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World Cup Final Preview: Netherlands v Spain | Sunday, July 11th, 19:30 GMT, Soccer City Stadium
It was a month ago that the anticipation was through the roof for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Now, only one match remains. The Netherlands have appeared in the Final twice, but lost both. Spain has never appeared in a Final, so it looks like a new World Cup champion will be crowned and added to the list. For billions of football fans around the world – bandwagon and diehards alike – Sunday marks the end of an action-packed month of amazing football. Holland and Spain will make sure to end it on a high note.
Netherlands Key to Victory: Eliminate Villa
Every team that has played Spain has ultimately been adversely affected by Spain’s talisman, David Villa. If Holland wants to win this match, they cannot allow this to happen to them. They need to force somebody else to step up and win it for them. Villa has time and time again saved Spain from a fate worse than death, and it’s time for his teammates to repay him. David Villa needs to be blanketed with defenders from the outset. Nobody else has been half as impressive as Barcelona’s newest striker. The Dutch know that, so their goal is to prevent goals from the striker. Seems easy enough, but in reality, it’s extremely difficult.
Spain Key to Victory: No “I” in team
Selfishness almost cost Spain a spot in the final. Pedro had a perfect chance to pass to Fernando Torres who had a clear shot on net against Germany in the semifinals. All he would have had to do was basically pass it into the net, and Spain would have been clearly moving on. Instead, Pedro kept the ball for himself, tried some horrible fancy moves, and lost the ball. If Spain had gone on to lose, Pedro may not have made it back to Spain alive. His selfishness was that atrocious. He was immediately subbed off. Spain cannot allow this sort of thing to ruin them. They have come too far. One person may score the goal, but it is a collaborative effort. There may be no “I” in team, but there is in Villa, and he can certainly lead them to victory.
Prediction
For me, this is my dream World Cup Final not involving the United States. I’ve been a huge fan of Holland and Spain since I was little, and this 2010 World Cup has blessed with a fantastic match-up. I’ll give the slight edge to the Netherlands for who I want to win, but ultimately it’s a crapshoot. These are two of the most skilled and technically gifted teams in the world, and I’m forced to pick a winner out of these two.
I’ve been thinking hard for the past few days, and I think I’ve finally come to a likely conclusion. Both teams will be tied at one goal apiece after ninety, but Holland will score in extra time to win 2-1.
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Well, that's the thing with football finals, they're usually not that good, especially the big ones (world cup, european, champions league). both teams want to win so badly that it often gets locked down and very rough.
Enjoy the World Cup final. It should be an entertaining match if the officials don't spoil it.