Preview: Netherlands – Spain

(GSM) – After Uruguay, Italy, Germany, Brazil, England, Argentina and France, an eighth country will join the exclusive group of World Cup winning countries this Sunday. The question is whether it will be the Netherlands or Spain.

The Netherlands are set to play their third World Cup final, having lost the previous two in 1974 and 1978. Both these finals were played against the respective host countries, a problem the Dutch don’t have to face this time around.

It has been a remarkably successful campaign for Bert van Marwijk’s side so far, having won all their games in the qualifying round before maintaining that 100 percent record in South Africa.

The Dutch, who were surrounded by good fortune in their previous six games, beat Denmark, Japan and Cameroon in the group phase before earning a 2-1 win over Slovakia in the round of sixteen. Brazil were then pushed aside 2-1 after first going one up, and Uruguay were defeated 3-2 in the semi finals.

Wesley Sneijder is without a doubt the man of the tournament for the Netherlands, having scored five goals so far. He and Arjen Robben create most of the danger up front, with help of the devoted Dirk Kuyt.

In midfield, the Dutch are rejoined by Nigel de Jong who was suspended for the semi final. The same goes for right-back Gregory van der Wiel.

Spain have never reached a World Cup final until this year, but appear to be on a roll after also winning the European Championship in Austria and Switzerland two years ago.

And it was against Switzerland that Spain suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat in their tournament opener. But wins over Honduras and Chile were enough for Vicente del Bosque’s men to secure the top spot in their group.

Portugal were then defeated 1-0, and Paraguay faced the same fate in the quarter final. A second-half header from defender Carles Puyol then led Spain past Germany in the semi final.

Many eyes will be on Spain star Xavi, who became best player of the tournament at Euro 2008 and aims to do so again in South Africa. David Villa meanwhile, competed with Sneijder for the golden boot. He too, has scored five goals so far.

Spain are still without Raul Albiol, who injured himself earlier this tournament. The other 22 players are all fit and available.

History offers nothing for players to rely on. Of the previous nine meetings, each side won four and one game ended undecided. While the two European powerhouses did meet in qualifying for Euro 1984 – with Spain advancing – the teams never faced off at a final tournament.

The 2010 World Cup final takes place at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium with kick-off at 20:30 local time. The referee for this match is Howard Webb of England.