“This is our squad and our time.” That is the belief of Netherlands midfielder Nigel De Jong following their semi-final victory over Uruguay. The 25 year-old missed the match due to suspension but is confident that the Dutch can overcome their previous World Cup failures and claim the ultimate prize which so narrowly eluded them in 1974 and 1978.

 

“We cannot go into the game with any memories of the past” he said, “those teams in the past put Holland on the map. This is a new generation.” 

Skipper Gio van Bronckhorst, whose opener against Uruguay is being hailed as the goal of the tournament, wants Sunday’s final to be “the most beautiful game of my life.” It will be the last game of an illustrious career for the former Arsenal and Barcelona player and he would love to quit on the biggest high. “For everyone, it will be the game of their life”, he added.