By Andrew Cawthorne
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Hordes of orange-clad Dutch fans and red-bedecked Spaniards battled it out on Sunday to see who could sing the loudest, drink the most and dress the silliest for the World Cup final.
South Africans gleefully joined in the raucous but good-natured party around Soccer City where one of the teams was to lift soccer's biggest prize for the first time.
Some neutrals even wore scarves with both "Netherlands" and "Espana" on them to hedge their bets.
"This way, I can party whoever wins!" joked Jigae Parmai, just in from India, with a half-orange, half-red scarf.
Outside the ground during a sunny and cloudless day in Johannesburg, Dutch and Spanish fans kicked a ball round near the entrance and poked fun at each other in the buildup.
"Tomorrow there will be a celebration so loud in Amsterdam you will hear it in Madrid!" crowed businessman Arno van der Heijden, 41, who came with friends eight hours before kickoff.
"Our 70s team was a more beautiful one, but these boys know how to win as well as just playing nice."
Nearby, Sergio Munoz Gomez, a phone firm worker from Madrid, was more phlegmatic, saying he would not be devastated if Spain lost given it was their first but Netherlands' third final.
The Dutch lost in 1974 and 1978.
"Spain have made us proud just by being here. Even if Holland win, I would still be happy. They have waited a long time. These are two very likeable teams," said Gomez, 31.
Inside the packed stadium, Colombia's Shakira led a glitzy closing ceremony before kickoff, singing the official World Cup song "Waka Waka" with local group Freshly Ground.
Spotlights, fireworks and lasers lit up the night sky, while dance troupes and singers gave a more upbeat, techno feel to the show than the earthy opening ceremony exactly a month ago.
A huge cheer rose when ex-president Nelson Mandela, father of post-apartheid South Africa, took to the pitch to greet fans.
"THANK YOU, SOUTH AFRICA"
Before the game, in the upmarket Sandton district, Dutch fans in orange double-breasted suits formed a brass band to strike up traditional songs.
Spanish supporters soon gathered next to them on a staircase, belting out "Viva Espana!" at the top of their lungs.
Despite their historical ties with former colonizers Netherlands, many locals have taken to the Spanish team due to the intricate passing so loved by purist African soccer fans.
"They are just too cool, those Spain guys. They knock the ball around so well their opponents can't get anywhere near," said student Mzwakhe Tyali, 18.
"I always play Spain on my Play Station."
Proud Dutch fan Arjen Verlaan, 20, said his partial namesake and wing wizard Arjen Robben would soon put paid to Spanish dreams and give Netherlands a third-time-lucky win.
"We'll win two-nil. Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder. You have to agree Sneijder is the best player in the tournament," he said, sipping a beer and adjusting a curly orange wig.
Foreign fans said they were impressed with the organization of a tournament pessimists said was too big for Africa.
"Thank you, South Africa!" read signs carried by both Dutch and Spanish supporters outside the stadium.
Hawkers were having a last fiesta of sales, with local "vuvuzela" trumpets and "makarapa" hats flying off their stalls, along with anything else containing a dab of red or orange.
Some fans had signs begging for tickets -- at any price.
Many locals painted their faces with Spanish or Dutch flags, and draped themselves in the colors of their favorite team.
"I don't have a ticket, I'm just here to enjoy the atmosphere," said Hermenn Inanga, from Gabon but working in South Africa. Confusingly, he wore a bright red Spanish top but professed undying support for Netherlands.
"I could not find a Holland jersey that was cheap enough."
