FIFA final: Spain vs Netherlands. Who will lift the Cup?

Johannesburg: It's all leading up to that grand finale in soccer city on Sunday evening as La Roja take on Holland. Both teams have played a remarkable World Cup but ultimately it will all boil down to those 90 minutes when anything is possible.

Did you know that way back in the 16th century, Netherlands was actually a Spanish possession? Well, it was in the town of Breda that the Dutch resistance first succeeded and 420 years later its residents are hoping for an encore.

Whether you're a history buff or a die hard football fanatic living on this street voted Amsterdam's most beautifully decorated, it's a shot at redemption if you're Dutch.

It's also a shot at the Golden Boot if you happen to be Wesley Sneijder and a chance to show Real Madrid what they lost out on when they cut him loose last season.

Coach Bert Van Marwijk has said his team is not afraid of the Spanish and that Sunday is perhaps the most significant day in his life - may be not more significant than for this man. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst retires after the World Cup and is looking for the ultimate last hurrah.

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"Well yes of course, we have been dreaming about this. I mean as a young boy, I followed all the World Cups and when this World Cup is held up it is a special moment. The trophy is beautiful and I have seen that moment on several occasions - Maradona, Cafu, Dunga - they held up the trophy. I remember that and I think very few players get to do that, very few teams get to hold up the trophy. So for me, it is a dream to possibly hold up that trophy tomorrow. It would be fantastic for me, for the team," said Giovanni van Bronckhorst, captain, Netherlands.

But it would take a brave man to bet against Spain. They're already favourites going into this match because of their superior technical abilities and a crackling mid-field.

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And they're all looking and sounding pretty relaxed considering it's their first World Cup final! Coach Vicente del Bosque in fact has a pretty unique approach!

"I'm relaxed and have total confidence in them. We are past the euphoria of qualifying for the final and are aware of what's at stake tomorrow. And even for a coach, this is perhaps one of the easiest matches in terms of the mentality and psychological approach because there is so much excitement around this match, a coach hardly has to do anything to motivate the players," said Vicente del Bosque, Spain coach.

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If the Spanish need more motivation, they've got Formula One driver Fernando Alonso and Shakira rooting for them, not to mention Paul the Octopus and some pretty die-hard fans!

Something about the stage is set, the predictions are done, the number crunching and statistics have been processed and the fans have arrived. It's time now for football to do the talking and for one of two teams standing on the brink of history to cross over into the list of world champions.