained linchpin scoring an amazing number of five of his team's six goals en route to the big final that will settle the 19th World Cup.
On the other hand the predictions about the result of the final keeps coming through from all ends, with the Spaniards claiming that their team will score a resounding win.
"Spain will beat Holland 3-1, (David) Villa will score in the 17th minute, Sergio Ramos in the 40th with a header and in the second half 30th minute (Andres) Iniesta will score," was what one local oracle predicted.
It remains to be seen whether the predictions of the Spaniard will be as good as Paul, the "Psychic" Octopus.
The Octopus has become a global hit with its predictions that have been 100 percent correct so far. According to the marine animal Spain will prevail over the Netherlands tonight.
Meanwhile preparations are underway in the final as big screens are being set up in the Madrilenian central boulevard of Recoletos early on Sunday.
Traffic was partly halted at midnight behind the famous fountain in Cibeles Square as the screens were being put in place nearly 24 hours ahead of the final.
People seem confident "La Roja" will be travelling back with the trophy.
"Spain has to win tonight," said Antonio, a resident of Madrid.
"There's nothing else to say. We play better than Holland and we have to win," declared a fired-up woman supporter.
The national media is united and favouring their team in the final claiming that God was on their side and conspiring to give the La Roja their first World Cup title.
National conservative daily ABC's front and back pages were only covering the developments in South Africa: "Spain", as left-winged El Pais showed a picture of some of Spain's main players with the title "Spain, at their feet".
Regardless of the result in the final tonight the national team will be welcomed in Madrid by King Juan Carlos and Spanish prime minister; Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero before taking on an open-top bus trip cheered by thousands of fans.
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