World Cup Finals Prediction: Spain vs. Netherlands

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Let me start off by saying that the way Spain played against Germany in the semi-final game was wonderful.  Yep wonderful.  It was the best ball handling I've seen by any team thus far.  I don't even remember Germany ever having the ball.  Germany could not set up their vaunted counter-attacked because Spain just passed the ball around and attacked the German goalie from distance and from up close.  Spain finally broke through the German defense with a header in the 73rd minute.  Germany could never really recover or build any momentum and lost 1-0.  On to the preview!
Netherlands:  It seems that every time I turn on the television I see some guys in orange jerseys running around screaming and tapping their foreheads with their hands. That would be the Netherlands, they seem to have a flair for the dramatic and they really know how to celebrate goals, especially their headers.  They are led by midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who has put up five goals this World Cup as is definitely a candidate for both the Golden Boot (most goals scored) and the Golden Balls (MVP) award.  He brings enthusiasm to the Dutch and is deadly around the net.   

Spain:  What does Spain bring to the table?  Well they start with the aforementioned ball handling skills. Pass, pass, pass, they love to pass and its seems like defenders can't stop them.  But its not passing to kill time or to play a game of "keep away".  Its a precision, attacking sort of style, which makes for good tv.  They also bring one of the world's best players, in striker David Villa.  He too is in strong contention for the Golden Boots and Golden Balls award.  Spain has a host of players who can score from any angle and aren't afraid to fire away.  

Prediction: This is going to be a fantastic match.  But I think time of possession and ball control will rule the day.  I'll go with Spain, giving them the 2008 Euro league championship and the 2010 World Cup championship.  It will be interesting to see who gets the individual awards, especially if Sneijder and Villa finish with the same number of goals.  

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