Spain euphoric as World Cup champions

JOHANNESBURG: Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque saluted his nation’s first World Cup triumph as a deserving reward for their commitment to playing the Beautiful Game.

Andres Iniesta’s 116th-minute strike ensured the European Champions finally overcame Holland in a final that was enthralling but partially disfigured by the intimidating tactics employed by the Dutch as they attempted to knock their opponents out of their elegant stride.

“The final is a reward for beautiful football,” said Del Bosque. “Spain, the country, deserves this triumph. This goes beyond sport. We have to celebrate and are delighted to be able to offer this victory to all the people of Spain.”

The Spanish coach graciously side-stepped questions about the tactics deployed by the Dutch, who had centreback Johnny Heitinga sent off and seven other players booked by English referee Howard Webb.

“Holland played a good game. It was an even, balanced match. Yes it was rough at times but that is part of football,” added Del Bosque.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk defended his players’ approach, which resulted in him being accused of betraying the legacy of great Dutch sides of the past. “We knew that we would really have to have a top day to beat Spain and tactically we did a good job. For the major part of the match we were in a good position.”

Marwijk acccepted that the the high card count - Spain also had five players booked - was “regrettable for a final.”

But he added, “It is not our style but then again you play a match to win. It is a World Cup final and there is a lot of emotion - you saw that at the end of the match.”

“I would have loved to win the match, even with not so beautiful football.”

Had it gone to penalties that might have happened. As it was, Iniesta was set free by substitute Cesc Fabregas’s pass and hammered in an unstoppable shot to ring the starting bell for the mother of all fiestas.

It was a painful blow for a Dutch side that had hoped to eradicate memories of the country’s defeats in the 1974 and 1978 finals.

“To lose a final with four minutes to go, it leaves you with a very bitter feeling,” said van Marwijk. “Even with 10 men I thought it would be possible to get to penalties.”

Marwijk admitted however that Spain had deserved their victory over the 120 minutes, although he could only reflect on what might have been had Arjen Robben taken either of the two great chances he had in the second half of regulation time.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13^th, 2010.