David Weiner is a Sydney lawyer and sportswriter.

It felt a bit like that final weekend in September in Durban today, as South Africa’s beach city readied itself for its own World Cup Grand Final.

The FIFA road show has pitched its tent right on the sand in South Africa’s sunniest city. The party vibe is inescapable, as the carnival stretches for four kilometres of stalls, fan zones, giant screens, bars and beach soccer games all the way until you hit the Moses Mabhida stadium.

I wouldn’t say the German fans exactly added to the rollicking atmosphere inside in this do-or-die classic.

With my tickets having reverted to Germany’s path after the Socceroos were sent packing, it was probably bound to happen that I found myself plonked right in the middle of ze German contingent at some stage. It was all very solemn, as they sat presumptuously in their “we are the champions” t-shirts.

The “Deutschland Deutschland” chant only made a brief appearance after 70 minutes; their passion manifests in their intense focus. These are serious and studious supporters.

But tonight’s master class came from the Spaniards. A textbook display from the first whistle to the last.

It might have taken them six games to reach their zenith, but it was a deadly combination with a tactical blueprint that made Argentina and England look more tactically inept than ever.

Want a lesson on possession? Watch the Spaniards.

Want a lesson on counter attack? Watch the Germans.

Want a lesson on snuffing out the counter attack? Watch the Spaniards again.

This might not have been a match filled with thrilling incidents, but it was of thrilling quality.

The Spaniards, who have been a work in progress all tournament as Vincente del Bosque tried to discover his first XI, suffocated the life out of the Germans as they passed the ball to oblivion.

With Del Bosque’s “inverted diamond formation” – two holding midfielders, rather than two strikers – it was impossible for the Germans to pinch the ball from the Spanish midfield.

Tonight, Andreas Iniesta and Pedro finally gave the Spanish some width, which duly set the stage for Xavi the orchestrator to return to his best. His telepathy with Iniesta, his Barcelona brother, gave Joachim Lowe’s side a torrid night, and gave football candy to the crowd.

But while the Spaniard’s Achilles heel thus far has been too many cooks, and too many central players, tonight their cramped midfield was a blessing.

Each rare chance the Germans had to counter attack at pace, there were always two sitting midfielders awaiting them. Mesut Ozil had to work doubly as hard to make his favourite darts into space, and they seriously missed Thomas Mueller’s threat down the right flank. Still, a lesser team than the Germans would have faded with a whimper. They are a superb young team, but possession beat counter attack tonight.

Simply, the Spanish were irresistible. With the amount of ball they had, they should have created more chances, but if they can even score from set pieces, then they truly have everything covered.

They are on the cusp of a Euro/World Cup double that will place their pure possession play in the lineage of football’s history.

But the Dutch await them on Sunday – and they have decades of history to redeem for themselves, too.

This colourful World Cup will be remembered for the new kids finally arriving on the block.

Whether the slick Spaniards or the dynamic Dutch prevail, this is a win for football. No stingy Italians or cagey French, but two sides with their own admirable way of doing things.

Will the width of Arjen Robben and Dirk Kuyt prevail over the pass and move of Xavi and Iniesta? Will Spain maintain possession in the face of Holland’s high pressing? Will Sneijder or Villa seal the Golden Ball? Too much to look forward to.

Bring it on.