[WC2010] Final: Netherlands vs. Spain (Game 64)

[red.]

You could tell the match was going to be this way from the start. A team of foulers vs a team of divers/whiners. It was never going to be a flowing game.

And also how was Puyol not sent off for his tackle on Robben?

Dreadful final. Made worse by the biased BBC commentating. Much like ITV forcing Ghana down our throats, this time it was Spain.

[Guest]

No,absolutely not.

I can name a few sides that were better throughout the tournament,Spain just had what it takes in the knockout stages.

Wait a second, isn't that what counts? Ask the majority of football pundits and they'll tell you Spain were the best team throughout the tournament.

[acnpt]

Wait a second, isn't that what counts? Ask the majority of football pundits and they'll tell you Spain were the best team throughout the tournament.

Yes, Spain only conceded two goals.

[Wannes]

The Germany and Spain game was definitely a lot better and one of the better games in the tournament. Germany entertained its viewers and fans well.

Are you serious? Germany was awful during the semi-final. There was no entertainment and Germany let Spain do as much as Spain wanted to.

[Guest]

Yes, Spain only conceded two goals.

Exactly. The most charming thing about Spain is that they stuck to their footballing mentality and style throughout the entire tournament, despite their opposition. The Dutch tried to rattle them, and to an extent, it worked. But for them to come through and win is only right in my opinion. Everybody had tipped Germany to win following the demolition of England and Argentina, but Spain brushed them aside.

Also, Mark van Bommel is a disgrace to football. Did he even touch the ball at any point during the game? Perhaps the Dutch would have had a better chance had they actually used somebody with some footballing prowess rather than a complete thug.

[Steven P. Administrators]

I agree, but Mark van Bommel has now retired from International football (thankfully).

I got a lot of comments/looks in my local for some of the refereeing decisions yesterday, but when the replays came on, usually the Dutch sitting around me then said, "ah yeah he didn't get the ball", or even "could have been a red" etc.

The Dutch didn't play a game of football yesterday, they went out there to rattle the Spanish, and failed. Had they only stuck to their game, they might have ended up as champions, but as it stands they are the only team to get to the finals and lose it, 3 times.

[Elliott]

and the Germans (they way they played against Spain was not normal).

While the Germans didn't have Muller (a big component to their team), they hadn't played a good defense before Spain.

Spain did not deserve.

Statistics mean ****. Spain did not deserve to win.

I'd love to see how you can justify Spain not "deserving" it? Who should've gotten it and why didn't they?

[Hani]

I too thought that Spain did not deserve it. They're extremely defensive and usually rely on last minute goals. Maybe this is what made them win the WC, but it sure as hell made their matches a bore fest. Germany by far where the best, and really deserved to win (despite me not liking such a scenario).

[Elliott]

I too thought that Spain did not deserve it. They're extremely defensive and usually rely on last minute goals. Maybe this is what made them win the WC, but it sure as hell made their matches a bore fest. Germany by far where the best, and really deserved to win (despite me not liking such a scenario).

They did what they needed to do to win the World Cup. How this equates to "not deserving it" is beyond me. Just because you score a lot of goals against bad defenses doesn't mean you deserve a World Cup title.

[Steven P. Administrators]

They did what they needed to do to win the World Cup. How this equates to "not deserving it" is beyond me. Just because you score a lot of goals against bad defenses doesn't mean you deserve a World Cup title.

I agree, the best team won it. Germany lost a final spot by playing "entertaining football". If the Dutch had won it, it would have been an embarrassment to football, seven yellows and a red!

[Bassem]

I too thought that Spain did not deserve it. They're extremely defensive and usually rely on last minute goals. Maybe this is what made them win the WC, but it sure as hell made their matches a bore fest. Germany by far where the best, and really deserved to win (despite me not liking such a scenario).

Spain is "boring"?

[rajputwarrior]

my boy has a nice looking scarf :whistle:

[azure.sapphire]

Exactly. The most charming thing about Spain is that they stuck to their footballing mentality and style throughout the entire tournament, despite their opposition. The Dutch tried to rattle them, and to an extent, it worked. But for them to come through and win is only right in my opinion. Everybody had tipped Germany to win following the demolition of England and Argentina, but Spain brushed them aside.

Also, Mark van Bommel is a disgrace to football. Did he even touch the ball at any point during the game? Perhaps the Dutch would have had a better chance had they actually used somebody with some footballing prowess rather than a complete thug.

Please... they took more dives then Russian players do in hockey. I love the play acting. I think maybe a new category in the Academy Awards should be introduced for Best on the Field Drama (in the US). At the moment, it is a tie between the Decision (with Lebron James) and Spain, who looked like a bunch of juveniles out on the pitch as you say. They played well, but took many dives and wined. Not really anymore professional than the other team, which I guess was trying to intimidate them with their size.

Don't even get me started on the Netherlands. The only thing I will say is that the last card was not a red card. It doesn't matter how many fouls you have in a game... each plays should be observed separate of the last, if not you have very bias or unfocused officiating. Which in this case was evident throughout the entire tournament. Utterly disappointing tournament. An absolute failure for FIFA.

The two good things out of this. Spain has finally won a World Cup. Two, FIFA will have to do something about officiating, maybe include instant replay... maybe some rule changes. Issues with off sides, yellow cards and overall missed plays plagued this tournament. This needs to be corrected before the next major tournament.

[Elliott]

Please... they took more dives then Russian players do in hockey. I love the play acting. I think maybe a new category in the Academy Awards should be introduced for Best on the Field Drama (in the US). At the moment, it is a tie between the Decision (with Lebron James) and Spain, who looked like a bunch of juveniles out on the pitch as you say. They played well, but took many dives and wined. Not really anymore professional than the other team, which I guess was trying to intimidate them with their size.

Except for all the commotion from the Spanish after Jet Li's...sorry, De Jong's, flying kick and an uncharacteristic bout of frustration from Puyol after he was fouled (with no call), all the whining seemed to come from the Dutch (especially Robben and Van Bommel). The dives didn't start coming from the Spanish (specifically Iniesta) until late, when the Spanish started getting frustrated that no red cards had come out for the Dutch despite the ridiculous bullying.

Contact does happen, but soccer/football is not the kind of the sport that the Dutch tried to make it.

Don't even get me started on the Netherlands. The only thing I will say is that the last card was not a red card. It doesn't matter how many fouls you have in a game...

It does matter how many yellows you have in a game. The red card was actually the result of a second yellow card being pulled on Heitinga. If a player gets two yellow cards, it's automatically a red card.

[ichi]

I too thought that Spain did not deserve it. They're extremely defensive and usually rely on last minute goals. Maybe this is what made them win the WC, but it sure as hell made their matches a bore fest. Germany by far where the best, and really deserved to win (despite me not liking such a scenario).

Maybe we were watching different matches, because I remember Spain being the ones moving the ball all over the playing field and trying to score all the time, with both Germany and Netherlands standing defensively on their own half and putting all their eggs on a few counters.

At least Germany did their best to play fair and take advantage of their height and their solid defense, rather than resorting to physical aggression. They should have been in the final instead of Netherlands.

Please... they took more dives then Russian players do in hockey. I love the play acting. I think maybe a new category in the Academy Awards should be introduced for Best on the Field Drama (in the US). At the moment, it is a tie between the Decision (with Lebron James) and Spain, who looked like a bunch of juveniles out on the pitch as you say. They played well, but took many dives and wined. Not really anymore professional than the other team, which I guess was trying to intimidate them with their size.

Don't even get me started on the Netherlands. The only thing I will say is that the last card was not a red card. It doesn't matter how many fouls you have in a game... each plays should be observed separate of the last, if not you have very bias or unfocused officiating. Which in this case was evident throughout the entire tournament. Utterly disappointing tournament. An absolute failure for FIFA.

Both teams whinned a lot, difference being that Spain was complaining about the obvious bullying attitude of Netherlands, while Netherlands was complaining about every well deserved call they got (didn't they even get some yellow cards because of that?).

It's no wonder Spain began acting to make it obvious for the referee that they were being kicked around with almost no calls.

Heitinga's red came because of the second yellow he got from grabbing a player from behind when he was facing the goal.

And anyway he seemed quite decided to play rough, granting two unnecessary kicks to Spaniards when the ball wasn't even near anymore, so it's not like it was a one time mistake the referee could have felt inclined to let go with a call but no card.

[Guest]

I too thought that Spain did not deserve it. They're extremely defensive and usually rely on last minute goals. Maybe this is what made them win the WC, but it sure as hell made their matches a bore fest. Germany by far where the best, and really deserved to win (despite me not liking such a scenario).

Defensive?! I think you've been watching a different game my friend. What kind of 'defensive' teams can string together over 4,000 passes during the course of the tournament? For the record, that's well over 1,000 more than Holland managed.

Yeah, La Roja really are a defensive team :rolleyes:

[mail]

http://www.redcafe.net/f8/photoshop-arjen-robben-301973/

[rajputwarrior]

i like how people complain about the spainish diving, but robben looking for calls and ging down easily like he is christiano ronaldo is no biggie right?

and if you really think spain didn't deserve to win, you need to get your head examined. best team in the tourney. they played near perfect football.

Spain absolutely deserve to be champions, 2 defeats in 56 matches in 4 years with 43 games won when they score first. If this isn't deserving, please edit the world dictionaries.

this explains it perfectly... and yeah. stats do matter. it shows/proves how well/bad you are doing. spain is playing some unreal soccer of late.

[red.]

This is the thing, Spain are being lavished with all this praise about playing prefect/beautiful football etc that people seem to be ignoring the diving, surrounding the ref and calling for imaginary cards that they do. And it's not just in the last match.

I also don't think they are playing the 'perfect' football. They were much better in the Euros, had much more of a cutting edge and were more attacking and quicker with the ball. Now it is a lot of tedious slow passing (too many passes in some cases, when they should be shooting) around and then getting everyone behind the ball once they've scored. And then, when they are pressed, they dive and get a free kick. Not exactly great IMO.

Let's not forget another stat, they've scored only 8 goals in 7 games this WC and i think that makes them possibly the worst winners in terms of a goals per game ratio. Even lower than the 'boring' Italians in previous WC.

[Hani]

This is the thing, Spain are being lavished with all this praise about playing prefect/beautiful football etc that people seem to be ignoring the diving, surrounding the ref and calling for imaginary cards that they do. And it's not just in the last match.

I also don't think they are playing the 'perfect' football. They were much better in the Euros, had much more of a cutting edge and were more attacking and quicker with the ball. Now it is a lot of tedious slow passing (too many passes in some cases, when they should be shooting) around and then getting everyone behind the ball once they've scored. And then, when they are pressed, they dive and get a free kick. Not exactly great IMO.

Let's not forget another stat, they've scored only 8 goals in 7 games this WC and i think that makes them possibly the worst winners in terms of a goals per game ratio. Even lower than the 'boring' Italians in previous WC.

Well said.

[rajputwarrior]

This is the thing, Spain are being lavished with all this praise about playing prefect/beautiful football etc that people seem to be ignoring the diving, surrounding the ref and calling for imaginary cards that they do. And it's not just in the last match.

I also don't think they are playing the 'perfect' football. They were much better in the Euros, had much more of a cutting edge and were more attacking and quicker with the ball. Now it is a lot of tedious slow passing (too many passes in some cases, when they should be shooting) around and then getting everyone behind the ball once they've scored. And then, when they are pressed, they dive and get a free kick. Not exactly great IMO.

Let's not forget another stat, they've scored only 8 goals in 7 games this WC and i think that makes them possibly the worst winners in terms of a goals per game ratio. Even lower than the 'boring' Italians in previous WC.

and without the scoring they still managed to win. It doesn't help when one of the best pure strikers in the world was playing with one leg... you know the guy who scored the winning goal in that european tournament and set up the winner in this world cup. They absolutely dominated possession in every game this tourney. They also made the so called best teams in the torney look like amateurs (germans, dutch).

And another question.... how many goals did they give up? ;)

[Guest]

This is the thing, Spain are being lavished with all this praise about playing prefect/beautiful football etc that people seem to be ignoring the diving, surrounding the ref and calling for imaginary cards that they do. And it's not just in the last match.

I also don't think they are playing the 'perfect' football. They were much better in the Euros, had much more of a cutting edge and were more attacking and quicker with the ball. Now it is a lot of tedious slow passing (too many passes in some cases, when they should be shooting) around and then getting everyone behind the ball once they've scored. And then, when they are pressed, they dive and get a free kick. Not exactly great IMO.

Let's not forget another stat, they've scored only 8 goals in 7 games this WC and i think that makes them possibly the worst winners in terms of a goals per game ratio. Even lower than the 'boring' Italians in previous WC.

For starters, I don't think you can single Spain out as the only play acting team. Yes they play act, but as do the majority of other teams and some of the others are a lot worse. Does that make it any less of an offence? No, but it's part of the game until FIFA decide to stamp it out.

Once again people are criticising the Spanish style of play without giving much credit to their opposition. Germany sat back with 10 men behind the ball and invited Spain forward. They hoped to hit Spain on the break and outnumber them, the problem being was that Spain rarely give up possession and when they do they'll work exceptionally hard to either win it back or force you to commit and error. There is no team that works harder than Spain.

So yes, whilst they didn't score an abundance of goals their quality and style of football was far superior to any other team at the finals. I didn't realise that the more goals you score, the better a team you are. Spain conceded 2 goals throughout the whole tournament. I think that speaks volumes.

[rajputwarrior]

For starters, I don't think you can single Spain out as the only play acting team. Yes they play act, but as do the majority of other teams and some of the others are a lot worse. Does that make it any less of an offence? No, but it's part of the game until FIFA decide to stamp it out.

Once again people are criticising the Spanish style of play without giving much credit to their opposition. Germany sat back with 10 men behind the ball and invited Spain forward. They hoped to hit Spain on the break and outnumber them, the problem being was that Spain rarely give up possession and when they do they'll work exceptionally hard to either win it back or force you to commit and error. There is no team that works harder than Spain.

So yes, whilst they didn't score an abundance of goals their quality and style of football was far superior to any other team at the finals. I didn't realise that the more goals you score, the better a team you are. Spain conceded 2 goals throughout the whole tournament. I think that speaks volumes.

(Y) well said johny

[Elliott]

For starters, I don't think you can single Spain out as the only play acting team. Yes they play act, but as do the majority of other teams and some of the others are a lot worse. Does that make it any less of an offence? No, but it's part of the game until FIFA decide to stamp it out.

Once again people are criticising the Spanish style of play without giving much credit to their opposition. Germany sat back with 10 men behind the ball and invited Spain forward. They hoped to hit Spain on the break and outnumber them, the problem being was that Spain rarely give up possession and when they do they'll work exceptionally hard to either win it back or force you to commit and error. There is no team that works harder than Spain.

So yes, whilst they didn't score an abundance of goals their quality and style of football was far superior to any other team at the finals. I didn't realise that the more goals you score, the better a team you are. Spain conceded 2 goals throughout the whole tournament. I think that speaks volumes.

+1

[HSoft]

Congrats to Spain although I think this was one of the worst world cups I've seen in a long time.

The amount of diving and play acting totally spoiled it for me, not just in the final (there were a few Spannish players who deserved to be booked for their blatant dives) but throughout the whole tournament.

FIFA seriously needs to reign in the diving and also the blatant time wasting that went on towards the end of matches by the team that was in the lead.