DUTCH legend Johan Cruyff expects Spain to win the World Cup.

THERE will be no old pals act from Giovanni van Bronckhorst tomorrow as he looks to end his career in spectacular style by lifting the World Cup.

THE rebirth of South Africa is almost complete, thanks to the legacy being left the World Cup.

AS CONTENDERS for the Golden Ball, the Golden Boot and the golden World Cup trophy, all appears glistening for David Villa and Wesley Sneijder as they prepare to face each oth

ANDRES Iniesta has conceded Spain will have to step up a gear if they are to overcome Holland tonight.

JUST because it's orange doesn't make it brilliant. There seems to be an assumption that every time the Netherlands take to the field they are duty-bound to channel t

AT best, there is a twitch of that droopy moustache, a brief word or two, and maybe the hint of a smile, if you're lucky.

THOMAS Muller staked his claim for the Golden Shoe award as the World Cup's top scorer as Germany secured the third-place consolation prize.

"Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought." Vicente Del Bosque and Bert Van Maarwijk will probably not be sleeping too soundly tonight, wondering if they have left any stones unturned in their quest to win the World Cup tomorrow night. Whichever coach triumphs will be etched into the annals of the game forever as the first Spanish or Dutch World Cup-winning manager; the expectations are huge, the nervous anticipation bigger as their heads hit the pillows in South Africa. Questions will be running through their minds - How can the Dutch contain the tiki-taka of Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta and Xavi, how can they shut down David Villa and stop Pedro or Fernando Torres running amok in their last third? Will the Spanish have the steel to avoid the meaningful attentions of Mark Van Bommel and Nigel De Jong? Can their defence cope with the craft of Wesley Sneijder and the high-speed threat of Arjen Robben? If Del Bosque or Van Maarwijk have exhausted their years of football knowledge for answers, perhaps they could turn back over two and a half thousand years to the Chinese wisdom of Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War', a perennial favourite for learning how to beat your enemy and win. Hey, if it worked in the 6th century B.C....

• He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks
• Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack
• Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder , and crush him
• If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him
• If he is in superior strength, evade him
• If his forces are united, separate them
• Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected
• Show them a little prospect of gain to lure them, then attack and overcome them
• The highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans
• He will win who is not interfered with by the sovereign
• Prevent the junction of the enemy's forces, disrupt them, cut their supply lines
• The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can possibly be avoided
• He will invariably conquer who knows whether it is right to take the offensive or defensive
• If you know yourself but not the enemy for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat

Ben Shires and the Wrapped Up team are back to wrap up the round in which four teams became two - the 2010 FIFA World Cup semi finals. There's a trippy recreation of the Van Bronckhorst goal with commentary from a couple of Dutch stoners, PLUS we see why nobody would refuse an offer from Fabio Capello... If you like this, join us on  Facebook Tags World Cup Pens World Cup Posters World Cup football

Not even the most ardent Netherlands fan could argue that they deserved anything more than their 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final. Spain dominated for long spells in Soccer City before Andres Iniesta scored the winning goal four minutes from the end of extra-time. Read more... A Victory for the Sport originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Sunday, July 11th, 2010 at 19:33:09.

Spain have won the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa thanks to a 116th-minute winner from midfielder Andres Iniesta. The Barcelona star converted a pass from substitute Cesc Fabregas with just four minutes of extra-time remaining, after the two sides failed to break the deadlock in normal time. The Dutch were confident of victory before the game, however Spain's win continued the remarkable soothsaying run of Paul the Octopus , who before the match predicted that Vicente Del Bosque's team would come up trumps. Football fans were no doubt relieved that the Oberhausen-based oracle was not turned into octopus paella after Germany's narrow semi-final defeat to the Spaniards, as the eight-legged marine oddity once again picked the winner. Spain are now the current European and World champions - and deservedly so - following an outstanding 2010 World Cup campaign. Copyright © Mike Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com Tags World Cup Pens World Cup Posters World Cup football