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Three months on from their narrow FIFA World Cup final defeat by Spain, the Netherlands are in positive mood as they launch their bid to go one better at UEFA EURO 2012.

In contrast to the crowd of near 90,000 that watched Bert van Marwijk’s side beaten 1-0 in extra time at Soccer City, the Netherlands’ qualifying campaign will begin in front of under 5,000 at San Marino’s Olimpico Serravalle on Friday night. But the memory of their summer feats, culminating in a canal parade through Amsterdam only previously granted after the 1988 UEFA European Championship victory, remain fresh for Wesley Sneijder.

“Actually when I think back, I remember the great moments,” the FC Internazionale Milano playmaker told UEFA.com. “Because we did have great moments. And yes we had a bad result in the final, but to get there with our team, with the qualities we had, with the small country we come from, it’s a big thing.”

The core from that World Cup squad remains intact, save from the retirement of Giovanni van Bronckhorst. That meant Van Marwijk needed a new captain and few quibble with his choice of 33-year-old son-in-law Mark van Bommel.

“At first he seemed a bit shocked about it, but soon after that he said it was a real honour for him,” Van Marwijk revealed. “He is a good organiser on the pitch. His [midfield] position is also excellent for the role of captain, and he has been captain of Bayern and PSV. Anyway his selection is widely accepted and he is also a good age.”

Another old head in the set-up is Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Hamburger SV striker recalled to replace injured Arsenal FC forward Robin van Persie. The 34-year-old last played for his country on 21 June 2008, scoring in the 3-1 UEFA EURO 2008 quarter-final defeat by Russia. The man who gave way to Van Marwijk as coach after that loss, Marco van Basten, believes the Oranje are primed for a long run again.

“The Netherlands have a good squad,” Van Basten said. “They are also a squad with calm heads in terms of age. They could play together for a couple more years. But you always have to wait and see if they deliver the same performance.

“It’s not as simple as A-B-C,” the former Dutch international striker continued, “and you need each other for that. The realisation that you have to give everything in each game. They did that very well during the World Cup, they all gave 100%, and they really made a great team. They have to deliver that same performance, and then we will wait and see.”

However, Van Basten knows there are plenty of teams who could stop the Netherlands, who also have Sweden, Finland, Hungary and Moldova in qualifying Group E. “We all saw that the quality is there, with players like Sneijder and Robben and Van Persie, all the good players that Holland have,” the 1988 final goalscorer added. “So that’s a good thing. Spain have a fantastic team. And countries such as France, Germany and England will have to put in some effort again too, because they cannot afford to stay away from the stage for too long. So it should be interesting.”

Tottenham’s 4-0 win at White Hart Lane on Wednesday took them through 6-3 on aggregate — a prospect that had looked highly unlikely when they trailed 3-0 after less than half an hour of last week’s first match, which they eventually lost 3-2.

They were given a helping hand in a play-off second leg played in pouring rain when Jermain Defoe clearly used his arm to control the ball before firing a second goal that effectively put the game out of the Swiss team’s reach.

Uruguay World Cup striker Suarez got the first goal as four-times European champions Ajax overcame Dynamo 3-2 on aggregate to reach the group stage for the first time since 2005-06 — the last occasion their Ukrainian opponents failed to qualify.

Slovakian champions Zilina reached the group stage for the first time, beating Sparta Prague 1-0 thanks to a spectacular bicycle kick from Gambian Momodou Ceesay to complete a 3-0 aggregate win.

FC Copenhagen went through on away goals, beating Rosenborg Trondheim 1-0 for a 2-2 aggregate draw, and Auxerre beat nine-man Zenit St Petersburg 2-0 to qualify for the first time since 2002-03 with a 2-1 aggregate win.

Tottenham, who last appeared in Europe’s top club competition in 1962, were ahead in the tie for the first time by the fifth minute as Crouch was left unmarked to head home.

The Defoe incident then killed off Young Boys as the England striker clearly used his upper arm before turning to score with a low shot off the post.

The officials’ failure to spot the offence will raise questions over the effectiveness of the two extra linesmen behind the goals who are being used in the Champions League this season.

Crouch headed another from a corner just past the hour mark and completed his hat-trick with a 78th minute penalty.

“I always felt it was possible to get Spurs into the Champions League,” said Spurs manager Harry Redknapp. “The club had underachieved for a long time.

“It was important we didn’t waste the opportunity. We nearly did in Switzerland but we finished the job tonight.”

Young Boys coach Vladimir Petkovic said: “It was difficult after the first goal and the second for me was the decisive moment.”

In Amsterdam, Uruguay forward Suarez put the Dutch team ahead in the 43rd minute, latching on to Jan Vertonghen’s deflected free-kick and rounding Maxym Koval to score from a narrow angle.

Morocco’s Mounir El Hamdaoui scored the second for Martin Jol’s team in the 75th minute but there was a tense finish after former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko pulled one back with a penalty.

Zenit St Petersburg could not match a spirited challenge from Auxerre and had two players sent off in the second half.

The team from Burgundy, who had lost the first leg 1-0, scored early in each half, both from corners. The first was a superb header by defender Cedric Hengbart and the second an acrobatic volley by Poland striker Ireneusz Jelen.

Zenit, by far the wealthier club, had goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev sent off for handling the ball outside the area and Tomas Hubocan for a second yellow card.

I have used an odds comparison site to see what the best odds for Spurs are to win the champions league this year, they currently stand at 50/1

Tottenham fought back from 3-0 down to score two vital away goals against Young Boys in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier.

The home side produced a stunning opening 30 minute display to take a shock 3-0 lead against Spurs, goals from Lulic, Bienvenu and Hochstrasser gave Young Boys a 3-0 lead after just 28 minutes but Bassong gave Tottenham a sliver of hope with a powerful header just before the interval.

Striker Roman pavlyuchenko scored what might prove to be an invaluable second away goal with only 7 minutes remaining to make the final score 3-2 to the Swiss outfit.

Tottenham now only require a 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane next Wednesday to ensure qualification to the lucrative group stages of the Champions League.

Fast Tube by Casper

The Netherlands and Spain have been fined by FIFA for their players’ lack of discipline in a bad-tempered World Cup final.

FIFA said Tuesday the Dutch federation must pay US$14,480 after eight different players received yellow cards, including defender John Heitinga, who was booked a second time and sent off.

English referee Howard Webb showed five yellow cards to Spain, earning its federation a US$9,650 fine.

FIFA’s disciplinary code has a clause on team misconduct calling for a federation to be fined when at least five of its players are sanctioned in a match.

Spain won 1-0 in the July 11 final on Andres Iniesta’s extra-time goal after the Netherlands was reduced to 10 players.

The match set a record for most cards received in a World Cup final, beating the six yellows shown when Argentina beat West Germany 3-2 in the 1986 final.

The final also was the worst behaved of the 64 matches played in South Africa. Chile and Switzerland players combined for nine yellows and a straight red card in a group-stage game.

FIFA paid Spain US$30 million in prize money for winning the tournament, and the Netherlands was awarded US$24 million as runner-up.

Check the football odds for the the up and coming champions league season to see if this recent news had any affect on the favourites.

It is perhaps no surprise that City could be in the process of shifting one of their best players. As they chase the inevitably destabilising influence of Mario Ballotelli and the inadequate talents of Landon Donovan the Eastlands faithful may be questioning what narcotics Signor Mancini is indulging in.

Now rumours that advertising companies have been told to leave images of Shay Given and Craig Bellamy out of forthcoming campaigns have fired talk that the Irishman and the Welsh winger are heading for the exit.

Bellamy’s possible outward transfer can at least be rationalised. The former Liverpool player is not backward in coming forward regarding his opinions and his own valuation of his worth. With high profile transfers coming into the City of Manchester Stadium it is understandable that Bellamy could be ruffled if he sees his spot in the side gradually being filled by big name imports.

Given on the other hand is usually a steady customer. The constantly dependable ‘Keeper is without doubt the best signing that City have made since their cash injection and has rewarded his employers with a string of fine displays.

The £7 million paid for Given probably represents the best value for money you are going to get on a ‘Keeper anywhere in the world. The only reason I could envisage for his exit is that City have been swayed by Gigi Buffon’s agent and are planning a big money move.

It would be pointless given the proficiency of their number one already but it would represent the mixture of talent and status symbol that the Manchester clubs owners desire so much.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is stunned by Barcelona’s waving of the white flag in their battle to sign him.

The Daily Mail says Cesc has been left shocked by the news that Barcelona are considering shelving plans to bring him to the Nou Camp this summer.

He went out on a limb before Spain’s victorious World Cup campaign by informing Arsene Wenger on three separate occasions of his desire to return to his boyhood club during the current transfer window.

New Barca president Sandro Rosell declared they would be ending their pursuit of Cesc – for 12 months – yesterday after e held a conference call with Wenger and Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis this week where their determination to hold on to Spain international was once again made plain.

MAke sure you watch Cesc fabregas play live football next season no matter who he is going to be playing for, as he is one of the most promising talents in the game at the moment.

England make the final, ok not the team but the referee and his assistants – as they are all English!

Howard Webb will referee the final between Holland and Spain, being assisted by Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey, for the showpiece final in Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium on Sunday night.

This caps a fantastic season for the officials as they also took charge of the champions league final in May when Inter Milan beat Bayern Munich.

Premier league referees chief Mike Riley and general manager of professional match game officials praised them: ‘it’s not only recognition for their excellent tournament in South Africa so far but also the progress they have made internationally over the last four years.

‘Their appointment is fantastic recognition for English refereeing and should act as an inspiration for all young referees wanting to enter into the game. It just shows what you can achieve if you work hard.’

There was also praise from premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore: ‘we see the hard work and professionalism of Howard Webb, Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey week in, week out when they are officiating in the Barclays Premier League.

‘So, it is great to see their fantastic season, where they have already represented English refereeing in the UEFA Champions League Final, topped off with the ultimate appointment – the Fifa World Cup Final.’

As always we see the premier league, with Dick Scudamore commenting, muscling in on the event – surely an FA representative should be talking as opposed to a premier league one, but there you go, this just goes to highlight where the true power in English football (sadly) lies…

Jack Taylor, in 1974 when Holland lost to Germany, was the last English referee to take charge of the world cup final.

Hats off to Webb, Cann and Mullarkey, at least we can be proud of some of the English form in South Africa – this form has seen them earn a place in the final!

Best of luck to them all, watch their performanc live on Sunday and place a bet on it aswell. The live football will be show across the world to over 1 billion people so don;t miss out.

We are coming to the end of this summer’s world cup and there are a number of players that can win the tournaments Golden Boot Award. Some players have disappointed in the goal scoring stakes with players like Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi both failing to score after being joint favourites to win the award at the start of the competition. Other players on the other hand haven’t failed to meet their respective standard, David Villa currently leads the goal scoring chart on 5 averaging a goal every 90 minutes he is on the field, he his closely followed by 5 players all who are on 4 goals, 3 of the 5 players are still in the tournament.

Here is the current list of top scorers along with their world cup odds to win the Golden Boot.

1. David Villa – 5 Goals – 3/2
2. Miroslav Klose – 4 Goals - 9/2
3. Wesley Sneijder – 4 Goals – 11/1
4. Thomas Mueller – 4 Goals – 19/1
5. Robert Vittek – 4 Goals
6. Gonzalo Higuain – 4 Goals
7. Diego Forlan – 3 Goals - 23/1
8. Luis Suarez – 3 Goals – 81/1
9. Luis Fabiano – 3 Goals
10. Asamoah Gyan – 3 Goals

Introduction

Having drawn 0-0 against Brazil last Friday, Portugal have walked straight into another bitter clash as they seek a place in the quarter-finals. There’s no love lost between these Iberian rivals; nothing would please the Portuguese more than knocking out their bigger brothers next door.
Xabi Alonso is likely to miss the game with an ankle sprain, robbing Spain of some quality in midfield. For Portugal, Paulo Ferreira is tipped to replace Miguel at right-back. All other key players for both sides are likely to be available.

Match Odds
Are Spain better than Portugal – and, if so, by how much? The answers are yes, and not as much as you think. Spain play far more progressive football and have more talented attacking players but Portugal have the best defence in the tournament and will adopt a similar approach to Switzerland, who beat Spain 1-0 in their opening game, which will be a worry for Vincente del Bosque.

An early Spain goal would open up the game – but if del Bosque’s side fail to make the breakthrough before half-time, they will be susceptible to Portugal’s impressive counter-attacks. Spain are 2.1 to win in 90 minutes, with Portugal 4.5 and the draw 3.25. I would lay Spain if they were odds-on, but as things stand I’d avoid this market.

First Goalscorer / To Score
David Villa heads the ‘To Score’ market at 2.34 and he’s in such imperious form that you should consider backing him to score again. Given his record at this tournament (two goals in three games) and in international football overall (41 in 61 appearances) the odds on him finding the net are actually good value, so this is a good betting opportunity.

Portugal may have scored seven times against North Korea but they failed to find the net against either Ivory Coast or Brazil, underlining their lack of an outstanding striker. Cristiano Ronaldo heads their ‘to score’ list at 3.6 but he has performed only fitfully so far, and Liedson 4.3 and Hugo Almeida 4.6 are unproven at this level.

Portugal’s midfielders break into the box really well so Tiago 11.5 and Pedro Mendes 15.0 should offer you an excellent run for your money.

Corners Match Bet

In games where Spain have dominated possession, they’ve also dominated the corners count. Against Switzerland, Spain had 67% of the possession and won 12 corners (to Switzerland’s three). Against Honduras, Spain had 66% of the possession and won 12 corners (to Honduras’ two).

I expect Spain to dominate possession against a Portugal side that will get many players behind the ball and look to hit on the break, so Spain are a great bet in the Corners Match Bet market. And Portugal’s corners count has been low, anyway: they have averaged just 4.67 a game, compared to Spain’s 9.33.

Bookings Match Bet
A feature of Spain’s play is just how clean their players are. Even in times of trouble – such as their must-win match v Honduras – their players keep their heads, avoid diving into challenges and limit back-chat to the referee to a minimum. As a result, Spain have yet to pick up a booking, which is a remarkable feat after 270 minutes of football.

Portugal will be on the back foot for most of the game so are more likely to pick up bookings for mistimed tackles. Carlos Queiroz’s side have earned seven bookings so far, and have several players (Ricardo Carvalho, Bruno Alves) who are not averse to collecting a yellow card for the good of the team.

Portugal look a solid bet in the Bookings Match Bet market.

The Over/Under 2.5 Goals Market
Despite being neighbours, these two countries haven’t played each other too often in recent years. Just six times, as it happens, since 1990 with a 4:2 bias towards a low make-up.

That contrasts with the generally free-scoring Spaniards who are 16:9 in favour of over 2.5 goals in their last 25 international games and the more conservative Portuguese – who have still managed the higher figure on 12 occasions.

But the crucial point to note is that both teams generally manage a high make-up on account of the goals they score, not the ones they concede. Both teams are very solid defensively. This makes your choice of trade dependent not so much upon the quality of attacking play we’ll see in Cape Town but the respective defensive displays.

And this makes it a tight call but the prices on offer probably just swing the balance in favour of the higher return at 2.74.

Place a bet but make sure you check the World Cup Odds

This afternoon we will see Mexico play Uruguay at the same time that hosts South Africa play France. If the Mexico against Uruguay game is a draw both teams will qualify for the last 16 but Mexico will probably have to play Argentina. If I was in charge of the Mexican team I would encourage them to go for the win as I don’t think either team will beat Argentina in the next round.

However if there is a winner in that game it opens the door for the other two teams to make the knockout stages. Either team would need to win by a few goals as they are well behind on goal difference but it’s a tall order for them. South Africa just aren’t good enough in my opinion and France are in such a state of disarray that it’s possible the players will refuse to play the game. It’s a shame that the French players are acting in such a manner as they are good enough to make a real impression on the tournament but I expect them to be going home with their collective tails between their legs tonight.

In the evening games Argentina will play Greece at the same time that South Korea play Nigeria. I expect Argentina to win and I think South Korea can take a point off Nigeria and follow them in second place in the group. It’s still possible that any two of the teams can qualify at the expense of the other teams but I will be shocked if Argentina fail to make the last 16.

Watch all of tonights live world cup football to make sure your first to know who qualifys for the last 16