A considered opinion

In reply to my post about Spain’s game against Germany, Dave wrote:-

Hi Keith. Football's a game of skill, craft and guile therefore predictions are all part of it (as with any sport). You should ask Mr William Hill or Mr Paddy Power whether people shouldn't make predictions!! It's when you incorrectly predict a score and don't have the ability to recognise that you got it wrong, when the problems occur.
I genuinely thought the Germans would beat the Spanish, and I don't know how the game went because I was at a (brilliant) Crosby, Stills and Nash concert last night, but fair's fair, the Spanish are through. Well done!

Honestly, I think Spain will now beat Holland on Sunday. However, my heart wants the Dutch to win because of two things: Firstly, I spent time in NL as a child as one of my Dad's best friends is Dutch, and secondly, if the Dutch win then the tournament would not have gone along with everybody's expectations (ie. a Spain win) and that would be great - if there's one thing that destroys sport for the neutral (but not the player / team involved), it's predictability. Of course, when your own team is involved you just want to win, but when the final is between two people or teams that you have no allegiance to, then it's nice to see a different outcome form time to time. A Dutch win would add a bit of that in my opinion.
I'm not supporting Holland because I want to see your team lose, but nevertheless, come on 'The Oranje'!!

Either way, it is a final between two teams who have huge potential but haven't quite hit top gear yet. Let's hope they both reach top gear on Sunday and provide a finale fitting for such a tournament. However, I fear that because of the nature of the game (ie. the world's biggest football match), each team will be trying hard not to lose (rather than to actually win), therefore it will be a scrappy, low scoring affair. This then comes full circle as to why I thought (and wanted) the Germans to win. They were the only team to show any kind of attacking impetus during the World Cup knock-out stages but it wasn't to be.

One thing's for sure though, you should join in the prediction thing - it's fun, I promise!!

PS. your firework comment shows that you have actually predicted Spain will win - be careful ;)
Good luck on Sunday.

Dave knows more about the beautiful game than anyone else I have met so I totally respect his opinion.  Most people had Germany favourites for the game between them and Spain but things did not work out that way.

I hope the game on Sunday isn’t scrappy and that who ever gets to lift the trophy shows that they deserve the honour on the night.

As for going to see Crosby, Stills and Nash – I would have made the same choice in the blink of an eye. I can only imagine how brilliant the concert was.