As for Babe, he has had two goals, superstar Wayne Rooney has more than one goal, enough to allow for off-site various scandals, controversy-ridden chubby little shame, the season, Babe did not selected for Manchester United reserves game list, but also the British media who have been questioned as “parallel imports”, but he used his performance to critics now speechless. Babe of up to 740 million pounds worth of only 4 games to scored two goals, efficiency and even better than Hernandez, has never played for a professional league’s players, this is a remarkable achievement. Article from replica swiss watches

World Cup in South Africa from Germany Paul Obo Stockhausen aquarium octopus eight games due to accurately predict the outcome of the results of overnight fame, including the final of the Spanish victory over the Netherlands, Spain beat Germany’s semi-finals. Octopus Paul made a career total of 14 predicted success guess 13 games, the accuracy was astonishingly high, even during the World Cup in South Africa eyesight.

Paul European Cup debut in 2008, when it successfully predicted on the German victory over Poland, Austria, Portugal and Turkey and Croatia lost the game winner. In that session of the Cup, Paul is only a game prediction was wrong, and that is the European Cup final. In this year’s World Cup in South Africa, Paul made an exception than the forecast of the German team game, he successfully predicted the defeat of the Spanish Netherlands in the final 1-0.

 Paul brings more people from outside the stadium happy and relaxed. Germany lost 0-1 in the semifinals to Spain, after the game, Paul’s name appears in many restaurants and school cafeterias in the menu on the company, out of the octopus Emperor “treason” of the anger, many Germans have chosen the octopus for lunch or dinner.

Argentina’s national team media compared Batista and Diego Maradona’s team some of the differences. First, the use of personnel, Javier Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso, these Maradona won the reuse of abandoned children age, these players are hard, with the fighting spirit to support the team, their presence is Argentina’s style has become tough, become more sound footing. In addition, the midfield, Esteban Cambiasso’s play is no longer alone to Mascherano, Banega’s play for Argentina gained more control of the ball. Front line, the staff has not changed, or Messi, Higuain and Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi, but not so on the list the location, and Batista even ordered the retreat more than 30 meters are not allowed Massey, location forward , the greater the power of Messi.

45 minutes of the time, Argentina will defeat the world champion Spain, and Argentina is very obvious advantage in the midfield. Batista let Banega and Esteban Cambiasso to help Mascherano, Argentina’s midfield looked more decisive force, more rhythm, more focused attention on the players. Under the disadvantages, Fabregas and Aweiluoya can stop Carlos Tevez, Fernando Alonso could not find Iniesta.

After the game’s rating, Banega received 8 points, the experts praised Banega in the right flank of the pass very well, he’s with a very good job with Javier Mascherano, Banega is the organization of Argentina who is the distribution of the ball who match his performance proved that he can be firmly installed in the location of main national team. Mascherano received 7 points, he is no longer the World Cup in South Africa as helpless, he blocked well, like a broom as the guardian of defense, Esteban Cambiasso and Banega given him a great help, running no more than the World Cup, but the effect larger. Esteban Cambiasso also 7 points, reviews, said the Inter Titans not radiant performance, but Argentina’s offense and defense conversion are essential for in defense, he can fill the seats Heinze , in the attack, he can give support Carlos Tevez is a rare all-around player.

In contrast, the Spanish team’s performance in several midfield a lot worse. As captain of Alonso did not know how to lead the team, he often disappeared in Argentina, surrounded by players. Fabregas is not out of step with the team, he does not know how to pass, we are unable to meet with Iniesta, who because of their friends, eat card foul Messi. Iniesta this can not be called the team’s brain, he can not get the ball, the race has nothing to show. Spain’s midfield is a strong guarantee of victory, but this time they lost the midfield against Argentina.

The Argentina has become a real team, team offensive and defensive order. Unlike in the World Cup as Germany with a clear tactical victory and a strong midfield, while Argentina’s situation in backward tying spite of its desire, but the court has fallen into chaos, not scored, no strategy, players bleak, as a single defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano isolated, the other in the backcourt defense let Argentina’s little man combination is almost impossible to close to restricted areas. But now, Argentina’s performance has been very different.

Argentina’s “national newspaper” that Diego Maradona for his Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso not bring South Africa to pay the price. In these two players, led by the Argentine team have demonstrated a very strong fighting spirit, not only has Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to keep the pace up, even Messi and Higuain are actively scraping . Banega, particularly commendable, the former Boca player steals and passing aspects reflect a strong ability on the pitch, Mascherano, Banega become a natural partner, but as time carried out co-ordination between them will become more understanding. Esteban Cambiasso of Argentina midfielder rejoin enhanced hardness, so that the tactical team is more balanced, Argentina 433 tactics can safely play, while the World Cup in South Africa, this tactic because the midfielder’s weak, totally is an adventure.

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Spanish media said the Bosque is the world’s most well-being coach, he is world champion coach, coaching the best teams in the world, kicked the best football, but also have the most outstanding player. Even Messi said: “This is a beautiful game, we have to play against the best players in the world, they have a lot of good players, this game is high on our value. “members of many world champions, together with Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez such a superstar, so the game Star Unlimited. Use the words of the Argentine media, is the “star cluster, of the past have come in the removal of Spain to make the elite, there was only Riquelme of Argentina.”

Spain has been 32 years not to visit Argentina, the other branch is also the history of the reign of the second world champion to visit Argentina, the last of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1974. Number of factors make this game become hot, Argentina Football Association announced that, despite the expensive tickets, but tickets sold out game, this game has record revenue Argentina home a new record ticket sales, ticket sales reached 70 million pesos (about 14 million euros), Argentina had record ticket sales at home home in Maradona’s first show created on Venezuela, but the income was € 5,000,000.

Although the competition is friendly, but they have played the Argentine media, “Footballer of the Year Golden Age,” “historic collision” and the title to describe the game, the Argentine Football Association said, two traditionally strong teams just let the weight of its own this beyond the scope of friendly competition, especially in Spain two months ago was just crowned world champions South Africa, they deserved to win. Bosque said, I hope this game is the best publicity for football.

Although Spain is a midnight arrival in Argentina, and Argentine league also was in full swing, but a lot of media waiting for the arrival of the Spanish team, and even Argentine President Cristina are ready to meet Spain. These are a prelude to the historic event. According to authoritative data, a German company valuation before the World Cup, Spain has the world’s most expensive squad, the team worth 650 million euros, the value of Argentina’s line-up 517 million euros. Spain won the World Cup, the team line-up value of the natural rise, and although the value of the Argentine team down after the World Cup, but Spain have increased the value of the decrease should be more than Argentina, that is, two team worth nearly 1.2 billion the euro should be no objection.

Look at two of the players, it will make people feel “most expensive” really worthy of the name game. Spain boosts Casillas, Ramos, Peek, Harvey, Iniesta, Silva, Villa, Torres and other players, Argentina also have Lionel Messi, Higuain, Aguero, MA Siqielanuo, Carlos Tevez, Dimaliya, Diego Milito and other stars. Argentina, in fact, have a “golden generation”, but Maradona could not bring the World Cup in South Africa, this generation of great players for success Bale.

Spain and Argentina are the gathering of stars and teams, many players have a high price in the breach of contract payment terms, which in itself is proof of their value. Western media said that Spain and Argentina will be the players has increased, the world seems to be no other team in star level, compared with the two teams, even Brazil can not be compared with these two teams, Samba Army leadership in Europe’s top player does not take much. Tuesday, the world’s eyes will be aligned to commemorate the river course, as Spain and Argentina will stage the most expensive, best game, this game is fantastic, but for all people who love football want to see the game

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Mourinho Inter Milan in the glorious period of success and we all know, when the madman with a supreme glory gone, Benitez during the Nerazzurri to start on the road, which inevitably bring about some needed changes. But Moratti has been introduced for players with no mercy. Summer of 2009, Inter Milan for the introduction of Milito, Tiago – Motta and Eto’o spent the three men reached 60 million euros, the facts demonstrate that the 60 million euros larger than the value of more than money itself.

And last year’s high input different Nerazzurri in Serie A this summer’s transfer battle is particularly sensible. And whether to sell Baluoteli and Burdisso the benefits to the team, Inter Milan this summer signings are actually only three items: a teenager Biabiany recovery from Parma, to old goalkeeper signed from Sampdoria Cass Tratzi and pull from Genoa Nokia bought half ownership. Brazilian genius Kudiniao actually bought two years ago has been Inter. From the “transfer market” of statistics, Inter Milan transfer netted by 44.4 million euros.

And Inter Such inaction is in stark contrast, this season the defending Serie A champion competitors move on in the madness. AC Milan after the purchase Ruyi Bu and Robinho has become the number one title race favorites. AC Milan had spent 28.5 million euros transfer fee. Rome, the introduction of Simplicio, Adriano, Castellini and Burdisso. Rome, from Juventus last moment and grabbed Borriello surprising. In accordance with the “transfer market” of statistics, Rome has spent 11.3 million euros. Serie A move this summer to spend most of the teams comes as Juventus, from the “transfer market” of statistics, Juventus in the transfer market in the spent 56.45 million euros. Many of them joined other leading Bonucci and Krasic.

And surprisingly similar to the Serie A this summer, the Bundesliga, while Inter Milan play the role of the Bayern Munich. Bundesliga lease expires in addition to recovery of the Tony – Cross, 布拉夫海德, Breno and other players has no investment. The Bundesliga title race rivals, Wolfsburg and Schalke 04 have done everything the introduction of many players. Wolfsburg have joined this summer’s heavyweight Diego and shahrakyar two, Schalke 04 introduced Raul from Real Madrid, Milan signed Huntelaar from the two players.

Coincidentally, Inter Milan and Bayern are the respective league champions, and both broke into the Champions League final last season. Two major league supremacy of reason and calm in the summer with the burn behavior of other competitors in sharp contrast. This may seem difficult to understand, in fact, in reason, to win the team itself has a very balanced lineup, the team makeup of rationalization. For those who want to make a difference this season for other teams to supplement fresh blood is probably the most simple way. Serie A Bundesliga season, the old team, the defending champion and had varying degrees of competition in the shake-up rivals, will become a new attraction

Inter Milan on August 27 0 to 2 European Super Cup defeat to Atletico Madrid, Motta continued injury absence, due to a knee injury sidelined before Maicon, Thornton back from injury; Bologna on August 29 fired coach Colomba, Magnani interim coach took over the reserve, Morleo, Gavilan, Keer Xin, Pisanu and Bouche injury. History of two previous encounters 147, Inter Milan won 71 of 33 level 43 bear break into the 223 fault, non 169 balls. Inter Milan has had three season opener San Lianping ,07-08 season 1 to 1 draw with Udinese ,08-09 season 1 to 1 draw with Sampdoria ,09-10 season 1 to 1 draw with Bari .

Compared to the European Super Cup, Inter Milan to adjust the starting lineup, mariga, Pandev replace Maicon and Stankovic played. Zanetti retracement line of defense reform to play right back, Pandev is with Sneijder, Eto’o, Milito form the strongest offensive line.

Inter Milan first tee. Start only 1 minute, Sneijder takes the kick on the left before the games kick, Samuel Closed Road header-hoisting, but was fined referee prior collision Portanova. 7 minutes, Sneijder forward pass, Milito was left rib cage closed right-foot strike after the ball go past Esposito is back he denied; immediately closed Eto’o was the arc right-foot strike he denied. 10 minutes, Garritz right-sided cross &, Eckedahl restricted by Samuel before he denied the right foot long range.

13 minutes may pass before the closed area like Sneijder shot by Viviano confiscated. 14 minutes, Garritz long passes, Lucio grab his right foot before the Diwa Yue Disembarrassing far, Gimenes slightly outside the area right foot lob over the bar; then the home team takes the kick on the right corner, Milito header rescue, Garritz external long-range wide of the right foot. 20 minutes, crossing the ball left wing Rubin, Garritz restricted Youlei the ball right-foot strike was Chivu he denied the bottom line, then Portanova Cohesion small restricted area before the right corner was nodded the ball-hoisting Cesar confiscated.

22 minutes, Pandev back to doing the right foot and long-range shot before mariga Eckedahl closed pop-up bottom line. The first 28 minutes, Sneijder behind kicking down the Casarini was booked. 30 minutes, Sneijder takes the kick on the right corner, Mudingjiayi header rescue, Cambiasso left foot volley wide of the external. 34 minutes, Mudingjiayi behind kicking down Sneijder, the referee signaled the game continues, Milito straight Sepandefu be Britos interference mariga restricted Youlei right-foot strike partial taking a trip column. At this point the referee warned Inter Milan bench.

36 minutes, trying to pick transfer mariga Milito, Viviano timely attack confiscated. After 1 minute, Esposito hit Sneijder was booked. 40 minutes, Sneijder takes the kick on the left corner, Viviano attack come away empty-handed, Lucio did not play after the point of his right foot low drive, the power was back on Disembarrassing. 41 minutes, the bottom line right of return Diwa Yue, Gimenes Road closed chest stop the ball his right foot after the shooting higher. Road-point then Pandev, Sneijder long-range right foot fell to the ground by Viviano confiscated. 44 minutes, crossing the ball to be Portanova Eto’o sharp top diving header to Viviano. The first 45 minutes, Sneijder takes the kick right-foot strike closed slightly before the free kick over the bar. Diwa Yue and then both were injured when a header Samuel Zheng Ding, Samuel face covered in blood. End of the game the first half, Inter Milan 0 to 0 draw with Bologna temporarily.

The second half, neither of personnel adjustments. 47 minutes ago Eckedahl restricted long-range wide of the right foot. After 1 minute, Pandev crossing the ball right-sided, Milito restricted area before the right-foot strike was Viviano confiscated. 51 minutes, Zanetti first to the foot rescue, Gimenes foot left foot kicking down Zanetti received too late. Milito then go past the right side after the cross & Rubin, Pandev Road diving header was Viviano confiscated. 54 minutes after Eto’o left wing cross & go past Esposito, Viviano double boxing out, Pandev intercepted the ball, slightly larger than the ball out of bounds Sneijder; then closed before the left foot away Sneijder Shepian out.

59 minutes, Eto’o restricted long-range right foot before he denied the bottom line is Britos. Sneijder then closed the left side of his right foot before the long-range flying by Viviano saved. After 1 minute, Mudingjiayi foul was a yellow card. 63 minutes, Garritz right-sided cross &, Gimenes restricted left side with a header header was saved by Cesar confiscated. 69 minutes, Milito back to doing the right foot box with long-range mariga he denied being Mudingjiayi bottom line. The first 73 minutes, Garritz pushed Eto’o, Sneijder takes the kick before the restricted area on the left top angle direct free kick right foot shot was flying single-boxing out of Viviano.

The 74th minute, Eto’o on the left cross &, Kudiniao Youlei stop the ball once again cross & Eto’o small closed Rd bounce right foot hit the crossbar inside relevant statistic procedures. Then mariga retaliation  was booked. 76 minutes, Sneijder forward pass, Closed Road unmarked Eto’o has been hesitant to back the ball Disembarrassing. Then a dramatic court scene, Bologna agent coach trying to replace Mudingjiayi appearance, he was captain Diwa Yue refused.

88 minutes, Casarini pull Lucio was booked. Sneijder then right foot long shots, Viviano fighting sell, Cambiasso was injured trying to Qiangdian Viviano. The first 95 minutes, Zanetti was hit by Casarini, Sneijder free kick was Portanova takes the kick he denied the bottom line. Samuel then kicking down the Diwa Yue, Diwa Yue takes the kick free kick by Cesar confiscated. Overall end of the game, Inter Milan 0 to 0 draw with Bologna away. Inter Milan match Beijing at 0:00 on the on September 12 at home against Udinese.

Starting lineup:

Bologna (451):

Goalkeepers: 1 – Viviano

Defenders: 16 – Esposito, 13 – Portanova, 6 – Britos, 19 – Rubin

Midfielders: 20 – Gimenes (68 minutes 65 ), 32 – Casarini, 26 – Mudingjiayi, 12 – Eckedahl (61 minutes 7 – de la Rocha), 8 – Garritz (90 minutes 77 )

Forwards: 9 – Diwa Yue

Bench: 22 – Lupatelli, 7 – de la Rocha, 18 – Moraes, 21 – Cherubini, 35 – Paponi, 65 , 77

Inter Milan (4231):

Goalkeepers: 1 – Cesar

Defenders: 4 – Javier Zanetti, 6 – Lucio, 25 – Samuel, 26 – Chivu

Midfielders: 17 – mariga, 19 – Esteban Cambiasso / 27 – Pandev (60 minutes 29 – Kudiniao), 10 – Sneijder, 9 – Eto’o

Forwards: 22 – Milito (81 minutes 88 – Biabiany)

Substitute players: 5 – Stankovic, 23 – Marco Materazzi, 12 – Custer Lacy, 39 – Thornton, 2 – Cordoba, 29 – Kudiniao, 88 – Biyabiya Nepal

Referee: Varelli

Squillaci early in the 03-04 season Champions League, his team’s performance in Monaco, on a very eye-catching, the way he had to help Monaco to kill Chelsea, Real Madrid into the final cut, final regret runner-up. In 2006 after switching to French hegemony in Lyon, but also with the team got together with two French league titles. Squillaci joined Sevilla in 2008 so far, also plays a critical role in the team.

With William Gallas, Campbell, Sylvester and defender Senderos four have left the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal defense was once caught in a situation no one is available. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was very anxious to sign 约斯奎拉奇 gunmen to lay down the heart of a big stone.

“For me, this is an exciting move. Wenger is a respected coach, I look forward to working with him.” After signing the Squillaci told Arsenal’s official website told “I learned from some of the Arsenal team of the situation.”

For Squillaci welcome to join Arsene Wenger said: “Sebastian (Squillaci) can enhance the strength of the team’s lineup. He is fast, also very experienced and aggressive competition. His arrival allows the defense team more options. ”

Although the French Tetsuei from Friday began training together with Arsenal, but the state because he does not appear in Saturday’s Premier League match. New season, Squillaci will wear jersey No. 18 gunmen. At the same time, so Wenge Xin Wei is not represented in Seville because Squillaci and the Champions League qualifying, he could play for Arsenal this season, played in the Champions League.

The Reds’ European campaign begins at home to either Rabotnicki of Macedonia or Armenian side Mika on 29 July.

World Cup finalists Fernando Torres, Jose Reina, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel do not return until after that first leg.

Hodgson added medical staff told him it would be “very foolhardy” to risk any of the other seven due back next week.

Hodgson was already planning for the tie without Spain’s World Cup winners Torres and Reina and beaten Dutch finalists Kuyt and Babel.

Liverpool’s England contingent of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson, Denmark’s Daniel Agger and Slovakia’s Martin Skrtel are all expected back at training over the coming days, while Argentina duo Javier Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez are due back by 26 July.

Hodgson, though, has strongly indicated he will resist the temptation to use any of these players for his first competitive test in his new job.

Speaking from his squad’s pre-season training camp in Switzerland, the former Fulham boss added: “If we feel we are endangering our chances of doing well in the Premier League by risking players in the early stage of the Europa League, it will be a decision the club will have to take. You have to follow the guidance.”

Serbia striker Milan Jovanovic, who became Hodgson’s first signing from Standard Liege earlier in July, will be available for selection.

And the 62-year-old coach claimed that any other fresh arrivals “would become important for the Europa League”.

On Saturday, a friendly against Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal was called off because of heavy rain, meaning Hodgson’s first game in charge will come against Grasshoppers of Zurich, a club he managed over 10 years ago.

Hodgson then takes his team to Germany where they face Kaiserslautern on 24 July.

Sandwiched in between both legs of their European opener, Liverpool return to Germany for another friendly away against Borussia Monchengladbach on 1 August.

And a fortnight later, the Merseysiders kick off their Premier League season at home to Arsenal.

Last season the Reds finished a disappointing seventh in the table, meaning that they failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 2003-2004 campaign.

An estimated one million people lined a five-mile route in the Spanish capital as the team paraded in an open-top bus.

Captain Iker Casillas had earlier carried the trophy down the steps of the plane as the squad made a triumphant return from South Africa.

The players then went on to meet Spain’s royal family and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

And the celebrations concluded with the bus parade that snaked through the heart of Madrid, as firefighters hosed down fans sweltering in 40C temperatures and Spanish air force fighter jets flew overhead trailing the colours of the national flag.

The parade came to a halt at the esplanade near the Puente del Rey, where the festivities continued.

European champions Spain won the World Cup for the first time thanks to Andres Iniesta’s extra-time winner against the Netherlands in Johannesburg on Sunday.

During the celebrations on Monday night, some team-mates forced Cesc Fabregas to briefly wear a Barcelona shirt as they stood on stage in front of supporters.

The Barcelona defenders grabbed the Arsenal midfielder, who has been linked with a return to the Nou Camp where he played as a teenager, and managed to pull the shirt over his head.

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos and Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina had been at the centre of the players’ celebrations on the team bus as the parade inched its way down Madrid’s Gran Via.

Once the whole 23-man squad plus the coaching and backroom staff made their way onto the stage, various members of the party spoke to the assembled supporters.

Coach Vicente del Bosque said at a brief presentation: “This cup, this triumph is for all of you, and for the whole Spanish football factory.”

Casillas, the Real Madrid goalkeeper, said: “I don’t know what to say, only that I’m delighted to be here with you. We (the players) have achieved the dream that we’ve all had since we were small.”

Coach Del Bosque added: “It’s not only winning but how you win, and that’s what these players have done, they are an example to all.

“Thanks for all the support you’ve sent to us in South Africa, you are also world champions.”

Iniesta held a toy octopus in reference to Paul, the sea creature based in a German aquarium made famous for correctly predicting winning teams during the World Cup, including Spain in the final.

“Thanks to the octopus we are champions,” he joked.

The gifted playmaker added: “I only want to say that you should be proud of this group. They’re the best. I’m very proud to be part of them.”

Many fans made the trip to Madrid’s Barajas Airport to greet the returning heroes.

The flight landed at 1338 local time with Spanish flags flying from the cockpit windows and two fire engines making a guard of honour with their jet streams.

The plane was emblazoned with the words ‘Campeones’ (Champions) and ‘Orgullosos de nuestra seleccion’ (Proud of our squad).

Casillas, who was in floods of tears after the final whistle at the Soccer City Stadium on Sunday night, again appeared to be on the verge of crying as he led his team across the tarmac to a waiting coach.

They were taken to a nearby hotel to eat and rest before heading to the Royal Palace for a reception with the Spanish royal family.

King Juan Carlos was accompanied by his wife, Queen Sofia, his eldest daughter, Princess Elena, and his son Prince Felipe and his wife Letizia.

“Thank you champions, in the name of all of Spain and all Spaniards,” he said after personally greeting each of the players.

“This is a well deserved victory for an exceptional team which thrilled the hearts of all Spaniards. You brought together all Spaniards, made our dreams a reality and projected the name of Spain around the world.”

The squad then moved on to the Moncloa Palace to be greeted by Prime Minister Zapatero, who singled out match-winner Iniesta for special praise.

Immediately after scoring the winning goal, the 26-year-old had taken off his Spain shirt to reveal a white T-shirt bearing the message: “Dani Jarque: always with us”.

Jarque collapsed and died at the age of 26 in August 2009 following a training session with his Espanyol team.

“He represents like no-one else good football and human qualities,” Zapatero said of Iniesta. “I want to make a special mention of somebody who yesterday remembered someone who is no longer with us when he scored the winning goal.

“There is no better role model for our youths, given his talent and personal qualities. Thank you Iniesta for remembering Dani yesterday during an unforgettable day for Spain.”

While the celebrations continued across Spain, the Dutch team were also given special treatment as they returned home on Monday and were escorted through Dutch airspace by two fighter jets, one of them orange.

The squad met Queen Beatrix at her palace in The Hague in the morning, followed by a boat tour through Amsterdam’s canals and a party in the city’s Museum Square.

“It’s a little bit strange to stand here now, we haven’t quite overcome the disappointment yet,” said coach Bert van Marwijk.

It reminded me of an incident in Dortmund four years ago after Germany had been knocked out of the tournament at the same stage by Italy. A German journalist walked past my desk within minutes of the final whistle, looked at some statistics of the game on a television screen and told me dispassionately that the best team had won.

I asked Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer on Wednesday what he thought of the match. The 24-year-old simply replied: “Spain was the better team today.”

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff was slightly more expansive. “You saw in the match how strong Spain are and how well they keep the ball,” said the former Germany striker. “We did not find our rhythm or the system to break down their very well-organised team and, at the end of the day, I thought it was a deserved victory for Spain.”

Germany should be applauded for their contribution to this competition. They swept aside both England and Argentina in the knock-out stage and introduced three stars to the global stage in Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira and Thomas Mueller, who was unfortunately suspended for Wednesday’s game.

But I felt that the Germans played slightly into Spain’s hands by sitting too deep and hoping to strike on the counter attack. They looked hesitant and uncertain. Bierhoff suggested they lacked experience at crucial moments.

Neuer added: “We wanted to be strong in defence and make fast breaks but Spain were good in defence and did not let us. We maybe showed Spain too much respect.”

Spain were the better team and deserved their victory after producing a more fluid performance than we have seen in most of their previous games in South Africa. They had 13 shots at goal, with five on target. Germany, who lost 1-0 to Spain in the Euro 2008 final, managed only two on target from five attempts.

With Pedro selected ahead of the out-of-form Fernando Torres, there was more energy to Spain’s play and better interchange in midfield. The tiki-taka passing game that Paraguay successfully stifled for so long in the previous round was up and running again.

Even so, Spain’s dominance for long periods did not produce many clear-cut openings and Vicente Del Bosque’s side have now won their last three games 1-0.

I thought Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso shed a lot of light on his team’s performance when he said: “We have seen when Germany have gone ahead in games that they have often scored again on the counter attack and we were really concerned about that.”

It explains why Spain were prepared to remain patient for so long, scoring the decisive goal through Carles Puyol, who found the net with header from a corner on 73 minutes.

It might not have been the sort of goal you would necessarily expect from this Spain team but it was nonetheless well-worked, with both Puyol and fellow defender Gerard Pique making a similar run and creating a two-against-one situation.

“We knew it might be the small details that make the difference,” said goalkeeper Pepe Reina. “So we have been practising these sorts of things for the entire tournament.”

A victory for Germany would have set up a final against the Netherlands that would have been rich in historical significance and rivalry. Germany’s victory over Johann Cruyff’s team in the 1974 final is known as “De moeder aller nederlagen” (the mother of all defeats) in the Netherlands. Subsequent matches have been brutal, spicy affairs that have often degenerated into unseemly contests.

I was at their last encounter at a major tournament, a 1-1 draw in Porto at Euro 2004. The atmosphere was sensational, the sort that can only be produced by the weight of history, and would have helped to create a thrilling final in Johannesburg.

In contrast, Spain against the Netherlands is the final with no history. Spain are at their 13th World Cup, the Netherlands their ninth, but remarkably they have never played each other in a major tournament.

All of the Spanish players I spoke to after Wednesday’s game expressed an admiration for the Dutch and are expecting a very tough match at Soccer City.

“I have seen most of Holland’s games,” added Alonso. “They have a solid team with good quality. They work well and are strong in attack. We are expecting a tough game. Physical, technical, tactical – they are a very complete team.”

I asked Neuer who he thought would win the final. Almost immediately he said: “Spain.” German coach Joachim Loew agreed with his goalkeeper. “Spain are a wonderful team,” he said. “They are the masters of the game. You can see it in every pass. They can hardly be beaten. They are extremely calm and convincing.”

This current Spain team, the Euro 2008 champions, stand on the brink of greatness. But whatever happens, history will be made on Sunday. It will be the first World Cup final that does not involve one of Brazil, Argentina, Italy or (West) Germany.

And it means that the first World Cup in Africa will have a new winner, the eighth and the first since France lifted the trophy in 1998. That, surely, must be a good thing.