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World Cup Final Predictions: Netherlands or Spain for the Win?

   

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The World Cup final happens this Sunday, July 11th. Hopefully you already knew that. If not, read our World Cup final preview and get yourself up to speed.

Everyone else, I have two simple questions for you:

1. Netherlands or Spain: Who do you think will win the World Cup?
2. Why?

So we’re not accused of precition cowardice, Chris and myself pick our winners below:

1. Chris: 2-1 Spain.
2. Why: There’s something in the ability of the Dutch midfield to break up play, but there’s something even more in the ability of the Spanish attack – the one that derives from Catalonia and presses immediately in that 3 second window – which can get it right back. The Dutch still haven’t looked impressive yet outside of short bursts and Spain seem to be getting better by the game. It just seems the natural progression of their play throughout the tournament – plus you don’t pick against Paul.

1. Daryl: 2-1 Netherlands
2. Why: I think the Dutch possess the key attribute needed to win a World Cup, and that attribute is luck. I’m thinking Felip Melo’s own goal in the Brazil game, Wesley Sneijder’s shot taking a deflection (and no one noticing Robin van Persie being offside) in the Uruguay game, and Mark van Bommel’s slide tackles being impervious to yellow cards. After losing two finals in 1974 and 1978, I’m predicting third time lucky for the Netherlands.

Here’s what the bookies have to say, though they only give numbers, not reasons:

Now your turn: Who do you see winning the World Cup final? And why?


  • JoseJosue

    1) 2-0 Spain

    2) Spain have been playing great futbol against sides resolute on not letting them score. They've had the grit to make it past some tough defenses, and the Dutch will be no different. Besides, the Dutch had to beat Slovakia, a Brazil that defeated itself more than anything, and a depleted Uruguay side.

    Spain should take this, while the Dutch will have a “bad game”. And by “bad game” I mean “they actually played to the best of their ability, but that's just what your team looks like with 30% possession and exhausted from chasing the ball”.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/X5XJWXBQARQ4KPQQNNPEMAKPDM Joel

    I'm going with Chris, 2-1 Spain. I hope Pedro gets one.

  • Bense235

    Dutchies, FTW. At least hoping for that. But Spain can pull off a boring ass 0:1 if they can score first.

  • Baron_Rojo_NY

    1. 2:2 and then goes into penalties. Casillas stops 2 and Spain wins 4-2. It's going to be a close and tight game. Xavi/Iniesta and Robben/Sneijder wiil have their brilliant moments. Villa scores 2 — golden boot. Kuyt deserves one and I'll give RVP the other one.

    2. Why? Spain is destined to win it and because I picked them on my ESPN fantasy game.

    Forlan .. MVP anyone??

  • http://twitter.com/EdgarBoccanegra Edgar Boccanegra

    2-1 Spain because after last game the spain we've all been hoping to see has been showing up.

    That and heart says Spain, but real heart says Nederlands #teambj.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Majuid-Abdullah/100000585104962 Majuid Abdullah

    spain team is more experience: casillas puyol xavi del bosque are successful since 2000. very good catalons pique iniesta busquets. and have villa. nederland: gio bommel ? no finisher, but snijder robben kuyt. on paper spain wins, on the pitch i hope nederland win

  • Geoffrey72

    Spain 2-0. The Germany game was very revealing. Spain controlled possession with such apparent effortlessness that for long stretches of the match, it looked like it could have been Spain-Andorra or something. Above all, that has a psychological effect on the other team, demoralizes them, wears them down mentally. Spain had the most trouble with Switzerland and Paraguay, two teams that were *happy* to defend the whole match. (Remember Paraguay got the first penalty!) In Euro '08 Spain had the most trouble with Italy, same thing. They're used to it and they like it, Spain's game didn't have the psychological effect on them that it has on a normal attacking team. Like Germany. Or the Netherlands.

    Chris, nice shout out to Catalonia, but might as well spell it the way folks there do, Catalunya.

  • http://www.mcalcio.com Marco P.

    Spain 2-1 or 2-0.

    I can just see the Dutch fu**ing this up somehow, and the Spaniards exploiting it in the blink of an eye. Then while up by a goal, putting everybody to sleep with their asphyxiating possession football.

  • Dumitru86

    I'll join the Spain chorus and say 3-1 or 3-2 for Spain, with Villa scoring for sure. It's an exceptional side and alot of credit has to go to barca. Bonus prediction, barca will win la liga next year and villa win the golden boot. No offense to real, casillas, ramos, xabi alonso are not forgotten. I predicted lots of goals, because I think both the teams will want to finish it on the field, not by the penalties.

  • daisy

    I'm going with Spain on this one. If I weren't so loyal to Germany, I would've supported them throughout just because the lot (or many of them) plays for Barça. This is what's hard about being a girl supporter, the emotions get in the mix of tactics and technicalities.

    Anyhoo, Daryl mentioned that luck's on the Netherlands side, but hey, luck can only go so far. I don't think the Spanish players will let MvB get away with his tackles (especially Villa, think QF match, 60' penalty to Spain). I think Chris is right, you don't go against the all-knowing Paul. The last time he did, he picked Germany against Spain. Look what happened.

  • netsez

    Where did this crap get started? Paul picked Spain! He is 6-0!

  • oskardevarsovie

    The artistry of Spain and their tiki-taka shall prevail over the superficial solidity of the not-so-flying Dutchmen. And it might be a more 'interesting' game than the one against Germany, because the Dutch won't be frightened and intimidated by Spain as the Germans were, which in the end will cost them dearly.

    And yes, no matter what happens (save maybe a Villa hat-trick), Forlan is the MVP.

  • daisy

    Wait. That's what I meant. The all-knowing Paul has been spot on so far this tournament. What I meant was, the last time Chris (by the way, are Chris and WCB Chris one and the same?) made a bold prediction was on the SF match between Spain and Germany. Chris or WCB Chris went against Paul and picked Germany. So I think Chris or WCB Chris has learned his lesson. Go against Paul the Oracle Octo and your bold footballing prediction career'd be cursed for life.

    And frankly, this discussion on Paul the Oracle Octo is getting too ridiculous.

  • http://www.travelholica.com TravelholicA.com

    2×1 Spain! But it would be great to go to the penalties!

  • http://malawi.worldcupblog.org sscouser

    Rule #3: Admit Your Mistakes – This rule is all about not being seen as a “sausage”. Really, how many sportswriters and broadcasters do you know who come up with wild predictions, and then when they're completely off-base never man up to being wrong? But then when they do get something right the I-told-you-so's start flying. It happens all the time. I'm not saying that you have to acknowledge every time you screw up, but a simple “Yeah, I was wrong on that one” every now and then can do wonders for your likability. Not owning up to your mistakes (or making excuses for them) is the mark of a true “sausage”.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/CILN5RSEO7PMT6X7DEUF2EXDW4 MJH

    I am calling the same winner with three possible outcomes specifically the first one is simply Spain 1 Netherlands 0.

    The second one is Spain 2-1.

    Then the third is a 1-1 draw no goals in extra time and a shootout in which Spain wins 5-4 so either way you cut it Spain wins.

    I would go as far to say they were very lucky to get through Uruguay with the offsides goal that then immediately led to a third goal and not getting called for numerous yellow cards it seems the refs were against Uruguay for the Ghana Uruguay hand ball and then Ghana's missed kick for the win. Plus Netherlands were playing with 99 percent of the crowd behind them and that was against the 16 seed??? and they barley escaped 3-2 and Uruguay did not have Suarez. Look Spain does not give up goals simple as that. SPAIN WINS

  • isaraswat

    SPAIN WILL WIN world cup soccer 2010. Because asrologically the 9th house of Netherland is represented by cancer sign & the lord is Moon . Now moon is situated in sign Gemini in transit today. No moon day is today, means Sun & moon both are @ 24 degrees making moon planet vvery weak. I am sure Netherland will lose because other planetary positions are in strong favour of spain.
    Congrats Spain.
    Pt. Ish kumar
    Ambey Astrology centre,Jaipur,India
    +91 09649591000

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Cai/100000731646454 Ben Cai

    Spain wins 1-0

  • http://www.atmcash.com Michelle

    Yes! Lots of missed opportunities, penalties and tension throughout the game. I am so glad that Spain won! Once again, Paul the Octopus was right. hahaha

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