Dutch legend Johan Cruyff has revealed his true colours ahead of the World Cup 2010 final by declaring that a victory for Spain, and not Holland, would give him great joy.

Cruyff, who helped to pioneer the philosophy of 'Total Football' as part of the Holland team that were defeated World Cup finalists in 1974, has long been associated with Spain having represented Barcelona as both a player and manager and has since taken up permanent residence in the Catalan city.

The current Catalonia national team coach attributes his allegiance to the European champions on account of the superiority of their attacking style of football which he believes will give them the advantage in Sunday's final.

Cruyff said: "I am Dutch but I will always defend the football Spain play.

"If you play attacking football, like Spain do, you have more chances of winning. And if you try to play on the counter against a team that really wants the ball, you deserve to suffer.

"The fact is that if you try to outplay Spain, they will kill you and Holland now know they face the best team in the world.

"When you look at Spain, you see Barcelona, you see Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and Pedro in midfield, players who want the ball but then will put pressure on high up the pitch to win it back.

"Now, deservedly, Spain are in the Final, a match that is only about winning, as I know. Spain have a great footballing generation, who may never get another chance like this."

The three-time Ballon d'Or winner, who scored 33 goals in 48 appearances for his country, remains a strong advocate of a particular brand of football that many observers have reported absent during Holland's progression to the final with Spain currently holding the title of pass masters.

"I know the whole of Holland wanted to play Germany in the Final, because they fear Spain will simply keep the ball for 90 minutes. Their only chance is if Spain fail to take their opportunities, like they did against Germany," Cruyff added.

"It is Spain's game to lose but I will take intense joy if they win it."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footbal...Spain.html

9 players from the barca team were playing in the final's . . . as he was in team management for them . . . it's his right to support them . . . i took it as a prediction and he was right although .

Cruyff was upset at the way the Dutch team played, as were many people I reckon.

Unfortunately someone forgot to tell Holland they were supposed to kick the ball, not the opposition.

Glad Spain won, they were the better side, and showed greater skill, and didn't use the dirty tactics the Dutch employed. Holland could have ended up with 2 or 3 players being sent off, not just the one.