Spain are the masters of the game: Joachim Loew

Such was the style in Spain’s win over Germany in Durban on Wednesday that the latter’s coach Joachim Loew had no hesitation in announcing that Spain will win the World Cup.

Speaking at the post match conference at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Loew showered praise on his opposite number Vicente del Bosque and his side that enthralled the fans with magnificent display of the beautiful game.

Over the past three years, Spain have been the most skillful team of all and they showed that against us. They moved the ball very quickly and we weren’t able to get back to the play we put on in previous matches. We were inhibited,” the German said.

Loew hailed the players from Barcelona and Real Madrid — who form 10 out of Spain’s starting 11 — calling them the masters of the game. “You can see that in every pass. Look at how Barca play — they can hardly be beaten. That’s the strength Spain have. They are the best team in the world. I’m pretty confident they’ll win this title because, when they want to be, they are in complete control. They dominate opponents and games,” Loew added.

“They combine and circulate the ball so cleverly with Xabi Alonso, Iniesta, Xavi and Pedro. We didn’t concede many chances to them, and it was a surprise that we conceded from a set-play, but Spain deserved it. They were better than us,” he said.

Spain’s commitment to football as a beautiful game should be cherished. This will be the first time they will play in a World Cup final and comes two years after they claimed the European crown. Coach Del Bosque said: “All of our players were extraordinary — but we still have a match to play. We know the Dutch football and it will be very tough in the final. From defence through to attack I think we played a great game.”

With Xavi, David Villa, Andres Iniesta, all striking similar wavelength at the right stage of the tournament, Spain have the right balance in them to go all the way. In fact, so influential and trusted has Xavi been for Spain, that he has touched the ball every 46 seconds on an average at the World Cup, more frequently than any other player. “We’ll have to impose our personality and football on them. If we play like we did against Germany, we’ll have a great chance,” said Xavi.

Even though the entry into the final has thrown the nation into a frenzy, Del Bosque has urged his side to keep their feet on the ground. “Of course we must celebrate this victory but we will do so with moderation,” Del Bosque said. “We will not be blinded by success. We will enjoy this and tomorrow we start preparing for the final. There is nothing more difficult or precious than to win a World Cup. But we still have to play the final. We cannot start bragging or get too conceited yet.”