Down Memeory lane: FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: Netherlands vs Spain

Stand UP for the C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S. Image courtesy of thestar.blogs.com

The final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, the wizardry of Spain vs the Orange of the Netherlands, should go down as one of the greatest finals.

Yes: The entire 120 Mins.

For on that day at Soccer City Johannesburg, the world was treated to a festival of what soccer/football is, can be and what it ought not be.

Yet, in those short 120 Mins, the extravaganza managed to squeeze in one of the most taxing quagmires facing Sepp Blatter and all those involved in governing the world's most watched event and most followed sport... 

Should goal line technology be introduced? Does a third referee 'big brother', you might call him, have a place in the centuries old game. A game in which Sepp Blatter reckons  that  "human error is part of ?

These questions, still beg for answers.

All considered, little wonder then; that in spite of the Netherlands  making it a hat- trick of World Cup final disappointment, the second ranked footballing nation- according to the latest FIFA world rankings, felt like, and were treated as winners by the jubilant euphoric Dutch population on their return from the finals.

Thinking about it, it is an open secret in the round world of football, the immense influence that the Dutch brand of 'Total Football' has had on the game of the winners on the night- Spain.

World Cup Quote of the day

"I bought one and went to test it, " offered former Lyon man Juninho. " The ball requires a little practice, but it is delicious, It's a poor excuse"

Brazilian Juninho lambasting those vocal about the love-to-hate Jabulani ball. Among many things including Brazil's & France's failures at the World Cup.

***Keep checking for A.S.I Sportswire's soon to be published FIFA 2010 South Africa Souvenir e-book, that will be available for FREE download on this site***

More articles on FIFA 2010 World Cup

• Clash of the Titans: Netherlands vs Spain

Arsenal's All time Top scorer Henry On going MLS, " this marks an exciting new chapter in my career and life "

Imagine, being feted as the greatest while still very much doing what you are being celebrated for. I am not talking about winning FIFA World player awards, being top scorer in the World's most famous league or even on numerous occasions earning the respect of fellow professionals and being awarded the PFA award.

These are, forgive me, ordinary everyday awards that gifted players are expected to pick somewhere along their career. After all they are meant to do just that:- Award the exceptionally gifted among the bunch.
What I have in mind is the coveted honor of being recognized as one, a player, who defined the history, path , essence and ideals of a football club. Among your peers are others who are long gone- the ilk of Cliff Bastin and Liam Brady.

The above image, part of Arsenal's ' Arsenalization'  project carried out last year (sometime in October 2009)  in an effort to make the new home of Arsenal football at Ashburton Groove have the 'feel of home' of the previous home stadium at Highbury bears testimony to this.

Thierry Henry, France's top scorer and the holder of a similar record with his 226 goals in Arsenal colors finally left Spanish side Barcelona and signed a several year deal with Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls in a move that underlines the continual rise of American soccer,  which in now boasts of stars like David Beckham and London Donovan.

For a player blessed with blistering speed, but who refused to carry the ubiquitous tag of only being  'a pacy forward',  it is not hard to see why his services and experience are still needed even at the prime age of 32.

His first task? A preseason match against Champions League finalists and Arsenal's North London rivals- Tottenham Hotspurs on 22nd July 2010.