Spain is the only team that won the World Cup despite losing its first match. Spain lost 0-1 to Switzerland in its opening match. It is also the first European team to win the World Cup outside Europe. It is the first time Spain went beyond the quarter-finals and ended up as champions. I am sure many would have been angry if Netherlands had won for many of its players were into rough play! It is pathetic that the Dutch lost in such a fashion.
I wrote much more than this and while inserting the logo for the World Cup, accidentally deleted it and published it unknowingly! :-( Anyway, I will try to recap now ...
What is commendable about the Spanish team is the fact that when it mattered most in the last 30 minutes, they soldiered on relentless to reach their goal of winning the World Cup. They were in control of the ball over 58% of the time and missed many chances, free kicks ad corner kicks. The Spanish side has many fine players such as Iniesta, Torres and many more who played fine football, demonstrated excellent team work and a well- orchestrated attack.
Conversely, the Dutch were only intent on PREVENTING the Spaniards from scoring and they did in a very uncouth, rough and most unbecoming manner. In fact, towards the last few minutes, one Dutch player was sent off, not forgetting the fact that they had MANY yellow cards!
The official FIFA website reported:
A thunderous roar erupted across the Spanish capital and fans danced in the streets and chanted "Viva Espana!" as the country's first ever FIFA World Cup trophy sparked a nationwide fiesta. The centre of the capital was a sea of the red and gold national colours as Spain celebrated its agonising 1-0 extra-time win over the Netherlands on Sunday.
The deafening sounds of cheering, klazons, firecrackers and car horns rang out across the city as the FIFA World Cup's perennial underachievers won the trophy in their first appearance in the Final. In temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius (Fahrenheit), more than 150,000 supporters watched the match on massive screens in a giant fan park in a one-kilometre stretch of the city's main thoroughfare.
Others crammed into bars or stayed home for the match, which left the country paralysed Sunday evening. Many were wrapped in the Spanish flag, wore the red team shirts or red wigs, or had their faces painted red and gold.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the BEST TEAM won the World Cup. This is indeed a well deserved win - a fine example of motivation, commitment and focus to achieve a dream for their country. They are the first European team to win the World Cup out of Europe. So Paul the Octopus was right in his prediction after all!
Congratulations to the Spanish team! You are the King of Football until the next FIFA World Cup Competition in Brazil, 2014.
Slevi I wonder if Malaysia will ever have a chance to play in the World Cup finals.
Won't you call it a wild dream????