By Ridge Mahoney for Soccer America

[SPAIN-NETHERLANDS] For the eighth time, the World Cup final is an all-Euro showdown, and the 2010 edition will not only crown a first-time champion, it will also produce either the first team to win the title after losing its first group game (Spain), or a nation winning a final after losing twice (Netherlands).

On the dubious side, the Dutch could also be the first team to lose a third final without winning at least one. They lost to the host nation both times in excruciating circumstances: in 1974 to West Germany, 2-1, after taking the lead in the first minute, and four years later in overtime to Argentina, 3-1, after scoring a late equalizer and then hitting the post in the 89th minute.

Spain is in its first final, and along with the Dutch is the most prestigious soccer nation never to win the World Cup. Early in the competition it labored under the pressures and expectations laden onto it and the other pre-tournament darling, Brazil, which the Netherlands dispatched, 2-1, in the quarterfinals after falling behind early.

In addition to surrendering that disheartening goal by Robinho in the 10th minute, the Netherlands has given away two penalty kicks, and conceded an equalizer to Cameroon in its final group game before snagging a late winner from substitute Klaas Jan-Huntelaar. The Dutch also played their first two group matches – victories over Denmark (2-0) and Japan (1-0) – without effervescent wingerArjen Robben. They’ve won all six of their World Cup games in regulation, yet it can’t be said the Dutch haven’t overcome some adversity.

As the clear favorite in Group E, the Dutch were expected to finish ahead of Denmark, Japan, and Cameroon, and duly did so as one of only two teams taking maximum points, the other being Argentina.

Without Robben, Coach Bert van Marwijk used Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt on the right side of midfield and Rafael Van der Vaart on the left as the wide players in support of forward Robin Van Persie. Attacking mid Wesley Sneijder’s ability come deep to start attacks and also get forward to support them or finish them off hasn’t been contained by any opponent to date.

Robben made his first appearance in the third group game against Cameroon in the 70th minute, and set up the winner 13 minutes later when his shot rebounded off the post for Huntelaar to stick into the net.

Robben has scored twice in the knockout phase with a cutback move and left-footed shot against Slovakia, and a header to clinch the 3-2 semifinal defeat of Uruguay. His pace, change of direction, and eagerness to shoot have sparked a offensive surge by the Dutch, who have scored seven goals in the last three games with him in the starting lineup.

Five different players – including an own goal by Danish defender Daniel Agger – scored for the Netherlands in the group phase. Sneijder leads the team with five goals, and beyond him there’s balance; in addition to Robben’s pair, single goals have been registered by Van Persie, Kuyt, Huntelaar, and left back – and captain – Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, whose spectacular 35-yard blast into the top corner of Uruguay’s goal could well be voted best goal of the competition.

Van Marwijk needed to replace two starters because of suspension against Uruguay. Demy De Zeeuw took Nigel De Jong’s central midfield spot, and Khalid Boulahrouz took over for Gregory Van der Weil at right back. Neither replacement lasted the match, and despite the Dutch’s impressive run of a half-dozen wins, they haven’t recorded a shutout in the last four games.

By contrast, Spain has rolled into the final on a string of one-goal victories (including three consecutive 1-0 wins) and the scoring of David Villa after Switzerland stung it with a 1-0 defeat to open the competition. Villa scored both goals in a 2-0 defeat of Honduras that restored Spain’s confidence, and he netted again along with Andres Iniesta to down Chile, 2-1, and take top spot in Group H.

Villa scored in the 63rd minute to beat a Portuguese team that seldom mounted a threat, and in their quarterfinal the Spaniards had to endure a wild, back-to-back swap of missed penalty kicks to subdue Paraguay with a Villa goal just seven minutes before the end of regulation. Paraguay’s pressure in the first half jarred Spain out its rhthym and nearly stole the match.

Coach Vicente del Bosque has not juggled his personnel much, except to drop sputtering forwardFernando Torres for the semifinal defeat of Germany. For that match he added Pedro, who distracted and confused the Germans with slick touches in every nook and cranny of the attacking third while playing as a winger/second forward. Otherwise the midfield has remained intact, though the alignment and patterns of play have varied. And somehow, Spain has gone through six World Cup games without a suspension.

The cohesion and continuity of Iniesta, Xavi, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Basquets has highlighted with each game, and for long intervals the outflanked Germans chased shadows fruitlessly in pursuit of the ball. Some fine goalkeeping by Manuel Neuer kept Spain at bay until defender Carles Puyolcrashed home a dramatic header from Xavi’s corner kick.

Spain rode out the remaining minutes to win a knockout semifinal for the first time. It stands ready to eradicate decades of disappointment against a foe bearing its own stigma of failure at the final hurdle.

Paths to the final

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Straight from the World Cup to the NYC to hang pool side with Irina.  I guess being knocked out then getting someone knocked up isn’t that bad…

German watchmakers Sinn team-up with an unlikely partner in sneaker boutique Solebox to create a special make-up of the brand’s U2 model. The professional mission timer features a German submarine steel case with certification from both the European Diving Equipment Standards and Germanischer Lloyd Hamburg. The case, components and bracelet include TEGIMENT Technology with a black hard coating. Both a silicone strap and olive Zulu textile strap are included. The watch is limited to 10 pieces and priced at €2950 EUR.

Fifa has said that fans who missed Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final between Spain and Germany because of airport congestion may be compensated.

Durban’s King Shaka Airport turned away flights after an increase in private jets took up all its landing slots.
Fifa spokesman Nicolas Maingot told reporters the governing body would look into the cases of fans affected.

The Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban was reportedly 1,800 short of full capacity for Spain’s 1-0 victory over Germany.
King Shaka Airport was so congested that even planes which landed successfully had to take to the air again and divert to the other local airport, Durban International.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) blamed VIP jets for making five flights – carrying approximately 700 fans – late by not moving after landing, therefore blocking landing space for the other planes.

Airport officials have now said that VIP jets will be towed if they refuse to make way for commercial airlines at Johannesburg Airport on Sunday.
“We are going to be more forceful. If aircraft refuse to move we will tow them away,” ACSA operations manager Themba Maseko stated.
ACSA chief executive Monhla Hlahla told a local radio station that “priority had to be given to VIPs who were caught up in the situation”, adding that Fifa planes were allowed to land before commercial flights.
South Africa’s transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele has apologised to the fans and vowed to “strengthen” plans for the remainder of the World Cup. (BBC Sport)

Liverpool’s tireless Argentinian midfielder Javier Mascherano has dropped the strongest hint yet that he’s set for a possible move to Inter, talking of his great relationship with former boss Rafa Benitez.

Arsenal are reportedly ready to reignite their interest in Juventus youngster Sebastian Giovinco and are hoping to snap up the youngster this summer according to Italian reports. Arsene Wenger is known to be an admirer of the 23 year old playmaker and hopes that the Turin club’s need to cut its costs will help him secure the pint sized attacker.

The 5ft 4in local born flair player is something of a cult hero at the Serie A club but has failed to secure a regular spot in the first team and new boss Luigi Delneri has been told he must look to offload many of his squad in order for him to be able to finance new additions and Giovinco is said to be one of many who could be offloaded.

The former Italian Under 21 international’s ability to play in a number of attacking positions could well be of great use to Wenger has he looks for more strength in depth and the Gunners boss has been given a big transfer war chest and should easily be able to afford to pay the £12m valuation.

Nicknamed the Atomic Ant, Sebastian Giovinco has a great turn of pace and has all the tricks and mastery of the ball to unlock the tightest of defences. He is always ready to supply the killer pass and could be a top notch addition to Wenger’s Emirates squad. Having been capped 20 times at Under 21 level but never at senior level, the diminutive performer will feel that if he is to finally receive an international cap he will need to get first team football somewhere, so perhaps a move to the Premier League would help his pursuit of that dream?

Previous interest from Arsenal in Giovinco – Manager Arsene Wenger has been linked with a January move for the highly-rated Juventus midfielder ever since a breakdown in contract negotiations occured between the player and the Serie A club. Reports in Italy suggested Juve were refusing to meet Giovinco’s €1 million-a-year (£800,000) salary demands, prompting speculation Wenger would step in. (Telegraph)

Manchester United are braced for a raid from Barcelona and Juventus for left back Patrice Evra.
Barca intend to add both a right and left full-back this summer and have been alerted by claims that Evra is considering his future at Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old is a key man in the Manchester United defence and recently spoke of his pride at being an Old Trafford player, but reports in Spain say he is looking for a new challenge.

Reports in Italy say Juventus are also tracking former Monaco player Evra, who has two years left on his current contract.

The Italians are also bidding to take Martin Caceres on loan from Barcelona for another season, but Evra would be a marked improvement on the Uruguay left back.
Ferguson criticised his occasional captain for being at the centre of France’s World Cup meltdown this summer, when players refused to train following Nicolas Anelka being sent home from the squad.
The Daily Star newspaper claims that Ferguson has given Evra a month off to recover from the debacle and a gruelling season in which he played 60 games – more than any other United player. (Daily Mail)