Revealed: De Jong's kick on Alonso was influenced by Shaolin monks!!

High kicks and brightly coloured outfits, these Shaolin students at a Chinese monastery have a lot in common with Holland’s footballers.

But unlike the fiery World Cup finalists, these yellow-robed youngsters know their martial arts from their two-footed tackles.

Their soccer efforts certainly outshine Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong’s astonishing challenge on Spain’s Xabi Alonso in Sunday’s tempestuous tie.

And unlike Holland’s hotheads, students at Tagou Wushu School in Dengfeng, central China, prefer to keep cool - and achieve this by meditating while balancing the ball.

They even laughed it off when an overly enthusiastic ‘tackle’ burst the ball, bringing an end to the team’s training session in the tranquil foothills of Mount Song.

The school is linked to the Shaolin Monastery in the Henan province, which was founded in the fifth century.

The students have just formed their football team and will be looking to take on fellow martial arts experts.

Serial pitch invader PUNCHED by security as he threw a hat to World Cup trophy last night

A serial pitch invader was punched to the ground by a security guard as he stormed the Soccer City ground and threw a hat over the solid gold World Cup trophy before last night's final.

Notorious Barcelona fan Jaume Marquet Cot - known as 'Jimmy Jump' - fell to the floor after being knocked out with one hit as he ran across the grass to the ceremonial stand 10 metres from the team dug-outs.

The joker, who is in his mid-30s, sprinted across the turf wearing a black T-shirt with writing that said 'Jimmy Jump against racism' while holding his trademark red Catalan hat.

After being punched to the ground, he was carried down the tunnel by seven stewards, past astonished players and officials who were lining up ready to take to the field.

As a result of the pre-match stunt, the famous World Cup trophy was kept under lock and key during Spain's 1-0 defeat of the Netherlands in Johannesburg.

Marquet Cot, from Sabadell, Catalonia, has previously pulled off security breaches at high-profile events including the Spanish Grand Prix, the Eurovision Song Contest and top European football matches.

A police spokesman said: 'The man is Jaume Marquet Cot, who has done this sort of thing before.

'We're pretty annoyed that antics like this got in the way of the start of the match, but at least it wasn't a life-threatening situation.

'The bottom line is he has shown serious disrespect for the authorities and for the tournament. For that he will pay.'

Top managers one sided prediction for World Cup winner..Guess which country?

On the day of the biggest game in world football, it’ll be best to ask some of the best in the business to give us their predictions for the World Cup final. 

SIR ALEX FERGUSON: Spain are in the best form of the tournament, improving with every game after a slowish start. They passed the ball brilliantly against Germany and are strong in midfield, which is important. Holland are well organised enough to make it difficult.

HARRY REDKNAPP: Watching Spain is a great lesson in how to play football. Xavi and Andres Iniesta prove size doesn't matter – it is ability that counts. The Barcelona influence on their team is huge and any young kid here can learn from the way they pop the ball about. 

DAVID MOYES: Holland will be worthy opponents for Spain. They have excelled themselves to get this far and only a fool would write them off in what will be a very close final. But Spain look stronger all-round with their Barcelona influence. I fancy them to win it.  

SLAVEN BILIC: Holland have not impressed me as much as they did in Euro 2008 or even the last World Cup, yet they are in the final. Spain spoilt us in 2008, they haven't been as exciting this time, but they were very good against Germany and will be better against the Dutch. 

MARTIN O'NEILL: Somebody asked me before the semis were played and I thought Spain had not shown their true ability in the earlier rounds. They seemed to have scrambled through and you always feel there is a major, major game for them to win. So I go for Spain. 

CHRIS HUGHTON: Howard Webb will do a first-class job and both teams will be happy to have such a strong man in charge. I think Spain will edge it. Germany had been the most impressive team in South Africa so I have to choose the team who beat them. 

JOHAN CRUYFF: Spain have always had good players and never a team - now they have one. If they get into their rhythm, they should win. I know the whole of Holland wanted to play Germany in the final because they fear Spain will simply keep the ball for 90 minutes. 

Total score, Spain 5-0 Holland

A fatherly advice for Cristiano Ronaldo's newly BOUGHT son

When a man becomes a father, he naturally wants to pass on the fruits of his hard-earned wisdom to his son - especially when he's reportedly paid $10million to a surrogate mother. So what can Cristiana Ronaldo, the World Footballer of the Year - and prima donna of the century - tell his new baby boy about life, love... and metallic hotpants? DAVID THOMAS imagines the proud daddy's advice.

Dutch WAGs leave South Africa with a kiss for their heroes

The Netherlands' victorious World Cup squad moved in to their new hotel today -and were sent on their way by their clearly adoring wives and girlfriends.

Unlike England's World Cup team, Holland were not banned from seeing their WAGs during the tournament.

And, also unlike England's team, Holland have played brilliantly - and now have the Cup itself in their sights.

After knocking first the powerhouse Brazilian team out of the tournament, and then Uruguay in the semi-final, they are now due to meet either Germany or Spain in the final on Sunday.

It was not a result they had expected. The team only had reservations until July 5 at the Sandton Hilton in Johannesburg - probably because they did not believe they would make it to the last week of the tournament.

Now they have moved to the Sunnyside Park Hotel, where they were able to find accommodation while they bid to make history.

The English team had complained bitterly under manager Fabio Capello's disciplined World Cup regime - which included no WAGs for the duration of the tournament.

He made headlines with the decision, fearing a repeat of the WAGs' outrageous antics during England's failed 2006 campaign in Germany.

At the time he said: 'We’re going to South Africa to play, not for a holiday. If they don’t want to come for the day only, they should stay home.'

He allowed the players to visit with their families just days before their big showdown with Germany.

The Evolution of Wesley Sneijder: The Statistics prove it all

Wesley Sneijder has continued where he left off with his club side Inter Milan.

After winning an unprecedented Treble domestically, the midfielder has been involved in over half of the Netherlands' goals at the 2010 World Cup, scoring five goals and delivering one assist.

With Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong employed as midfield enforcers behind him, Sneijder has had more freedom to roam up the field and try his luck. He has already found the net five times in South Africa, as many as he managed in the whole of last season's Serie A with Inter. 

One other aspect of Sneijder escaping his shackles with the national side is that he has also managed the most shots for Bert van Maarwijk's side (19).

He has been impeccable in his shooting, testing the keeper with nearly two in every three attempts. He has also been excellent in his delivery, completing 85% of passes, that's seven points better than in last season's Champions League.

Sneijder has come a long way from his season in the wilderness with Real Madrid back in 2008/09 where he only started 18 league games. 

No longer wanted at the Bernabeu, Jose Mourinho brought him to the San Siro where he demonstrated his all-round ability. More of a creator than a finisher, he conjured up three chances per game in the Italian league.

However, it was in the Champions League that he made a lasting impression, scoring three goals and making six assists in only 11 games, proof that Sneijder really comes into his own on the biggest stage. 

In fact, in 16 Champions League and World Cup games this season, he has scored seven goals and delivered seven assists, not a bad return.