Spain

Albarino from the Rias Baixas Galicia region of Spain is one of the most exciting categories of dry white wines on the market today. The best known is Martin Codax, a fine wine, but I like this even more. It's crisp and intense, with flavors of nuts, herbs, green apple, pears, citrus and Asian spices. For its price, it's impressively complex. What a wonderful alternative to ABC — Another Boring Chardonnay. Wine Find: 2009 Salneval Albarino From: Rias Baixas, Spain Price: $12 Serve with: Oysters, fish, ham

Mexican-born filmmaker Guillermo del Toro plants kernels of truth within cornucopias of inspired grotesquerie. In his own words, he makes "eye protein, not eye candy. " His chef d'oeuvre — to date — is "Pan's Labyrinth" (2006), the rare fairy tale to win three Academy Awards. Equally provocative and cathartic, it's an inspired choice for viewing and discussion at the splendid FilmTalk series at the Central Library on Saturday. Set in 1944 Spain, the story tests the mettle of its 12-year-old heroine, Ofelia, when she travels with her mother to a remote military outpost.

Angel McCoughtry scored 17 points while Candice Dupree had 12 with 16 rebounds as the United States routed South Korea 106-44 in the quarterfinals of the women's world championship in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. Maya Moore added 15 points for the Americans, who will play Spain in Saturday's semifinals. Six players finished in double figures for the U.S. — Swin Cash had 11 points, while Sylvia Fowles and Tina Charles each had 10. The United States took control in the first quarter with an 11-2 run fueled by Diana Taurasi's five points.

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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — An evening that began with fireworks ended in tears of joy for Spain, which erased decades of frustration Sunday by finally hoisting the World Cup. Andres Iniesta's goal 28 minutes into extra time, mixed with a spectacular game from keeper Iker Casillas, gave La Furia Roja an ugly but hard-fought 1-0 win over a shorthanded Netherlands squad before a raucous, vuvuzela-tooting crowd of 84,490 at Soccer City Stadium....

JOHANNESBURG —The World Cup ends Sunday, and Paul the Octopus, the tournament's favorite psychic sea creature, can sink back into his aquarium tank in Oberhausen, Germany, and finally relax. But if Paul can see the end of the road, the same is not yet true for the players of Spain and the Netherlands, who square off Sunday. For them, it all comes down to 90 minutes — or perhaps 120 — that will determine whether they fly home as world champions or also-rans.

Dutch finally arrive Bob Foltman Chicago Tribune The safe pick would be Spain. It's hard to go against the reigning European champions, who also were one of the favorites heading into the tournament. Spain also has turned around an image of not showing up for big games. So Spain would be the easy pick, which is why I'll back the Dutch. The Netherlands knocked off Brazil in the quarterfinals and a determined and organized Uruguay in the semis. The Spanish have done the minimum to get through, posting three straight 1-0 scorelines.

DURBAN, South Africa — Despite its European title, the record-tying 35-match unbeaten streak it carried into last summer and the No. 1 world ranking it had four months ago, Spain somehow manages to sneak up on people. Vicente del Bosque , the team's unexcitable coach, promises the long-overdue recognition of others won't change Spain. "We will try to keep our eyes wide open and not be blinded by success," he said Wednesday after a 1-0 semifinal victory over Germany.