Holland vs. Spain for all the marbles, all the glory, all the history...the 2010 FIFA World Cup Championship match, and what a classic match it was. The Oranje rolled out a 4-2-3-1 attack featuring their man of the hour Robin Van Persie up front, while Spain's own mirror image attack had superstar David Villa at point, and both squads knew everything was on the line. No going back, no second chances, no worrying about tomorrow. With a billion worldwide watching, it all came down to 22 men, a field, and a ball. Spain opened up with a blistering assault in the first 15 minutes trying to cut through the nervous Holland defense, but the Dutch adjusted and clamped down on Spain, both sides drawing a number of bookings in the first half. Holland hit back with a physical game that gave Spain a number of free kicks, but no ability to capitalize. Arjen Robben had a solid chance to score but couldn't put it in either for the Dutch. The second half is where the Oranje turned on the juice and went all out, hammering the Spanish Armada like the World Cup was on the line. Referee Howard Webb of Britain handed out yellow cards like candy and indeed set a rcord for most bookings in a World Cup final only 67 minutes in. Both sides ramped up towards the final minutes, but Spain's Sergio Ramos, given two outstanding chances to win the game for La Furia Roja, could just not find the inside of the net.
And we went to overtime.
The first 15 was all Spain as they realized that nearly the entire Holland squad had a yellow card on them, and one more from the ref would saddle them with a red card and a man down, and a golden opportunity to win. Holland realized the same thing and pushed to try to eat up the clock. In the second 15 minutes, Holland's luck finally ran out as John Hettinga picked up his second booking at 109' and a red, and that set up Spain's Andres Inesta to drill one in past Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenberg at 116', and Spain, La Furia Roja, held on to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup championship with a score of 0-1, and you have to wonder now what Holland has to do to win a final...this is their third championship game, and they go home 0 for 3.
And in the end, Paul the Psychic World Cup Octopus was right.
Again.
Congratulations to Spain, your 2010 FIFA World Cup champions!
I don't care what the haters say. I cheered for Spain and had a great time.
ReplyDeletePaul Muad'Dib strikes again.
ReplyDelete@Zandar:
ReplyDeleteFYI, watched the Final with two of my uncles and a cousin who are all soccer freaks. That's what I had been missing: someone(s) who could explain the finer points of the game while I was watching one.
I can honestly say I had a lot of fun (after the first half, anyway). I'm not sayin' I've got Soccer Fever, but I was exposed to the germ at last.