World Cup Final Recap: Well, That Wasn't Halfcocked

By: The Misanthropic Sports Fan

So we've had our final match of the 2010 World Cup, and it was, well, it was a bit dull I'll be the first to admit. Not because it wasn't a very good game, it was, but if you wanted to see a game of up and down the field play with open goal scoring chances, you'd have been better off watching the wonderful 3rd place game on Saturday between Germany and Uruguay. In fact, if you missed that game, go watch it. Now. I can wait, honestly.

Done? Brilliant. So, this game. It was a struggle in the midfield between two sides that wouldn't back down, except of course for Spain flopping all over the pitch. Seriously, it's a World Cup FINAL and you're falling down like you're auditioning for Nameless Thug Who Gets Machine Gunned Down #3 in the new John Woo Hong Kong epic gangster flick. I understand it's part of the game, and I don't often get worked up about it for just that reason, but if you can't stay upright in the biggest game of your lives, you shouldn't get bailed out for it by the officials. Which is of course what happened, over and over again, right down to a BAD red card in extra time that gave Spain the man advantage that would ultimately be enough to get them to the promised land.

And this is important for Spain, who got over the hump of being choke artists at Euro 2008 and continued that ability to come through in the clutch to World Cup 2010. They weren't ever the dominant side that I felt they could be, though with Torres nursing a serious knee injury, perhaps that was hoping for too much. They plugged along, did all the things you're supposed to do, and walked away with the trophy. Spain has often felt they didn't get the respect they deserved as an international soccer threat. I can't imagine that will ever happen again. Really, it's just nice to add another name to the trophy list. It gets a bit dull every year watching Argentina, Germany, Brazil and Italy. Especially Italy. Those guys suck.

Now it's time to start thinking about the upcoming club season, and perhaps focus a bit on the Sounders if you're a Seattle native. Though their position at the bottom of the table isn't exactly inspiring at the moment. Still, if you've got the time and money, get yourself to Qwest Field. There's nothing in the world like a live football match. Even one in a 3rd tier professional league. Yeah, I said it.

World Cup Preview: La Roja vs. Oranje

By: The Misanthropic Sports Fan

So, World Cup Final. Big deal stuff. The whole world is watching. And, for once, that appears to include America. Guess we should break down the teams.

Spain is the best team in the world. No one really disagrees on that point, based on the rankings from FIFA as well as the SPI that ESPN is using these days (hey, I trust Nate Silver with these sort of things, I'd advise you to do the same). However, they haven't blown anyone away in this tournament. They're plugging along, getting their one goal a game, and then keeping the other team at bay. While this is an effective way to get through a tournament, one can't help but feel like we haven't seen the best Spain has to offer. They've got one more chance to bring the thunder, and they're matched up against a team with a weak enough defense in the middle to let them do so. Spain should run away with this game if they play their best, I'm just not sure if they've brought their best to South Africa.

As for the Dutch, well, I'd say they've gotta hope to get a little bit of luck. But that's been the story of their tournament, so again, why shouldn't it continue into the Final? They got the break they needed against Brazil, they got the goals they needed against Uruguay and then held against an absurdly long final fury from a determined Uruguay squad. The Dutch are gifted with the ball, and they put themselves in positions to get the breaks they need. Unlike Spain, they haven't lost in South Africa, and the games they've won have been clearly theirs, no extra time needed, no penalties. The Dutch deserve to have some confidence going into the Final.

All that said, I'm still going with Spain. Yeah, it's a cop out, but they're the better team on talent. Talent has a funny way of winning out in contests of skill and athleticism. Still, my heart is with the Orange on Sunday. Ultimately, as long as the game lives up to the hype, we all win.