2010 World Cup Final Preview: Spain vs Netherlands 2010 World Cup Final Preview: Spain vs Netherlands July 9, 2010 So ... who wants to talk Hapsburg Dynasty? Windmills? Phillip II? Polders? Treaty of Westphalia? ... Paul the Octopus? Popular Video A judge looked this inmate straight in the eyes and said something that left the entire courtroom in tears: Popular Video A judge looked this inmate straight in the eyes and said something that left the entire courtroom in tears: In short, Sunday's 2010 World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain left me scratching my head a little bit, searching for some kind of inspiration. Naturally, if the Netherlands were playing Germany we could all dig up some World War II references, fire up that chapter of "Band of Brothers" where the Dutch resistance fighters in Eindhoven shave the heads of the women who slept with Nazis and be well on our merry way. Or we could have dailed up clips of the 1974 final -- the apex of World Cup hair ( Paul Breitner , Johan Cruyff, etc.

It's likely a deleted scene on the European version of "Woodstock.") -- and remembered the phrase: " Zijn we er toch nog ingetuind " – ("They’ve tricked us again".) Spain and the Netherlands? The Eighty Years War doesn't exactly have much juice aside from AP European History buffs. It's a great game on paper, but for whatever the reason personally I'm not swooning. Maybe my lack of proper enthusiasm it had to do with the non-stop LeBron James ego-stroking and manufactured hype by ESPN over the last two days, which pushed any World Cup talk to the back burner at the Worldwide Leader. My anger isn't that it overshadowed the Cup, it's the media manipulation and fawning. Sadly Thursday night I was stuck in the office, forced to watch "The Decision," which was probably the most depressing thing to air on ESPN this summer -- even more than "The Two Escobars." Not to go on an anti-ESPN, anti-LeBron screed, but it was a grotesque hour of television, ripe for mockery and derision. Fortunately plenty of independent media voices like Jason Whitlock, Will Leitch , Buzz Bissinger, etc.

were there on Twitter to make it seem a little less awful, as reality television's toxins finally wove their cancerous ways into professional sports. Never mind that Miami is the worst professional sports city in America. Or that James(*) conducted himself like a spoiled, entitled athlete with no clue about the reality of America 2010. (*) Let's use his last name. Never knew he was a Brazilian or Portuguese soccer player. Guess the media can't use that hoary old cliche in 2014 to deride the World Cup. What made me want to throw the remote into the office flat screen was how ESPN kept praising James for, theoretically, leaving money on the table. Or how he wanted to "win." When "Sportscenter" anchor John Anderson upbraided Cleveland fans for burning a James jersey ... well it made me question why I even bother in the media/journalism game. Then came an encouraging tweet from long-time reader, contributor -- Ace Cowboy -- containing a link to a video, a video that remains you why we even care about sports in the first place ... and make you pine for the day when the U.S. might make a deep run at the World Cup.

Once again, it's Dirk Kuyt to the rescue. All that was missing was a " Hey You Guys " as he rushed over the advertising boards and toward his jubilant, cheering countrymen. (Where has this atmosphere been all tournament? Oh right, covered up by the vuvuzela.) If the sight of that goofy, pale Dutchman celebrating with a raucous, orange-clad mass of supporters doesn't bring a smile to you're either a) Spanish b) German or c) an Everton fan. Kuyt guy works his ass off. Doesn't complain. Plays for both the Dutch and Liverpool wherever the coach wants. He leaves it on the field and doesn't flop. Hell, he's even married to a woman named Gertrude.(*) (*) Fascinating, now the English are scrutinizing Fabio Capello via the Dutch's lax attitude toward WAGs.

Now just try to compare those emotions from Cape Town on Tuesday in the wake of the Netherlands 3-2 win over Uruguay in the World Cup semifinals to the canned, overwrought, calculated infomercial known forever as "The Decision." I can guarantee you, too, that Chris Bosh's upcoming documentary about the free agent summer of 2010 won't have a fleck of dandruff's worth of pure, unbridled human emotion as that clip of the Dutch players and fans celebrating a trip back to the country's first World Cup final since 1978. The reaction of the Dutch fans and the team was genuine. These fans have been waiting their lives to reach World Cup immortality. Compare that to Miami, which has seen the Marlins win two World Series in the last 13 years, or the Heat win a (referee assisted) NBA title in 2006. They needed LeBron about as much as a New Jersey strip mall needs another spray tan boutique.

If "The Decision" was sporting rock bottom, then the emotion, passion and overall "realness" of the World Cup continues to transcend and remind us, that yes, it's okay to wear your heart on your sleeve and still like sports.(*) Maybe it's overstating things, getting overly gooey and sentimental or mixing issues or looking for a connection that isn't there. All I know is that Thursday night my stomach was gurgling, toxic cauldron of cynicism. That video of a happy Kuyt and the merry Dutch fans was like an antacid, bringing a smile to my jaded face. (*) Of course that's assuming you can pretend Sepp Blatter and his merry band of hapless officials don't exist. Well played by Dirk and the wacky, Dutch fans. Chunk love Sloth . Mike love Dirk. Spanish Bombs: To me, the Spanish National Team is a lot like the HBO show "True Blood." I accept people like them both, but they're not for me. Not that I don't respect Spain's technical talent and proficiency. Nor am I among the growing American chorus that find their possession-based, passing game boring, far from it.

The last two days I've probably told five or six people that, hey, this is a World Cup semifinal. Spain's out to win a game, not entertain. As a semi-nuetral observer(*) Spain just doesn't do it for me, the same way I have next to zero interest in watching fornicating Southern vampires and other mystical beings Sunday nights on premium cable. I can see why people are attracted to it, but to me it's about as appealing as it would be for a hippee attending a Mastodon concert. (*) I did pick the Dutch to win back before the tournament kicked off. Having said that, I could probably watch this video of David Villa's training ground magic 10 times a day. The borderline ESP between Andres Iniesta and Xavi make the Barcelona midfielders the most influential set of teammates on the globe. It's just ... Spain rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it's that after reading "Ender's Game" I can't help but associate Sergio Ramos with the villainous "Bonzo Madrid." Ramos seems to represent the anti-Kuyt. The entitled, preening soccer star, who thinks he's never committed a foul in his entire life. His unchecked thuggery Wednesday vs.

Germany was astounding. Go watch the tape of what Ramos did to Lucas Podolski more than once. No yellow cards there, but a ball deflecting off Thomas Mueller's arm outside the box was? Sheesh. Maybe what it all boils down to is I've never drank the Barcelona Kool Aid, you know, how the Catalan club tries to bill itself above the fray that it transcends sport and represents a way of life. How Barca positions itself as if they're specialer than everyone else. Since this Spain team is essentially Barcelona's best, it's hard to disassociate the two. Turns out Barca's pursuit of Cesc Fabregas was as untoward as any other club. To top it off, Barca's in debt, too. So aside from my burning dislike of Ramos, there's not a lot concrete reasons to dislike, or more specifically not love, Spain. They just don't get my soccer juices flowing, just so you know. Reasons the Dutch will win: * Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel are much better suited to disrupt the Spanish midfield than Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira were. * Robin van Persie awakes from his month-long slumber.

His ability to play all over the attacking third, as opposed to Miroslav Klose who was a goal box poacher, might over up space for the rest of the Dutch attackers by drawing Puyol or Pique away. * Familiarity with the Spanish players. Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Johnny Heitinga, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and van Bommel all have played recently in La Liga. Van Bommel especially should know the training ground tricks of Xavi and Iniesta since he was part of the 2006 Champions League-winning Barca side. (Of course, they may know how to get under van Bommel's skin and finally get the Dutchman's name written into the referee's book.) * After screwing up a 2-on-1 break that would have killed off Germany, Pedro has the "yips", meaning both he and Fernando Torres are now question marks. * The duo of Sneijder-man and Robben continue making things happen with limited oppurtunities. Sneijder is much more accomplished that Mesut Ozil, who was over-matched in the semifinal.

Sneijder has proven to be the master of the 40, 50 yard pass. If he picks up a rare Spanish mishit pass and looks up to see a streaking Kuyt or Robben, Spain is in trouble. * Cruyff's secret master plan is revealed. The last few days the Dutch legend, between puffs of his ever-present cigarette, seems to be taking bows for taking Total Football to Barcelona, which has now manifested itself in the Spain team. (What was Barca doing pre-Cruyff? Playing in the W-M?) Anyway, what if Cruyff's master plan all along was the build up Barca and Spain, then press a button where their Total Football brains click off and they revert to mindless, zombies who they they play for England, thus allowing the Dutch to win their first World Cup. Maybe it finally explains Cruyff skipping the 1978 tournament. (crickets? ... yeah it sounded funny in my head at least.) * No expectations. Spain is the clear favorite, expected to win.

Plus the Dutch avoided rematches of the 1974 or 1978 finals and the burden of prior dreams that Germany or Argentina would have wrought. * Bert van Marwijk dials up Bob Bradley and gets whatever wisdom the U.S. coach imparted to Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, helping upset Spain in the first game of the tournament. Boiled down version, to beat Spain, pack in deep, let them own possession, force them out wide and beat them on the counter. Can the Dutch do this? Maybe the better question is, has Vincente del Bosque learned from his mistakes in those matches? If we'll recall, vs. the U.S. at the 2009 Confederations Cup Spain was reduced to lobbing crosses into the box, which Oguchi Onyewu and Jay DeMerit flicked away or threw their body in the way. The Swiss with Philippe Senderos and Stéphane Grichting sort of did the same thing.

Del Bosque's teams have played almost exclusively on the ground this month in South Africa, but will the unimposing statures of Heitinga (5-foot-11) and Joris Mathijsen (6-feet) make him consider playing a target forward like Llorente? Again, the Dutch defensive strength is its midfield shield, not it's actually defense. If van Marwijk sticks with six players back maintaining discipline, Kuyt, Sneijder, Robben and van Persie might be enough to make something happen against the run of play. * Show-selling wizard Zinedine Zidane attends the final, furrows his eyebrow in Villa's direction -- causing him to crumple in a heap -- thus putting a cap on the complete and utter joint-failure by Nike and adidas's World Cup marketing campaigns. ... Oddly enough, the abysmal " Pringoals " ad features both Cesc and Kuyt, and one of them will win on Sunday. Reasons Spain will win: * Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg has the "yips" too, following his botched positioning on Diego Forlan's long-range goal in the semifinal.

Don't forget, Villa is still an assassin from outside the box. Go ask Claudio Bravo. * Spain possess, possess, possess, possess and possess. Xavi completes 92 of 95 passes, Sergio Busquets hits on, say, 88 of 90 and eventually they find a crack and Villa scores ... a.k.a. the formula for the entire tournament. Is it highlight reel stuff? Probably not. But do style points count in the World Cup final? Go call Jurgen Klinsmann and ask if he wants to give back the 1990 trophy? Or if Dunga will return the 1994 win? * Robben switches to the left side, takes a studs-up challenge from Ramos and finally combusts into a pile of smoldering Oranje dust. * Spain is Spain. Aside from the hiccup vs. the Swiss -- which was about 5,402 AT&T ads ago -- and grind out a tidy 1-0 win. * Dutch outside backs Gregory van der Wiel (young) and Giovanni van Bronckhorst (old) might be susceptible to the Spanish attack.

* Spain presses in the rare times they don't have the ball, forcing de Jong and van Bommel into some bad back passes, since it's like Sneijder won't be an outlet if Busquets and Xabi Alonso sit deep for Spain. * On a Dutch free kick, the lingering resentment by Sneijder and van Persie bubbles over, as they play out their best Lee Bowyer vs. Kieron Dyer impression . * Spain is the most skilled team in the tournament and the cream has a tendency to rise to the top. Final thought: In a way, this match should have happened two summers ago in Vienna. Spain and the Netherlands were clearly the best two sides at Euro 2008, but the Dutch peaked early and got out Guus-ed by Russia and Guus Hiddink in the second round. Spain as we know went on to thump Russia 3-0 then beat Germany in the final to ascend to the top of the footballing world. With a win Sunday in Soccer City, this Spain team attains immortality, becoming just the third team to hold both the European Championship and World Cup at the same time.

The Dutch are playing to erase the ghosts of yesteryear and get the monkey off their backs as the proverbial "best team to never win the World Cup." But those are issue's for ESPN's pregame show, not the game itself. However you slice, it these are probably the two best teams we've seen in South Africa, emblematic of what's been, probably, a so-so World Cup. Moments of brilliance offset my periods of controversy and inactivity. I wavered a little bit on the Dutch ahead of the Brazil game. Didn't think they had a chance. That game, however, sets them up perfectly for Spain from a mental standpoint. If they can go down 1-0 to Brazil, they can handle what Spain throws at them. Spain is going to find out that beating a Mueller-less Germany is a lot easier than a Dutch team with Robben firing up-and-down the wing and cutting inside on all cylinders. Sneijder finds a way -- like all tournament -- to make something happen. If I'm wrong so be it. Even if this isn't the lovable, romanticized Dutch of yore , Netherlands 2, Spain 1 ... Hup Holland Hup.

Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (4-2 pens) Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (4-2 pens) By Sam Lyon & Jonathan Stevenson 17:30 Commentary Now I'm never one to blow my own trumpet of course (ahem), but haven't I been saying the Netherlands are this World Cup's dark horses? Haven't I? What a result for the Oranje. They've just beaten the world's greatest footballing nation - and in my book that makes them the new favourites for the trophy, no? 17:34 Commentary The Netherlands' first win over Brazil for 36 years , then, puts them within a single match of the World Cup final. That match - their fourth World Cup semi-final (after 1974, 1978 and 1998) - will pit them against Uruguay or Ghana and promises to be a cracker either way. Bert van Marwijk's side are THE form team of the tournament, will be flying sky high after their Port Elizabeth triumph, and in Wesley Sneijder or Arjen Robben have two fellas hitting peak form. I wonder if Uruguay or Ghana are worried?

17:39 Commentary What say you good people? I'm Sam Lyon and I'll chat you through the next hour or so while Jonathan Stevenson attempts (and most probably fails) to compose himself after that Port Elizabeth thriller. So take this golden opportunity to get in touch why don't you? Text me on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide), I'm on Twitter @sampatricklyon or get involved on 606 . SMS From Luke: "Oh yes South America are amazing - but move on, it's time for the European elite to show off! Bring it on!" 606 From redandblackT: "Hope Uruguay and Ghana will serve us some football today. That last match was high on everything but the football." 17:46 Commentary 'So where do we go from here?' the voice in my head asks. Well if you thought the Netherlands v Brazil was fascinating, wait until the African party kicks into gear in Johannesburg tonight.

Ghana, aiming to become the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, have the backing of an entire continent - and Uruguay might be advised to wear ear plugs this evening? You thought the Vuvuzelas had made a racket already didn't you? Just you wait. SMS Wale Ibraheem, Lagos Nigeria: "I think the coast is getting clearer for Ghana to win the World Cup. One of the favourites just got dumped, it's African soil and the Black Stars of Africa are taking the world by storm. Bring on Uruguay!" 17:52 Commentary Spare a thought, meanwhile, for Brazil coach Dunga - who has confirmed the defeat by the Netherlands will be his last in charge of the team. "We knew when I started that I would be here for four years. It's sad, it's difficult, nobody prepares to lose." A World Cup winner and finalist as a player, I hope Dunga is not now remembered as the man who failed Brazil as a coach .

17:55 Commentary Match-winner Wesley Sneijder , meanwhile, reacted modestly at the final whistle, saying: "The winner just slipped off my bald head!" He added, referring to the fact that this was the Netherlands' first win over Brazil since 1974: "It was an amazing game. I think we showed the whole world how we can play. Finally we won, we beat Brazil!" Oh to be in Amsterdam this evening huh? SMS From Ross: "Good for the Dutch, they've always been the bridesmaid never the bride, maybe they will hear wedding bells this year." 18:05 Commentary Anyway, we know that the Netherlands have booked the first semi-final spot , what we don't know is who they will face on 6 July, next Tuesday. If it comes down to in-form strikers, you might just fancy Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez to edge Uruguay home, despite Ghana's Asamoah Gyan's burgeoning reputation . However, if it comes down to dancing skills, there is really only one winner. Don Fabio Capello take note - this is team spirit. SMS James from Adelaide: "Netherlands are nowhere near favourites.

They have had a very easy passage to this stage and their defence is so shaky! Lets be honest, this was just as much about Brazil imploding as it was the Dutch winning. Spain and the winner of Germany v Argentina have a stronger chance. I will go as far to say that Ghana and Uruguay are licking their lips in delight that Brazil did not get through." 18:11 Commentary Let's remind ourselves of Uruguay and Ghana's World Cup form to date, then. A draw against France and then wins over South Africa, Mexico and South Korea have done for Uruguay, while Ghana may have lost to Germany at the end of the group stage, but earned their place in last eight courtesy of a draw with Australia and wins over Serbia and the United States . On form, it's Uruguay's to lose isn't it? SMS From Olusegun, Nigeria: "I tip Ghana to win tonight’s cracker and become the first African team to reach the semis. They are the pride of Africa. Good luck Ghana!" 18:14 Commentary Form - famously - goes out of the window in World Cup quarter-finals though doesn't it?

And, as effectively the 'home' side in this evening's fixture at the Soccer City Stadium, Ghana might just be able to use the African support to spur them on. And don't worry about the Black Stars crumbling under pressure - coach Milovan Rajevac says that aint gonna happen . And I believe him. Twitter From siddharth248: "The World Cup truly starts rolling now. I'm tipping a Holland-Argentina final as there hasnt ever been an all-European final outside Europe." 18:24 Commentary And, people of Britain, just when you thought you could all sit there merely as casual observers - I'm going to pull that particular rug right from under your feet with this little nugget. Ghana are the last English-speaking country in the competition. Combine that with the fact that Howard Webb and team are still flying the flag as officials, and maybe this World Cup isn't quite as disappointing. Erm, right? SMS Tunde from Nigeria: "I just can't imagine Ghana losing today, I only see a win for them.

Africa, lets stand up tonight for for the real African team!" 606 From Farslayer: "Every Uruguayan I have ever met describes their country as "We used to win the World Cup." Just being three matches away from matching their ancestors must have the country buzzing loud enough to raise the Graf Spee!" 18:30 Commentary And so the time has come for me to hand you back to Jonathan Stevenson out in Johannesburg for all the team news and match action, while I - Sam Lyon - will be back on the 'morrow to give you all the pre-match chat ahead of Germany-Argentina . This World Cup just keeps on giving doesn't it? Laters. 18:35 Commentary Turns out bad things do happen in threes: Sam Lyon’s disappeared, England are out of the World Cup and Andy Murray’s Wimbledon dream is over for another year. So, people of the live text community, why am I feeling so happy? It must be the Vuvuzelas I can hear burning a hole in the side of the International Broadcast centre in Johannesburg. The Ghanaians are coming, and by the sounds of it they’ve got the whole of Africa with them.

18:38 Commentary That’s one semi-finalist all wrapped up , then. But just who are the Netherlands going to meet in the last four in Cape Town? Will they face another South American foe in the shape of Uruguay? Or will they come up against Ghana and the entire continent of Africa for the right to play in the biggest sporting contest on planet earth? Let's find out. 18:40 Commentary Uruguay v Ghana line-ups: Uruguay: 1-Fernando Muslera; 2-Diego Lugano, 6-Mauricio Victorino, 4-Jorge Fucile, 16-Maximiliano Pereira, 15-Diego Perez, 17-Egidio Arevalo, 7-Edinson Cavani, 20-Alvaro Fernandez, 9-Luis Suarez, 10-Diego Forlan.

Ghana: 22-Richard Kingson; 4-John Pantsil, 5-John Mensah, 15-Isaac Vorsah, 2-Hans Sarpei; 6-Anthony Annan, 23-Kevin-Prince Boateng, 7-Samuel Inkoom, 11-Sulley Muntari; 21-Kwadwo Asamoah, 3-Asamoah Gyan. Referee: Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal). Contributor BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Soccer City, Johannesburg: "No surprises for Uruguay as coach Oscar Tabarez named his side days ago - Mauricio Victorino and Alvaro Fernandez replace Diego Godin and Alvaro Pereira. Ghana make two enforced changes as they bid to make history, with suspended duo Andre Ayew and Jonathan Mensah replaced by Sulley Muntari and Isaac Vorsah." 18:43 Commentary By the way, if you could refresh your page I'd be ever so grateful - all it means is that you'll know the woeful *gags* belong to me, Jonathan Stevenson , not poor Sam, who's frankly much better than that.

18:47 Commentary UruGhana get in touch, then? My word, I think I’ve just hit rock bottom. Save me from my own ineptitude by Tweeting me @Stevo_football , texting me on 81111 (UK) and +44 7786200666 (worldwide) or scribbling down your thoughts on the 606 page. SMS Eniola from Escravos, Delta state, Nigeria: "Ghana need to be wary of Luis Suarez and of course Diego Forlan. The Ghana defence must have 100% concentration at all times; the midfield and attack should move the ball quickly. Ghana have a chance and the whole of Africa is backing them." 18:53 Commentary These countries have both enjoyed fabulous tournaments and for one of them it is about to get a whole lot better. The Uruguayans have impressed with their free-flowing football and dynamic striking duo Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez , while Ghana have shouldered the burden of African expectation with real character and no little quality. It’s just too close to call, this one. But aren’t they all?

Contributor BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Soccer City, Johannesburg: "If you win the World Cup for looking mega-relaxed on your way out of your coach and busting a few tunes on the way to the dressing room then the Black Stars are heading to the top. My sources reliably inform me they will play 4-1-4-1 with Kevin-Prince Boateng given the licence to roam from midfield." 19:00 Commentary Stevo's Predo: Penalty shootout 606 From simoncfc: "Ghana to win on penalties. Germany to beat Argentina, then lose to Spain in the semis. Netherlands against Spain in the final. You heard it here first." 19:05 Commentary Ghana legend Abedi Pele: "I can't say that I'm that surprised by the success Ghana have had, but I thought we would have a great team in four years, not necessarily now. I'd be a very proud man if we won tonight." Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "When you look at Ghana, no disrespect but they've only played one good side in Germany and they lost - the draw has been very kind to them.

They play some lovely football until they get to 30, 40 yards out and then they just shoot from daft angles, goals you score once every three years. They're under pressure tonight." 19:12 Commentary History beckons. No African team has ever reached the World Cup semi-finals, so it would be hugely fitting if Ghana could achieve this first during the continent’s maiden tournament. As for Uruguay, well let’s not forget they won the first World Cup in 1930 and then stunned Brazil in the Maracana by coming from behind to win the 1950 final. However, it is 40 years since they reached the last four, a drought this proud footballing nation will be keen to end today. Contributor BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Soccer City, Johannesburg: On Twitter: "Uruguay's Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan - the best strike duo at this World Cup? Discuss." 19:16 Commentary I think my esteemed colleague Paul Fletcher might be on to something there. Goal-crazy Luis Suarez is having the year of his life - the Ajax striker has scored a remarkable 55 goals in 60 games for his club and country this season.

What price another one tonight? 19:18 Commentary Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez: "Ghana are very strong, very fast players with good dribbling when they run with the ball. We know it will very difficult. We won't wait for Ghana to score a goal before we start to play the way we should be. We won't become complacent, that would be suicidal." 19:20 Commentary Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac: "This result depends on us. It is important how we start and that we try and impose ourselves on Uruguay from the beginning. We are the only African team left at this level of competition so I am really proud of these boys and the whole world now has great respect for Ghana football." SMS Form Neil: "I have just left Amsterdam centre, i.e. party central, to come home and watch this game so it better be good!" Go back, go back! SMS From Richard T: "I think it is a different World Cup from what it used to be. We are going to see entirely new faces at the finals.

Ghana are going to progress." 19:25 Commentary Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca emerges from the tunnel and picks the ball up off the plinth as Diego Lugano and John Mensah lead the teams out. The captains will read out a short message on Fifa's anti-discrimination day and then we'll have the national anthems. 19:29 Commentary Do you think they'll do a CD of the 32 national anthems at the end of this World Cup? And, perhaps crucially, do you think I'd be the only person buying it? Why do I love them so? I need answers. 19:32 KICK-OFF Uruguay v Ghana Newspapers across this great country of South Africa have been screaming their support for BaGhana BaGhana (see what they've done there) today, and now is their moment of truth. In the first African World Cup, can a team from the continent reach the semi-finals and create history? We are under way in Johannesburg. 2 mins Commentary There's a signal of intent - the 'Rock of Gibraltar' John Mensah crunches into Luis Suarez from behind to concede an early free-kick on the halfway line. Lovely introduction.

Contributor BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Soccer City, Johannesburg: "Cracking set of anthems. Hope the game is of equal quality. My most sincere wish is that both teams have a desire to win that transcends their fear of losing." 3 mins Commentary Good attacking intent already from Uruguay as Diego Forlan bursts forward from inside his own half, but his pass to Alvaro Fernandez down the right is heavy and the chance is lost. 606 From The strike of the cescy verminator: "As a Ghanaian, I'm impressed at our support from Nigeria. Never dreamed of this to ever happen. COME ON U GHANA!!!" 8 mins Commentary There's the first sign of Ghana players shooting from a silly distance - Kwadwo Asamoah shoots lamely wide from 25 yards when he should have just pumped the ball back into the Uruguay box. Wasteful. 10 mins Commentary Uruguay are having most of the ball, but they haven't created a clear-cut chance yet. Luis Suarez cuts in from the left, but his shot is straight at Richard Kingson who saves comfortably.

12 mins Commentary Ghana need to get a foothold in this game - on the rare occasions they get the ball, they keep giving it back straight away. You could forgive them for being nervous. 14 mins Commentary Uruguay plough a free-kick into the Ghana box and Richard Kingson, under no pressure at all, punches unconvincingly straight up into the Johannesburg night sky. When it lands, in the middle of a packed six-yard box, he punches again but is rescued by the referee. Shaky. Twitter From Gallacticos87: "What odds on Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay all going out this weekend, Stevo? Let's go northern hemisphere!" 18 mins Commentary Uruguay are bossing this and Diego Forlan is looking very dangerous on the break, along with partner-in-crime Luis Suarez. Another corner from the left is flicked on and hits John Mensah, with Richard Kingson pulling off a great reflex save. 20 mins YELLOW CARD Jorge Fucile is booked - could have been for either of his two fouls inside a few seconds, and the defender will be suspended if Uruguay reach the semi-final. SMS From Michael: "Ghana will do the biz against their opponents.

It will be very close. As a Brit-born Nigerian, I wish them all the luck. Go Ghana, go Africa the Motherland." 25 mins Commentary Diego Forlan is buzzing - he narrowly fails to play in Edinson Cavani, before picking up the rebound and smashing a right-foot shot just high and just wide from 22 yards. Very, very dangerous. 26 mins Commentary Ghana have Richard Kingson to thank again - Luis Surez catches his marker sleeping as Uruguay take a quick throw-in and from about 16 yards he fizzes in a right-foot drive that Kingson does really well to acrobatically tip over. All Uruguay. Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "It's interesting how Ghana have swapped the wide players - Inkoom has come to the left and Muntari has gone to the right." 29 mins Commentary Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac is frantically trying to encourage his players to push out of their own half because they are under pressure at the moment. Contributor BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Soccer City, Johannesburg: "This Johannesburg crowd is desperate to get behind the African side.

I even heard a few chants of 'Ghana' briefly drowning out the you-know-whats. But it is all about the experienced, wily and determined Uruguayans so far - with very little to encourage the vast majority inside Soccer City." 30 mins Commentary That'll encourage them - Ghana are inches away from going in front. Isaac Vorsah leaps above Diego Lugano and powers a header goalwards from eight yards, but it flashes just wide. 31 mins Commentary Encouragement by the bucketload for Ghana. Kevin-Prince Boateng races forward from midfield, pushes the ball one side of a defender and runs round the other side before crossing for Asamoah Gyan, who sweeps about a foot wide from the edge of the box. 606 From wjousts: "Wow! Somebody suddenly woke up Ghana." 35 mins Commentary My friend and yours wjousts, below, is right you know. Ghana have suddenly woken up, they are really taking the game to Uruguay at the moment. It's the South Americans who are under pressure now. Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "Ghana are a very defensive side, they like to play on the counter-attack.

From the form that the front two have shown so far, I think Uruguay are definitely going to score in this game." 38 mins SUBSTITUTION Ghana are pressing, biting into their tackles - they've shrugged off a lacklustre start and are dominating this game now. Another blow for Uruguay as captain Diego Lugano limps off and is replaced by Andres Scotti. 39 mins Commentary Half a chance, that. Kwadwo Asamoah flings over a top-class pass from the right into the Uruguay area and Sulley Muntari heads wide from an angle on the left. 41 mins HANDBAGS Uruguay try a free-kick with a difference as Diego Forlan tries to slide rule Maxi Pereira in down the right, but Forlan's touch is heavy and it runs out. Meanwhile, Luis Suarez and Isaac Vorsah are involved in some handbags, which referee Olegario Benquerenca nips in the bud. 43 mins Commentary Ooof. Jorge Fucile leaps above Samuel Inkoom, but it looks like he almost lands on his head/neck, and his Uruguayan team-mates are immediately concerned.

He gets up, much to everyone's surprise, and he should be OK to carry on. 44 mins Commentary Asamoah Gyan smacks in a right-foot volley from 30 yards and he hits it true, but Fernando Muslera is in a good position to take a fairly comfortable catch. Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "It's a big loss for Uruguay losing the captain Lugano, but you've got to say that Ghana have really started pushing them back and Uruguay's front two are getting isolated." 45 mins INJURY TIME Samuel Inkoom sends over a top cross from the Ghana right and Kevin-Prince Boateng tries an acrobatic overhead kick from seven yards only for the ball to hit his shin and fly over the bar. Decent chance, that. Into two added minutes at Soccer City. 45 mins GOAL Uruguay 0-1 Ghana Wow. I'm reeling again.

Sulley Muntari picks the ball up in the Uruguay half and there's no-one anywhere near him so he takes a touch, moves into space and from about 35 yards he hits a sweet left-foot shot that curls away from a badly-positioned Fernando Muslera and flies into the corner. Africa goes wild. 20:20 HALF-TIME Uruguay 0-1 Ghana That was the last kick of the half. And what a kick. Contributor BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Soccer City, Johannesburg: "Ghana had come right back into this engrossing contest, no doubt about that, before Sulley Muntari's strike gave them the lead. The loss of skipper Diego Lugano is a big blow to Uruguay given that fellow defensive rock Diego Godin is also out injured." Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "What was the goalkeeper looking at? We've said it before, Ghana like to shoot from distance. I just wonder if the keeper was unsighted." 20:26 Commentary Repeat: An African team has never reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Ghana are the first African side to lead in a WC quarter-final since Cameroon were 2-1 up against England in their last-eight contest at Italia '90. Twitter From majbloor: "What an absolute peach of a goal, they had it coming and thoroughly deserved it!" SMS From Marblex: "You just can't help but support Ghana can you?" 20:35 Commentary Uruguay 0-1 Ghana Well, we're back under way at Soccer City and Uruguay have 45 minutes to score otherwise they are out of the World Cup. Oscar Tabarez makes a change, bringing Nicolas Lodeiro on for Alvaro Fernandez. Anyone out there supporting Uruguay? 47 mins Commentary Edinson Cavani goes on a lung-bursting run forward down the inside right channel and he latches on to a pass from Diego Forlan - he seems to be taken out by Isaac Vorsah, but the referee gives nothing. Poor decision. 48 mins YELLOW CARD Uruguay's struggles continue as Egidio Arevalo is booked for obstructing Kevin-Prince Boateng. The great Paolo Montero would have been proud of that one.

Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "Andres Scotti, the centre-half who replaced the Uruguay captain Lugano, has already made a couple of mistakes." 52 mins Commentary Uruguay are trying to up their tempo now but Ghana's players are covering an awful lot of ground - they are doing a great job of stopping Uruguay from passing it around as they want to. 54 mins YELLOW CARD This quarter-final is starting to get stretched, which means expect more chances. John Pantsil is booked for a foul on Jorge Fucile on the edge of the Ghana area, out on the right. Diego Forlan might fancy this one. 55 mins GOAL Uruguay 1-1 Ghana Stand up and applaud one of the best players in the world. Diego Forlan gets the ball up and over the wall and when Richard Kingson moves an inch to his right it's a fatal mistake - the ball sears past his left hand and settles in the back of the net. Not great keeping, but wonderful from Forlan. 57 mins Commentary Now this game really is anyone's to win. Can Ghana respond positively to that Diego Forlan goal, or will Uruguay step it up another notch and take command?

You'd be brave to go either way. 58 mins Commentary Ghana's turn to attack as Asamoah Gyan fires in a low shot from 18 yards, but Fernando Muslera gets down well to his right to push the ball away. 59 mins YELLOW CARD Diego Perez is booked for a clumsy foul on Kwadwo Asamoah. Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "Both goals, in my eyes, have been the fault of the goalkeeper. Not to take anything away from Diego Forlan, it was a great strike, but it was in the middle of the goal, it didn't go in the top corner. It moved a bit, but what was the goalkeeper thinking? He was nowhere near it." 606 From Park Ji Sung And His Mystery Tour: "This is turning into a fantastic game! End to end stuff with some brilliant attacking moves. Love this." 62 mins Commentary Uruguay have stepped it up a touch and Ghana are not helped by Richard Kingson mis-controlling the ball and conceding a corner. Moments later Diego Forlan's wicked cross from the left beats the keeper, but Luis Suarez finds the angle too tight and can only hit the side-netting.

Arguably should have scored. 65 mins Commentary Luis Suarez breaches the Ghana offside trap, but the flag goes up erroneously, costing him a chance to run through. Hans Sarpei was playing him on at left-back - lucky escape for the Africans. SMS From TomVF: "Re: anyone out there supporting Uruguay? I was in Hamburg for the Europa League final. Having given a footballing masterclass and scored the winner, Forlan came over to the Fulham fans to acknowledge our support then shook every Fulham player's hand before joining the celebrations with his team-mates. A player and a gent. Come on Uruguay!" 68 mins Commentary Free-kick to Ghana, 30 yards out, pretty central. Looks like Sulley Muntari wants it. 69 mins Commentary He might have wanted it, but Asamoah Gyan takes it and curls the ball a few yards over. Next one's Sulley's, I reckon.

Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "Nice left foot, nice balance, but Kwadwo Asamoah goes out of the game for long periods - you only see him every 15 or 20 minutes." 70 mins Commentary Lovely stuff from the Uruguayans courtesy of a quick throw down the left from Jorge Fucile and when the ball is played in to Luis Suarez inside the Ghana box on the left, his right-foot toe-poke forces Richard Kingson to leap up and tip the ball over. Twitter From anand_ramki : "Credit must go to both teams and the managers. They sure are giving it a go! Dodgy defending is only adding to the fun." 74 mins SUBSTITUTION Stephen Appiah comes on for Samuel Inkoom for Ghana, before Diego Forlan lashes a right-foot free-kick from 35 yards that has Richard Kingson sprawling across his line as it flashes just wide of his left-hand post. 76 mins SUBSTITUTION Uruguay bring on striker Sebastian Abreu for Edinson Cavani. That's their changes all done already. 77 mins YELLOW CARD Hans Sarpei is booked for holding back Luis Suarez as he tries to get away down the Uruguay right.

It's really quite tense at Soccer City. Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "Nice movement and crisp passing by Ghana, but it's very hard to call - I definitely think Forlan and Suarez will get some more chances before the 90 minutes are up." 78 mins Commentary That's chance number one - Diego Forlan whips over a free-kick from the right and Luis Suarez gets there first, his glancing, stooping header saved at his near post by Richard Kingson. Contributor BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Soccer City, Johannesburg: "Nobody could accuse Uruguay coach Oscar tabarez of negative tactics - with Nicolas Lodeiro and Sebastian Abreu into the action he has four very attack-minded players on the park. Abreu is known as El Loco. It means he is a little bit crazy." 83 mins Commentary Ghana have already proved they have the stomach for extra-time after their last 16 win over USA. It's an awful lot to put the world's second largest continent through again.

Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "Uruguay are being very positive, they have now gone to a 4-3-3 with Suarez on the left, Forlan on the right and Sebastian Abreu, who has come on, through the middle." 86 mins Commentary The edge has gone out of the game in the last couple of minutes - have these teams settled for extra-time? And are we destined to go all the way to penalties this evening? Not long left of normal time now, still Uruguay 1-1 Ghana. 88 mins Commentary Even the Vuvuzelas have quietened down inside Soccer City - are the Ghana fans saving their puff for the 30 extra minutes? Ghana take off goalscorer Sulley Muntari and send Dominic Adiyiah on in his place. 90 mins INJURY TIME We're into injury time in Johannesburg and we're due about three extra minutes. How you feeling? 90 mins Commentary Kevin-Prince Boateng overhits a cross from the Ghana right as they try to break and it runs out of play as he bows his head. That might be the last chance they get in normal time.

21:23 FULL-TIME Uruguay 1-1 Ghana Olegario Benquerenca blows his whistle and for their second successive game Ghana are taken to extra-time as they are Uruguay are locked at 1-1. SMS Jez, Hartlepool: "Best game of the World Cup by a mile, absolutely gripped." 21:27 Commentary Here's what's at stake: Ghana are bidding to become the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals; two-time champions Uruguay are trying to reach the last four for the first time since 1970. 21:28 EXTRA-TIME Uruguay 1-1 Ghana We are back under way at the magnificent Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg. Where's your cash going? Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "The players of both sides have been making the wrong choice with the final ball. They've been holding on to it in areas where they could release it.

Then again, the game's easy from the commentary box." 93 mins YELLOW CARD Dominic Adiyiah wins a corner down the Ghana right and gesticulates to the crowd to try and get them vocal again - great work from the 20-year-old who has only just come on. John Mensah is shown a yellow card for dissent. Contributor BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Soccer City, Johannesburg: "Interesting how Oscar Tabarez had all his players surround him in a tight huddle while he made an impassioned speech. Ghana boss Milovan Rajevac spoke to one of his - but through a translator." 95 mins Commentary Diego Forlan plays an exquisite pass out to the right to Luis Suarez, but his first touch is a bit heavy and he cannot get his shot away. They remain so, so dangerous, those Uruguay strikers. 98 mins Commentary Boy there are some tired legs out there. Mistakes at the back from Uruguay let Asamoah Gyan in with half a chance, but his effort is blocked by Andres Scotti. Gyan needs some treatment on an ankle injury. 100 mins Commentary Asamoah Gyan isn't moving too cleverly, but he's back on.

Wild horses, and all that. SMS Matt, Birmingham: "At a loss as to why people say the keepers were at fault for the goals, two fantastic strikes that swerved in the air! Great game though." 102 mins Commentary Hans Sarpei is the next Ghanaian to go down, but he trudges back on too. A Diego Forlan corner from the right is headed away by Asamoah Gyan. These boys have all put in one heck of a shift tonight. Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "The match has got very scrappy, there are a lot of tired legs out there. It's either going to be decided by a mistake or it's going to penalties." 104 mins Commentary John Pantsil is a lucky boy. He seems to stick his leg out and bring Sebastian Abreu down in the Ghana area, but referee Olegario Benquerenca waves play on. 105 mins INJURY TIME Into one minute of added time at the end of the 15 as Richard Kingson punches a Uruguay corner away decisively. 21:44 HALF-TIME Uruguay 1-1 Ghana Half-time in extra-time.

If there isn't a winner in the next 15 minutes, I'm going to need a drumroll and something to calm my nerves. Preferably strong. 21:45 Commentary And we're back under way. In the stadium designed in the style of an African cooking implement, a continent's hopes are in the melting pot now. Twitter From WhoaSriLawi: "Re: Matt from Birmingham, both keepers were at fault, only by a step, but that's all the Jabulani needs to make them pay." Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "The players don't want to make a mistake and the pace has dropped significantly. They might as well have gone to penalties after 90 minutes." 110 mins Commentary There isn't much going on inside Soccer City at the moment, though Ghana are the better team and a cross from the right is headed wide by Asamoah Gyan. 112 mins Commentary Chris Waddle's right, the ref should just blow up. Neither side is willing to take a risk now, and you can't really blame them.

113 mins Commentary A ball into the Uruguay box looks like it is falling perfectly for Stephen Appiah, but he cannot quite control it and the chance goes begging. At the other end, Diego Forlan slams over from an angle on the left. Tired, tired, tired. 115 mins Commentary We nearly had our winner. Asamoah Gyan causes mayhem inside the Uruguay area and Andres Scotti's sliced clearance nearly loops into his own net, only for Maxi Pereira to boot the ball of from near his own goalline. 118 mins Commentary Kwadwo Asamoah's first corner is cleared at the near post by Sebastian Abreu and his second one is by the same player - neither got past the first man. A long throw is flicked on and Kevin-Prince Boateng heads wide from six yards. Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "Uruguay have gone deeper and deeper, looking for the counter-attack, but their forwards haven't got any legs left." 119 mins Commentary Kevin-Prince Boateng's cross-shot from the Ghana left almost catches Fernando Muslera out, but he reacts quickly to beat the ball away at his near post.

It's just horrible this, isn't it? 120 mins RED CARD Luis Suarez (Uruguay) 120 mins PENALTY GHANA MISSED PENALTY Unbelievable scenes. One of the most extraordinary ends to a game you could imagine. A Ghana corner is glanced on and Fernando Muslera cannot punch properly clear - Dominic Adiyiah has one shot from six yards blocked on the line by Luis Suarez, before Adiyiah's next effort, a header, is punched off the line by Suarez. The striker is sent off and Asamoah Gyan steps up to take the penalty, but he can only smash it against the crossbar. More penalties coming up. 22:02 FULL-TIME Uruguay 1-1 Ghana Incredible scenes at Soccer City. One penalty wasn't enough to separate the sides, so we're going to have a shootout. I wonder if Asamoah Gyan will take one.

Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Waddle "Luis Suarez was crying one minute and doing cartwheels the next - what a game!" 22:06 Commentary Fair to say Luis Suarez did the only thing he could possibly do there by handling the ball - he's kept his team in this quarter-final. Can Uruguay go and win it without him, or will Ghana recover from the hammer blow of missing that spot-kick? 22:08 PENALTIES Yep, it's shootout o'clock. Richard Kingson and Fernando Muslera, here's to you boys. Commentary Uruguay 1-0 Ghana Football jersey numbers | Soccer shirt number, position, meaning, famous Football Jersey Numbers Jun 20, 2014 Checkout some interesting info about soccer shirt numbers The reason behind the printing of jersey numbers is simple: it helps referees and fans distinguish players on the pitch. Numbered shirts were first worn in professional football by English clubs Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday in August 1928. At that time, starting players were wearing numbers 1 to 11 according to their positions on the field, and higher numbers for substitutes.

Fixed numbers assigned to each player, called squad numbers, for the duration of a competition was introduced first during the 1954 World Cup . 40 years later, The Football Association (governing body of English football) abandoned the required use of 1-11 for the starters and squad numbers became the rules during the 1993-94 English Premier League season. Nowadays most of the top football leagues in the world adopted the squad numbers system. Methods of assigning jersey numbers in football Different methods to assign a shirt number to a player exist: Assignment by football position The jersey number traditionally denotes the position of a soccer player. Despite the establishment of squad numbers, jerseys 1 to 11 are often given to the first choice line-up according to their positions on the field. Below is the traditional numbering of players in a modern 4-2-3-1 formation: 1 – Goalkeeper 10 – Attacking midfielder/Playmaker 11 – Left midfielder/wingers Because the assignment of jersey numbers by football position is a tradition and not a rule, teams are free to give numbers to their players as they want.

Assignment by alphabetical order During 3 consecutive World Cups (1974, 1978, and 1982) Argentina numbered the team alphabetically by surname. In consequence, starting goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol wore the number 5 jersey during the 1978 World Cup and the number 7 in 1982 letting the number 1 to an outfield player. An exception was made in 1982 to let Diego Maradona wore his favored 10 instead of the 12. During the 1982 World Cup, England used the same alphabetical order system except for the goalkeepers and the number 7 of the captain, Kevin Keegan. Assignment by “oversight” Before the 1958 World Cup, Brazilian officials sent the list of selected players to the FIFA, but forgot to assign shirt numbers to each of them. This is a delegate of Uruguay, Lorenzo Villizzio, which distributed the numbers trying to do his best. He gave the number 10 to an unknown 17 years old player, Pelé, and the number 3 to the first choice goalkeeper Gilmar!

Famous soccer jersey numbers Some jersey numbers became more popular than the rest through the history of football. Below are the three legendary football jersey numbers: 7 – the number seven, dedicated traditionally to right wingers (Luis Figo, Marc Overmars, Pierre Littbarski, Garrincha), has been worn also by many brilliant forward like Raul, Claudio Caniggia, Pato, David Villa, Bebeto or Shevchenko. But number 7 jersey became iconic in one club particularly: Manchester United. Indeed, many players who have worn this number marked the history of the Red Devils like George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo recently. 9 – the number nine football jersey is worn by pure strikers, deadly anywhere near the penalty area and brilliant finishers. Ronaldo de Lima, Romario, Gabriel Batistuta, Marco Van Basten, Samuel Eto’o and Alan Shearer are some of the great footballers who donned the number 9 shirt. 10 – on the shirts of all football teams in the world, there is a number that is more prestigious than all the others, the No. 10.

Mythical, this number is usually reserved for the most skillful player of the team. The most iconic footballers in history like Pelé, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Michel Platini, Ferenc Puskás and Messi today wore or wear the legendary number 10. Retired jersey numbers You may have come across the term “retired jersey number”. In football, like in other sports, a retired jersey number is one which can no longer be used by other players of the same squad. Numbers are retired to honor a player who has given significant contributions to a club or national team.

Below are some retired jersey numbers: #3 of Milan – for Paolo Maldini, the greatest player of AC Milan #6 of Milan – for Franco Baresi, one of the finest defenders in football history #6 of Roma – for Aldair, one of the best Brazilian fullbacks #6 of West Ham United – for Bobby Moore, one of England’s greatest footballers #10 of Brescia – for Roberto Baggio, the best Italian footballer ever #10 of Kispest AC/Honvéd – for Ferench Puskas, considered as the best Hungarian players of all time #10 of Napoli – for Diego Maradona, who gave lifted them from one of the poorest to the best club in Serie A #14 of Ajax – for Johan Cruijff, considered as Netherland’s best ever player #23 of Manchester City – for Marc-Vivien Foe, City player who died while playing for his country Cameroon Jersey number retired for fans In football, the fans are dubbed the 12th player because their support is equal to having an additional player on the field. Some football clubs that received strong support from fans retire the number 12 jersey to honor them.

Thus, Fenerbahce, RC Lens, Bayern Munich, Feyenoord, Portsmouth, Dynamo Kiev, Lazio or Zenith St. Petersburg are some of the clubs where the number 12 has been permanently withdrawn to pay tribute to the loyalty of supporters.

Question: When did the style of football known as "Total Football" reach the World Cup?
Answer: 1974