First Time World Cup Winner in the Making

Perfect.

That's 6 for 6 predictions by the octopus Paul.  No . . . I'm not referring to me . . . read the previous article in this blog.  The creature correctly picked Spain to defeat Germany in today's match.  I think we need to get some paranormal folks over there to measure the cosmic waves and force field disturbance generated by that underwater beast.  He's connected to another dimension.  But if he's so good, how come he got caught and is living in an aquarium tank in Germany?

Whatever.  I digress.  Sorry.

Since the first World Cup in 1930, there have been 81 countries participate. Only seven (7) have won the Cup. We have not had a guaranteed new team to win the World Cup since 1978 when Argentina and Netherlands played, and Argentina won their first World Cup.  And that's the great thing about this weekend's result. 

Spain entered this World Cup as the favorite to win it.  Brazil was supposed to be the main obstacle, and only England, Germany, and the Netherlands, were to have a solid chance at getting into the finals.  There were questions abound regarding the other "powerhouse" teams - Italy, France, Argentina, Portugal.  That got mostly solved pretty early.  As we entered the semi-final round only Uruguay was the surprise really, and it took their full concentration right up to the end of the match for the Dutch to hold on to victory, and send the men in blue into the consolation round for third place against Germany on Saturday.

Spain has never been to the final match at all.  The Dutch, twice - back to back - 1974/1978.  Runners up against Germany in 74', and Argentina in 78'.  Spain's best finish was a fourth place finish in 1950.

Nerves will be on edge Sunday.  To come to this point, this close to the trophy, this close to the truest title of World Champion in sports . . . don't make a mistake, don't be the goat . . .

I think leadership will make the difference on Sunday.  The head coach of each team will need to ensure his players are ready to be in the moment when they take the pitch.  Focus.  The players don't have to be loose.  They have to be ready.

The game plan, I hope, will be to play the way they have always played to get to this point.  Know what to look for in the opponent when they attack, and know what weakness to exploit in transition and "we" have the ball.

And shoot.

On the field leadership will be key.  The players have pretty equal skill on the ball.  The captains, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, and Spain's Iker Casillas will need to keep their players confident and focused.  The individual will need to blend into the team, and both teams are capable of magnificent team play.

Germany will need to shake off today's loss and be ready to play their game Saturday if they want to equal their place in the 2006 Cup.  But the final on Sunday - that's the match!  A special match indeed.

Here's to the teams in the final!  Here's to their dreams!  Here's to the Netherlands and Spain!  Here's to the worlds next entry into the elite circle of true World Champions!

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Correction 7/9/2010 -  It was originally reported that we had not had a new winner of the Cup since 1966 when England won.  However France won their first in 1998, and Argentina in 1978, which was the last time we had a guaranteed new winner.

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Photo Credits listed in the order of appearance:

• Carles Puyol and Spain moves on while Bastian SCHWEINSTEIGER thinks about what might have been. - From the Bleacher report (http://bleacherreport.com) Joern Pollex/Getty Images
• Netherlands' Arjen Robben celebrates after scoring his side's third goal, which would prove the winner. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
• Spain defender Carles Puyol scored the winning goal off a header from 10 yards out. - (Jamie Squire/FIFA/Getty Images)