World Cup 2010

[ArnoldT]

Luit:

Did spend some time with Pele.

But spent much more time with some famous Dutch footballers.

Rijsbergen and Neeskens.

Passed a week in Leiden in January traveling around to Zeist.

Although after watching the Spanish second half I'm a bit more nervous about the match.

[Anthony Darby]

Paul got it right again!

[Lesley Cox]

Final result, Spain 1, Netherlands O.

[mark smyth]

España campeones del mundo !

Rafa and Hans will be very happy

[Maggi Young]

Best part of the night was seeing Queen Sofia of Spain jumping up and down with joy when the Spanish scored!
The Spanish Royal Family are very good at getting themselves around the world to support their countrymen in sporting events and in looking truly enthusiastic about whatever sport is taking place.... must be a boost for their players' morale.... even if they're not monarchists!!

 I'm thinking it might be a while before the Dutch forumists are able to comment....but someone has to lose!

[Lvandelft]

The best team won and that's the fact!

[Casalima]

Best part of the night was seeing Queen Sofia of Spain jumping up and down with joy when the Spanish scored!
The Spanish Royal Family are very good at getting themselves around the world to support their countrymen in sporting events and in looking truly enthusiastic about whatever sport is taking place.... must be a boost for their players' morale.... even if they're not monarchists!!

Queen Sofia shaking hands with Puyol-wearing-a-towel after the semifinal was a classic!!

¡Enhorabuena España! - not a classic match, but worthy winners!!

(sorry Netherlands ...)

[Maggi Young]

Queen Sofia shaking hands with Puyol-wearing-a-towel after the semifinal was a classic!!

Wasn't it just! She was having great fun, she has a great smile!  Can't see  Queen Elizabeth going to the dressing room to congratulate british players..... maybe this is what gives the Spanish their edge.... look at Rafa at Wimbledon! ( Well that and the fact their palyers have everyone else beaten, of course!!)

[ArnoldT]

Spain played better football and deserved the victory.

Now back to the weeds!

[Lesley Cox]

If NZ's All whites are to do better in the next World Cup, the players will have to take some instruction in histrionics; how to fall down and lie about groaning in agony when touched accidentally by a flapping shirt or similar. We're more used to the All Blacks continuing to play on with broken bones and only semi-conscious. Of course this could say more about their relevant intelligence rather than their stoicism.

[fermi de Sousa]

I'm thinking it might be a while before the Dutch forumists are able to comment....

More likely that our Spaniards will need a bit of time to recover from all the celebrating!
I believe Octopus will be on the menu in Germany!
cheers
fermi

[alpines]

Very poor game in footballing terms, not helped by Howard Webb's poor control. I have a great admiration for Webb but I think the occasion was just too much for him. Congratulations to Spain though for at least trying to play football. Can't for thr life of me understand why Holland resorted to trying to kick the Spaniards off the pitch. If they'd taken the game to Spain they could have won it. Glad Diego Forlan won the Golden Ball.........what an advert for the beautiful game he is.....and for humanity in general.

[Lesley Cox]

I'm thinking it might be a while before the Dutch forumists are able to comment....

More likely that our Spaniards will need a bit of time to recover from all the celebrating!
I believe Octopus will be on the menu in Germany!
cheers
fermi

No, no, the Spaniards promised a couple of days ago to give it political asylum and a loving home.

[johnw]

I believe Octopus will be on the menu in Germany!
cheers
fermi

And deep-fried I trust.

johnw

[David Nicholson]

Very poor game in footballing terms, not helped by Howard Webb's poor control. I have a great admiration for Webb but I think the occasion was just too much for him. Congratulations to Spain though for at least trying to play football. Can't for thr life of me understand why Holland resorted to trying to kick the Spaniards off the pitch. If they'd taken the game to Spain they could have won it. Glad Diego Forlan won the Golden Ball.........what an advert for the beautiful game he is.....and for humanity in general.

I thought he handled the game well and tried to keep the game moving with 22 players on the pitch (for the main part!)