MATCH THREAD - Spain 1 vs Holland 5 - Group B - 8PM KO (UK Time) - Friday 13th June

ijjysmith · June 13, 2014

vs

Spain begin the defence of their World Cup crown with a fully-fit squad from which to choose.

Brazil-born striker Diego Costa has recovered from the injury problems that blighted the end of his club season.

Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal is expected to start with the 5-3-2 formation he has trialled in their warm-up matches.

Jonathan de Guzman is fit again after a hamstring injury, while Wesley Sneijder is in line to win his 100th cap.

Striker Robin van Persie is due to start despite being troubled by fitness problems with his groin and knee during Manchester United's campaign.

"The last few days I have trained fully and so have no more problems," Van Persie said.

"I am ready for it. Besides, for six years I have been playing with aches and pains, there is always something and I have learned to live with it.

SMITHY'S PREDICTION: Spain 2 Holland 1

Eric Djemba-Djemba · June 13, 2014

A standard 1-0 Spain win.

toffee matt · June 13, 2014

Tika Taka to stink the place out again.

And cause plenty of arguing on the forum

Mikey_Fitzgerald · June 13, 2014

Eric Djemba-Djemba said:
A standard 1-0 Spain win.

I agree

Billy Dean · June 13, 2014

Going for a draw here. Spain are slow starters.

ijjysmith · June 13, 2014

I tell you what, I'm not half having trouble finding badges!

Billy Dean · June 13, 2014

toffee matt said:
Tika Taka to stink the place out again.

And cause plenty of arguing on the forum

think it's unfair to have a go at Tiki Taka generally. At Barcelona Tiki Taka was exhilirating. It's Del Bosque who makes the Spaniards dull by picking 2 def mids and playing Xavi further up. It's not the fault of the philosophy itself.

Fuleco · June 13, 2014

Hope it's a better game than 4 years ago.

Dutch Toffee · June 13, 2014

Just for the sake of patriotism, 1-2 for the boys in Orange!

Mikey_Fitzgerald · June 13, 2014

Holland 74 played Tiki Taka to be fair and that was entertaining. The difference to Spain, possibly to their detriment, was they'd always be looking to score. It meant they would beat Argentina 4-0 but it would also mean that they could lose against teams like Germany as they didn't know when to hold back.

Spain just keep passing it until they find an opening and when they get the goal they need, they just shut up shop. Great for them and their fans of course as it's seen them win 3 trophies, but it's dull as dishwater for the neutral

I know every team can't be Brazil 1970 and be both exciting and also winners, but I'd wish people were honest about this Spain team. If they said "yeah, we're dull, but we don't care, it's all about results", I'd respect them a lot more. What annoys me is that they present themselves as this amazing side and their fanboys fall over themselves at every turn about how wonderful it is to see such techinical football and how you're some sort of football philestine for not liking it.

Sorry, I find it incredibly boring. I want swashbuckling action and attacking back and forth football, especially from the proposed best team in the World

ijjysmith · June 13, 2014

Dutch Toffee said:
Just for the sake of patriotism, 1-2 for the boys in Orange!

I have a few questions mate:

How are Holland shaping up? Any hope of a bust up? I do like a Dutch squad bust up in a tournament.

Which is best to use, Holland or Netherlands?

Will you be wearing Orange if Spain wear red?

Elong · June 13, 2014

Good luck to Holland, much rather see them win.

Mikey_Fitzgerald · June 13, 2014

ijjysmith said:
I have a few questions mate:

How are Holland shaping up? Any hope of a bust up? I do like a Dutch squad bust up in a tournament.

Which is best to use, Holland or Netherlands?

Will you be wearing Orange if Spain wear red?

This does seem to happen quite a lot doesn't it?

The way I see it though, can you imagine if you got 22 avant garde artists in a room and asked them to work together on one project? It'd be bedlam

Dutch Toffee · June 13, 2014

ijjysmith said:
I have a few questions mate:

How are Holland shaping up? Any hope of a bust up? I do like a Dutch squad bust up in a tournament.

Which is best to use, Holland or Netherlands?

Will you be wearing Orange if Spain wear red?

Shaping up 3-5-2 by the looks of it.
Cillissen
Janmaat-De Vrij-Vlaar-Indi-Blind
De Jong-De Guzman
Sneijder
Van Persie-Robben

If it's gonna happen, I predict Huntelaar. Not happy to be on the bench again.

I really don't care. Always use Holland myself when conversating in English though.

FCBarça · June 13, 2014

Mikey_Fitzgerald said:
Spain just keep passing it until they find an opening and when they get the goal they need, they just shut up shop. Great for them and their fans of course as it's seen them win 3 trophies, but it's dull as dishwater for the neutral

You leave the impression that Spain aren't interested in open football or try to park the bus if they nick a goal, it's absolutely fiction on your part...Spain always look to score