2010 WORLD CUP FINAL: PASS THEM to HELL:

If the footballing gods have a heart then surely on Sunday night in Johannesburg, at Soccer city they will finally make it third time lucky for the Netherlands. For a nation of just two million their exploits during the seventies were exceptional in twice reaching the world cup final, only to lose both in dramatic circumstances against hosts West Germany and Argentina. Now finally on neutral ground they try again, but unfortunately for all of Dutch persuasion their opponents are a Spanish team which is arguably the best this tournament has witnessed since the Brazil of 1970.
That the modern-day Netherlands lacks the charisma and creative genius of past teams can hardly be labelled against them considering the treasure chest of talent that has gone before. Those magical orange shirts, '˜total football' performed by a wonderful cast of legendary names that have emblazoned their way into the annals of world cup history. Cruyff, Neeskens, Rep, Neeskens, Gullit, Rijkaard and Van Basten. Now it is the turn of today's superstars to step forward and succeed where their illustrious predecessors, albeit gloriously, ultimately failed.
For players such as Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robbie Van Persie the opportunity awaits to to place themselves alongside the immortals of Dutch football and shut up once and for all the consistent sniping of former internationals who claim the present crop cannot hold a candle to the greats of old. Victory on Sunday evening against Spain will not just silence the cruel jibes it will end the criticism forever.
But can Bert van Marwijk's brave team win ?
If the Netherlands are to shock the world and beat the Spanish so much will depend on their Captain Marc Van Bommel, whose task will be to upset the passing rhythm of Spain'˜s midfield maestro-duo of Xavi and Iniesta. At Africa 2010 only the devil's luck and the kindly patronage of seemingly blind referees have so far seen the ruthless Van Bommel avoid a red card. His persistent fouling, mauling, lashing out, late tackles and several over the top challenges that have verged towards assault will have attracted worried Spanish eyes.
No doubt English referee Howard Webb will be on full alert for the wild-eyed but has to be said extremely effective Van Bommel. Webb is unlikely to give the Dutch Captain much grace and with him caged the Netherlands may find, like so many others before them that Vicente del Bosque's side are simply too good. All logic points to a close win for the brilliant Spaniards. As in previous rounds they will surely dominate possession and wear the Netherlands down, then strike. Maybe David Villa or possibly at long last a debut tournament goal for the so-far lamentable Fernando Torres.
1-0 for Espana is becoming almost a part of Africa 2010 folklore as the vuvuzelas and the thoroughly irritating but somewhat mystical Paul the octopus. Come 9.15 on the 11th July there seems little reason for that to change. This modern Spanish era of subtle 'pass them to hell' possession football that drives opponent first to despair then capitulation appears a natural successor to the equally-technically refined, if perhaps more dynamic Dutch '˜total football'˜. It is ironic the old masters look set to be overthrown by the new.
World cup finals are traditionally so hard to call but there appears something strangely predictable about this one. For the Dutch I fear their eternal habit of climbing Mount Everest only to fall off the summit is set to go on.

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