2010 World Cup Final - Spain vs Holland

[loz]

Two countries that have never won the World Cup meaning we will have a brand new winner. Also, somewhat bizarrely, this is the first time Spain and Holland have faced each other in any Word Cup or European Championship match.

My heart wants Holland to win but, with apologies to Val, I think Spain are going to do it. It will be interesting to see if Holland stick with Boulahrouz who I thought was man of the match in the semi final or if van der Wiel is recalled after his suspension.

Spain will surely keep Torres on the bench and reward Pedro for his excellent performance against Germany by keeping him in the starting line up.

[mad_mac]

Damn it!!! I picked Holland at the begining, and a load of people out here are like "Whoa, good job on your sleeper pick!" However, they've only made the final, and I can't see them beating Spain, although I would very much like them to.

Also, had you picked Holland at the begining of the WC you'd've been looking at 12-1 odds!

[ashwin]

I prefer watching Ghana, Uruguay and Japan to this Spanish team any day. Their tactics are as negative as they come but unfortunately effective. One or two lapses of concentration by their opponents and they strike feeding off errors more than intelligently getting behind or through solid defences. Bloody uncreative team. How people can rave about this Spanish team is beyond me! Granted they probably have the best close control and keep useless possession brilliantly, but those who want to watch a team keep possession can just watch training ground passing routines of ANY club.

This is apart from the fact that this side(and Barca) is one of the dirtiest in history. Not content with boring the sh*t out of most around, they feel that its unnecessary playing against eleven men when they can play against ten. All you need is to touch Busquet's(or anyone else's) toe to see him go down clutching his face or his balls. How many matches they play against 10 men is quite incredible. And whats astounding is that not more than 1 out of 10 dismissals are ever deserved. Anti-football?

That said, I am glad its Holland they're facing in the final. Van Bommel will be key. Hope he breaks Busquet's leg! Robben and Sneider are more than capable of providing the breakaway goal, Holland to win this I think. (and hope!)

[Tim]

Come on the Dutch!

1. I've always liked them, sort of my second team in terms of international football, I guess.

2. Their kit is awesome.

3. I got them in the office sweepstake, so look to make a cool 60 quid if they win it.

Hup Holland hup!

[Ruh Buh Juh]

I'd much rather see Holland win it, but I pulled Spain out of the hat in my sweepstake....decisions, decisions.

[Valerie]

Those who know my Chelsea predictions, will not be surprised to learn that I have gotten all my World Cup predictions wrong this summer, and that's including the Holland results :blush: So the best thing for me is to predict Spain will win this

Seriously, we have a score to settle from the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eighty_Years%27_War). That one still doesn't sit well with me.

Edited July 8, 2010 by Valerie

[dkw]

This game really needs an early Dutch goal, otherwise Spain will stifle the game and go for another 1-0 win.

[dkw]

Game will be reffed by our very own Howard Webb. Now as football fans we are preprogrammed to hate the person of disputed birth in the black, but Webb is a superb ref and its good to see him deservedly get this appointment.

[loz]

van Bommel may even get what he deserves

[dkw]

van Bommel may even get what he deserves

Exactly how in the hell has he gotten away with the unbelievable amount of fouls he`s done? He gets away with more than Maka used to, and he hasnt even got the grin Maka had.

[Phillip]

Game will be reffed by our very own Howard Webb. Now as football fans we are preprogrammed to hate the person of disputed birth in the black, but Webb is a superb ref and its good to see him deservedly get this appointment.

I guessed that yesterday morning. Do I get a prize?

[dkw]

I guessed that yesterday morning. Do I get a prize?

Yes, you get to come and wash my car, my black car thats never ever clean.

[PloKoon13]

Game will be reffed by our very own Howard Webb. Now as football fans we are preprogrammed to hate the person of disputed birth in the black, but Webb is a superb ref and its good to see him deservedly get this appointment.

He's been good at this tournament, but I'm never going to forgive him for that atrocity of a performance where he allowed two Man City goals, neither of which should have been close to being allowed.

[ace]

As what happens with nearly every major final I watch (Champion's League, Confed. Cup, World Cup, Euros), who I want to win and who actually wins are always different. Go Dutch, I'll be wearing my orange, but I fear a 2-0 Spain win, goals in either half.

[geezer]

Who does the octopus say will win?

And well done to Howard Webb who has had an excellent tournament

[emer]

I feel like a lot of the Dutch goals have come out of nowhere or against the run of play, which is very good since they wont have very much possession.

[Randy36]

It will be interesting to see how the Dutch counter the Spanish style. Much will depend on how Robben and Sneijder perform. Van Bommel versus Busquets should prove interesting. Against Germany Busquets performed very well. Spain are masters at establishing midfield dominance. In addition they have a good defence and are difficult to score against. The Dutch defence is suspect. I believe they conceded a goal in every game of the knockout stages. Stekelenburg is questionable between the sticks. As much as I rate Sneijder the standout player in the entire tournament I doubt he can produce against the Spanish midfield. It also will be interesting to see how Robben performs. However, I believe Spain will come out on top.

[loz]

Having Webb as ref is not good news for van Bommel. Although Webb has not sent anyone off in the World Cup he has not been shy to show yellow ones. if van Bommel picks up a reasonably early yellow that will put major restrictions on his game.

I also expect Spain to come out on top. I think they will pass Holland to death and then sneak a winner whilst dkw and ethical are drafting a letter to Sepp Blatter demanding a ban on two touch football.

[Arq]

Go Dutch!

I hope that this isn't a repeat of 2006 (and 2002)... The team that beats Germany wins the World Cup.

Please let this not be a repeat of 2006.

Except... Germany wins 3rd place game. :D

[Barry Bridges]

I was really hoping for a Germany Holland final as they have been two of the most attacking and thus entertaining teams to watch.

That said I really hope Netherlands score a quick goal or two or it'll be a bore of a game....hilarious that a team full of Barcelona players cant manage to play some attractive attacking football.

If you need me I'll be hiding behind the irony.

Go Holland Go!

[clubhappy]

3rd time lucky for Holland i hope . For me Spain are a side who entered a W.C. at a time where the standards of International opposition is sh*te but the Dutch havnt lost any games and have a more physical approach . Holland havnt exactly blown us away either but they are much better than Germany and wont defend deep or sit in their own half. If Holland really have a go , close down their midfield then were in for a nice dirty final.

I hope its a great game , but i'd settle for a dull Dutch 1-0 win just to piss off the so called Spanish version of total football.

[Valerie]

Who does the octopus say will win?

Nothing yet. Octopus Paul will do his thing on Saturday. You know what to do, Paul!

[dkw]

The Octopus better pick Holland if he knows whats good for him, if he picks Spain Valerie will be there with her Sushi knives....

[Valerie]

The Octopus better pick Holland if he knows whats good for him, if he picks Spain Valerie will be there with her Sushi knives....

I love calamari

Apparently, Paul has received death threats from German supporters, disappointed that he picked Spain. A Dutch aquarium has offered him asylum, but will withdraw that offer if he is going to pick Spain again for the final.

[ethicalstrategy]

I also expect Spain to come out on top. I think they will pass Holland to death and then sneak a winner whilst dkw and ethical are drafting a letter to Sepp Blatter demanding a ban on two touch football.

I don't want it banned. I just want the right to find it dull without being abused as some ignorant pleb who knows nothing about "real" football (even though that is true!)

If others find it enjoyable then that's fine by me. I believe that there is already a minority group who love that type of football. It's headquarters is situated somewhere in N5.