World Cup Final: Netherlands vs Spain Live Streams and TV Channels

 Netherlands vs Spain Live Stream

Date : 11-07-2010

Game Start Time : 20:30

FIFA World Cup 2010 Final

Venue: Johannesburg

It all comes down to this match. Over 200 countries entered qualifying, 32 made it South Africa, and on July 11th, 2010, 2 remain. The 2010 World Cup Final will be the biggest, most watched match in sports. One team will become world champion, a title they will hold for four years. Will we see a final ruled by controversy, as we did in 2006? Will it be a cagey affair, or will we see a back and forth match like the one in 1986, when Argentina beat West Germany 3-2? Here are all of the important details on the World Cup final:

here: Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa

When: July 11, 2010 at 8:30pm local time (2:30pm EST)

Who: Netherlands vs. Spain

MATCH PREVIEW

The general consensus is that Spain has played the better football in this World Cup 2010, while the Netherlands has been more effective. Spain maintains possession and passes, passes, passes, which has so far been enough to dominate games and find just enough goals to win (except against Switzerland in the opening group game, which shows what can go wrong with Spain’s approach). The Netherlands has protected it’s weak(ish) back four with two defensive midfielders and a lot hard work from the full XI, while relying on their all star attacking talents (and a wee bit of luck) to win every single game they’ve played so far.

Let’s get player specific. Spain’s dominance revolves around Xavi and Anres Iniesta. Xavi is like a valve controlling the flow of the game, and if he doesn’t find a hole in your defence to pass through then Iniesta will. If the two combine at the top of the box then say good night. On the end of all this is David Villa, who has five World Cup goals so far. Villa has been his usual deadly self, but long term striker partner Fernando Torres has not, and one of the big questions for Spain is whether they start with Torres and Villa up front, or just Villa and a five man midfield.

The key players for the Netherlands have arguably been defensive midfield duo Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel. The latter can play a bit too, and also has an uncanny knack of tackling tough without getting booked. Not everyone enjoys seeing it, but that’s a skill right there. Further forward, attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder hasn’t quite bossed games in the manner of Xavi, but has proven time and again that he’ll deliver when needed. Whether it’s a perfect pass to the ever dangerous Arjen Robben, a long range strike or even a header from a corner. Sneijder is your man, and he’s currently level with Villa on five World Cup goals.

KEY MATCHUPS

David Villa vs Johnny Heitinga/Joris Mathijsen

Whether Villa has a strike partner or not, the World Cup final could very well turn on how well the Ducth defenders handle him.

Xavi & Iniesta vs Nigel de Jong & Mark van Bommel

Essentially Spain’s creators vs the Dutch destroyers. Will Xavi be able to dictate the game with MvB in his face?

Wesley Sneijder vs Sergio Busquets

The tactics obsessed website Zonal Marking did a good job explaining Busquet’s expertise in the defensive midfield role in terms of positioning and spatial awareness. Remains to be seen whether that’s enough to close down the threat posed by Sneijder.

Arjen Robben vs Joan Capdevila

Spanish leftback Capdevila is not a bad footballer. But if you had to pick a weak link in this team, then he’s probably the name you’d circle. Robben is arguably the Netherland’s most dangerous player and certainly the most explosive. Best of luck Joan.

Robin van Persie vs Carles Puyol/Gerard Pique

RvP has struggled to impose himself on World Cup 2010, but has contributed just enough in the lone striker role to help teammates like Sneijder take the glory. Puyol and Pique have been monsters at the back and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see one or both of them eat RvP alive. if we’re talking literally then my money would be on Puyol.

FURTHER READING

Jan at the Netherlands blog has plenty to sink your eyes into, including Six Reasons Why Oranje Will Win the World Cup, and the collected thoughts of various players past and present.

Corey at the Spain blog has a well thought out World Cup final preview assessing the Dutch threat and pondering potential Spanish lineups.

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World Cup final: Holland v Spain match preview

World Cup final

Holland vs Spain

Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg

Kick-off: Sun July 11, 7.30pm BST

At last, and in what ought to be a delight to all lovers of fine football, it is time for one of the two greatest footballing nations never to have won the World Cup to join the exclusive club of ‘magnificent seven’ winners alongside Uruguay, Italy, Germany, Brazil, England, Argentina and France.

Not before time, they will doubtless tut in Holland, where Johan Cruyff’s lovely 1974 side and their 1978 successors, both finalists, would have made handsome champions – so too the 1998 semi-finalists.

Bert van Marwijk’s current bunch, now unbeaten in 25 games, could cast off all the old ‘nearly men’ clothes by emulating the peerless 1970 Brazilians as the only team to have a 100 per cent record in both qualifying and the tournament itself.

Spain, home to arguably the two greatest clubs in football history, famously boast a dismal World Cup record, having never finished higher than fourth, their previous best being in Brazil 60 years ago.

Yet having won Euro 2008 and on a wondrous run themselves, with two defeats in 25 games under Vicente del Bosque, the coach believes their time has arrived.

Strangely, for two of the great footballing nations and bearing in mind the historic links between players such as Cruyff and Barcelona, Spain and Holland have met only nine times over 90 years of international football, and only three times in championships.

Perhaps their biggest clash, ironically, was their very first when they met in Brussels in an Olympic medal match.

Being the ‘nearly men’ of the modern game, though, it is no surprise to learn they were not actually playing for the gold, but for the consolation of silver, with Spain prevailing 3-1.

Their only ‘modern’ competitive matches came in qualifying for the 1984 European Championships, where they shared a win apiece, with Ruud Gullit scoring the winner for Holland in Rotterdam and Juan Antonio Señor converting a penalty to give Spain a 1-0 win in Seville.

Touchline duel

In a sitcom, you would cast Lambertus ‘Bert’ van Marwijk as Victor Meldrew figure – grumpy, sighing, never quite satisfied with anything – while Vicente del Bosque would be reprising René in ’Allo ’Allo with a whispered aside to Xavi: “I will say zees only once – pass, pass, pass!”

Van Marwijk, who was seen as uncharismatic and untested, was not really wanted by many when Marco van Basten’s reign ended but has yet to put a foot wrong, while Del Bosque, a double Champions League winner with Real Madrid, has been the most comforting safe pair of hands, preaching continuity after taking over from the man who won the European Championship, Luis Aragonés.

Key clashes:

Wesley Sneijder v Xavi

The brains of the respective teams, and what brains. Sneijder has enjoyed a stellar year, guiding Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan to a unique treble, topped by their Champions League triumph, and enjoying a blinding — and, on occasion, blessed — tournament in South Africa. He can also be encouraged that when he went head to head with his Xavi in the Champions League tie with Barcelona, he prevailed.

Maarten Stekelenburg v Iker Casillas

If it comes down to a penalty shoot-out, you would have to favour Casillas, who has been Spain’s shoot-out hero a couple of times, earning victory with two saves against Ireland in the 2002 World Cup round of 16 (when he was 21) and also when he kept out two to beat Italy in Euro 2008.

Stekelenburg has no such experience but is not short of confidence, as his text calling Ajax team-mate Luis Suarez the “Lev Yashin goalkeeper of the tournament” suggests.

Arjen Robben v Joan Capdevila

Robben, after his fine season for Bayern Munich, has enjoyed a big tournament here too, with crucial goals against both Slovakia and Uruguay. He could turn out to be Sunday’s match-winner as he marauds in from the right flank with the goal in his sights.

A major responsibility rests on Capdevila, the Villarreal defender who, at the age of 32, is not the most agile any longer and may have to rely on his experience to try to neutralise Holland’s single most potent threat.

Probable teams

Holland: Stekelenburg; Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst (capt); Van Bommel, De Jong; Kuyt, Sneijder, Robben; Van Persie

Spain: Casillas (capt); Ramos, Puyol, Pique, Capdevila; Busquets, Alonso; Iniesta, Xavi, Pedro; Villa.

Referee: Howard Webb (Eng)

Assistants: Mike Mullarkey (Eng), Darren Cann (Eng). Fourth official: Yuichi Nishimura (Jpn)

Previous meetings

Played 8: Holland 4 wins, Draws 1, Spain 3 wins

1957: (Madrid, Friendly): Spain 5 Holland 1

1973: (Amsterdam, Friendly): Holland 3 Spain 2

1980: (Vigo, Friendly): Spain 1 Holland 0

1983: (Seville, ECQ): Spain 1 Holland 0

1983: (Rotterdam, ECQ): Holland 2 Spain 1

1987: (Barcelona, Friendly): Spain 1 Holland 1

2000: (Sevilla, Friendly): Spain 1 Holland 2

2001: (Rotterdam, Friendly): Holland 1 Spain 0

Facts

David Villa has scored six of Spain’s last eight goals at World Cup finals. And he is on 43 goals, just one goal away from joining Raul as Spain’s top scorer of all time.

Spain have been the good boys of the World Cup, receiving just three yellow cards, the fewest in this summer’s finals. Holland, by contrast, have had 15 bookings.

Xavi, of Spain, has created 25 goalscoring chances – an impressive eight more than any other player.

And if Spain win the World Cup they will become the first team ever to be World champions after losing their opening game.

Expect Spain to use Carlos Marchena at some stage. The veteran now holds the World record for consecutive appearances without loss, his latest against Germany in the semi-final being his 54th game without tasting defeat.

Interestingly, either Holland or Spain will make history. No European team has previously won the World Cup outside of Europe.

Holland are on a roll: The Oranje have won their last 14 games in the World Cup qualifiers and finals, an all-time record.

Prediction

Spain are bidding to copy their success at Euro 2008 and, in David Villa and Xavi, they have two of the best players at the tournament.

But the new-look Oranje know how to win games and may just have enough, albeit by one goal. Paul the octopus disagrees.

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Chile vs Spain soccer world cup live

Chile vs Spain Live Stream

Date : 25-06-2010

Game Start Time : 20:30

FIFA World Cup 2010

Venue: Tshwane/Pretoria

World Cup 2010: Chile will play against Spain on 25/06 20:30 in Tshwane/Pretoria

An interview with Jorge Valdivia a Chilean international has always been successful. He has won his national league title in 2006 with Colo Colo club and Sao Paulo State Championship in 2008 then moved to Palmeiras the Brazilian giants.

With his star rising, experts expected him to follow the path to South America. But he made a big surprise when he signed up for the United Arab Emirates team Al Ain last August 2008. This 26-year-old midfield was instrumental in bringing the club three domestic trophies, namely the President’s Cup, the Federation Cup, UAE Supercup during his first season there.

Valdivia was also instrumental in Chile’s qualification in to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, and his dreams and hopes for this year’s event were part of the topics discussed in the interview with FIFA. Here is the interview.

Jorge, how significant is being a team captain? Being a captain is important to me. I played captain for Palmeiras and also led my country. It is a great pride but also needs lots of responsibility. Being captain means setting example for the team and for the youth players, a good role model.

Were you delighted being named 2009 Player of the Year in the Emirati league? It is a significant achievement, as it means the work was recognized. That award is a great incentive to achieve more goals and better play.

Do you want to play for a top European club? Of course, but now the priority is to play in the World Cup. My plan is to ensure to make it to the squad for South Africa. If I make it, I will fight to be a starter. I will do all I can to help my team go as far as possible. The outcome of how I play in the World Cup could be a factor in my European move.

Do you think the draw for Chile was a good one on the road to South Africa 2010? The tournament brings the best players of every continent so all the groups are hard. All groups have great teams with ambitions of winning. With regards to Chile’s group, that was the draw. It is impossible to assess if it is good or bad. After the tournament we will know if it is kind to us. The other three teams in the group are all worthy contenders and tough. Watch the World Cup 2010 Chile vs. Spain, it promises to be a tough one.

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Australia vs Serbia Fifa World Cup Live Streams and TV Channels

Australia vs Serbia Live Stream

Date : 23-06-2010

Game Start Time : 20:30

FIFA World Cup 2010

Venue: Nelspruit

World Cup 2010 Australia vs Serbia comparative statistics run as follows. This is the history of the Australian team. Their profile starts with being a member of the FIFA since 1963. The team is also known by the nickname of Socceroos. The All-time caps leader is Alex Tobin (87). The All-time leading scorer is Damian Mori (29). Their notable achievements are Oceania Nations Cup champions on the years 1980, 1996, 2000 and 2004. Their legendary players are Johnny Warren. He was a key player in the Australian team that was able to qualify for the 1974 World Cup in West Germany. A midfielder who was able to play for 62 times for his country, Warren is also known as the face of Australian soccer since he began a successful career as a television broadcaster.

Another is Damian Mori, a speedy, goal-poaching forward who is Australia’s all time leading in scorer with 29 goals in 45 games from the year 1992 to 2002. Mori played his entire pro career in Australia, with an exception of a single season with Borussia Monchengladbach in the German Bundesliga in 1997. He was voted Australian player of the year in 1996 and 2003. The projected World Cup 44 starting lineup are (GK) Mark Schwarzer – (D) Lucas Neill, Shane Stefanutto, Rhys Williams, Jade North – (M) Tim Cahill, Jason Culina, Bret Emerton, Vince Grella – (F) Joshua Kennedy, Mile Sterjovski.

The Servian Profile starts with being a member of FIFA since 1923. The team is also known by the nickname of Beli Orlovi or White Eagles. The All-time caps leader is Savo Milosevic (102). The All-time leading scorer is Savo Milosevic (37 goals). Their notable achievements (as Yugoslavia) are Under-20 World Champions in 1987, Under-21 European Champions in 1978, Under-19 European Champions in 1951, 1979, Olympic Gold Medal in 1960, Olympic Silver Medal in 1948, 1952 and 1956, Olympic Bronze Medal in 1984.

Their legendary players are Dragan Dzajic. He is a speedy winger known for his unbelievable dribbling skills. He was able to scored 23 goals in a record 85 appearances for Yugoslavia from 1964-79, but he was best known for a legendary goal he made versus England in the semifinals of Euro 1968 to knock out the reigning World champions out of the competition. Stjepan Bobek is Yugoslavia’s all-time leading in scores with 38 goals in 63 games from 1946-56. Aside from taking part in two World Cups 1950 and 1954, he also participated in two Olympics that helped Yugoslavia win silver medals in 1948 and 1952. He is considered the greatest player in the history of Yugoslav, scoring 403 goals in 468 games. Their Projected World Cup 44 starting lineup are (GK) Vladimir Stojkovic – (D) Neven Subotic, Nemanja Vidic, Branislav Ivanovic, Milovan Obradovic – (M) Dejan Stankovic, Zdravko Kuzmanovic, Milan Jovanovic, Milos Krasic, Gojko Kacar – (F) Nikola Zigic

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Mexico vs Uruguay Fifa World Cup Live Streams and TV Channels

 Mexico vs Uruguay Live Stream 

Date : 22-06-2010

Game Start Time : 16:00

FIFA World Cup 2010

Venue: Rustenburg  

This is how Uruguay made it to the World Cup qualifying match. What a disordered qualifying operation that happened to Uruguay on its way to the world cup. The World champions for two times opened with an energetic 5-0 win over Bolivia, but after four days experienced a 2-1 loss to Paraguay. Uruguay also experienced problems in games with Venezuela and Chile, but managed to get the better game when they faced Ecuador and Colombia. A five-team battle developed for the fourth and final automatic World Cup tie up as the qualifiers advance into the finish line, but Argentina was able to claim the spot thanks to a four-point lead over Uruguay.

 

Uruguay out played Ecuador and Colombia by a hair line and did well to finish fifth and it earned a second chance in a playoff showdown with Costa Rica, the fourth-place team from CONCACAF. The playoff series was too easy for the South Americans, who eventually sealed their win with a 1-0 in Costa Rica in the first game. The second leg saw Uruguay getting the lead and hold on to it for a draw, just right to make them come back for the World Cup; this is their first time since 2002.

Their Key to qualification is their Determination. Uruguay fought it out with Argentina right down to the wire for getting that final World Cup berth. That they managed to keep the pressure on the Argentines and dodge off challenges from Colombia and Ecuador for fifth place speaks to the power of their team character.

The Crucial results are as follows A 1-1 draw with Costa Rica played last November 18, 2009, in Montevideo. It was the second leg of their two-game playoff that clinched a World Cup berth for Uruguay. Their Star player is Diego Forlan who scored seven goals in the South American qualifiers. He once again duplicated his great form with pro club Atletico Madrid for the benefit of the national team. Their Potential problem is Goalkeeping. 

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South Africa vs Uruguay Fifa World Cup Live Streams and TV Channels

South Africa vs Uruguay Live Stream

Date : 16-06-2010

Game Start Time : 20:30

FIFA World Cup 2010

Venue: Tshwane/Pretoria

South Africa will play against Uruguay on 16/06 20:30 in Tshwane/Pretoria

This is going to be a tough match to see. Cameroon had just a single point from their first two final round qualifiers and was in the bottom of the standings. It was that time that they separated ways with veteran coach Otto Pfister and looked for a more dangerous situation. But it turned out to be a good thing to appoint Paul LeGuen Frenchman for the last four games of the campaign. The former Lyon, Rangers and PSG coach insisted on a host of upgrades in the circumstances revolving around the players and got a three-man support team to help him. He also signed in Samuel Eto’o as captain that charged the dynamics of the group. It turned out to produce four successive wins and an African record of sixth trip to the FIFA World Cup finals.

Uruguay’s play-off win against Costa Rica was the last step in a South American qualifying tournament that started in October 2007 and means that the region will be represented by five teams at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. The other four sides qualified in a different manner. Brazil strolled through in first place, while a re-energized Chile and the very consistent Paraguay both made an impression in finishing second and third respectively. And Argentina had a difficult time that nearly ended in a disaster. The website of FIFA evaluated the performances of the Zone’s five qualifiers.

This is not the first time Brazil ran out section winners. With coach Dunga providing a winning mentality to put up with a virtually seamless transitional phase, A Seleção highlighted how they won the last two Copa America competitions and the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009. The five-time world champions did not give away anything and even if they needed more time to find their range, Luis Fabiano eventually showed that the No 9 jersey is his for the future. With Kaka supplying the bullets, the Brazilians won their regional rivals again and preserved their record of not missing out a place at the FIFA World Cup™ finals.

Advancing to the finals for the third time by means of the play-offs, Uruguay will be competing for their 11th FIFA World Cup. Yet while the Celeste has one of the wealthiest histories in world football, Coach Oscar Tabarez has started a young team that depends on a core group of players. He has been at the Uruguay control before at a FIFA World Cup, leading the team in 1990 when they lost to hosts Italy in the second round. This World Cup 2010 South Africa vs. Uruguay game will be one for the books.

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Honduras vs Chile Fifa World Cup Live Streams and TV Channels

Honduras vs Chile Live Stream

Date : 16-06-2010

Game Start Time : 13:30

FIFA World Cup 2010

Venue: Nelspruit

World Cup 2010: Honduras will play against Chile on 16/06 13:30 in Nelspruit

The World Cup 2010 Honduras vs. Chile game with Honduras in prospective. This team managed to get to the finals of the FIFA World Cup™ for the second time only. It was via an equalizer in the remaining seconds of the USA’s match against Costa Rica that triggered hysterical celebrations from Los Catrachos’ fans from further south. But having to pass thru the eye of a needle going into the finals, Reinaldo Rueda’s talented team will go to South Africa not just to add up on their statistics.

Coach Rueda’s men worked hard to win against Puerto Rico 6-2 to advance to the last round of Central, North America and the Caribbean Zone qualifying. After qualifying the zone, they successfully got thru to qualifying for the final six-team Hexagonal round topping Jamaica, Mexico and Canada.

The crucial final stages have gone to a bad start, but with La Bicolor dropping to a 2-0 opposite strong competitor Costa Rica. A 1-1 stalemate in Trinidad and Tobago and a 3-1 home victory against very strong Mexico got them back on track, but they suffer a slim 2-1 loss in the United States. A course that included victories against Costa Rica (4-0), El Salvador (1-0), Trinidad and Tobago (4-1) and a 1-0 reverse on Mexico that paved the way for Los Catrachos to clinch their passes to South Africa in the final round of qualifying versus USA.

Extravagant finishing and a tough display added up to a 3-2 reverse in San Pedro Sula, means Honduras had to be triumphant in their concluding game in El Salvador and look forward to a advantageous end result between the United States-Costa Rica game. And even having wrapped up a 1-0 victory in San Salvador, the Hondurans would have gotten a direct disqualification if not for the American equalizer.

Their star players came from country’s big stars making their names in the European game, Los Catrachos’ key man during the qualifying was Carlo Pavon, 36-year-old forward from evergreen. In a natural scientific method, it was the international goal getter who ignited his team to winning in El Salvador to make certain their spot at the African stage. Helped and backed up by the very talented Wilson Palacios, David Suazo, Julio Leon and Amado Guevara. Pavon will really want no less than to top his celebrated international career with a very good showing on the biggest stage of the soccer world. Watch how they fare in the World Cup 2010 Honduras vs. Chile match.

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