The Giants are Gearing up – Spain and the Netherlands
Nothing revitalizes a fan’s passion for the sport more than the prospect of tantalizing clashes between behemoths of national football on the sport’s biggest stage. In the coming weeks, we shall be looking at the way the favourites of the tournament are preparing themselves ahead of the World Cup.
The current World and European champions face a highly demanding challenge to retain the trophy, yet nothing can be taken away from this stellar footballing nation. With just one friendly lined up against Italy in Madrid before the tournament, manager Vicente Del Bosque can rest assured that La Furia Roja will still be at their best in Brazil.
They will also be based in the largest training centre during the tournament, the Alfredo Gottardi ‘Caju’ Training Centre.
Louis van Gaal
Louis Van Gaal has recently stated that he will retire from national football management after the World Cup, however that doesn’t mean that the boys in Orange should be under-estimated, largely due to the enormous array of talent within the squad.
With friendlies announced against France, Ecuador, Ghana and Wales, with training camps set up at Hoenderloo and the Algarve in between, the Dutch will experience an amplitude of tests in order to hone their skills for Brazil.
Both squads have been pitted together in the same group, with many fans referring to the clash as the replay of the 2010 World Cup final. Holland will be looking to avenge their acrimonious defeat suffered at South Africa, whilst the Spaniards will hope to keep focused on their targets with the Dutch being their toughest opponents in the group. No true football fan would want to miss such a clash.
