The Spain and Netherlands national teams are set to face-off in the most-awaited sporting event on the planet, the 2010 World Cup Final. From octopuses to parakeets, predictions have been the norm, and pundits have sounded-off, with the Spaniards receiving some impressive backing!

Futfanatico started things off in favor of the 'Red Fury': "I predict that Spain will win 1-0. Both teams have very formidable midfield triangles, but I think the wing play of Iniesta and Pedro will be the difference. I can't see Robben getting a lot of time or space against Capdevila, and Van Persie has been a non-factor in the tournament thus far."

Family site Hecho para Mama also gave the edge to the Spaniards, while calling for a very tough match: "My prediction is Spain 2-1. The game will go into the second half tied one all, then Spain will take it for the win. It’ll be a brutal fight 'til the end."

The Fat  Black Four Blog continued the trend, making a strong case for the Spaniards 'winning mentality': "Spain (will win). As Fernando Hierro (Director of the Spanish Football Federation) rightly pointed out, they have a new-found winning mentality and confidence built up over the last two years. With a settled side, 'La Furia Roja' will etch their name into World Cup history by being the first to win the World Cup in the Southern Hemisphere."

Futbolitas was certain to give a final score: "I think it will be a very close game but I do believe that Spain are the better of the sides and play true "futbol". It will be a very physical game especially with Holland's "do-or-die" attitude which has not garnered many fans. But I say it will be 1-0 to Spain with David Villa netting that one crucial goal. Simply because he loves futbolitas too!"

For A Cultured left foot Spain will win because they know how to raise their game to beat the very best.

"Prediction: Spain 2 - 1 Holland. Why? The Spanish have muddled through but the first quality opposition that they encountered, they raised their game substantially. They will do the same on Sunday."

Latina Lista went even further, saying that the Spaniards will win thanks to the support of Spanish speakers all over the world! "I think Spain will win by two goals because they will be cheered on not just by Spain but the whole Spanish-speaking world. With that much support, they can't help but bring home their first World Cup trophy!"

Football Corner continued the familiar trend, forecasting total David Villa domination: "Spain 2-0 Holland - Spain have yet to play very well in this World Cup, and yet they have still managed to reach the final. They never looked like losing to Germany, a side who had already beaten England and Argentina very comfortably. So it's a Spain win for me with David Villa wrapping up the Golden Boot with a brace in the final."

Run of Play stated that the match will be decided on possession, while taking a swing at Dutch star Johan Cruyff, who picked the Spaniards, not his homeland, as winners: "I think Spain will win the final because it's hard to beat a team that averages 347% possession over the course of a game. And the angry spirit of Cruyff will never let such a dull Dutch side win the trophy total soccer couldn't bring home."

Of all the bloggers we asked, only one dared to point out the Dutch as the lucky winners.

The World Cup Blog predicted "Netherlands to beat Spain 2-1. Spain's pretty passing has been easier on the eyes, but The Netherlands seem to possess the most important thing any World Cup team can have: Luck. How else to explain the Felipe Melo own goal and Wesley Sneijder's deflected shot against Uruguay, or Mark van Bommel's magical ability to tackle as hard as he likes without any referee noticing. After losing two finals in 1974 and 1978, I think it's third time lucky for Netherlands in 2010."

Spanish Football Sports Blog summarized it in a few words. Spain 3 - Netherlands 2.

UnivisionFutbol

Our very own experts took Spain to win... with one notable exception.

From South Africa, Horacio Scagliotti from UnivisionFutbol praised the Spaniards, saying that "Iniesta and his side will win with their ballet-like play. They have shown to have better weapons on all aspects on the field, and Holland will have trouble establishing their defense".

Angel Rodríguez-Valdés was categorical in his estimate. "Holland only have the great talent of Sneijder, the tireless Kuyt, who has not always been a starter, and the solid restrain of De Jong. Robben has only helped in small doses, alhough he could turn any game in a moment of genius...

... Spain on the other hand are solid in all aspects... if nervousness does not become a factor, Spain should be able to win easily. And that national team knows how to handle pressure."

Luis Picazo, of Spanish Blog Desde la Gradas, does not dare to pick a winner, stating that "both teams play very well and we have seen many surprises."

No one gave the edge to the Oranje among the Univision folks, except for Univision Soccer's Marly Rivera, who used her amateur betting skills to pick the Dutch (and she will need the money, should she suffer the wrath of her boss, Univision Sports Director Joaquin Duro, the 'reddest' of Fury fans.)

"Taking a lesson from the most popular of all US sports betting events, The Triple Crown,  I would put my money on the Dutch. Super Saver and Looking at Lucky were 10 to 1 favorites when they won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness respectively, and Drosselmeyer took the last leg, the Belmont Stakes, at 13 to 1 at the gate. So, I told everyone I was taking the Oranje when I go to Vegas, when I was reminded by a so-called friend that I always lose. Whatever."

And Spain-born Duro already stated the obvious, and as we can see in his weekly show Contacto Deportivo, apparently he risks losing much more than his eyebrows...

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