World Cup final, Spain vs. Netherlands

Greetings from Soccer City, where another gorgeous South African winter day has dawned. Over six weeks, my umbrella never left its sleeve. (Of course, I never made it to the rainy regions of Cape Town and Port Elizabeth either.) The outlook tonight: 52 degrees and clear.

Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. ET.
TV: ABC, Univision, ESPN Deportes.
(ABC is planning a one-hour pregame show.)

Insider prediction: Spain, 2-1.
Paul the Octopus prediction: Spain.
Mani the Parakeet prediction: Netherlands*
(But not without controversy)

Sponsor wars: Nike (Netherlands) vs. Adidas (Spain).

To get you ready for the match, The Post offers:

*My game preview.

*Liz Clarke's look at Alexandra township, where residents are skeptical about the World Cup's impact and legacy.

*Sudarsan Raghavan's story from Somalia, where playing soccer is considered by extremist groups to be a satanic act.

*Kevin Seiff's piece on an Afghan soccer tournament in Northern Virginia used by military contractors to recruit Dari and Pashto interpreters.

*The original list of watering holes in the Washington area, where the World Cup has been shown. (Call ahead.)

*Images of the main section and the sports section.

Okay, time for you to pick the winner:

poll by twiigs.com

By Steve Goff | July 11, 2010; 7:33 AM ET
Categories: 2010 World Cup , Netherlands , South Africa , Spain , TV | Tags: South Africa, World Cup
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Comments

No comments on the DCU game?
I know it was pretty boring, but a road point is a positive step.

Posted by: jake77 | July 11, 2010 9:16 AM | Report abuse

Wash Post is full of Soccer today and not just the sports section.

One comment on last night's game: McTavish was invisible, I forgot he was playing.

Posted by: DCB23 | July 11, 2010 9:27 AM | Report abuse

Saw the game last night, and actually thought it was pretty good. Julius James was a man, and that game was there for the taking. 2-0-3 over the last 5 isn't bad, considering how we started, and we should be happy taking a road point from a team near the top of the conference. But.....

Seattle on Thursday night! Let's get a big crowd there.

Posted by: harkes4ever | July 11, 2010 9:40 AM | Report abuse

McTavish was the guy passing the ball directly to the NY/NJ MetroStars. James was kind of shaky in defense, losing his mark on Angel more than a few times.

It's a crying shame what has happened to the Post sports section. Not even covering the home town team. Embarrassing.

Thx,

Jay!

Posted by: jayrockers | July 11, 2010 10:56 AM | Report abuse

Good day for Spain, already...

Posted by: Reignking | July 11, 2010 11:33 AM | Report abuse

Obviously off topic, but Justin Braun seems to be having a REAl good season for Chivas.

Posted by: JacobfromAtlanta-ish | July 11, 2010 1:04 PM | Report abuse

My paper copy of the Post has a good wrap-up of the DCU game. Big color photo of Perkins and everything.

Prediction: Netherlands 1-0 on a PK resulting from a dive by Robben in the box. In the stands Prince Felipe dumps his beer on Patrick Kluivert's head, and Rafael Nadal seeks solace in Shakira's bosom.

Posted by: fallschurch1 | July 11, 2010 1:05 PM | Report abuse

"My umbrella never left its sleeve."

Wife will be glad to hear that.

RED CARD!!!

Posted by: fallschurch1 | July 11, 2010 1:07 PM | Report abuse

"Everybody needs a bosom for a pillow, everybody needs a bosom. Mines on the 45."

Cornershop

Posted by: delantero | July 11, 2010 1:14 PM | Report abuse

"James was kind of shaky in defense, losing his mark on Angel more than a few times."

====================================

Huh? James and Jakovic were clearly the two best players in Black last night. Possibly the two best on the pitch period.

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World Cup final, Spain vs. Netherlands