The Dutch will have to go some to get past Iker Casillas tonight. The Real Madrid man may have lost his place for most of Real's games last season but he started the Champions League final and starts for the national side.

With tonight's game live on BBC Online, TV and radio, your choices are endless.

Just to add to your options, you can listen to Conor McNamara and co's radio comms on your TV via the Red Button.

BBC Radio 5 live's Conor McNamara in Salvador

"The @bbc5live commentary box in Salvador. We'll be live and loud for Spain v Netherlands."

Image source, @ConnorMcnamaraie

Image source, Epa

One man to keep an eye on in the Netherlands team is the number five, Daley Blind.

Readers of a certain age will be very familiar with his dad, Danny Blind [see above], but of more interest is the fact that the left-back has been converted into a deep-sitting playmaker, just like Philipp Lahm.

Will he play there or out on the left tonight? I'll tell you for sure in about 45 minutes.

While Spain are chock full of familiar faces, it's all change in the Netherlands camp.

Up front the trio of Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben remain, but the rest of the squad is a mixed bag.

The Eredivisie stars could be the breakthrough men of the tournament. Or they could be out of their depth. Only time will tell.

Image source, Getty Images

There's no doubting Spain's quality. Theirs is probably the strongest squad of all the 32 sides, with every man a familiar face to the seasoned Premier League and Champions League fan.

They became the first European team to win a World Cup outside of Europe four years ago, but can they repeat the feat again? Do you want another Spanish win?

Or are you sick of their tippy-tappy approach, lack of a big number nine, and no apparent Plan B?

Let us know. Whether you are rooting for the boys in red or hoping for some Dutch courage, we want to hear from you.

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Every country seems to have its 'golden generation' every 15 years or so. Most of them amount to nothing, flattering to deceive with plenty of good chat and the odd decent showing before ultimately bowing out in the quarter finals.

But the Spain class of 2007-14 have well and truly earned the title.

Dominant across Europe and the world, at this moment in time teams from Spain hold the World Cup, European Championships, Champions League and Europa League trophies.

Tiki-taka all the way.

BBC Sport's David Ornstein in Salvador

"Welcome to Arena Fonte Nova, where the Spain and Netherlands squads have just arrived on buses that were filmed virtually from hotel to stadium, adding to the excitement that was already building nicely as kick-off approaches. There were some lovely shots of fans chasing after the busses to catch even the tiniest glimpse of their heroes, and the look of joy and emotion on the faces of those streaming into the ground is a sight to behold.

"Both teams - Spain in tracksuits, Netherlands in shorts and teeshirts - headed straight out to have a look at the pitch and soak up the pre-match atmosphere, which is suitably electric for a fixture of this magnitude. Spain opted to sit in their dugout while the Dutch stepped out on to the pristine turf, waving to their orange-clad supporters."

You can also watch build up from Salvador right now at the top of the page. Louis van Gaal has been out on the prowl, checking over the pitch. Will he come out on the winning side this evening?

Tonight sees our first game live on BBC TV.

You'll be able to watch Spain v Netherlands at the top of this page and on BBC One from 19:30 BST.

Join Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand, Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer.

BBC Sport's David Ornstein in Salvador

"Salvador is considered the home of Capoeira, the Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music. There's a hint of shadow boxing about it and from speaking to a handful of Spanish and Dutch journalists and fans, I get the sense they feel this match could take on similar characteristics.

"While both sides are renowned for their attacking brilliance, they will be desperate to avoid defeat and that could result in a cagey affair."

When these sides met in the 2010 final, it was pretty tasty.

Rotherham's Howard Webb sent off Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga and showed 14 yellow cards in all. It was a bruiser.

Will it be a repeat tonight? Let's hope not.

Spain do start with a genuine striker, as Diego Costa plays up front in a very strong side.

The Netherlands have their familiar frontline all together again, but how fit is Robin van Persie?

Spain: Casillas, Pique, Iniesta, Xavi, Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Busquets, Alba, Costa, Silva, Azpilicueta

Netherlands: Cillessen, Vlaar, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind, De Jong, Janmaat, De Guzman, Van Persie, Sneidjer, Robben

Image source, Getty Images

The best football team on the planet.

For the next four weeks - at the very least - Spain can continue to claim that title as holders of the World Cup.

After winning Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 either side of that World Cup victory in South Africa, Vicente del Bosque's side also have a pretty good handle on the title of 'best team ever.'

Can they lift the trophy in Rio next month and make it four major tournaments in a row? It would be an extraordinary achievement.

Tonight they begin their defence against the same side they defeated in the 2010 final, and it's live on BBC One.

Get set. It's Spain v Netherlands...

Holders Spain have no injury concerns as they begin the defence of their World Cup crown against the Netherlands. Brazil-born striker Diego Costa has recovered from the injury problems that blighted the end of his club season at Atletico Madrid.

Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal is expected to start with the 5-3-2 formation he has trialled in their warm-up matches. Swansea midfielder Jonathan de Guzman is fit after a hamstring injury, while Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder is in line to win his 100th cap.