by Mat Churchill

Holland, will have at least two passionate ex-pats cheering them on from the other side of the world on Monday morning, when the Dutch team take on Spain in the World Cup final, the world's biggest sporting event.

Martinique managers Fred and Toos Eggers will be hoping three times is a charm when Holland take on the current European Cup holders, Spain.

"We lost to Germany 2-1 in 1974 when we should have won it, and again in 1978 when we played Argentina. They beat us 3-1." Fred lamented.

"We always stand and sing the national anthem at the start of the game, and I take the game very seriously, until we score and then I go crazy." he said.

Fred's first World Cup experience came in 1954 at the age of just eight when he saw the game broadcast on TV from Switzerland, where West Germany were victorious. He was also backpacking through the U.K. in 1966 when England won their one and only World Cup. 

A talented soccer player himself, Fred played first division in Holland. "Is that the equivalent of Australia's A-League?" I ask. "Right." said Fred (sorry, I couldn't help myself).

He was also a pioneer of Australian soccer, playing for Melbourne league's Ringwood City Wilhelmina for 15 years in the days when many nationalities had their own suburban clubs. He also spent time playing in New Zealand and so has a soft spot for the Aussies and Kiwi's.

So to Monday's game and a chance for the Dutch to achieve glory not experienced since their European Cup win (the second biggest tournament in soccer) in the 1980's.  "We'll be glued to the TV. I would've preferred them to play Germany because Spain is an exceptional team. They play a similar style to Holland but much faster and their players all have beautiful ball skills."

But according to Fred this won't be enough to get the Spanish over the line.

His prediction: Holland 2, Spain 1.

Holland voor de kampioenen van de Kop van de Wereld! (Holland for World Cup champions!)