ZL's Bursa Themes: 19th FIFA World Cup™ Final 2010 South Africa >>> HOLLAND vs SPAIN : Updated commentaries and charts of FKLI, FCPO, FOREX and Bursa Stocks

A DATE WITH DESTINY
Coronation Day : Hail! The New King

What's there to write anymore? Any footie freaks would have known not only their favourite players' name but the number on their backs too.

One thing I bet you do not know nor predicted these 2 super teams would be the end game. Can you suggest a more befitting pair than these 2 to grace the Fifa World Cup Final 19th Edition?

ZL ran out of superlatives and comments and excuseably guess by now you guys know more about the Villa, Sneijder, Xavi, Robben or Puyol better than me. Thank you very much :D

To cut a long commentary short, we'll focus on a few football masters (from both teams) with potentials to turn a final on it's head with a split second of brilliance.

Netherlands player to watch: Mark Van Bommel

The defensive midfielder has been a crucial part of Netherlands' success and somehow he managed to avoid a booking until the final few minutes of their semi-final. Sharp in the tackle, van Bommel is charged with winning the ball back, pressing the opposition and general causing havoc in the middle of the field. Without him, there would be no space for the likes of Robben and Sneijder to operate.

Spain player to watch: Carles Puyol

For all the attacking talent Spain have on show, their style is based on solid defending and they don't come much more solid than Puyol. Showing he has the ability to turn a game by scoring the winner in the semi-finals, he has also been outstanding at the back alongside Gerard Pique and uses his considerable experience to slam the door shut on opposition attacks. Overall, he is a strong defender and while his lack of pace may be an issue, he will be key in keeping Netherlands off the scoresheet.

Key battle: Gregory Van Der Wiel v David Villa The young Ajax right-back will take his place in the side again after suspension cost him a place against Uruguay. Strong and full of running, he provides an attacking outlet down the flank, but also has an important role to fill in defence as well. In the final, that will be to stop Villa drifting onto the left side and finding space to either shoot or cross. The new Barcelona man has been the in-form striker at the tournament, but has enjoyed most freedom from the left-hand side where he cuts in and causes problems for the defenders.

Holland potential match winner: Wesley Sneijder

Along with Diego Forlan and Miroslav Klose, the Netherlands midfielder have largely eclipsed all the other stars of world football, among them Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. Sneijder have the ability to decide the tournament's showpiece match with a moment's inspiration. His predatory finishing has helped his team out of tight situations time and again over the last four weeks, in the process becoming the tournament's joint-top scorers with five goals apiece alongside Diego Forlan, Thomas Muller and David Villa of Spain. Besides eyeing the Adidas Golden Boot as well as a winner's medal, ust for good measure, Wesley Sneijder also feature on the list of ten nominees for the Adidas Golden Ball.

Spain Potential match winner: Xavi
Xavi Hernandez, who has pulled the strings in the centre of the field for Barcelona for a decade, was voted the best player at UEFA EURO 2008, with few disagreeing.
Aside from his undoubted creative genius, the visionary Catalan is a phenomenally hard-worker who never shirks his defensive responsibilities. Able to occupy any central-midfield role, Xavi's reading of the game is allied to a powerful shot, which ensures he weighs in with his fair share of goals. Also adept at set-pieces, he has the ability to make his team-mates tick, be it at international or club level. Whatever their various coaching philosophies, nobody has yet been able to do without his eye for a defence-splitting pass, close control in the tightest of situations and willingness to drop back and protect his back four. Take your eyes off this little guy at your own peril.

Renowned footie experts picks

(from various European sources)

Oliver Holt Spain 2 Holland 0

Spanish midfield and attack too good for the Dutch defenc. Xavi, Iniesta and Villa will make the difference

Martin Lipton Spain 3 Holland 1
Spain have too much class and will own the ball. Sneijder and Robben are dangerous but Xavi and Iniesta will boss the game.

John Cross Spain 2 Holland 1 (AET)
The Spanish team is as near to perfection as possible. Xavi, Iniesta and Villa are beautiful to watch and will be too much for Holland. If Torres was fully fit it probably would be perfection.

Mark Lawrenson Spain 2 Holland 1
Spain have evolved and are stronger and more dangerous than when they won Euro 2008 and will have too much in the locker

Brian Reade Spain 2 Holland 0
Because I tipped Spain to win it, and David Villa to be top scorer, and haven’t seen anything at this World Cup, Holland included, to change my mind

Derek McGovern Spain 1 Holland 0
It has to be Spain - Paul the octopus said so and he’s cost bookies eight arms and a leg. They won’t let Holland have the ball, which is very mean-spirited.

John Shaw Spain 1-0 Holland (AET)
In keeping with the tone of the competition I expect an extra cautious, extra cagey affair that goes to extra time.

Fabulous Betting Boys Holland 1 Spain 0
We tipped Holland at 12/1 before the tournament started - so the future is right, the future is orange.

Paul the Octopus Spain 8 Holland 0
I am putting all my arms and legs on Spain. Get it wrong and I fear I’m cooked

Prediction

The game may turn out to be similar to that of the Germany semi-final if the Dutch don't stay true to their attacking style. They can't afford to sit back and, unless they go a goal up early, Spain may take control. Hard to see any real results other than a draw becoz nobody gonna roll over and die - not during a final as technically balanced as this, yet in a World Cup final, the pressure can effect even the most experienced players. It may be decided by a flash of brilliance.

THE PICK