FIFA World Cup 2010: SPAIN and NETHERLANDS advances into the Finals
The final match-up is set. The joy from being 32 to two is just great, and it feels a stone's throw away from lifting the trophy at South Africa. The first World Cup in Africa appropriately presents something new: Spain or the Netherlands as a first-time champion in this year’s FIFA Soccer tournament.
It’s the first final for Spain, who broke a 44-year major championships drought when they won the European crown two years ago. And to be this year’s champions, the Spaniards will need to shut down the Dutch the way they did the Germans in the quarterfinals, who lead the tournament with 13 goals.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands dumped the last South American team – Uruguay – out of the competition in the quarters and thus ensured a European victory. For the Dutch, it’s a third trip to the title game, having lost in 1974 and ‘78. Both teams rolled into this tournament with long streaks of success, and the Netherlands’ string remains intact. Spain faces the Netherlands on Sunday July 11, 2010,14:30 EDT at Soccer City in Johannesburg.