FIFA World Cup Final 2010: Two nations striving for world cup glory- Spain vs. Netherlands
It has been decided. The world of football will soon have a new champion. It is about time as well. The two finalists, Spain and Holland, of the show piece event at Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg represent two countries which have underachieved in their football history. Given the quality of the players that they have had over the years and the teams that they have churned out over the years, it has been a travesty of justice that they have yet to win a World Cup.
Spain has reached their first World Cup final. That in itself is extraordinary. For a country with a league as strong as theirs and the quality of the players which have represented Spanish colours, a return of a semi-final before this World cup was a poor return. Before their historic triumph at the Euros 2008, Spain was considered a team of chokers. They had the talent, they had the tactics but yet they seemed to fall at crucial junctures at major tournaments. Before 2008, they have a wretched history of underachievement, in which they have been unable to fulfil their undoubted potential. Add to this, there was always an element of divisive within the ranks of the national Spanish side. This division can be attributed to the political landscape of the Spanish La Liga. Football giants Real Madrid and Catalan powerhouse Barcelona have had vested interests, which seemed to spill over into the national side. Adding to this, the political and cultural mix of Andalucía, Basque region and others, you had a melting point which would just not meld together.
In fact, former coach Luis Aragones’ success with the Spanish side at the Euros 2008 as attributed to the fact that he managed to resolve the issues that plagued the team. His tossing out of Real Madrid legend Raul (widely considered to be divisive and a figure standing in the way of unity in the national side) is considered a step which ensured that Spain was united throughout their campaign. This unity has become the building blocks of Spain’s success over the last two years, in which the Iberian side has become an irrepressible force. Their semi-final win over Germany on Wednesday only underlined their strength. Germany had been the tour de force of the tournament spanking England 4-1 before disposing off sentimental favourites Argentina 4-0 in the quarter-finals. The manner of their wins had made their slight favourites against a Spanish side, which had laboured to defeat Paraguay in their last eight meeting. However, with their comprehensive performance and win over the Euros 2008 finalists, the Spanish look formidable and hungry to make history.
The Oranje, on the other hand, will be contesting their third World Cup final hoping that three will be their lucky number. For this pragmatic Dutch side, the ghost of the team of 1974 hangs low. That 1974 Dutch side, widely considered the best of all time, was the creator of “Total Football” and figured legends such as Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens. This Dutch side, on their way to an infamous defeat to West Germany in the final, defeated Brazil 2-0 and thumped Argentina 4-0. Their easy on the eyes football and the sheer joy with which they played the game won them many fans. However, they were undone by an efficient, ruthless West Germany side in a result widely considered a huge upset. They made the final again sans Cruyff in 1978, this time to lose against Argentina.
The 2010 version of the Dutch side may not be a flashy or proponents of “Total Football” but they are a side which know how and when to attack and defend. A pragmatic approach by Coach Bert van Marwijk has ensured that the Netherlands have not lost in their last 25 encounters. This highly success method has come with the realization that maybe they might not win anything while playing only pretty football. Marwijk’s approach is to defend deep, stay organized and then let star players like Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Rafael van der Vaart and Robin van Persie do the attacking. The coach’s employment of two defensive minded midfielders in Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong sent the local press into frenzy but as results have come, there has been quiet acknowledgement of the manner in which the Netherlands have proceeded to the final.
The two nations represent histories of underachievement. The final, come July the 11th will provide us with a new champion and in the process finally put to rest, the unwanted noose of unfulfilled potential. Too bad, it will happen for only one of the two great football nations.
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