Andres Iniesta scored the winning goal in Spain's 1-0 World Cup title victory earining him MAN OF THE MATCH honor - FIFA photo

Referee Howard Webb was put to the task having to call a record 14 yellow cards as the Netherlands played a dirty game - FIFA photo

Uruguay's Diego Forlan won the Best Player of the tournament award - FIFA photo

Germany's Thomas The Fuel-er Muller won the Golden Boot Award for scoring five goals and the Best Young Player Award - FIFA photo

SPORTS NOTES EXTRA Part 4 - SPAIN WINS WORD CUP TITLE

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

It was a hotly contested affair that included some unwarranted foul play. When Iniesta scored the goal in the 116th minute the Netherlands were down to only 10 men - - Uruguay's Diego Forlan won the tournaments Best Player Award (Golden Ball) - Thomas (The Fuel-er) Muller wins the Golden Boot and the Best Young Player Awards - Paul the Octopus proved right again - SAY WHAT!!! A CLEAN HEAT HOUSE 4 LeBRON?

Monday July 12, 2010

SPAIN WINS ON GUTS & RESOLVE

Our question can the Netherlands offense override Spain's excellent defense was answered as in the 116th minute Andrés Iniesta scorched a goal into the net after receiving a cross from Cesc Fàbregas. The answer to our question is NO. The result being the deciding goal with only four minutes left before a penalty shoot-out gave Spain the World Cup title in their first ever finals competition. Iniesta was selected the MAN OF THE MATCH.

It was a hotly contested affair that included some unwarranted foul play. When Iniesta scored the goal the Netherlands were down to only 10 men after the Netherlands defender John Heitinga was sent off with his second yellow card in the game at the 109th minute. In all referee Howard Webb issued a record 14 yellow cards during the contest.

The Netherlands were very physical from the start. Nigel de Jong went to the limit early on the match when with his spikes flying high he appeared to deliberately kick Xabi Alonso in the chest leaving the Spaniard lying prone on the ground for several minutes. There was no I'm sorry and a helping hand for Alonzo to get to his feet it was about take that and there's more to come.

The Dutch continued with the rough play throughout the contest giving Webb who is also a policeman and a very large man his hands full to keep the game under control. He easily could have issued de Jong a red card but didn't. He gave both sides every opportunity to compete at full strength without taking the game out of the player's hands and leaving one side shorthanded.

It was Spain's resilient play, passing and resolve that earned them the victory. Their defense denied the Netherlands to get into gear with repeated stops and taking the ball away. . The Netherlands's who won 25 straight games prior to entering the contest never got into their offensive rhythm while Spain emerged as champions.

BITS

Uruguay's Diego Forlan won the tournaments Best Player Award (Golden Ball). Forlan scored five goals in the event...

Germany's Thomas (The Fuel-er)a Muller capped off his outstanding play in the tournament by winning the Golden Boot Award for his five goals as well as the Best Young Player Award. Muller's energetic play fuels the German's offense.

The 20-year-old talents were sorely missed in the Spain semifinal game due to his having to sit out from accumulating yellow cards the quarter-finals match against Argentina. The call was bad further indicating the need for new technology and instant replays to be incorporated into the games. For a team to prepare four years to compete in the event resulting in 4 years 4 nothing due to bad referee calls is a tragic state of affairs...

South Africa proved that it can do the job after being criticized that they couldn't pull off hosting World Cup. The stadiums have received praise and concerns about crime have been put to rest. The result is it was resounding success and a job well done...

Paul the Octopus proved right again after he chose Spain to win making him undefeated in choosing what teams would win World Cup games. The irony is... Paul is German.

NBA

SAY WHAT!!! A CLEAN HOUSE?

With the three Amigos; Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James signing with the Miami Heat they all took pay cuts and each received much less than the $125.5 million contracts they could heave received. Bosh and James reportedly agreed to six year $111 million deals and Wade $107 million for the same period. Only Mario Chalmers remains signed with the team from last season.

The word is that Heat President Pat Riely has talked to the Los Angeles Lakers about joining the 3 Amigos. Fisher has been a member of all five of the Lakers NBA title winning teams. Kobe Bryant says he won't let Fisher play anywhere else.

There is also talk of Riley taking over the coaching position. Riley was the coach of the Heat's 2006 title winning team after taking over for current Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. Van Gundy coached the first 11 games of the 2005-06 season before Riley took over. The now 65-year-old Riley was the NBA Coach of the Year in 1997. Who's the boss? Stay tuned...

Part 5 - MIROSLAV KLOSE - THE HEADER MAN

Part 3 - WILL THE NETHERLANDS'S REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL?

Part 2 - GERMANY MISSED (THOMAS) THE FUELER MUELLER

Part 1 - THE LEBRON JAMES GAME IS OVER - THE HEAT IS ON!!!