Whatever the outcome, Sunday’s final between Spain and Netherlands will find a place in the history books.
Whatever the outcome, Sunday’s final between Spain and Netherlands will find a place in the history books.
The eighth World Cup final between all-European sides will not only produce a first-time winner, but more importantly, it will also produce either a team to win the title after losing its first group game (Spain) or a nation winning the title after losing the final twice (Netherlands) on previous occasions.
On a dubious note, the Dutch could also become the first side ever to play in three final and win none, after losing the 1974 finale to West Germany and four years later to Argentina.
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk admitted Spain play a more attractive brand of football than his team - but insists they do not fear them. “At this moment I think Spain play a little more attractively than we do. Although we would like to do the same, they have a few more advantages right now. There are no secrets for us with Spain. We are not afraid.”
Dutch legend Johan Cruyff picked Spain to lift the title, not the perfect morale boost his country would need before the clash. “I am Dutch but I will always defend the football Spain play. If you play attacking football like Spain, you have more chances of winning. And if you try to play on the counter against a team that really wants the ball, you deserve to suffer. The fact is that if you try to outplay Spain, they will kill you and Holland now know they face the best team in the world,” Cruyff said.
Underachievers, no more
Vicente del Bosque’s side are European champions and have been the most impressive international outfit for the past two years. They struggled to hit top form in South Africa, though, losing their opening game to Switzerland before battling their way through to the semifinal, where their impeccable passing game returned in a 1-0 win over Germany.
Van Marwijk said it will be an “interesting” game on Sunday, as he added: “They are playing very well with the ball and without the ball when they are reacting very quickly so it could be a very interesting game between two teams who want to play football.”
The desperation to get rid of the underachievers in both camps in quite visible. Spain’s Gerard Pique said: “It’s a great chance for us to make history and win the World Cup. It’s been a long wait, but now we are close to fulfilling our dream.”
The feeling is mutual not only among the players, but the fans too. Spanish fans have already started partying hard, saying they do not want to think about losing.
Van Marwijk insisted he was not interested in the past. “I only think of that game we play in the final. Whatever happened in the past is not important and we have to prepare.”
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