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Who Will Lift It This Sunday?
The final of the 2010 World Cup is finally upon us and Holland and Spain will take to the field on Sunday night, both hoping to win the World Cup for the first time in their history.
Many pundits predicted that the South American nations would rule the roost in South Africa but the European sides have turned around and dominated the latter part of the tournament. A European team has never won the World Cup outside of Europe before so whoever wins the game on Sunday will make a piece of history. Both sides have an illustrious footballing history behind them and both will say they deserve to lift the World Cup.
Holland were the first team to clinch their place in the World Cup final with a 3-2 victory over Uruguay. The semi-final was brought to life by a goal from the Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhurst and it is one of the goals of the tournament.
Uruguay managed to get back on level terms before the break with an equally impressive strike from Diego Forlan but the European side were to pull through in the second half. Wesley Sneijder managed another goal at the 2010 World Cup when his strike was missed by Robin van Persie but still managed to sneak into the bottom corner of the net.
Some say that van Persie was offside and interfering with play but the officials did not agree and the Dutch were in the driving seat. Victory was virtually assured when Arjen Robben headed Holland into a 3-1 lead. A late Uruguay goal made it a tricky last few moments in injury time for the Dutch but they managed to hold and booked their first World Cup final spot since 1978. The Dutch were unsuccessful in 1974 and 1978 and will no doubt be hoping that 2010 is finally the year of the Orange.
When you think of glorious Dutch players like Johann Cruff, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten, none of these players were triumphant in the World Cup final but the current Dutch squad could eclipse all of them. Sometimes it is not all about being the best players but having a collective unit. The fact that a squad containing Edson Braafheid, last seen being a disaster at Celtic in the SPL, could lift the World Cup is a major disappointment but it does indicate that football is a squad game these days.
One of the most noticeable things about the 2010 World Cup is that the individual has floundered whilst the team ethic has flourished. In the build up to the World Cup, names like Rooney, Kaka, Ronaldo and Messi were named as the players who would inspire their side to World Cup glory.
Messi was not too bad and Ronaldo scored a goal but Kaka and Rooney were a disaster and indicative of the failings of their team. The 2010 World Cup has been built upon solid defending and tactical sense. It may not have been the tournament that fans were hoping for but it has been an intriguing tournament nonetheless.
Spain entered the 2010 World Cup as European Champions but a shock 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in their opening game had many people writing them off. Those with a World Cup knowledge were quick to proclaim that no team had ever lost their first game at the World Cup and gone on to lift the cup. Spain have the opportunity to be the first team to achieve this feat and they got to the final by defeating Germany 1-0 in a tight and pulsating semi final.
The breakthrough came from a set-piece, a goal that many observers would claim to be un-Spanish like but the courage and tenacity shown by the goal scorer was typical of him and the team around him. Spanish captain Carlos Puyol set a stunning example by launching himself at the ball and nods it into the German net for the only goal of the game. The Barcelona captain has had some great moments in recent years but captaining Spain to a World Cup triumph may well eclipse them all.
Puyol is a proud Catalonian but is also very proud of his Spanish roots and no doubt the hard man stopper will be delighted if he is the man who gets to lift the gleaming gold trophy on Sunday night.
If Spain are to triumph, it is likely they will look to David Villa to get them the goals they need. Villa is a new team-mate of Puyol¡¯s at Barcelona and both of the players must take the credit for getting Spain to the final. Puyol¡¯s powering header may have made all the difference in the semi-final but it has been Villa who has got Spain motoring since their opening game setback.
Just when Spain needed him most, the small striker has stepped up to the plate and fired them to victory. This is in stark contrast to Fernando Torres who has been abysmal at the World Cup so far. Many will say that the striker has been carrying an injury so far in the tournament but the striker has barely played a memorable game in the whole of 2010. If Spain are thinking about winning the tournament on Sunday night, they will need Torres to up his game considerably, just in case Villa is shut down by the tough tackling and never resting Dutch defence.
The World Cup final is the pinnacle sporting event and every four years, it lights up the world. Looking back on the tournament will see many people smile at the spirit of the African nations, the gleeful joy shown by Diego Maradona when his team scored and some rather questionable decisions from the referees. However, come Sunday night when the final ball is kicked, a new country will be able to say that they are World Cup champions and for once, a European team will have won it outside their own continent. Will it be Holland or will it be Spain, the world will know soon enough?
by Andrew Reilly
for The Silver Circle at www.footballtip.co.uk
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Dear Greg,
I've been a member since July 2003, maybe one of the first to join the Silver Circle.
2004 was a good year but I really enjoyed the long run we had in, I think, July 2005. It was exhilarating! 2006-2007 was not as exciting although still quite profitable and so far 2007-2008 looks quite good. I'm wondering if we're going to hit a long one again soon. Anyway, it's been a pleasure as always with your service, Greg. Armstrong and you are one of the few people I trust on the internet. You have made my retirement so much more fun and financially happy!
Best Wishes, Trent Wrayford, Sidney
