ESPN Zone Explodes as Spain Takes Championship Title

Final Game:

By: Elisa Ramos and Stephanie Hemmens

Several TVs set up throughout ESPN Zone

The World Cup final ended on a winning note for Spain as their midfielder Andres Iniesta secured a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands with the only FIFA World Cup winning-goal in the 116th minute, putting Spain at the top for the first time ever. However, the Netherlands have made three World Cup finals appearances before. The two teams fought a long, hard battle on South African soil in Soccer City, Johannesburg July 11. Fans of both countries packed into ESPN Zone in Anaheim well before 11:30 a.m. to witness this memorable night for the players. According to these Southern Californians, Downtown Disney was not about Mickey, but rather about the 2010 FIFA World Cup title match.

Fans watching on and cheering

We wanted to surround ourselves with fans of both teams and what better place than ESPN Zone to do so. The two dining rooms inside this sports-themed restaurant and bar were filled to capacity, leaving some watching outside of the glass doors. The orange and red-wearing fans crammed in to cheer on their teams. They draped themselves in flags, blared vuvuzelas and waited patiently for the goal. The Holland fans cheered each movement toward Spain's goal and the same was heard from Spain fans. Both sides screamed obscenities at every foul and as more beer was served the noise level seemed to increase.

Vuvuzela-blowing adds to the excitement

Spain started off better, but after a while the Netherlands freed themselves from "The Red Fury's" pressure. They were playing extremely aggressively, adding up the yellow cards as the game went on. Van Persie tripped his opponent, Capdevila, but shortly afterward, Spain's Puyol returned the favor, giving the Netherlands a free kick where the ball was aimed right for the goalkeeper's hands. Their player, Van Bommel also tripped his opponent. Spain's Ramos was yellow-carded, yet Oranje player De Jong kicked his opponent's chest soon after, a foul that some think should have resulted in a red card. Spain's goalie made a number of brilliant saves, one where he jumped over a Netherlands player, knocking him down to the ground. The Netherlands then missed a penalty shot. Spain's Capdevila received a yellow card after he elbowed his opponent's back. David Villa also missed a free kick. Netherlands player Robben was yellow-carded as well.

Ricardo Montiel

Venezuelan Ricardo Montiel and his family ended their Disneyland Resort vacation by watching the final match at ESPN Zone. He and his family were some of the last few people that were allowed inside the crowded viewing room and had to stand the entire time. Montiel, a supporter of Spain said, "I know Spain can win, they have demonstrated since the Euro Cup that they are a great team." Montiel felt Spain had more control in the beginning of the first half but towards the end, Holland dominated. At halftime Montiel predicted 2-1 Spain as the outcome of the game.

Oranje fans with painted faces

Ali Naqvi shows off his Usain Bolt Pumas

Naqvi has hopes for the Dutch

Holland fan, Ali Naqvi, an Irvine-resident, predicted his team would pick up in the second half, joking that the score would end up being 9-0 Netherlands, but soon changing that guess to 2-1. He has been "religiously" following the World Cup. Commenting on the Netherlands, Naqvi said, "They've had a really strong lineup, they've had really good games, great formation, they played total football...I think if they can keep their nerves together the second half should be interesting and they should take it, they should go all the way." Naqvi was confident that Holland would win, noting, "I think in the end, it's always like a sneak-attack from the Dutch that wins them through...they're going to make a Dutch oven out of the Spanish I think." It is tradition for Naqvi to watch the World Cup final at ESPN Zone: "It's probably the best place to watch a final...you get here early, you get good seats and you always find supporters for both sides and it turns into a pretty interesting spectacle." He played in Spain for a few years and used to play for some football leagues in London while he was living in England. If Holland had ended up winning, Naqvi would have flown out to Amsterdam to celebrate.

Bob Sobanski and Czarek "Chuck" Walczuk enjoy beers and the game

Walczuk and Sobanski have opposing views

Two Polish friends were each rooting for opposite teams, predicting that the score would be 1-0 either way. California State University, Long Beach alumni, Bob Sobanski was supporting the Netherlands, knowing that they would be in the final after defeating Brazil. However, he predicted Spain would win, since "they are motivated by the money...they are going to receive about half a million dollars if they win." Spain-supporter, Czarek "Chuck" Walczuk commented that the match had "very good defense, very good attack" and that both teams have got "nothing to risk." He believed that the game included too many yellow cards, but the ref was "doing the right thing." Sobanski thought the referee went by the rules too often: "It's the World Cup, c'mon, give us a break!" Sobanski predicted Germany to be in the finals, since the team has three Polish players, but was happy for their third place ranking, as well.

Crowd after Spain's goal /// Fans' reaction at end of match

Five of the previous 18 World Cup finals had gone into overtime, but neither of these teams had ever scored a goal. That soon changed when Spain's Iniesta sent the ball on it's way to an inside corner of the net a few minutes before the short extra time occurred. Leading up to this, the only red card that was used was for Oranje player Heitinga from pushing on his opponent's shoulder. This resulted in a free kick for Spain, but Xavi missed the goal. Though the Netherlands was now playing with 10 men, it did not stop them from their continuous fouls as Van Der Weil tripped his opponent. The team also missed a free kick.

Naqvi and his Spanish-supporter friends reserved a private room

Dulce Serrano and Alberto Rodriguez

Dulce Serrano, from Anaheim said, "They always said Spain was barely making it...they defeated Germany, they had the game overall and tonight we did the same thing." Serrano was originally rooting for Mexico, but switched her support to Spain, since she has Spanish decendancy. She was just one of the fans who trusted Paul the octopus: "Spain all the way!" Alberto Rodriguez, also from Anaheim thought "it was a well-deserved win," noting that Spain "fought hard every single game." He was extremely happy for Spain: "It was about time...they were bound to win."

David Merlan and other Spain fans

Merlan ecstatic for Spain's triumph

Spanish fan and Orange County-resident, David Merlan believed the Netherlands were "hands-down, hands-off one of the best teams out there that [Spain] had to compete against." Playing soccer and watching the tournaments since he was five-years-old, Merlan said, "It was definitely the hottest game I've ever seen in any World Cup." He predicted Spain would be in the final: "It was only a matter of time." He noted that Spain's strategy was to keep the ball in their possession and away from Holland's defensive players. Merlan comes to ESPN Zone for all of the big games and events they hold.

Spain fan celebrates outside with his own "Paul the Octopus"

Spanish-supporter shows off his balloon creation

Outside ESPN Zone's doors, a Spanish fan held a balloon-shaped octopus with "Spain" written on it. The octopus has become a World Cup sensation by correctly forecasting the outcomes of all seven Germany games in South Africa. The fan shouted, "The German Paul octopus never lies!" and kept kissing and thanking the "psychic" octopus for a correct prediction of the game. Paul finished the World Cup with a flawless record as Spain's 1-0 win over the Netherlands in Sunday's final leaves him with eight perfect predictions.

Excited crowd after Spain scores and wins

After 30 days, 64 games and many unforgettable moments later, it came down to one goal to win the 2010 World Cup. Spain has been crowned world champions for the first time, joining West Germany and France as the only nations to simultaneously hold the world and European titles. Although Spain didn't start this World Cup in the best way possible, losing to Switzerland, they won every game afterward. No other nation has won the World Cup after losing its opener. The Spaniards win the World Cup with eight goals, the fewest of any team to ever win the championship.