Monday, July 12, 2010

Viva Espana!

Beasts 0 Beauty 1: Spain on top of the world as they defeat Dutch cloggers

Ecstasy: Fernando Torres celebrates with the World Cup trophy
Ecstasy: Fernando Torres celebrates with the World Cup trophy

By Ian Ladyman in Johannesburg
Last updated at 1:30 AM on 12th July 2010
Spain won the World Cup for the first time on Sunday night but the final descended into a blizzard of cards and bitterness.
El fire: Andres Iniesta fires a stunning shot past Holland 
goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg for the extra-time winner
El fire: Andres Iniesta fires a stunning shot past Holland goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg for the extra-time winner

English referee Howard Webb dished out 13 yellow cards and a red in a bruising encounter settled by Andres Iniesta’s goal four minutes from the end of extra time.
Viva Espana: Iker Casillas celebrates Spain's first ever World Cu[
 triumph with team-mates Sergio Ramos and David Villa
Viva Espana: Iker Casillas celebrates Spain's first ever World Cu[ triumph with team-mates Sergio Ramos and David Villa
Holland coach Bert van Marwijk bizarrely accused Webb of favouring Spain, despite the Rotherham official failing to send off Nigel de Jong for a gruesome kung-fu style kick into Xabi Alonso’s chest in the first half.
Webb finally dismissed Everton defender John Heitinga in extra time for a second bookable offence as Spain refused to be intimidated.
Unpleasant: Nigel de Jong was one of 13 players cautioned in the 
match, although he was lucky not to be dismissed
Unpleasant: Nigel de Jong was one of 13 players cautioned in the match, although he was lucky not to be dismissed
Their coach Vicente del Bosque said: ‘We have fantastic players who knew how to respond to problems.’
Holland betrayed their Total Football heritage and Dutch legend Ruud Gullit said: ‘It was a terrible game. The Dutch must blame themselves.’
Agony: Fernando Torres lies on the floor
Agony: Fernando Torres lies on the floor
'Dani Jarque is always with us': Iniesta paid tribute to the 
deceased Espanyol and Spain player after scoring
'Dani Jarque is always with us': Iniesta paid tribute to the deceased Espanyol and Spain player after scoring
Shame game: Nigel de Jong lands a boot in the chest of Spain's 
Xabi Alonso... yet saw only yellow
Shame game: Nigel de Jong lands a boot in the chest of Spain's Xabi Alonso... yet saw only yellow
Flying Dutchman: Holland keeper Maarten Stekelenburg makes a smart
 save to deny an early header from Spain defender Sergio Ramos
Flying Dutchman: Holland keeper Maarten Stekelenburg makes a smart save to deny an early header from Spain defender Sergio Ramos
Total violence: Spain players surround referee Webb as he cautions
 Mark van Bommel, one of five first half bookings between the sides
Total violence: Spain players surround referee Webb as he cautions Mark van Bommel, one of five first half bookings between the sides
Up and over: Spain captain Iker Casillas collects the ball in an 
unorthodox manner to upend his own defender Carles Puyol as Van Persie 
looks on
Up and over: Spain captain Iker Casillas collects the ball in an unorthodox manner to upend his own defender Carles Puyol as Van Persie looks on
Getting forward: Gerard Pique drives forward for Spain as Dirk 
Kuyt looks on
Forward march: Spain's Gerard Pique drives ahead from defence as Dirk Kuyt looks on
Last ditch: Everton defender John Heitinga makes a superb recovery
 block to deny David Villa just yards away from breaking the deadlock 
for Spain in the second half
Last ditch: Everton defender John Heitinga makes a superb recovery block to deny David Villa just yards away from breaking the deadlock for Spain in the second half
One on one: A world class save from the foot of Casillas stuns 
Arjen Robben, after the former Chelsea star broke clear through on goal
One on one: A world class save from the foot of Casillas stuns Arjen Robben, after the former Chelsea star broke clear through on goal
So close: Unmarked Sergio Ramos sees his free header sail 
agonisingly over the crossbar
So close: Unmarked Sergio Ramos sees his free header sail agonisingly over the crossbar
Total disgrace: Heitinga is sent for for a double-bookable offence
 after earning a record breaking tenth yellow card in the final in extra
 time from Webb
Total disgrace: Heitinga is sent for for a double-bookable offence after earning a record breaking tenth yellow card in the final in extra time from Webb
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/07_02/Netherlands_650x521.jpg 
 

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