Jul 10, 2010, 18:53 GMT
Johannesburg - Netherlands captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst hopes to realize a life-long dream Sunday by helping his team defeat Spain at Soccer City to allow him to become the first Dutchman to lift the World Cup trophy.
In what will be van Bronckhorst's last game for his country, Holland will be looking to make it third time lucky in a World Cup final after falling at the final hurdle in 1974 and 1978 to Germany and Argentina, respectively.
'When this trophy is held up, it's a special moment,' the 35-year- old told a press conference in Johannesburg.
'I've seen Diego Maradona, Dunga and Cafu all do it and for me it's a dream to possibly hold up that trophy.'
Coach Bert van Marwijk also emphasised the magnitude of the clash against the Spanish, calling it 'the most important match' in his football life so far.
'It's quite something,' he said.
'This applies to all the players too. No Dutch player has ever been a world champion and that is quite special but we are approaching it as a normal game.'
European champions Spain lie between Holland and football's greatest pinnacle but Feyenoord defender Bronckhorst said the Dutch were ready for the challenge.
'Spain have played really well in the last few years so it's no surprise that they are the favourites. It's going to be very difficult to play them but we have full confidence that we can win the match.'
Van Marwijk, meanwhile, refused to discuss how his side would combat the slick-passing Spanish but made clear that they would not dwell on his country's past failures.
'I don't think only about the past and what we failed to achieve,' he said.
'We have achieved something unique by reaching the final but now we are only focusing on this match.'
The 58-year-old has a full squad to select from after Wesley Sneijder and goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg both recovered from minor knocks sustained in the semi-final victory over Uruguay.
'All players are fit, top fit even,' he said.
A new world champion will be crowned Sunday and van Marwijk said both teams were deserving of the title.
'We beat Brazil and Spain beat Germany and that's why these sides are in the final,' he said.
'I think the two teams are very well organized and play to a specific vision. They are very stable and I also believe that they are two of the best teams, and I would like to emphasise 'team'.'
Although van Marwijk said he had always hoped to face Spain since taking over as Dutch coach in 2008 this will be his first match against Vicente del Bosque's side.
'I've been coach for two years and I have thought at times that I would love to play Spain and now it's happening,' he said.
Still, he expects no surprises from either side.
'There are no secrets. The way they play and the way we play will be the same.'
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