In European football the likes of Germany, France and Italy have ruled the roost when it comes to winning trophies.
They have won World Cups and European Championships and they were the three dominant European nations in recent history.
Tide
However in the last few years the tide is slowly turning. Spain’s impressive European Championship victory in 2008 marked a change in European football. Down the years Spain have always had class players and sometimes even top coaches but were known as the European chokers.
Whenever they got to a big tournament they choked and exited whatever competition they were in. In 2008 the whole attitude of the nation changed towards their national team. Suddenly the Spanish are a major force in European football and their fans now believe in them.
Although their opening game defeat against Switzerland must have had the Spanish fans thinking ‘here we go again’. Since that 1-0 defeat they have improved and thanks to David Villa have played themselves into the final.
Style
Holland have been criticised for their style of play in their home country. They are not seen as the attractive football playing Dutch team of days gone by. How fans can say that when they are in the World Cup final is beyond me. The previous Dutch sides who have played fantastic football have won very little.
The 1988 team were the only Dutch team to ever claim an international trophy. Even that side didn’t get to the World Cup final; in fact they only made the last 16 in World Cup 1990. The great Dutch teams of 1974 and 1978 made the final of the competition and lost.
I think the Dutch public should be glad their team are in the final after so long without a trophy. Yet there will still be people criticising Sneijder and co. even if they win the World Cup. Oh well you can’t please everybody I suppose!
Spain has become renowned for their fantastic passing moves and counter-attacking play. This tournament they have rather struggled through to the final, but in spells have showed their ability with the ball.
Spain have proved one thing this tournament though and that’s they can win ugly. They aren’t just a one trick pony. If their pretty attacking football doesn’t work then they have a plan B. In previous tournaments they haven’t had a backup plan, they do now.
It’s ironic that two teams who are famed for their fancy attacking football have rather grinded their way to the big event but they are there now and that’s all that matters.
Favourites
Spain was one of the favourites before the tournament kicked off and they have, for once, managed to handle that expectation. They have been to previous tournaments as one of the favourites but never with such expectation on their shoulders.
Spain will go into the final as favourites to lift the trophy. Holland though can’t be ruled out they have already knocked out one of the favourites Brazil and are a dangerous side. The Dutch have a similar sort of determination and grit to the Spanish and really want to win the trophy for the first time.
New
Neither Spain nor Holland has ever lifted the World Cup. They are both underachievers at World Cup’s, now is their chance to change that. Whoever wins the trophy will be a welcome winner, as they have produced some superb football down the years and tomorrow one of them will finally receive their reward.
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