In fact, Spain has never been in a World Cup final and is attempting to become one of the few reigning European champions to follow up with a world championship. Holland, on the other hand, is well-known for disappointment at the finals, having lost twice to host nations, in 1974 in West Germany and then in 1978 at Argentina. Both teams are considered the best to never have won a Cup. One will snap that ugly streak.
This could be a tense, tactical final between two teams that haven’t seemed to quite catch fire, but have certainly gotten the job done. Both made the best of what now look like relatively easy paths into the finale. Slovakia and Paraguay are hardly world-beaters but both teams did take major scalps en route, as the Dutch toppled Brazil and Spain broke down a very impressive German side.

Both teams are well-feted for their attack, which is somewhat ironic considering that the Spanish have only scored seven goals total in this Cup while the Dutch have ground out their wins using a smothering midfield to spring their attacking trident. David Villa has carried Spain while the surprising Dirk Kuyt has helped make the difference for the Oranje