World Cup Final 2010...

And finally, after all the build-up, it's the World Cup Final. After all the hype after the Group Stages around the South American teams it's 2 European teams that will contest this match, Spain and Holland. Both are considered great underachievers at international level and neither have won the World Cup before, so we will have a new name on the trophy too. As I have already gone into great depth in previous blogs about line-ups and formations I will assess the key men for each team this time.

Spain v Holland, Kick-Off 730pm UK Time, Sunday 11th July

The Key Men

Spain

Iker Casillas
'San Iker' has not been his usual reliable self over the past season, but looked like he might be back to something approaching his best in the Semi-Final against Germany. He made some good saves in the match and will surely have regained some of the confidence he has lost after a season of dropping one clanger after another for Real Madrid. When in form Casillas is a brilliant goalkeeper and one of my favourites, du mostly to him going against the modern trend of having some absolute monsters between the sticks that most clubs seem to be going for. Whilst this does make the goal look smaller and coming for crosses easier, I personally prefer agility over these attributes. And that is something that Casillas has in abundance.

Carles Puyol
If you are a Sun reader you will have seen Terry 'El Tel' Venables (last seen 'aiding' Steve McClarens successful reign as England coach) deriding Puyol as Spain's weak link. I'd completely disagree with this assessment and like to personally call for that newspaper to either get some pundits who know what they're on about or to stop printing! I'll begin by saying that I'm sure Terry would no doubt refer to John Terry as one of the best central defenders in the world. I would then add that Puyol wrote the book on being a limited, but inspiring captain and leader. Essentially they are the same player, only I'd still have Puyol as a slightly better footballer, but that's just personal opinion. Puyol might not be Spain's captain (that's Casillas) but he is still a commanding leader. He is a brave player, and a clever one who knows when to take a booking or concede a freekick to benfit the team effort. He marshalls the backline and is more than happy to give the ball to his technically superior colleagues to lead the attack. In short, Venables is a moron.

Xavi and Iniesta
As seems to be the fashion I have classed these 2 as one player. And I really think they are almost 1 brain in 2 bodies, their understanding is almost telepathic! Xavi is the best passer on the planet, having made well over 500 so far this tournament, eclipsing anyone else involved, and over 75% have found there target. This is a truly outstanding achievement. Iniesta plays a more advanced role, but you can see he is always available for Xavi to pass to and then set off on the attack with his dribbling skills or lay the ball back to Xavi and move to a new position for another pass. It is this constant pass and move, tiki-taka, style that makes Spain so hard to beat. They are so happy on the ball that even close marking doesn't seem to ruffle their feathers! They just spin around give the ball, then position themselves for a possible return. Apart from the attacking benfits, the defensive protection this ball retention gives is invaluable. Most games Spain will have around 60% possession and put simply, when they have the ball the opposition can't score. I think this is a massively underappreciated skill that Xavi and Iniesta in particular have perfected. They are also tireless in their efforts to press the opposition when they don't have the ball to force mistakes and gain the ball back. They often do this high up the pitch so that there is even less threat from the other team. Some might find this boring, but personally I think it's a brilliant tactic.

David Villa
My choice for 3 or 4 years now as the best striker in world football. He plays in a sort of Thierry Henry-esque style, coming in from the wing, bearing down on goal. And for me he is just as good. He hasn't always been at the best clubs, but he has never scored less than 15 goals in a season since turning pro. Bear in mind this is better than Owen, Drogba, Raul, Henry, Shearer and Torres. No mean feat! He can score with his left and right feet as well as his head, from close range, long range and even takes a good freekick when called upon. Whilst many players seem to be either 'forwards' or 'non-scoring strikers' in modern formations, Villa is a goalscorer plain and simple. This team has not always looked great in attack at this tournament and Villa's goals have dragged Spain through and see him leading the chase for the Golden Boot, an honour he will surely win if he adds to his tally in this match. He has finally got his big move, at 28, to Barcelona, and I would expect to see he and Messi tearing defences apart next season.

Holland

Mark Van Bommel and Nigel De Jong
These 2 are the midfield pivot Holland work from. They provide extra protection to Holland's defence and allow the attackers to do their stuff knowing that they are covered. Holland's defence is a well drilled unit, but Gregory Van Der Wiel aside, they are an ordinary bunch. Van Maarwijk has obviously recognised this and plays both these 2, slightly different, defensive midfielders. Van Bommel is possibly the most unashamedly dirty footballer the game currently has! He is the master of the niggly foul, shirt pull, slightly late challenge, but has also pefected doing it when he is less likely to get a booking. A lot of people will tell you that he's a horrible player, and they might be right, but this team wouldn't be half as good without him in it. He is the difference between Marco Van Basten's team at Euro 2008 and this version. Van Basten banished him form the squad and Van Maarwijk (his father-in-law!) has reaped the rewards of reinstating him. Nigel De Jong is the more physical presence. He is an absolute beast of a man who using this physicality to its full effect when trying to get the ball from the opposition. I thought he was absolutely fantastic at Man City last season and has been again in this tournament. He wins the ball and gives it to someone with more ability, and in this modern 4-2-3-1 formation that is his job, and he is fantastic at it. These 2 will be key to Hollands battle as they will be up against Alonso, Xavi and Iniesta. These 3 rarely give the ball away, and I would expect these 2 to try and impose themselves on Spain and try to disrupt their flowing football.

Wesley Sneijder
This is a man who has recovered form the disappointment of being bombed out of Real Madrid last summer to possibly become World Player of the Year! He was a casualty of the change in leadership at the Bernabeu last summer and Jose Mourinho took a punt on him that has been handsomely justified with some fantastic performances leading Inter Milan to an unprecedented treble. He plays behind the forwards in a central playmaker role. He looks for passes, shooting opportunities and space to exploit in the oppositions defence. He has got a share of the Golden Boot so far, although more than 1 goal was very dubiously his, and will look to score again to win that honour from midfield. With Robben missing early on and Van Persie yet to hit top form, Sneijder has been key to Hollands progression so far. For them to have a chance aginst this brilliant Spain team he will have to be excellent again. Spain will not let Holland have a lot of chances, so Sneijder needs to make the most of the one's that come their way.

Arjen Robben
The ex-Chelsea man came into the tournament off the back of a fantastic season in Germany for Bayern Munich, but carrying an injury. Now this shouldn't come as a shock to anyone that has followed his career! If he wasn't so prone to injury he would probably be the best winger in the world. Whilst I personally hate his pathetic swan-diving at the slightest touch then performing about 3 full rolls whilst in mock agony, I am not foolish enough to not recognise his great talent. He is almost as fast on the ball as off it and has great dribbling skills which put defneders on the back foot and off balance. This often opens up opportunities for himself or his team-mates and is a dying skill in the modern game unfortunately, as it is also one of the most exciting. A lot of coaches would try and drum this out of him, like Mourinho with Joe Cole, but he has been fortunate that in Van Gall and Van Maarwijk he has 2 that nurture this ability. Sergio Ramos and Joan Capdevilla are no slouches, but they will have their work cut out when Robben pops up on their flank!

Overall Assessment
It pains me to say it a bit, but I think Spain will come out victors in a dull game. With so much on the line I can't see Holland attacking as much as they might, but I think this is th only way to beat Spain. If you set up to counter attack them, then you need to regain possession. And as the German team found out in the Semi-Fianl that is easier said than done! Spain probably can play better than they have, but the simple fact is that they haven't needed to. They have the possession game down to a fine art and will no doubt dominate it again. I think we will probably see the game decided by a slice of luck for Holland or a David Villa piece of magic for Spain.

Betting
As I've mentioned, I do not see this being a goalfest. I would go under 2.5 at a widely available 1/2. I would look at a Spain 1-0 victory at a top priced 11/2 with Victor Chandler. I would probably also bet on a draw/Spain in the half-time/full-time market with 4/1 widely available.