So we are down to the final 2. For the second World Cup in a row we have an all European final and two teams who have never previously won it – in fact this is Spain’s first ever time in the last 4 yet they now stand the chance of holding both the European and World champion honour simultaneously. It would make them legends.
What’s more, these two European heavyweights have never previously met in a World Cup showdown, nor in fact have the ever met at the European championships. New territory for both, then, but will the final deliver. Zidane’s head butt aside, the last final promised much but was ultimately devoid of excitement.
For all Spain’s attractiveness they have now come through the whole knockout stage winning 1-0 and not all of it in style. In fact, their midfield – the key to their success – is so narrow that a disciplined team can snuff them out – it’s a bit like Arsenal. Pass, pass, pass but not much end product. That seems a harsh thing to say with the likes of Villa and Torres up front but when Villa has an off game, you can’t where the goal will come from. Torres is clearly unfit and so far hasn’t performed at all. Cue the world cup winning goal, of course. I might put a fiver on it.
Holland have shown glimpses of the total football for which their previous generations are renowned. In fact they are no more than a well disciplined team with just a couple of star performers. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more un-Dutch player than Dirk Kuyt. A real workhorse put utterly lacking in international class. Yet he is an ever present. Their defenders are not household names but are well drilled, like the Germans.
Those star performers are pretty special though. Wesley Schneider, callously discarded by Real Madrid a year ago but spearheading Inter Milan’s charge to the holy trinity of Italian league, cup and European Cup has had an outstanding tournament and now stands on the cusp of total greatness. Arjen Robben, hugely talented but tainted when playing in England for incessant diving, appears to have channelled his ability to be a matchwinner with Bayern Munich and is probably the key to Holland’s chances of beating Spain. He too was discarded by Real Madrid so there will be a couple of scores to settle which should add to the drama.
I’m pleased Germany are out but they should be proud of their contribution. Another final appearance would have been almost too much to bear and in truth they didn’t deserve it tonight. They have been a credit to the tournament and enriched it with some sublime performances albeit against profligate defences which should have been better prepared. What a shame that Mueller was suspended as he has been central to the counter-attacking approach they have adopted and would probably have opened up the game. They were unable to dictate any rhythm and for once ran out of ideas with their younger team members finally showing their inexperience.
I’m a little disappointed that they didn’t go out on penalties. They are the masters of the penalty shoot out and it would have helped to dismantle this invincible aura had they lost one tonight. OK, so you don’t get everything you wish for!
So what’s my prediction? Actually it’s a tough one to call. I expect Spain to dominate possession but will they have the patience to breakdown a resolute Dutch defence? Probably just.
So what does Goopstradamus think? Well without the help of Paul the Octopus, I’m going for a Spanish win in extra time with Torres to score the winning goal after coming on as a sub. I don’t think I’ll put any money on this one though.
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