Viva Espana!

A World Cup that might become more well known for an African horn, poor officiating, and the last World Cup without some of video replay ended on Sunday. The chippy, and some would say dirty, Netherlands fell to a stronger, swift passing Spain side 1-0. It wasn’t easy for either team. Spain’s Sergio Ramos missed a quality chance as he headed it over the crossbar. Arjen Robben of the Dutch had karma come back on him twice for all of those dives he’s taken in his career, he missed two near breakaways. It was Andres Iniesta that clutched up when it mattered, and it was a play by a player who was supposed to have a much bigger tourney, but still came through when it mattered the most, Fernando Torres.

There was no breakthrough performance this World Cup, not many wondergoals, no magic from Ronaldo, Baggio, Owen, or Ronaldinho. Lionel Messi although he didn’t find the back of the net like he’d like to do, was still a maestro of distribution and service. But, you still can’t sit back and say, wow, this was his tourney, the World has now noticed. Just the opposite actually, big names like Rooney, and Ronaldo might actually be better known now for choking.

Nonetheless, the streets of Madrid are likely bustling with excitement, and La Ramblas probably is still hosting an all day and night party. Spain becomes the first team since Germany (1974) to win the World Cup as reigning European Champions. And, you know what? They deserve it.