Thoughts on What Will Happen During the World Cup Final

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals started with 32 teams vying for the championship, but now we are down to two: the Netherlands and Spain. It really is a historic final in that whichever team wins will be crowned champion for the first time in their storied history (first time we will have a new champion since 1978), as well as becoming the first European team to win the tournament outside of Europe. In my opinion, what adds to the importance of this final is where the next will be staged in four years, and who is going to be good there: Brazil 2014 is already Brazil’s to win. Even if it isn’t a good Brazilian team, they should win. If not the Brazilians than who? Germany appears to have a golden generation on their hands, and those young players will have developed even further in the time period before Brazil, making them a terrifying force to be, and potentially the team who can steal the title from the Brazilians in their own backyard. In four years time, Argentina can also expect to have a coach with some actual tactical awareness who could bring out the best in Lionel Messi, who should still be fantastic in four years, meaning the Argentines should be battling for that title. France and Italy should have new coaches who will bring in new players and make those teams respectable once again, while South American sides like Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile and Ecuador will be extremely motivated to show well as the tournament is on their continent. Where will that leave these two teams? With lots of work to do, and needing a huge amount of luck, to lift the trophy in Rio de Janeiro. Basically what I am saying is this: the World Cup in four years should not be as winnable as this one, so the team that takes advantage of this golden opportunity today will be extremely fortunate, while the other will be left disappointed, as I cannot see either of these teams making the final in four years time.

As great as the Dutch are, it appears to really be Spain’s year to win it; they have been rated as the best team in the world since they won Euro 2008, and after a minor blip losing to Switzerland in their first match in South Africa, they have won all their games and controlled every game in which they have played. I’m saying this despite picking the Dutch to win before the tournament started; Spain will never have a team this good I believe, if they do not win it will be hugely disappointing to their fans. I expect David Villa to score today, who has been an extremely influential player because the other big name Spanish forward, Fernando Torres, has been dreadful this tournament. Villa has picked up his slack, and has scored a few major goals for the Spanish en route to the final. Of course, the key to Spain’s game is the midfield, where Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets reside. The duo of Iniesta and Xavi always seem to be able to control the tempo of the game with their short passes and constant possession, making it extremely hard to beat Spain since they always have the ball. It also protects their average at best back line, who has yet to allow a goal since Chile scored on them in the group stages, but that has more to do with how dominant the Spanish midfield has been rather than how good the defense has been. They haven’t had a whole lot to do, but I could see them having problems today; while Spain will possess the ball, they are going to have to deal with Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie on the defensive end, a tough quartet to contain. What could also make Spain’s day difficult is the defensive midfield duo of Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong, whose grit and steel could break up Spain’s classic midfield play. Van Bommel and de Jong would have to have major games in order for this to happen, but the duo have had good tournaments and could be up to the task.

The Dutch were my picks to win before the tournament, so I have to be cheering for them later today. They have gotten to the final without playing the favored Total Football style many of the great Dutch teams of the seventies played. That said, those teams never won a championship playing that style, and if the Dutch win today they will do something that Johann Cruyff and company wanted nothing more than. The Dutch are a tough matchup for the Spanish in that they feature a team that is capable of absorbing pressure for long spells because they have different players who can provide moments of glory with little time necessary. I’m specifically thinking of Arjen Robben on the right flank, who should eat Joan Capdevilla up whenever he has the ball. Robben should have a good game, but the key to the Dutch will be the defense, who will have to hold up against the relentless Spanish pressure they are going to have to take. Giovanni van Bronckhurst as captain will have to keep the defense well organized and focused on their tasks as one small mental slip could result in Spain breaking through and scoring a goal. Another major key for the Dutch will be scoring first, preferably early, something they have been able to do this tournament, but will be difficult against Spain. It’s important to put Spain in a hole early, rather than get behind because Spain will hold onto the ball as much as possible, making them a difficult team to chase.

In the end, I am very torn over this game; I’ve picked the Dutch since before the tournament so I can’t turn my back on them now. That said, Spain are the clear favorites and will be expected to win. I can’t ditch the Dutch, so I will stick with them to win 2-1, but Spain should win. I will be cheering heavily for the Dutch though, they’ve made the final more than the Spanish have, they’ve suffered more heartbreak in the final than the Spanish have, it should be their turn to win it. The problem is that Spain is better. In this 2-1 game, I see the Dutch getting the important first goal through Arjen Robben, with the Spanish equalizing midway through the first half with Iniesta scoring, giving us a 1-1 score at halftime. In the second half, it will be a free kick by Wesley Sneijder to win it for the Netherlands, which will spark much partying in Amsterdam.

I’m a very confused individual ahead of this final. Obviously I’m excited to watch the match, but I’m realizing this is the last World Cup match that will take place for a good four years. In four years I should be done with college, and be out in the real world, so one could argue this is my last World Cup as a kid. It’s been a fantastic tournament though, with attending the matches obviously the high point. But it’s not just going to the matches, being a part of the South African atmosphere during the cup was intoxicating, and an atmosphere I have to be a part of at some point again in my life (I’m thinking 2018… in England hopefully). During this World Cup I have watched the games on three different continents in numerous different locations; my home, the deli where I work, the bar in our hotel, a restaurant on Long Street in Cape Town, the Cape Town airport, a seedy bar in Dubai, a German restaurant in Dubai (which featured Arabs in traditional German outfits… a sight I never thought I would see) and of course the three stadiums I went to. I’m watching the final at my friend Nathan’s house, which will mean a grand total of eleven locations where I watched a World Cup match. This tournament will forever be in my memory and will be a tough thing for me to say goodbye to in a few hours time. The beauty of the end of the World Cup though is this; only one month until all the major European leagues get started up, and only two years until Euro 2012. There is a long amount of time we must wait until Brazil 2014, but there should be fun games of soccer in between now and Brazil, and even if there isn’t, this fantastic competition is worth waiting four years for.

When the final is over, I will write about it and my other highlights of what has happened during the 2010 World Cup. I’ve got an interesting idea of making short lists of different categories about the World Cup and writing little bits about each list; favorite matches, favorite players, favorite moments etc. We will see, but until next time, enjoy the World Cup final!