Rematch

As unpopular as this may be, I really rather enjoyed the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that it was my favourite to date. It took a while to get going certainly and the final was disturbingly physical but that it came down to the two biggest sides never to have won it was such a tantalising prospect and they're about to go at it again.  Hopefully this time will be more about the football on display rather than the body count.

It's a strange journey that both Spain and Holland have found themselves on in the four years that have passed since the final in Johannesburg.  Even stranger when you consider that since then Spain have won a tournament in the meantime and yet don't have quite the same aura of invincibility despite that. The feeling -certainly in this country - is that the tiki-taka style of football is somewhat limited and has been found out in recent years for lack of a "plan b". That kind of thinking for me is naïve at best, outright jealousy at worst.  The conditions will play a part no doubt but it could work in their favour. Can't imagine how hard it would be to chase the ball around in the Brazilian heat if Spain keep the ball like they can.

As for their opponents, I've always quite liked the Dutch. Incredibly gifted technically but for one reason or another never quite able to break through when it really mattered.  If it was any kind of surprise for them to get to the final last time, this time I could be an outright miracle. Having only dropped two points in qualifying, I find it strange how pessimistic I am regarding their chances and I'd love to be proven wrong. This might not be the game to judge them on but will no doubt be a spectacle. Winning tonight won't make up for defeat in South Africa, but it would be the dream start to Brazil 2014.