Previews & Predictions: Holland vs. Spain (final)

By five o’clock pm eastern time on Sunday, this year’s world cup will have set some new records. It will have been the first world cup held in the African continent, it will be the first time a European nation will be crowned champion outside its home continent, and it will be the first time a nation will be etched into the world cup trophy that isn’t one of the previous seven champions.

Whilst Holland will be competing in its third world cup final, Spain will be making its first attempt at conquering the trophy, and that being the case, Sunday will pit the two best nations never to win the world cup against each other in what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter. Whereas in the past, world cup finals have showcased opponents that play very different styles of football, this final will exhibit two teams that play two very similar brands. Holland has long been credited with the honor of having created “total football,” an approach to the game that emphasizes its technical beauty, as well as the creativity of individual players. Today, though, it is Spain’s football that is being labeled as beautiful, with its stress on short, intricate passing, and maintaining possession.

Preview

Holland

Once the Dutch beat Brazil, there was little doubt they’d reach the final. Although Uruguay had performed well in its previous games, nobody really believed the South Americans would be able to overcome the Orange Machine. Still, Holland didn’t have an easy time dispatching Uruguayans, only tilting the scales after Wesley Sneijder scored a controversial goal in the second half. In fact, the Dutch are far from playing the football that has won them countless fans outside their own country. Apart from the defensive frailties that have be highlighted time-and-again, the team’s offense looks disconnected, save those few moments when Sneijder finds the time and space to display his flair.

Robben will hope to exploit Capdevila's lack of speed


The Dutch know that they will be entering Sunday’s final as underdogs, and in order to win they’re going to have to assert themselves early on in the game. Up to now, all the teams that have faced the Spanish have allowed them to possess the ball for most of the game, have attempted to close space, and have hoped to capitalize on mistakes. And apart from a very fortunate Switzerland, all have been unsuccessful, including a confident German team that easily dominated its previous opponents. The Oranje need to attack in numbers and avoid the Spanish defensive pressure, which is as efficient as the team’s offense. Holland’s best chance at success will be to use the width of the field. Sergio Ramos enjoys the freedom Del Bosque gives him to go up the field, and he sometimes tends to neglect some of his defensive duties. Capdevila, who platoons the left side of defense is more conservative than Ramos, but doesn’t have the speed to keep up with Robben, who usually tortures slower defenders. On the defensive side, the Dutch will have to hope that Nigel de Jong is rested enough to neutralize Iniesta after missing the semis through a suspension.

Spain

Joachim Low followed his team’s defeat to Spain by claiming that no team can beat the current European champions. The Germans were outplayed from the beginning, and rarely showed the counter attacking proficiency that allowed them to reach the semifinals. For many, Spain’s masterful vanquishing of the Germans all but crowned them world champions. The Iberians have only gotten better as the tournament has progressed, and not even a far-below par Fernando Torres has hindered the team. Del Bosque has also shown that he is not afraid to change his tactics to address problems. Whether playing with one striker, or two, Spain is a formidable team that can score in many ways, including set pieces.

Spain can also score from set pieces

The Spanish should line up against the Dutch exactly the same way as they did against the Germans: employing Villa up-front by himself, and allowing Iniesta to roam all over the offensive third of the field. Del Bosque will also be aware that Holland will look to exploit the wings, and as such, expect Sergio Busquets and Xavi Alonso to provide Ramos and Capdevila with a lot of help. Like always, Xavi will be the team’s metronome, setting the pace of the game, and stretching the field with Pedro’s speed. If Spain fails to score in the first half, Torres will certainly make an appearance with the hope of providing some size in the box, which should provide Villa more room to do his damage.

Prediction: Holland 0 – Spain 2

The Spanish have put on commanding performances in every game of the world cup so far, and after the slip in their first game, no team has looked good enough to beat them. In contrast, Holland has reached the final not playing the best football, and has benefited a little from luck. Truth be told, the Brazilians should have beaten the Dutch, but their inability to control their tempers, led to their demise. When all is said and done, Holland will leave South Africa still empty handed, and will continue to be referred to as the best nation never to have won the world cup. On the other hand, the Spanish will follow up their European cup with a world cup, just as West Germany did in 72 and 74.