guncurug

It was a well-deserved and historic win for Spain, even if the game was not one of the more artistic World Cup finals on record. For that we have to thank both the Dutch with their non-stop running at Spanish legs and the English referee who handed out yellow cards like candy. I suppose he could have handed out several more red cards and been totally justified but then Spain would have been playing 11 on 8 and who would have wanted to see that.

Nevertheless, it was a great vindication for La Furia Roja and its large contingent of FC Barcelona players who have had to live down the label of can't win the big ones despite their Euro 2008 win and Barca's success in the Champions League. Now, all is forgotten and forgiven thanks to a glorious late strike from Andres Iniesta.

Let me close by noting the remarkably classy move by the Dutch players following the game.  They lined up at the foot of the stairs leading from the award podium and clap the Spaniards following their receipt of their champions medal.  Very classy and very much in the soccer tradition.

Here is soon to be classic call of Iniesta's goal by the announcing of Spanish channel Telecinco:



and here is a link to a wonderful collection of videos of celebrations across Spain as the entire nation parties late into this morning.