LOL, may the best team win (clearly the Netherlands). Van Persie has had a bad tournament, but he is a player who can decide a game. I feel is is in that similar to Torres, the only difference is that Van Marwijk didn't kick him out of the Starting line up. I would not be surprised if he scored the winning goal.
Van Persie might be having a bad tournament but he may be the most talented player on that team. Be careful, you might be dismissing him too early. BTW whoever disagreed with me when I put Sneijder in the All-World Cup Team. Still disagree?
I thought Sneijder didn't play that great in the first couple of games and Van Bommel played better. but he has been scoring and making great assists. So now he deserves it. If we win the Cup he will be the player of the year. IMHO this has been the tournement of the Midfielders. Sneijder, Van Bommel, Robben, Schweinsteiger, Mueller, Xavi, Iniesta etc.
I expect Spain to dominate possession against Holland once again like every other team. I don't think the Netherland's defence can widthstand the continuing attacks from the Spanish and with creative midfielders like Xavi and Iniesta and the potent long strikes of Alonso/Villa, should be able to score from anywhere. I think the only chance for Netherlands to score is off a set piece. Expecting Robben to have his fair share of dives once again to set up Netherlands from set pieces. 2-0 to Spain.
I'm not sure about that, the Netherlands also plays possession soccer. I'm not sure who will have most possession during the match.
Should be a tight match, both teams are deserving...I tend to think Espana will pull out the win, but the Dutch have surprised many on their journey to the finals...
I love the parallels between Futbol and Basketball. Point guards runs things. PS: Don't count your chickens or whatever it is you eat in holland yet.
:grin: I think Spain is a great team, at the beginning of the tournament I stated that Spain was the only team that talent wise was offensively better/equel to the Netherlands. I know it will be difficult, but I have a good feeling. Both teams have had amazing records the last couple of years, and deserve to be in this final I do not know the exact stats, but Both Spain and the Netherlands play possession soccer. And what the stats have been in previous matches does not tell us who will have more possession during the game. An early goal for either team will change everything (teams who are trailing in general have more possession).
In terms of passing and ball control I think Spain has a definite advantage, esp. with Xavi and Iniesta running things. Even Pique distributes pretty well. Their only weak link in passing is Busquets. What Spain doesn't have (unlike Holland) is firepower from midfield, Alonso is the only real long range threat. For Holland to win I think they have to get the first goal, if they fall behind, Spain will just knock the ball around in their own half and wait for the counter attack chance. Closing down Xavi at all times would help too. Given too much time on the ball he'll carve up any defense. Haven't seen it yet in this world cup, but at club level Barcelona really struggles at times despite all their talent when Xavi is man marked out of the entire game.
Wow, so Spain had their best showing while Germany had their worst game and they lost by 1 freaking goal.
^ Yes. I think that's enough to win, man. 45.2 is Standard Definition Telefutura. Watch Telefutura on HIGH DEFINITION on channel 67.1
Didn't go through the whole thread but someone mentioned this guy right? :grin: <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kFvrAdyFUJ8&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kFvrAdyFUJ8&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
Can't tell you much about the Netherlands' possession but Spain is apparently one of only 3 WC teams all time ('94 Brazil and '98 Netherlands) to complete 3000 passes in one tournament. I usually dislike random stats like this but I think that's pretty telling.
I'd say losing to Serbia was their worst performance. It was still a 1-0 loss. Spain could have and should have had more than 1 goal, too (PASS THE F***ING BALL, PEDRO!). It's going to be a very tight game. Both teams possess well. Spain's defense is probably better than Netherlands. Both teams have forwards that aren't doing s*** (Van Persie & Torres), but can and will kill you from the midfield. I've always rooted for the Netherlands as I was raised on Total Football. I think, though, that Spain is going to win this one in a very very close match.
I'd like to say congrats to myself for winning the ESPN Predictor Bracket Challenge. You guys were all worthy competitors Whoever Walter2010611 is on this board, you should not have picked Netherlands as the champion.
You didn't do as well in the CASTROL'S FIFA WORLD CUP PREDICTOR CHALLENGE :grin: (I thought that was the ESPN Challange)
