Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands....a bad tempered semi final ........ Dutch Manager Van Marwijk said: "This is very special. After 32 years we play the final again. Such a small country can be so very proud." ......Congratulations to Holland ...

Germany v Spain.......feel the d?j? vu ?, the ?been there, done that?... the final of Euro 2008 , Spain?s won on the day two year ago in Vienna...... Podolski...?We still think about that defeat and it still hurts, we want revenge for 2008, when you are in a final you want to win, now we want to reach the final and we'll do all we can to achieve that.".......and manager Loew continues "Two years later for us there are many changes, while the Spaniards are similar, we have made progress in the style of football we play and the results we get, We were not as consistent and our quality was not as good. Now our combination is much better as is our flowing game." .....I think Spain will win the day, the Sangria is on ice for this evenings kick off....

I really hope Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, and Robin van Persie rip a new hole in Spain. The oranje are ready to lift the trophy for the first time and no one can stop them now. Thomas M?ller's suspension cost Germany it's shot at the final so well, I've been anti-Spanish football since Euro 2008, so you know what colors I'llbe sporting.

Let's go Holland!

Germany 0 - 1 Spain ....It was a classic ?Chili Con Kick Off? from Spain ... did we need ?Mystic Meg?s? crystal ball?.... This display was Euro 2008 with added bells and whistles...

On a gorgeous Durban evening Spain turned on the style, elegance and beauty, ballet in footy boots, the Germany that over ran both England, and Argentina with consummate counter attacking football, controlled performances on the break, had all the possession ripped from them for extended periods of time.

I counted only a few chances that had M?ller not been suspended could well have converted, well only if Moses could be persuaded out of retirement to perform another ?Red Sea moment?...

As Jochim Loew?s ?syrup?(cockney slang for hair piece) elaborated, "They've been the best team for a few years, they circulate the ball well and you just can't keep up with them."....

Spain never rushes anything, the deciding header took 70 odd minutes, but there was an undeniable air of authority, and Holland will need to take heed, Spain has the patience , and defence, on more than one occasion Spain ?pulled? Germany?s center half?s forward, and this proved to be Del Bosque?s (Coach Spain) master plan...

Seven Barcelona players were present with three from Real Madrid, so we witnessed La Liga all present and correct...only ?Jose Mourinho?s? Inter Milan could have made any difference and provided a shock ...as in the Barcelona?s Champions League defeat.....

Loew?s desperation was evident as he substituted backs Boateng, and Trochowski with Jansen, and Kroos .....

Unfortunately SwallowTail .... ?Die Panzer?...like the Battle of the Bulge (16 December 1944 ? 25 January 1945), ran out of fuel when it came to the vinegar stroke ........


All joking apart let?s take a few moments to acknowledge Germany?s accomplishments and German daily De Welt could not have put it better "This young team played their way into our hearts with elegance rather than drive. The multi-cultural team changed Germany; we used to be a land of complainers and pessimists. We?re a different country now."..........Germany has so much to be proud of....


Kayoko is irritated, and this is understandable, Germany looked confident and dangerous when the chances arose, but Spain has clicked together at exactly the right time....and spoiled a dream ....

This was supposed to be a dream final between the Netherlands and Germany. One of the biggest country rivalries the world has seen. Hatred going so far that some Germans paint their oranges(as in fruit), national colors to the Netherlands, black. The most deserving to be in the final was Germany one can argue, only to fall short as M?ller's suspension changed the image of German football as they failed to even score, something that was plentiful during the campaign. But not just Thomas M?ller's absence, but some of Loew's decisions in the squad raised eyebrows..no Marko Marin, no Mario Gomez, taking off of Jerome Boateng and Piotr Trochowski. First time Loew seemed unsure with the squad as changes were made earlier in the tournament only to give the starting XI a breather. Germany gave the tournament excitement as some of the more favoured countries fell short in just the group stages.

But what's done is done. Netherlands v. Spain for the trophy and rights to call themselves, “best in the World”. No more self-proclaimed best with this victory. Revenge may be on the mind of a few Dutch players. Wesley Sneijder, cold shouldered by Real Madrid. Bought in from Ajax to be the instrmuental player in midfield only to not make a starting XI appearance that season..replaced by Brazilian maestro, Kaka. Arjen Robben too, bought from Chelsea to be the guy on the wing, only to be plagued by injury AND replaced by Cristiano Ronaldo. Both players worked wonders with their new clubs, Inter Milan and Bayern M?nchen respectively. And the talent showed, both clubs appearing in the Champions League final this year. So these boys are successful, but Spaniards aren't too impressed. They will be come the 11th. “Revenge is sweet” they say..these two will show the world the bad decision Real Madrid made by dissing them.

The moment that Pedro failed to pass to Torres, when Torres left unmarked could have tapped in was significant, and any repeat of lapses like this in the final on Sunday, Soccer City, Johannesburg could prove potentially ruinous for Spain.

Since the finish of the group stage Spain has won every match by a single goal to nil, and the casual almost snotty dismissal of Germanys blitzkrieg style by Del Bosque, like a bellowing big girls blouse he was incensed, furious at any media suggestion that the Spanish style of football is a tactically cynical attempt to smother Wednesday?s semi final.

The media were expecting Germany to carry on raping and pillaging dodgy defenses on the counter attack, and Mueller thrives on exploiting weak defenses, England and Argentina defenses were atrocious and they both subsequently paid dearly.
Spain knew this and compensated using a simple process, without procession Germany couldn?t score, ruthless and shrewd strategy, keep procession pass the ball around for 70 minutes patiently waiting for the opportunity to score, in all honesty I really don?t think that with hindsight Mueller would have provided the equalizer.........

So looking ahead to Holland v Spain, Sunday?s final and for what I am about to say I expect to get flamb?ed from the Utadanet footy faithful, so a deep breath, Holland and Spain can?t defend if their lives depended on it, both will stack bodies behind ball and it will be possession with no risk, or constant theatricals......... Spain?s Sergio Ramos should seriously consider auditioning for Hairspray the musical, he breaks into a song and dance act every time an opponent attempts a tackle, and Holland has a tendency to foul everything that moves if forced into a corner, emphatically witnessed in their bad tempered semi final against Uruguay.

Will Sunday?s final be the paradox that football has become.....death by smothering?.... Spain and Holland have full backs fashioned out of timber, sometimes appearing as though the grounds staff have mistaken left a set of poor quality oak furniture on the pitch ...

Edit read it and weep:...Robben happy to win ugly...

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/article-23854753-robben-happy-to-win-ugly.do

Well, it's no question which nation Becks is rooting for. After spending some great years at Real Madrid, he understands how important this trophy would mean for a country that has had complete teams every tournament, but failed to live up to the hype. No one can question Spain's intentions. Their defence has steppedup as one goal has been enough to win in several matches. Scary results to get for Spain, but they have held their own very well and has not broke under pressure after that shock loss to Switzerland in the opening group stage match. Very composed led by players like Carles Puyol, Xavi, and Iker Casillas, they never looked stronger and more united. But one thing is for sure, I said before the Germany match, but was proved wrong. This is absolute. One goal will not cut it this outing.

Netherlands have been known throughout history to have a standout offense, almost able to score at will with players in history like Cruyff and former manager Marco Van Basten. This year is no different with Arjen Robben, Robin Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder..but they defence has always been the Netherlands' achilles heel. Not anymore. Defence has been stable as all players contribute to getting back and aiding the back line. A team effort and good rotational marking can disguise a suspect D..can that be said about the Netherlands however? Sunday will prove everything and answer all the questions. Is Spain the best in the World? Can the Netherlands win without defence? No more secrets..

Everyone debating Sundays Holland v Spain final has a different take on the result. I would not put money on the out come?

Torres could will be starting in place of Pedro ?(You know Sneijder has been linked to Man U, a ?30 million offer is on the table) ?and Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool) has upped the stakes accusing Germany of running scared in there semi with Spain??

The Dutch will get physical, as soon as the likes of Torres, Xavi, Villa, Puyol, Alsono, Iniesta.. etc , etc .. start there little dancing darting runs intermingled with set plays Heitinga & Co will slash and burn, stand by with the stretchers?there will be blood ?.

Interesting to note that FiFa has chosen none other than Howard Webb the English Referee from Rotherham to take charge of tomorrow?s final with trusty assistants Darren Cann, and Michael Mullarkey, only 2 months ago Howard and his posse were all present and correct officiating at the Champions League Final in Madrid, you would have to go back to 1974 since the last Brit was refereeing a World Cup final, when Germany met Holland.

Howard and his deputies will also become the first to officiate in both Finals (Champions League/World Cup) in the same year......one other point Webb is a serving Police Officer, a Sergeant in the South Yorkshire Constabulary (currently on a 5 year Sabbatical) however Webb still keeping his official police trudgeon close to his whistle, and he is not afraid to use it??

Webb has stated that he can draw from his experience as a police officer especially in deal with confrontation....
Clearly identified by his shiny bald head, Webb dispensed with his hair piece 4 years ago when the furry beast leapt off and attempted to equalise for Sunderland in a local derby against Newcastle, the hairy howler, after jumping a advertising hording was wrestled to the ground and captured unharmed..... Webb keeps the furry mammal in a wooden cage in his graden shed.....

3rd place play off tonight ?Germany v Uruguay ?.

Well at least Germany #3rd , why they change the goalie to "Butt" not "Neuer". Hmmm maybe its for Butt international experince.

I was hoping Holland won, but when i saw Holland lost their style, the game becoming so damn bad and ugly.....i saw many taekwondo kick there :P, and Van Persie supposed to got red card after what his done.

Anyway Well Done SPAIN you deserve it, they also won fair play team.

At least Mueller got Best young player and golden boots Trophy.

And Forlan Best Player and Golden Ball trophy.

CONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS SPAIN, yet my heart still aching

Spain 1-0 Holland ....The World Cup final, a culmination of 64 matches, 145 goals, and 32 teams, so last night at Soccer City Stadium, the most watched ?event? in the sporting calendar so far this year, with a global audience Fifa estimates to be measured in hundreds of millions, is treated to ill- tempered display punctuated with constant fouling which lead to Referee Howard Webb producing 13 players with yellow cards and sending Dutch defender Heitinga off, and then for officiating fairly Webb was unceremoniously booed off the pitch when collecting their medals (Webb and his deputies) by Dutch supporters, this final produced a new record low for the number of bookings for a World Cup final.
Dutch holding midfielder De Jong levelled a boot directly into the chest of Alonso, had this not been the occasion of a World Cup final, Webb had little choice than to show a yellow for what would have been a straight Red had the offence been committed in a Premier League fixture.........

Dutch Manager Van Marwijk astonishingly attempted to defend the behaviour of his players stating, "It was still our intention to play beautiful football, but we were facing a very good opponent, Spain are the best footballing country in the past few years, so we needed to have a top day to beat them, we did a good job tactically on them, we got into good positions at times. It's not our style, but you play a match to win, it?s a World Cup final, and there's a lot of emotion out there. You saw that with both teams. I would have loved to have won that match, even with not so beautiful football.".....so in all intense and purposes the silver hair toss-pot decided to cheat....

There was no Justification for the way the Dutch team behaved.... Spain won fair and square, shame on the Dutch team and there cynical attempt to foul their way to lift a trophy they had absolutely no right too......

Nigel de Jong showed off his Tae Kwon Do “oranje” belt as his beautiful straight “stud” kick to the chest of Xabi Alonso was absolutely beautiful. Or he may have gotten lessons from Dutch kickboxer, Ernesto Hoost. It left Alonso whimpering on the cold pitch for about 5 minutes...Yes, Busquets and co. should've gotten the nod from Howard Webb for the straight red, but I guess as Pips said, the scale of how important that match was had him seeing yellow instead. The Dutch turned on the pressure almost immediately..as soon as Van Bommel slid at Iniesta, it was game on. Slide tackle here, slide tackle there. Step on boot here, elbow shove there..shirt grabbing here, body tug there. It was quite embarrassing to watch as football or soccer is branded, “The Beautiful Game”. This final was the epitome of what football shouldn't be like. But I thought Heitinga's second yellow was a little harsh. Yes he got beat from Xavi's chip lead cross to Iniesta, but Iniesta dove. A light tug on the shoulder doesn't have a person do a triple axle on the way down. Carles Puyol's waist grab on Arjen Robben in the second half seemed more convincing for a second yellow. But not given..which saw a livid Arjen Robben sprinting 30 metres screaming at Howard Webb for the no-call..instead Robben was given a yellow..lame-o. But it is what it is. Spain, undisputedly the top team in the world.

But now to Premier League transfers..HAHAHA..because of Germany's great performance in the tournament saw Arsenal pursuing stars Mesut ?zil and Per Mertesacker. Even Japanese star Keisuke Honda..Will my dream players really come to North London? Arsenal would win the league for sure then..won't they Philipa? And Val, Wesley Sneijder won't help United either.