I'm torn on this. I don't much like this Dutch team, but having grown up seeing them lose 2 WC finals and having had so many great players in my lifetime I think it'd be a fitting reward for their football culture.
The same could be said of Spain I suppose, and Germany's rebuilding since 2000 and the way they regulate their league is a model for anyone looking for international success. I think it'd be a real statement to the EPL and to the whole football money culture if the Dutch could win a WC after their once competitive league had been relegated to being a feeder league for bigger countries.
I think it's a real shame that half the German team seems to be linked with a move to the EPL when the German system & domestic league has been critical to their success.
Part of me also thinks there are lessons from the Dutch success for Ireland. This is by no means a strong team of individuals from front to back. I can honestly say that Given, Dunne, O'Shea and maybe even Finnan or Carr would get in their starting XI and one or tywo more of our better players wouldn't be too far off. However, it's been a real triumph for the collective rather than the individual. I suppose it helps to have a wonderful player like Sneijder leading the way, and helpful OGs, goalkeeping errors and deflections along the way.
Denmark - OG set them on their way
Japan - goalkeeping mistake won the game
Brazil - goalkeeping error / OG at critical point & stupid red card
Uruguay - deflection at critical point & they were lucky it was awarded (even if it was correct).
That's a nice run of good fortune