I sympathise jecasc, believe me I know how it feels :)

But Spain vs Netherlands should be a great game: the two best teams never to win the world cup...

My prediction for the final was wrong.

ytswy - I agree, it should be good.

the two best teams never to win the world cup...

I can see where a case might be made for that, but still, as a newcomer to this, I've been impressed with the process of the World Cup. I'm not sure how it could be better. Very fun.

"The best team never to win the world cup" is something that is often said in Britain regarding The Netherlands - they have a long history of playing fantastic football but never quite making it. Spain less so (not only their first final, but their first semi as well) but I thought they deserved it on the strength of their current team. Which, judging on the basis of the Germany game, is pretty awesome...

I've just been looking at the first post in the thread:

So who will win? England? No way, they will probably meet Germany in the round of 16 and loose after penalty shootout. Germany will probably finish third, like last time. Title-holder Italy will loose in the quarter finals against Spain and I think the final will either be Brazil v Spain or Netherlands vs Spain.

Apart from Italy that is pretty spot on. Has anyone ever seen jecasc and Paul the Octopus at the same place and time...?

Has anyone ever seen jecasc and Paul the Octopus at the same place and time...?

Aargh, my secret identity has been revealed. Now they will remove my laptop from my aquarium and I will have to close my online business.

I just read England has reached the finals after all. At least one Englishman. Howard Webb will be the referee on Sunday.

I think the final will be a copy of the Germany/Spain semifinal.
It's not a question of what the other team want to do, it's a question of what the spanish play let them to do; Germany and Netherland teams want to have the ball too but it is too hard to steal it to the spainsh players so everyone ends together with its own goalkeeper.

Of course, oranges could have some chances if they make a goal soon in the game but are the same chances of reds converting opportunitties in goals and making six.

Finally, don't miss the Netherland's anthem song before the match:

William of Nassau
am I, of Dutch blood.
Loyal to the fatherland
I will remain until I die.
A prince of Orange
am I, free and fearless.
The king of Spain
I have always honoured.

_{English translation of the original (non-melodious) Dutch version from Wikipedia.}

I have, ahem I mean Paul the octopus has decided: Spain will win the World Cup, Germany will win against Paraguy and finish third.

I think the eight legged one is probably right... I agree with Lexur, it will go down similar to Germany Spain.

Paul the octopus predicted the victory of Germany in the last Eurocup...

wouldn't it be great if the teams had to wear their national outfits in the final. clogs, and matador capes. maybe howard webb can sort that out.

Odd thing is that I've actually followed most of this drama this time around... and I'm not a big soccer fan. Most acquitted themselves well (a few looked a bit limp) and overall has been as good season.

I'm just waiting for the football season to start (and know that most on the list will ha-ha that American footbal ain't futbol...)

It's all fun, no matter what. If it gets the blood to boil that's all that counts... most of us are cold-blooded anyway. :)

I'll be eating calamari Sunday evening. Fried in olive oil, with some garlick.

Hurray for Mani the Parrot (or Parakeet).

It is so SAD, 4 teams playing not to loose = 0nly 2 spots left = 1st and 3rd....

Just finished some fresh fluke filets, right off the grill, all ready to GO..

Go Uruguay! For some reason I want them to win.

Congratulations Spain - they deserved to win the worldcup.

Congratulations Netherlands on the lumber jack award.

Congrads to Spain and all Fans who were there for the WE FINALY WIN!

I've watched every WC GAME, via TV this time around, and actualy planning on Going to Brasil in 2014!

Best Game in a WORLD!

I'm a sad Dutchman. What a piss-poor showing. Both teams were poor and the referee wasn't much better either, but Spain deserved this one I guess.

the kickball was far exceeded by the olympic diving followed by the oscar-quality performances.

Bummer. Congrats to Spain: the best team of the tournament. But the match must have been terrible for the neutral viewer. Congrats Holland for collecting nine yellow cards in one match.

- Spain did a great game and deserved the world championship.

- Holland had wet the nice game some of us remember in the seventies and killed the Cruyff legacy. I can't feel anymore any kind of simpathy for the dirty dutch football; german were real gentlemen and the Netherlands made the game more disgusting than I remember in many years.

- Spain made a great service to football because he has shown it can win by playing well. If the Netherlands had won, the lesson would be "Let the beautiful game at home and kick your opponent and you win"

- The video of Iker Casillas kissing his girlfriend in the middle of the interview is the sweetest moment in the World Cup.

¡Viva España!

holland were a bit over the top. apparently they wanted to go out with guns and knuckledusters but the ref stopped them.

Wasn't the most entertaining game I've ever seen... I really didn't have much of a favourite (decided losing £50 was enough of gambling for this competition), so to be honest the first half bored me so much I turned off at 30 minutes.

Started watching again around 70 minutes, and the ending was ok. Well done Spain, looked well deserved from what I saw. I bet half the country woke up this afternoon with a headache and an octopus tattoo :) Not much of a spectacle for the neutral, but that's hardly uncommon for finals.