In about 8 hours from now, football will have a New World Cup winner. Rather a brand new first time FIFA WC winner. For all the clichés like “upsets” and “shock exits” overused throughout the tournament, the finalists at the end can be called anything but a shock entry or a team on a dream run .
Spain were one of the favorites from the word go. Since their victory in Euro 2008 and subsequent performances, their place in finals is well deserved. The Euro victory was a first for team that always underperformed at big tournaments. With that ghost laid to rest, it was a given that the team will come up with better shows henceforth and the WC final is a natural culmination to that.
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Netherlands on the other hand have always been the Dark Horses going into a tournament. They have tragically lost two consecutive WC finals before but look set to go one better now. Touted as “The Best team never to have won the World Cup”, the Dutch will not be found short on effort by any means today.
Who will have the final glory
Predictions of Paul the Octopus, or Harry The crocodile or closer home, Mani the Parrot notwithstanding, it is difficult to pick up the better team even on paper. Of course one of the above “Oracles” is bound to be proven right. Like flipping a coin it’s either Heads or Tails. Both of the teams have not really set the stage on fire by their performances. Their game has been very different from their traditional style, but as along as you are winning no one complains. Dunga the Brazilian coach would have realized the bitter truth of this statement by now.
Spain have won all but one game by a margin of 1 goal. Most of the scoring have been done by one man. If Villa is neutralized like Messi was by Germans, the Spanish team will have to pull out a new trick out of hat.The Spanish Forward Torres could very well end up as the biggest Flop of tournament unless he finds his bearings tonight.
Netherlands at times eerily resemble a Pakistani Cricket Team, which may not be necessarily a bad thing as far as winning the final is concerned. Their forwards hardly seem to see eye to eye. There is every chance of the forwards going for greater glory at the cost of Team’s cause. Their long range attempts at goals are one too many. On converted they look beautiful, the attempts seem surreal but are fraught with danger at this stage.
As both team look to create history, they will be meeting each other for the first time in a WC match. Their only meeting at finals has been 90 years back in 1920 Olympics that Spain won 3-1. Too far back to cite as an example anyway while head to head in their 9 meetings, they are at 4-4 with one draw. History and statistics are of no help to choose a favorite for today.
Who will lift it ,Spain or holland?
- Spain has most no. of victories in WC for a side never winning a Cup, and not surprisingly Holland is no.2 in this list.
- If Holland win, they will emulate Brazil (in 1970) to have won all matches in qualifiers and finals.
- If Spain win they will be the first team to have won the WC after losing the first game.
- Spain, if they win and score less than 4 goals today, will become the lowest scoring winners of all time.
- Spain has conceded only two goals in the tournament, Holland has scored 12
- Sneijder and Villa both are in race for Golden Boot at 5 goals a piece.
These are precisely the reason that fans across the globe are split right down the middle in their support for respective teams. When they take the field today, both teams have reason to be wary of each other. One can only wish the finals is not reduced to a drab affair where instead of making a move the teams adapt Wait and Watch approach. There is great risk of Spain resorting to this strategy to starve and frustrate Holland. As a fan I would like to see Villa and Sneijder head neck to neck till 90th min for the Golden Boot while ensuring the Cup for their Trophy. I hope Torres scores one on behalf of all Premier League Superstars. I wish Robben plays more football today than play act. I pray we are hard pressed to choose if Xabi and Iniesta were better or it was Bommel and Rob Persie who stole the show.
My mind says Spain but Heart wants Holland to win ( no footballing reason). May the best team win.
