It is hard to believe and indeed accept that FIFA’s showpiece tournament is over, and that it will be another four years before the World Cup descends on Brazil for its 20th edition. What we can say is that despite a slow start to proceedings, the final weekend has served up some fantastic entertainment, proving a fitting end to a competition that will live long in the memory, and the last month will have done wonders for the brand of S...More

The final game of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa saw Spain agonisingly edge out the Netherlands thanks to a 116th minute Andres Iniesta goal. The game had become rather tactical throughout the regulation 90 minutes with Holland certainly not winning over any neutrals with their aggressive and at times unfair approach. As the game went on, it was allowed to flow from end to end and Spain took advantage late on to lift the World Cup ...More

In recent years the employment of psychologists within sport has become increasingly prevalent, and the team psychologists who are no doubt working with the Spanish and Dutch World Cup squads will have been clocking plenty of overtime over the last few days. For the players belonging to these squads have been trying to come to terms with the fact that by the end of today they could own the most prized possession in world football – a Wo...More

After 63 matches we’re left with one of the more glamorous World Cup finals as Netherlands meet pre-tournament favorites Spain. NETHERLANDS vs. SPAIN7.30pm –Soccer City, Johannesburg This year’s world cup was always guaranteed to be one of firsts, with it being the tournaments maiden trip to Africa, but in Sunday’s final, a new name will lift the trophy as Netherlands and Spain meet at Soccer City. Two of the finest teams never t...More

Before the curtain goes down on this 19th World Cup, we have the small matter of sorting out the the third place play-off, one of the least anticipated matches of any major tournament. Uruguay and Germany will attempt to dispel any fears that neither will take the game seriously in Port Elizabeth, and both sides’ attacking approach could mean we could be in for a classic. URUGUAY vs. GERMANY7.30pm –Port Elizabeth Stadium, Nelson Mandel...More

The World Cup final is an event like no other as the eyes of the world revolve around the iconic event. It was fitting that both finalists have their own unique way of playing the beautiful game. The Netherlands have a distinctive football tradition. The Oranje coined “Total Football” during the 1970s in the era of maestro Johan Cryuff. Indeed, much debate has ensued recently about whether the team who reached the World Cup Final o...More