2010 World Cup Final: SPANISH GOLD

SPANISH GOLD: There was a time when only the bookies loved Spain as every major tournament pundits threw money at them, thinking that surely this must be their moment. Only then to be endlessly thwarted by a series of Spanish teams whom despite a wealth of talent always contrived to shoot themselves in both feet.
Embarrassed and disgraced it reached the stage where their supporters became so resigned to disappointment they would simply react to the latest debacle with a sigh and a shrug of the shoulders.
Well not anymore,
for those whom kept the faith are now being rewarded as the monkey that once clung to Spain's back has not simply been dragged off, it appears to have been surgically removed with all the force of a rocket launcher.
In the lead up to Euro 2008 there is talk of a legendary meeting between the most senior footballers and coaching staff, where a decision was taken to forge a new attitude and adopt a style at international level that suited best their small, but hugely effective midfield ball players. No longer would they attempt to match nations who though physically superior could not dream of beating the Spanish on a technical level..
They would adhere to their traditional strengths, keep possession, wear opponents down, kill their spirit, frustrate and when the moment arose strike them down.
So it began:
The old hostilities between Barcelona and Madrid that had caused rifts verging on civil war in Spanish camps of old ended and under one flag a great team was forged, possibly the best at world level since Pele and his wonderful Brazilians of 1970. A powerful concoction of Madrileno and Catalan skill and power emerged with the result of victory at Euro 2008.
Phenomenal talents such as Casillas, Ramos, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Torres and Villa beat all before them. A lone Fernando Torres goal proved sufficient against Germany in the final of which the Germans now shudder and recall as the '˜1-0 massacre'. Such was Spanish superiority that night.
The word invincible is thrown around in football all too frequently, but at this moment in time on the eve of Spain's first appearance in a world cup final. It is one that could well be thrown at Vicente del Bosque's truly formidable team.
Although it is difficult to fathom the feelings of del Bosque whose permanent hound dog expression is that of a man with the worries of a world on his shoulders rather than at his feet, the fitness and form of Fernando Torres does not appear neither a hindrance or great concern.
More worrying for their opponents the Netherlands will be the electrifying David Villa whose recent move to Barcelona now appears a bargain at £34.2 m. What odds on him scoring the goal in a 1-0 win to make Spain world champions and leave the bookies whom once adored the Spanish now cursing them.
In Johannesburg tomorrow evening the orange shirts of the Netherlands attempts to chase the ball will be akin to catching leaves in the wind. It promises to be a memorable occasion.

Cfieldsoffire@aol.com