THE HOT CORNER

Mal Van Valkenburg REVIEW-JOURNAL, 50-39-3 (overall record)

Today's best bet: Spain-Netherlands (under 2)

•Here is what happens when Spain has the ball. Pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, ball goes out of bounds. When the Netherlands has the ball: Pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, ball goes out of bounds. This is the soccer equivalent of a chess match with two players who don't want to be the first to make a mistake. First goal wins, then they play keep away.