History makers in waiting

ONLY one thing is certain tomorrow when Spain face the Netherlands in the World Cup final, there will be a new name on the trophy by the time the last firework goes off at Soccer City and South Africa 2010 comes to an emotional close.

Neither the Spaniards nor the Dutch have ever been crowned world champions before but tomorrow night one of them will join Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Uruguay, France and England as teams entitled to wear a star on their jersey.

Perhaps, in Africa’s first ever World Cup, it is fitting the tournament should end in such a way, almost as if to suggest the old order should get used to the idea that football is changing – and changing quickly.