Brilliant red

For those who havent followed Spanish club and national football closely for the last 15 years or so,Spains progress to their first-ever World Cup final match has been a revelation. For those who have,its a revelation still,but without the accompaniment of surprise. Spain should have been here World Cups ago. The best players in the world choose to play in the Spanish league; yet,Spains national side have been world footballs biggest underachievers. The Dutch,here after a 32-year wait,of course,had the best single team ever to not win the cup in 1974.

The final,should the two teams unleash their best,will be vintage in a World Cup of many firsts a first-time winner,a first European triumph outside Europe,the first hosts eliminated at the group stage. But the Spanish school of football that everybodys suddenly talking about is a model based on continuity and stability,with large institutions and long-term coaching contracts. Thats also the hallmark of their style keeping the ball to the point of monopolising possession; quick,intricate passing without stopping the ball; dominating the midfield. The key to possession football is forcing your opponents to play your game,which they,obviously,cant. That wore out the young Germans,who couldnt run with the ball and make the counter-attacks that devastated England and Argentina. Ironically,this wasnt Spanish football till Barcelona took over the national side at the expense of Real Madrid,offering Catalans,always loathe to be called Spanish,a double celebration.

Finesse and finish,however,are not the same,and Spain didnt get all their goals. Dutch legend Johan Cruyff,backing Spain for Sunday,learnt that the hard way in 1974. Playing too much and not scoring,as Spanish defender Gerard Pique fears,may be just what the Dutch strike force needs to snatch the ball once and tear through Carles Puyols Wall although the Netherlands have no spellbinding player of the 1974-78-Euro 88 class and total football now wears red.