Final: Netherlands v Spain, Sunday 11 July 2010 at 18:30 GMT

[shravi]

^I just read somewhere today that Sneidjer plays for Madrid, lemme check.

He used to.

 

[War]

The Dutch should let Robben play on the left this time so he can keep Ramos occupied defensively. That would also cut out a key facet in Spains attack play, given that Ramos tends to get forward alot.

 

[ZexyZahid]

I didn't a couple of hours ago that the octopus was indeed used for the final's prediction. There is a resemblance with the Euro 2008. Back then he predicted all the matches right, except for the final. So this could mean that the Netherlands would win the final.

He also predicted that Germany would win the match against Uruguay.

Page last updated at 10:07 GMT, Friday, 9 July 2010 11:07 UK
'Psychic' octopus predicts Spain to win World Cup
BBC News - 'Psychic' octopus predicts Spain to win World Cup

The good thing about upcoming final is that almost all the players are fit. So we can see full strenght teams battling for the World Cup.

ZexyZahid added 8 Minutes and 26 Seconds later...

This is pretty funny. Another octopus (Pauline) predicted the Netherlands to be the winner. Also Mendela will present the World Cup, if he comes.

However, Paul's might not be the final say. Pauline, a female octopus in Dutch captivity, has predicted victory for the Netherlands in Sunday's World Cup final against Spain.

Maaike Schroeder, spokeswoman for the Sea Life aquarium in Scheveningen in The Hague, said: "She chose the Netherlands."

However, Schroeder also conceded that this was four-year-old Pauline's first attempt at divination.

BBC Sport - Football - Friday's World Cup round-up

 

[AkshayS]

There is also a clash between Paul and Parakeet of Singapore.

Paul predicted all german games right where as Parakeet predicted all the QF's and the SF right.

Paul predicted Spain to lift the world Cup while Parakeet suggested Netherlands.

 

[Dutch]

From our World Cup Correspondent:

Colin Cockroach has predicted a 7-0 win for Spain.

Gerald "The Killer" Gerbil has predicted a 23-24 win for Holland with a touchdown in the last minute.

Sammy "Get Your hands Of My Tailfin" The Shark has predicted a sharp downturn in prawn sales across most of Venezuala.

And finally Gordon the Gay Goat was unable to submit his prediction after an unfortunate incident involving several rowdy lads from Bangor, a Golden Treacle Sponge pudding and an ironing board. A hospital spokesman said they hoped Gordon would be back on his trotters soon, once the ironing board had been removed.

 

[Funknath]

Funknath, the PC member has predicted a draw *ninja*

 

[ZexyZahid]

There is also a clash between Paul and Parakeet of Singapore.

Paul predicted all german games right where as Parakeet predicted all the QF's and the SF right.

Paul predicted Spain to lift the world Cup while Parakeet suggested Netherlands.

Yeah, I saw the news of that bird yesterday. Here I am reading it again:

Paul, the octopus who has become an international celebrity after correctly predicting the result of all of Germany's World Cup games by choosing a mussel from one of two boxes bearing the flags of the competing nations, has some competition in the shape of Singapore's Mani the parakeet.

Mani has gained fame in the Far East after picking the winners in the quarter-finals and tipping Spain to beat the Germans in the last four by selecting from two cards bearing the respective countries' flags placed in front of his cage.

Mani has chosen the Netherlands to beat Spain in the World Cup final, with Paul having predicted Spain as the eventual winners.

BBC Sport - Football - Saturday's World Cup round-up

ZexyZahid added 3 Minutes and 18 Seconds later...

This is pretty bad. Spain has been robbed. I also read that Spain wasn't happy with Webb being appointed as the referee. He was earlier the referee in the match of Spain vs Switzerland:

Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets insists his team are focused solely on beating the Netherlands on Sunday in the World Cup final, despite a burglary at the team's hotel in which some players had money and documents stolen.

"Nobody likes having things stolen but it's happened and we can't do anything about it," said Busquets. "The truth is, though, that I would swap my wallet for the World Cup."

BBC Sport - Football - Saturday's World Cup round-up

 

[khalek]

I got a feeling that Holland are gonna win this, most of the times the champions are unbeaten so it should definitely be them.

 

[Themer]

I also read that Spain wasn't happy with Webb being appointed as the referee. He was earlier the referee in the match of Spain vs Switzerland

Where have you read that? What difference would it make that he was the referee in the match in the group stages. He's been faultless thus far.

 

[ZexyZahid]

I think it was on a BBC page. Or I may have read it another website. But I am pretty sure Webb's appointment wasn't liked with Spain.

I tried to look and here it is:

World Cup final: Spain unhappy with appointment of Howard Webb
World Cup final: Spain unhappy with appointment of Howard Webb - Telegraph

 

[Dr. Pepper]

You mean two spanish newspapers don't want Webb as ref?

 

[m_vaughan]

I personally do not like Howard Webb.

 

[ZexyZahid]

I saw yesterday a small news video, where people living in Spain didn't want Spain to win the World Cup final. It has to do with the several divisions in Spain, like the Basks and Catalans.

 

[m_vaughan]

Its changed a lot though now after the Euro 2008 triumph. The players are more united than ever before.

Even then the timing of the protest in catalonia could serve as an unnecessary distraction, ahead of Spain's biggest game in history.

 

[Dutch]

The tension here in Holland is building. Everyone is getting there act together for the great final. You would not believe the amount of madness that is going on here. Wonderful to see how sport can really unite a country. There are a lot of racial problems in Holland like many countries but everyone is united in a desire for Holland to win this thing. You can say what you like a bout sport but it certainly can have a positive effect on people!