WC Final. Holland vs. Spain

[Samarkand]

So Spain get their first WC defeating the country should next be in line. But what a difference in the two sides. Until the final, Spain and Holland had shown both grit and elan in getting to the final and no one could have argued that they weren't the two best sides, with perhaps an outside case being made for Germany. Holland played marvelously against Brazil and with some style against Uruguay. Spain were clinical in dispatching Germany in the semi-final, playing with the same panache they had shown throughout the tournament. And then in the final, Spain come in playing the same game and Holland end up with 9 yellows. Something obviously got lost in translation.

The game itself started without any great fanfare with both sides trying to play, but it became obvious that no one can stay with Spain with their short passing game. And that short game was giving the Dutch problems. Their first tactic was to flood the midfield, so you had Sneijder and Robben dropping back and deep and Heitinga and Mathijsen moving up. So in the middle third in the first 15 minutes there were often 8 Dutch players. But this allowed Spain to threaten out wide. Ramos in particular (whom I had for scoring the first goal) was wreaking havoc, not only getting down the wings but also continuing into the box. Alonso was also playing further forward (more so than he ever did at Liverpool) at the top end of midfield and causing trouble. van Marwijk also had a few tricks up his sleeve and had started van Bommel in front of de Jong, not beside him.

I know van Bommel has a poor reputation and is a dirty player, but I've always liked players like him. Keane, Essien, Makelele, Souness. And while he might have been lucky not to walk on Sunday, he did do his job well while walking a tightrope. The part of van Bommel's game that is often overlooked is his passing. There is more to it than just clod-hopping. But Holland needed to change. Spain were beginning to assert themselves and they couldn't keep up with them. So it was kick early and kick often. And they also took turns, so where de Jong would have fouled Xavi, next time it was Sneijder and so on.

Of course, making no sense, Holland's Mr. Anonymous - van Persie got the first card. But from then on it was just a series of defensive or disruptive fouls. How only three Dutchmen got into the book for the first half is a mystery that only Howard Webb can answer. He also booked two Spaniards, but in truth, Webb was on a hiding to nothing given how this game was played. It could have ended 7 vs. 9 or 10. While Webb should have called them as he saw them, I think he was also conscious that this was the WC Final so tempered his referring as best he could. Even though I need a shower, I agree with Septic Bladder that Webb did as well as anyone. Holland made it very clear what their intent was. Had Holland really looked hard, they would have seen that the two Spaniards booked were defenders and perhaps they might have better advised to run at them. Puyol and Ramos were right in Robben's wheelhouse. Where Webb did go wrong was the de Jong tackle on Alonso - straight red, shades of Schumacher/Battison.

But on we went, with both sides making the adjustments and as has been noted here, with the exit of Kuyt, the Spanish midfield did start finding space. Sneijder and Robben kept plugging away and Robben was guilty of two egregious misses only to show, I suppose, that the Dutch didn't have to kick to achieve their aims. The Dutch didn't really influence the Spanish style of play to the extent that they felt that had to bring on a sub to counteract, say, Robben or Sneijder. But the law of unintended consequences is always active. The Dutch decided to kick lumps out of Spain. Eventually Webb became more strict on this matter and the Spanish recognized that the Dutch were stifling their game with size 14 clogs. So while also trying to play, they resorted to the dark arts themselves with diving and feigning, trying to get the Dutch into more trouble. Not that his makes it right, but I think we all know that the Spanish do not need to resort to diving to win a match.

But when you have so many yellows, it will eventually tell. And so Heitinga was dismissed, gaps were left in the Dutch defense, Iniesta stole around the back and Reina therefore got drunk on the plane. I suppose it should have been a more elegant final, it should have been more exciting, but it showed that Spain can play football and win no matter what the style of the opposition. Just a pity the Dutch didn't believe in themselves more. Robben might have put away one of his chances.

So, Spain will rightfully hold the title for the next four years. This Dutch team will be back, but unless they learn to trust themselves a little more, it'll be more heartache. Football usually does right by those who do right by football. Spain stuck to a style, a gameplan that did right by football. And they prospered.

[ConnieLFC]

^^ Nice summary for the final, Sami.

I'd include one of my favorites - Edgar Davids (whose shirt I wore Sunday) - in that list you've got up there of "midfield generals". Suspiria actually asked me "why Davids" and my feeling is like yours - I love that sort of player.

Van Bommel does have a (fairly deserved) thuggish rep - as did Davids - but you certainly thought twice about going against someone like him, which was the point. They'd get the ball off you whatever it took but you also had to worry about trying to get the ball off *them* because they could distribute well and start the attack.

Also, cool-looking as hell....

[Scouse Paul]

Originally Posted by Els

I'm on a stag do this weekend in Nottingham (any suggestions?)...

Els

Yeah, go back to Bristol

[Els]

Originally Posted by Scouse Paul

Yeah, go back to Bristol

I actually watched the new Robin Hood movie last night, i'm hoping that they've progressed in Nottingham over the last couple of hundred years or i may well take your advice!

ELS

[Uncle Spike]

Originally Posted by Els

I actually watched the new Robin Hood movie last night, i'm hoping that they've progressed in Nottingham over the last couple of hundred years or i may well take your advice!

ELS

H'mmm. Leaving aside the fact that our favourite Bristolian woodentop appears to think that Robin Hood's era was the early nineteenth century ( ie the Napoleonic wars..... Ah ha! So that's why Sharpe's rifles wore green!!! ) one wonders why Nottingham has been chosen as the venue?!!! Apart from possibly Leeds, I cannot think of anywhere where the locals are so uniformly arrogant, obnoxious and hostile to outsiders!

But if you really must, then there are some decent venues to be found amongst the punch-ups at the bus stops and taxi ranks.... Three of the oldest pubs in England for starters..... Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, in the caves at the base of Nottingham castle, The Bell Inn on the market square, and Ye Olde Salvation Inn. Anything that starts "Ye Olde..." sounds as fake as a nine bob note, I know, but these three genuinely are contenders for the oldest pub in the country.... but they can't even decide which is the oldest in Nottingham! There's a big Yates in the City centre for cheaper pints.

Nightclubs.... Rock City on Talbot Street is the deservedly famous venue for live bands. Oceana on Lower Parliament st is not bad but don't confuse it with the Ocean on Greyfriar Gate, which is a cheap and cheerful place for students... and will often be only allowing students in the doors.

Expensive pick-up joint is the Tantra bar.... top girls but top prices. The Cookie club is not bad.

Word of warning..... don't go anywhere near the St Anns or Meadows areas of the city unless you are in a big group.

Also be wary of anyone who is apparently on his own who is deliberately seeking to provoke, insult and annoy. Favourite trick of the "Snottys" is to get one person to wind people up, while all his mates are pretending to have nothing to do with him while they are actually just waiting to wade in. Not very original.. but that's your Snotty for you!

Nottingham in one sense is just like Paris... it would be a decent place if it wasn't for the inhabitants!!!

[Els]

Originally Posted by Uncle Spike

H'mmm. Leaving aside the fact that our favourite Bristolian woodentop appears to think that Robin Hood's era was the early nineteenth century ( ie the Napoleonic wars..... Ah ha! So that's why Sharpe's rifles wore green!!! ) one wonders why Nottingham has been chosen as the venue?!!! Apart from possibly Leeds, I cannot think of anywhere where the locals are so uniformly arrogant, obnoxious and hostile to outsiders!

But if you really must, then there are some decent venues to be found amongst the punch-ups at the bus stops and taxi ranks.... Three of the oldest pubs in England for starters..... Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, in the caves at the base of Nottingham castle, The Bell Inn on the market square, and Ye Olde Salvation Inn. Anything that starts "Ye Olde..." sounds as fake as a nine bob note, I know, but these three genuinely are contenders for the oldest pub in the country.... but they can't even decide which is the oldest in Nottingham! There's a big Yates in the City centre for cheaper pints.

Nightclubs.... Rock City on Talbot Street is the deservedly famous venue for live bands. Oceana on Lower Parliament st is not bad but don't confuse it with the Ocean on Greyfriar Gate, which is a cheap and cheerful place for students... and will often be only allowing students in the doors.

Expensive pick-up joint is the Tantra bar.... top girls but top prices. The Cookie club is not bad.

Word of warning..... don't go anywhere near the St Anns or Meadows areas of the city unless you are in a big group.

Also be wary of anyone who is apparently on his own who is deliberately seeking to provoke, insult and annoy. Favourite trick of the "Snottys" is to get one person to wind people up, while all his mates are pretending to have nothing to do with him while they are actually just waiting to wade in. Not very original.. but that's your Snotty for you!

Nottingham in one sense is just like Paris... it would be a decent place if it wasn't for the inhabitants!!!

Nah, a couple can mean anything here from 2-2000. It's the country air

Had a great time Spike, no such problems from the locals and we actually did take in some of the local watering holes you suggested. The Nottingham wenches were most accommodating even if they didn't disappoint me by not all dressing like Maid Marian

Els

[Colin]

How's this for a spot kick from the Spanish under-19s.


http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/...article/19275/

[Red All Over]

Originally Posted by Colin

How's this for a spot kick from the Spanish under-19s.


http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/...article/19275/

Can't see it but I think I found it on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58xrcfK5EQg

Anyone know what the Italians were complaining about after? We were speculating that they were complaining that he took it with his left foot...