Could this slogan sum up Sunday’s World Cup final any better? 2 sides that epitomise the beautiful game but have find success hard to come by in times past. Holland suffered defeat at the hands of Germany and then Argentina in the World Cup finals of 1974 and 1978 when they were arguably the best side in the world, perhaps one of the best of all time. Spain, built on the back of Barcelona’s recent domestic and European dominance, have never come so close as Holland to global glory, but have failed to deliver on the promise of their (at times) breathtaking countless occasions in the past decade-the 2008 European Championship was only their 2nd title (they have 1 more than Holland in that respect).
So are we seeing teams worthy of the World Cup Final on Sunday night? I think so. Spain took out both Germany and Portugal, while Holland beat my favourites Brazil in their quarter-final. Spain are reigning European champions-Holland have not lost a game in qualifying or in the World Cup proper. Germany was my favourite after the quarter-finals, but looked more like what I expected to see before the tournament began against Spain. At times, Brazil looked like they were ready to cut loose and destroy the Dutch-but after conceding early on, Holland hung tough, grabbed a fortunate equaliser, and then the Brazilians ran out of ideas and temperament. So, it’s hard to argue that either side shouldn’t be there-let’s hope they prove my point on Sunday night and give us the type of quality game that has been in short supply at this tournament.
On Wednesday night’s evidence, it was apparent to me that David Villa is a more effective player with someone to lead the line playing alongside him, allowing him the opportunities to attack from the wing. Well as Pedro played against Germany, and as impressive as his 20 odd goal tally for Barcelona was this past year, I feel that Torres should probably get the nod for the final. He still cuts a forlorn figure, but has the ability to keep centre backs occupied enough to ensure Villa has the opportunities to worry a suspect Dutch defence. I’ve expressed surprise at the decision of Del Bosque to start Torres and then sub him after 60 minutes for a midfielder (with the exception of Llorente coming on against Portugal), but then Spain don’t tend to set up like many teams-they seem to rely on overloading the midfield with ball players to fashion opportunities for 1-on-1s for a solitary front man or advanced midfield player taking a shot from the edge of the box. It will be a surprise if the coach changes much from the semi-final, where they gave their most impressive display of the tournament so far.
Holland is available at odds of nearly 3/1 for Sunday’s final, surprising in my opinion. They are in the final on merit, and should Spain revert to the low tempo approach that has characterised most of their play in this World Cup, Holland could very well atone for the shortcomings of their 1974 and 1978 predecessors-teams that played total football, but ultimately failed to complete the course. In Robben and Sneijder they have match winners who have stepped up to score goals in the World Cup and in the Champions League when counted on. Indeed, Sneijder could end up with the Golden Boot, thanks in part to FIFA’s decision to award him the 1st goal in their clash with Brazil. They have experience, they are well organised, and other than a minor tiff between Sneijder and van Persie, have been relatively settled, for a nation that seems to make a point of falling out publically at major tournaments. You can be sure van Bommel will make Xavi and Alonso feel his presence-it will be interesting to see how much leeway Howard Webb (yes, an Englishman in the Final!) in this regard-he has proven to be an expert at avoiding bookings so far in the tournament, despite his propensity to hack.
Prediction
Form is temporary, class is permanent. Spain have most of the class, and their form has been average, while Holland’s form has been excellent. Spain should add the World Cup to their European Championship crown on Sunday night. They may even score more than 1 goal in the process.
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Well Bro I have to start by apologising for my absence from this hallowed page. Needless to say that my time was well spent by backing Paraguay at 40/1 to win the world cup. Many people laughed at such a wager but I still contend it was not beyond the realms of possibility (witness the quarter final against eventual champions Spain where despite being dominated in possesion terms they still fashioned most of the better chances and were very rarely under serious threat). Point being I don't think Paraguay are the best team in the world (far from it) but one of the most effective. Spain are in many ways deserving world champions but I still think the best team in the world went out in the quarter finals (Brazil Vs Holland and one of the other three best teams (Germany) surrendered with barely a whimper agaisnt Spain. The abiding lesson of this World Cup and last season's champions league is that if you are a good team you have to prove it by playing like it. Spain won the final in the face of Dutch brutality by a combination of skill and luck. Luck being the better part because I for one would have put everything I own on Robben to score when 1-0n-1 twice in the final. Brazil had no such luck but have only themselves to blame for their craven second half performance against a markedly inferior Dutch team. So it was with Barcelona against Inter in the champions league last year. Inter played to their strengths and won. Barca lost their way and resorted to betraying their core strengths. It cost them ultimately and the only way the "illness in football" [copyright Eamon Dunphy, who by the way I think is an idiot] can be cured is for good attacking teams to actually attack and more importantly THREATEN the oppositon's goal on a regular basis. That means quick,incisive and dierct forward passing for 90 minutes, not ten minutes at the start or five minutes at the end when you are already a goal down. It can be done and it must be done, otherwise what's the point of watching football anymore? For the record I don't agree that the Dutch deserved to make the World Cup final. Despite their unbeaten record in qualifying and in the competition itself. How can that be so? Because by a combination of bad refereeing and luck (I think in particular of the Brazil and Uruguay games) they got through by default. The fact that such a team is considered amongst the best in the world is kind of sad. Come back Batistuta, Zidane, Rui Costa, Ronaldo (the fat one not the greasy punk from Portugal), Redondo, Kinkaldze et al. The world of football (Iniesta, Fabregas and the rusurgent Forlan aside) is a poorer place without your sort. Quite a long comment..........maybe I should start a blog of my own....
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