As reigning European champions Spain and prepare to do battle against former European champions (1988) Netherlands in tonights 2010 FIFA World Cup final match at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, The Zimbabwean on Sundays Mxolisi Ncube gives a rundown below of how the two soccer powerhouses booked their tickets to tonights
Team One: Netherlands
Nickname: The Flying Dutchmen
Confederation: UEFA ( Europe )
Head Coach: Bert Van Marwijk
Captain: Giovanni Van Bronckhost
FIFA ranking: 4
2010 FIFA World Cup record
Group E
June 14 – Netherlands 2-0 Denmark , Soccer City , Johannesburg
June 19 Netherlands 1-0 Japan , Moses Mabhida, Durban
June 24 Netherlands 2-1 Cameroon, Cape Town stadium
Netherlands wins group with nine points ahead of second placed Japan on six points.
Second round
June 28 Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia , Moses Mabhida
Quarter-final
July 2 – Netherlands 2-1 Brazil , Nelson Mandela Bay , Port Elizabeth
Semi-final
July 6 Netherlands 3-2 Uruguay, Cape Town stadium
Team Two: Spain
Nickname: La Roja (The Red One)
Confederation: Uefa ( Europe )
Head Coach: Vicente del Bosque
Captain: Iker Casillas
FIFA ranking: 2
2010 FIFA World Cup record
Group H
June 16 Spain 0-1 Switzerland , Moses Mabhida, Durban
June 21 Spain 2-0 Honduras , Ellis Park, Johannesburg
June 25 Spain 2-1 Chile , Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Spain wins the group with six points and a goal difference of +2. Second placed Chile also collected six points but managed a +1 goal difference to lose to Spain.
Second Round
June 29 Spain 1-0 Portugal , Cape Town stadium
Quarter-final
July 3 Spain 1-0 Paraguay , Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Semi-final
July 7 Spain 1-0 Germany , Moses Mabhida, Durban
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News