Spain are presumptive favorites heading into Sunday’s World Cup Final, but, with history ever present at the tournament, it’s the Dutch who may be under more pressure. Neither country has ever won the World Cup, but the Netherlands have been far more tortured. Spain has never been close. Holland has reached the precipice multiple times The “most talented country to never win the World Cup” is no exaggeration.

The Dutch introduced “Total Football” in the 1970’s, essentially revolutionizing how soccer was played. The legendary 1974 team led by Johan Cruyff dominated and dazzled, outscoring teams 14-1 on their way to the final. They went ahead on a penalty in the second minute before West Germany had even touched the ball, but the hosts came back to beat them 2-1. Without Cruyff they returned to the 1978 final, but lost 3-1 in extra time after hitting the post late in regulation.

Dutch players Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit (current ESPN analyst) and Frank Rijkaard formed the core of one of the greatest club teams ever, A.C. Milan in the late 1980s early 1990s. The Netherlands won Euro 1988 and, with those players coming off consecutive European Cup victories, and were among the favorites heading into Italia 1990. They limped through the group stage with three draws and bowed out to 2-1 to the Germans in the knockout stage, notable only for Rijkaard spitting on Rudi Voller.

The Netherlands had another ludicrously talented side in 1998, strewn with names such as Kluivert, Bergkamp, Seedorf, Cocu, Davids and Overmars. They outplayed Brazil in the semifinal, but could not get the goal they needed. Brazil beat them 4-2 on penalties.

This Dutch team has talented players, such as Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben, but it pales in comparison to may of the past teams. The difference is that they have abandoned beauty at all cost soccer and become far more pragmatic. Van Marjwik’s change won’t inspire panegyrics and lyrical orgasms, but it may give the Netherlands a chance to finally win. [Photo via German Federal Archive]