Spain 1- Holland 2

By our international correspondent Borja Pantzov and Goran Arsic

Spain: Casillas; Puyol (Manuel Pablo 55'), Abelardo, Hierro, Sergi; Mendieta (Munitis 46'), Xavi, Baraja (Farinós 46'), Luis Enrique (Paco 80'); Raúl (Guti 46'), Urzaiz (Catanha 46'). 4-4-2.
Holland: Van der Sar; Reiziger, Frank De Boer, Hofland (Paauwe 46'), Bogarde (Melchiot 73'); Cocu (Bommel 46'), Davids, Bosveldt (Ricksen 88'), Bruggink (Seedorf 58'); Kluivert (Makaay 46'), Hasselbaink. 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 66. Hierro. Bent free kick over wall and down into corner of net.
1-1. 74. Hasselbaink. Shot across keeper after ball knocked on by Makaay.
1-2. 85. Frank De Boer. Came from behind to head Seedorf's corner in off post.

Sent off: Hierro and Hasselbaink for fighting (76').

So Goran says to me a few weeks ago, "Did you know that Louis Van Gaal has been made the coach for Holland". "No", I reply. "Yes, they've taken out his teeth and put in seats!". Well, I first heard that joke told about Brian Clough twenty years ago, but the old ones are still the best. Anyway, this time it was true (the bit about him being made coach that is), and after an ignominious start with the clockwork orange, the ex Barcelona manager got a chance to redeem himself back in Spain probably quicker than he thought. At times it seemed more like a Spanish league match, a Barça versus Real Madrid derby, or an old boys reunion, with Camacho picking five players each from the two big clubs and Van Gaal including four current Barça squad members as well as Deportivo's Makaay and three others who played last season in Spain, Bogarde (Barcelona), Seedorf (Real Madrid) and Hasselbaink (Atlético Madrid). After impressing in the Olympic squad, Xavi and Puyol were given their first caps for Spain, with Luis Enrique, Guti and Farinós returning to the squad after showing good early season form.

So after a wild night in Torremolinos we head on over to the Olympic stadium in Sevilla. Why Olympic? Beats me, as far as I know they never held the games there? Must refer to the size of the bribe the constructor paid the local council to get planning permission or something. Anyway, Spain start off well, with Mendieta doing what Mendieta does, turning Van der Sar and leaving him for dead on the touchline before shooting into the side netting. Both sides come close in the first half; Hasselbaink and Kluivert a deadly duo for Holland and Raúl, Urzaiz and of all people Puyol forcing Van der Sar and his defence to produce saves. At half time it is all change, with four new faces for Spain and three for Holland. Incidentally before the match Van Gaal insisted on only six changes in the match whereas Camacho wanted seven, which meant that keeper Esteban, the only one left on the bench, still has not got his first appearance for Spain.

So after a boring first half the fireworks come out in the second. Spain take the lead through captain Hierro, another magisterial free kick over the wall. He has now scored 25 in his 76 matches for his country, and is only one behind all time top scorer Butragueño, who got 26 in 69 appearances. Not bad for a defender. But now it was Jimmy Floyd's turn, the Chelsea striker picking up a ball headed on by Makaay on the edge of the area, turning his defender and shooting across Casillas. His celebrations must have upset Hierro, not exactly the Mother Teresa of Spanish football, and after a strong tackle and a heated conversation between the two a couple of minutes later, the two fiery players exchange blows. It is a childish interchange, Hierro pushes Hasselbaink, Hasselbaink kicks Hierro in the leg, Hierro headbuts Hasselbaink lightly on the nose and the Dutch forward falls to the ground theatrically. What can a referee do when the television cameras have watched the whole thing live? Italian referee Domenico Messina doesn't have any doubts, and out comes the double red card.

Spain's loss is greater than Holland's, and Camacho puts on Paco for Luis Enrique to restore his four man defence. But before he can settle Seedorf takes a corner, and in roars Barcelona's Frank De Boer, captain of his side playing in his record 85th international, and his powerful header enters the net off the near post. I suppose it doesn't matter that much, this being a (not-so) friendly game, but it rankles with most supporters that Van Gaal has won. He had upset most of the journalists before (and after) the game with his aggressive attitude, although to be fair on him some of the questions were pretty stupid (do you agree you failed as manager of Barcelona etc). Up to now Sevilla had been a talisman for Spain, but with this defeat the spell has been broken, so maybe they'll play the next game against England in Torremolinos to save everybody the drive. But then Goran reminds me it will be away. England at the end of February? Maybe we'll watch that one on the telly.