THE BIG FINAL

This, the 2010 FIFA WC has is one of many firsts and the greatest of them all will be set in stone tonight as a new Champion will be crowned at the effervescent Soccer City in Jo’burg.

A month ago, when the World Cup kicked off in South Africa, there was much speculation about who would be champions.
Would it be Brazil, the eternal favourites? The samba boys under Dunga sure looked good! What with the likes of Robinho, Kaka in their side.
Then again there was, Argentina with Leo Messi (any adjective used here shall sound repitative, hence I shall refrain from doing so!), Tavez and the eccentric genius Diego Maradona at the helm. All the talk centred around what the plight of the rest of the teams would be in Argentina’s wake!
Next came the European power houses Italy and France, and despite not looking as good as the cracker units that had contested the final in ’06, pundits and fans alike were weary of writing them off!
Germany, off course could never be taken lightly, after making it to the final 4 in both the previous editions and to the finals of Euro ’08 as well, Joachim Loew’s side, despite missing inspirational captain Michael Ballack, were brimming with young blood and a hunger for success!
So who next…? Well, there was Ivory Coast, and despite being packed in the group of death alongside Brazil and Portugal, they had the unstoppable Chelsea- man Didier Drogba. Portugal themselves posed a decent threat, pin up boy Christiano Ronaldo and the less hyped but equally potent Nani, Deco could all dazzle. A piece of inspired play or a moment of individual genius could well see these teams pull out a few upsets!
So that left little else, yes of course there was European Champions Spain and the perennial dark horses Netherlands, but one could always count on them to choke, goof-up, falter and fade when pitted against the above mentioned goliaths of world football!
Spain, despite having an unrivalled league and talent enough to raise a footballing army had always faltered when it counted! Not even having made a final in any of their previous attempts, the odds were stacked against them.
The script for Netherlands at each WC read pretty much the same story. Runners up twice, the underachievers tag was firmly pasted on their backs!
But fast-forward to South Africa 2010, on the eve of the greatest sporting spectacle in the world, and we could not have asked for two worthier finalists. Riding on the high-tide of Arjen Robben's and Wesley Sneijder's scintillating form, the Oranje mean business. But the Dutchmen's chances tonight probably hinge more on the industrious Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong than their flamboyant attackers. Faced with the formidable prospect of keeping Spain's deliciously creative midfield at bay, van Bommel has his work cut out. And there are not too many out there better than he is at the dirty-work that will be needed of him tonight. He will be the key to ensure that that midfield is kept quiet, and thereby cutting off supply to the lethal David Villa.
But the task will not be easy for van Bommel and de Jong. Modeled on the Barcelona philosophy of making football beautiful again, the Spaniards are artists at what they do. Their precise passes are like artful strokes on the canvas, and they are here to paint South Africa red tonight. Unsurprisingly, six out of the eleven that started in the 1-0 victory over Germany ply their trade in Barcelona, not counting Villa as their latest addition. And all six of them are pure-bred Catalonians, produced by their famed academy. Though the Spaniards haven't quite got going attack-wise, it is important to keep in mind that with that central midfield, a goal is always on the cards. With the misfiring Fernando Torres unlikely to be risked on such a big stage, Spain will revert back to 4-5-1 with the impressive Pedro likely to start again in midfield, with Villa leading the line.
The great Zinedine Zidane once said, in the days when he was working his magic at Madrid, that "if Spain start winning, they will never stop". His words have certainly proven true so far. Ever since their dominant display at the Euros two years ago, the Spanish flag has been waving high. They came to South Africa as favorites, and barring their opening game, they haven't disappointed. But a formidable orange wall stands firm between them and their first world title. The Dutch will be equally up for it, for they too have dreamt of success for far too long. For the first time since the '70s, they have a sniff at success, and they sure as hell will be ready! It will be an intriguing and well-fought battle. A battle of wits. A battle of skill. And what better time to do it, with the world watching.