{jcomments off}There will be a new nation engraved on the World Cup trophy come Sunday evening as European heavyweights Holland and Spain clash in the final at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium.

The Dutch will be hoping it's a case of 'third time lucky' following final heartbreak in the 1974 and '78 finals, while this is Spain's first date with destiny.

European champions Spain have claimed knockout victories over Portugal, Paraguay and Germany to reach the final, and have not conceded a goal in the process.

One more triumph in South Africa's capital city will see Vicente del Bosque's men end 80 years of waiting and reassert Spanish footballing dominance following their Euro 2008 triumph in Austria-Switzerland.

Potent

Spain's defence has been breached only twice, Switzerland's Gelson Fernandes beating Iker Casillas in their tournament opener and Chile netting in the final group game. The 1-0 defeat by Switzerland now looks a mere aberration and Spain will become the only World Cup winners to have lost their opening game if they overcome the Dutch.

David Villa's potency in front of goal has also been integral to the run, his five goals so far have put him on the brink of a first ever Golden Boot award.

Del Bosque is not expected to make many changes to his starting line-up from the side which overcame Germany 1-0 in the semi-finals.

That means back-up defender Carlos Marchena is unlikely to start despite coming on in the last three matches and holding the record of 55 consecutive international appearances without losing.

Out-of-form Liverpool striker Fernando Torres also looks certain to have to settle for a place on the bench, with Barcelona attacker Pedro partnering Villa up top.

Holland also have a number of potential players of the tournament at their disposal, not least attacking midfielder and playmaker Wesley Sneijder.

The 26-year-old shares the tournament scoring lead alongside Villa and will once again be instrumental to his nation's hopes of glory.

Sneijder could also become the first European player to win the World Cup in the same season as the UEFA Champions League and a domestic league and cup double. He clinched the European title, Serie A and Italian Cup with Inter Milan.

Impressive

Holland coach Bert van Marwijk has steered his side to six successive wins in the competition, scoring 12 goals and playing some of the most attractive football to-boot.

Their quarter-final comeback triumph over Brazil was arguably their most impressive display as they battled back from 1-0 down to snatch a 2-1 win in Port Elizabeth.

The Oranje are expected to make two changes from the starting XI which overcame Uruguay 3-2 in the semi-finals.

Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong and defender Gregory van der Wiel should return after suspension with Khalid Boulahrouz and Demy de Zeeuw dropping out.

Whatever happens, one nation will be the eighth to win the World Cup in the tournament's 80-year history and the first new name on the cup since France 12 years ago.

Source: www.skysports.com

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