Dutch legend Cruyff wants Spain to win the World Cup

The feeling is that the World Cup is Spain's to lose. Even though Holland have yet to taste defeat, either in qualifying for the tournament or in reaching the final, the Spanish are the overwhelming favourites for Sunday's final in Johannesburg. The European Champions have yet to catch fire so far in South Africa, but the manner in which they tamed a hitherto rampant German team in Wednesday's 1-0 semi-final win impressed the watching world – none more so than Dutch footballing legend Johan Cruyff.

And now Cruyff, who encapsulated Holland's 'Total Football' style of the 1970s, a style that took them to two successive World Cup finals (1974 and 1978), has stunned his countrymen by coming out in favour of Spain. "I will take intense joy if they win it," said Cruyff, when asked if he would be devastated by a Spanish victory on Sunday.

Cruyff – who has confessed he doesn't approve of Holland's more defensive style under coach Van Marwijk – says that Spain have been the most complete side in South Africa. "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. 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."

And Cruyff, who lives in Barcelona, offered the Dutch few words of comfort ahead of the final, believing Holland will suffer if the Spanish play to their potential. "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."

But Cruyff's words appeared to have little effect on Holland striker Dirk Kuyt, who promised they won't cower before the Spanish the way the Germans did. "We are not afraid at all," said the Liverpool frontman. "You could see the Germans were afraid of Spain. They didn't try to attack. We are going to attack and then you will see weaknesses coming to the surface. If you play like the Germans you are definitely going to lose. We don't have players who are afraid and we don't have players who feel small against the big opponents. There is respect but not fear."

And while most of the pre-match build-up has focused on the Spanish brilliance, Kuyt reminded people that the Dutch have one or two handy players of their own, notably Wesley Sneijder, whose five goals make him the tournament's top scorer along with Spain's David Villa. Then there's also Arsenal's Robin van Persie, struggling for form at the moment but still a vital component in the side according to Kuyt. "Robin is a quality player," he said. "But in this World Cup it is very difficult for strikers to score goals, get some space and create chances. But one thing Robin does is work really hard. He is a team player. It is just difficult to create chances... people expected him to score five or six goals. He hasn't done that but the way he is playing he is still very important for us."

The Spanish exude an air of quiet confidence in their camp, aware that they are favourites to win. "We've shown that in the big moments we can grow even more," said David Villa. "We should have scored more goals [in the semi against germany], but one from Puyol has put us in the final. The group deserves this but we want more. We are happy to be in the final, that was our objective, but now we want to be champions."

And midfielder Xavi issued a rallying cry that might send a chill down Dutch spines. "Let's enjoy the final. We dedicate this victory to Spain. If we play on Sunday like we did today, we will have a great chance. We will have to impose our personality and football on them." ·