The Bayern Munich star missed a golden opportunity which could have secured a first world title for his side but he insists it is irrelevant heading into Friday’s game
Netherlands forward Arjen Robben admitted his miss against Spain in the 2010 World Cup final will haunt him for the rest of his life.
A perfectly timed and weighted pass from Wesley Sneijder presented Robben with a golden opportunity around the hour mark but the Bayern Munich star failed to beat Iker Casillas and Spain went on to win the game in extra-time.
And as the two sides prepare to meet again and kick off their 2014 World Cup campaign, Robben insists the scuppered opportunity bears no significance ahead of the match but admits it will never leave him.
“That was a moment, just a snapshot in my life,” he told reporters. “It’s a part of me, a part of my career and it will be with me all my life. But it is a past tense.
“We are focusing on tomorrow’s match, so it doesn’t count anymore.”
Dutch team-mate Sneijder says his side do not fear the European and world champions and feels the game is the perfect way to kick off the tournament.
“That’s football, we are starting against the team we lost the final to four years ago but we’re no longer thinking about that. To me there is no more beautiful place to start than this game.
“We know well the two teams and there is not going to be much of a surprise. I think it will be a great game. We have weapons to hurt and need to know how to take advantage of a very strong opponent.”