FIFA World Cup 2010 Championship- Live Thread: Holland V Spain ABC 2:30pm EDT

07.11.10 | perdogg

[Berlin_Freeper]

Referee savors second chance
World Cup final referee Howard Webb is getting a much better ending to his second big tournament than to his first. Today, the shaven-headed former policeman will stride out in front of the Netherlands and Spain teams at Soccer City in Johannesburg after being given his profession’s most prestigious assignment.

Two years ago, the English official was sent home early from the European Championship for a missed offside call in a group-stage match. That match between host Austria and Poland also is remembered for a stoppage-time penalty kick that earned him death threats from Polish fans.

Webb’s ordeal was captured by a film crew with behind-the-scenes access to make the documentary “Kill The Referee.’’

[MontaniSemperLiberi]

Good for you. If we were there, we’d be in for a treat. Holland has apparently given up on it’s “beautiful” style of play by, for instance, letting Robben cut inside to get a foul or kick it off defenders to make a corner. Spain, having better players, plays the older Dutch style of playing a passing game to open up the full field and spread the defense. The midfield from Spain is made from players from the team in Barcelona, a club that has heavy Dutch influence. It’s kind of a New Holland vs. Old Holland game.

We won’t be able to see all the stratigery because the camera will focus down on the players that are in range of the next pass. Look to see if Holland can consistently get the forward pass from the defenders to Robben. If the Dutch can, that means that the Spanish midfield isn’t cutting that pass out like they did in the game against Germany.

[SilvieWaldorfMD]

“YO SOY ESPAñOL ESPAñOL ESPAñOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

I totally love the Spanish fans’ songs....

[mikrofon]

Perhaps the trophy should be re-fashioned into a golden octopus grasping the globe...

[dfwgator]

HUP, HOLLAND, HUP!!!

[gardencatz]

I’d love to see Netherlands win but I think it will be Spain.

Cindie

[wolf78]

Holland is a region which is part of the Netherlands, but the term is often used to refer to the Netherlands as a whole (Just like the allemannic regions, i.e. Swabia etc. are a part of Germany, but in some countries refer to Germany as a whole, e.g. Alemania is Germany in Spanish). The Dutch people are the inhabitants of the Netherlands. The house of Orange (Oranje) is the Royal house of the Netherlands, therefore the official color of the Netherlands is orange.

As to the game itself: If Spain plays like in the semifinal against Germany, there's no chance in h*ll Holland will win, because that was pretty much football perfection. So Holland better hope that Spain has a bad day.

Anyway: Release the Kraken and let the games begin!

[MontaniSemperLiberi]

Holland’s unable to get the ball to Robben and Kuyt is dropping too far back. It doesn’t bode well for Holland.

[MontaniSemperLiberi]

Puyol gets a yellow. Interesting.

[advertising guy]

so far Spain is runnin that bll down every single time

[MontaniSemperLiberi]

Holland is going to a 2-3-5 when attacking.

[mikrofon]

But will Pique’ give one up today?

Out come more yellows...

[AGreatPer]

I see a 4-3-3 on attack.

[Moltke]

Karate kick to the chest of some Spaniard - ouch!!! Dutchie lucky to not get the red card.

[MontaniSemperLiberi]

The 2-3-5 and the 4-3-3 are variations on each other. When the ball is in the back. the outside backs are going up, the center backs spread far apart and the wings go to the offside line.

Kuyt is all over the left side. A liverpoolian friend of mine says he move more than anyone in the EPL.

[MontaniSemperLiberi]

When they go to the 2-3-5, Robben is staying between and behind the striker and the right wing.

Perfect.

[AGreatPer]

What most might not appreciate this game so for I do.
At least they are not playing spider-on-the-mirror football.

[AGreatPer]

Just a funny thought on that last direct kick for Spain.
The Spain players look like waiters in New Jersey or New York.

[C19fan]

Broke the record for most yellow cards in a final.

[MontaniSemperLiberi]

Both teams look done.

Penalty shoot out? Poor Holland.