2010 World Cup final preview

When the Netherlands and Spain take to the field for Sunday’s World Cup final, a win for either will put a new name on the trophy; neither has succeeded in claiming soccer’s world crown before. With only two defeats since November 2006, Spain is the bookmakers’ favorite, though the Dutch have gone unbeaten throughout qualifying and at the finals. Spain was beaten by Switzerland in its opening match, and has been criticized for lacking a Plan B to back up its sumptuous, but sometimes fruitless, passing soccer. The Netherlands has reached the final despite being one of the least entertaining sides to watch, but won’t care a jot if it wins it the trophy. So how do these two teams match up on the pitch?

(Excerpt) Read more at sportsillustrated.cnn.com …