Curtains down on World's greatest show
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 11 2010:
The 32-team FIFA World Cup 2010 drama that's captivated the sporting world for a month has now reached to climax, but for Spain the journey has lasted over three years.
That's how they are known as the world's best.
Though Netherland vs Spain fixture is not the final that fans were dreaming about a month before, but both the team will be looking forward today to create history.
Both the teams have never acquired the World Cup title.
The Netherlands reached the finals in 1974 and 1978 and Spain has reached the World Cup final for the first time.
Spain's last best performance was in 1950 and they finished fourth then.
In today's match at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium the Netherlands may play the best football, but it is to be noted that Spain has managed to dominate all the 2010 World Cup match that they have played.
They even controlled the game in which they lost to Switzerland.
Moreover, it is seen that Spain let their opponents suffer with remarkable rate of ball possession.
Apart from all these, Octopus Paul yesterday predicted Spain to be champion in this World Cup.
Till now all the predictins of Paul has been correct.
Well, the facts and figures don't make Holland bother and coach Bert van Marwijk stated that the team is not afraid.
He boldly declared his confidence.
Holland's key player Wesley Sneijder said, "We won each of our qualifying games and then every game since we've been here [in South Africa] .