A victory for the beautiful game

Spain, the most gifted and complete team, won the Fifa World Cup 2010 to add to the European Championship crown they lifted two years ago after beating Germany in the final.

For this, many are truly pleased even if there were others, including me, who flirted with the idea that Holland's normal high-tempo, muscular game tempered with patterns of positive tactical skills could steal the show. But, on the day, the Dutch team imploded with an overdose of unworthy tackling and overly cautious play. Not that Spain were totally clean in a couple of high tackles.

But, ultimately, nobody could argue with Spain's newly-acquired status of world champions. They are the embodiment of all that is beautiful in the game, positive thinking, variations and a winning mentality, never mind scoring only eight goals in their seven outings in South Africa. Their detractors would point to this scarcity of goals. But, then, is it not also possible to have good football with few goals?

Their poise and kaleidoscopic shifting of positions and skill in transferring the ball contrasted sharply with Holland's obsession (on the day) to stifle this rhythm even at the expense of some bone-shaking fouls.

Vicente Del Bosque was very much to the point when saying that it was a difficult game for his outfit, mostly coming from two great teams, Barcelona and Real Madrid. "We owe this victory to an outstanding group of players. These units are fantastic and they knew how to respond to problems," he stressed.

It was a clash of two footballing cultures mostly bent on forward-moving philosophies. But somehow, the Dutch put theirs on hold on Sunday and in the end the Spaniards' self-expression outdid the pragmatism of their opponents.

Above all, many will concede that there is hardly any cynicism about the way Mr Del Bosque's men play. No dependence on the element of dark arts, which has unfortunately been "elevated" to an unworthy status as a component of success on the big stage of international competition, especially in recent World Cup editions. Spain have transferred the simple principles of the Futsal (five-a-side) passing and possession game - with recycling ability - to conventional 11-a-side football.

The rest of the football world should be thankful that there is much to learn from this team with so many jewels. Many would go for the Spaniards' artistry rather than the ability of artisans under the guise of ruthless efficiency.

Thank you, Spain.