Sport

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (CMC): History will be made whether Spain or the Netherlands win the final of the 2010 World Cup today at Soccer City Stadium.

Neither country has won the title previously, and the triumphant team will join the previous elite seven, which have captured the coveted title in the history of the competition.

It will also mark the first time that a European nation has won the title outside of their continent.

The Netherlands resisted a fightback from Uruguay to win the first semi-final 3-2, and Spain shut down Germany's free-flowing attack for a 1-0 victory in the second semi-final.

The Netherlands, more commonly called Holland, have been dubbed the best team never to have won the World Cup and were a dominant force in the early 1970s, making the final against West Germany in 1974 and Argentina in 1978 - only to lose on both occasions.

final international appearance

The match will mark the final international appearance for Netherlands captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and he is relishing the occasion.

"My last match turns out to be the match that I dreamed of," he said.

"It is wonderful that I have the opportunity to win the World Cup as my final stop, far better that dying in the group stage.

"Everything has converged at just the right moment. It is fabulous that this World Cup will be the pinnacle of my work."

The Dutch have been playing their brand of "total football", which has secured them a lengthy unbeaten streak in the run-up to the final.

They also have a determined and experienced line-up boasting one of the tournament's joint leading Golden Boot contenders.

Wesley Sneider has five goals - the same as Spain's David Villa, so these two will also be the centre of attraction.

For Spain, this is first-ever trip to the final for the reigning European champions, and will seek to emulate the 1998 French team that held both titles.

"It's an even final between two teams that deserve to be here," said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque. "We've got good players but so do they. It's going to be great propaganda for world football."

Spain have allowed the fewest goals scored against them in the competition, and their front line is yet to fully click, so they can be expected to step up in a thrilling finish.

The air of familiarity between the two teams also makes for a closely contested chess match, with the team making the fewer mistakes likely claim the title.

Holland moved through under the radar with little pressure to perform and this may be third time lucky for them, while Spain will feel pressured to deliver their first title.

It all makes for a thrilling conclusion to the first World Cup on African soil.