World Cup 2010: Holland and Spain compete to shed 'underachievers' tag

Sunday's World Cup final will give either Spain or Holland the chance to finally shed that most unwanted of tags – 'underachievers'. But which other sportsmen and teams have failed to make their most of their abilities?

Disbelief: Colin Montgomerie will forever remember his loss at the 2006 US Open

New Zealand All Blacks
Convincingly beat France in the first ever Rugby World Cup by 20 points in 1987. But in the last two decades, the All Blacks have coasted against their rivals before coming unstuck in the one tournament that matters. One final defeat, three semi-finals losses and a insipid showing at the 2007 World Cup when they lost to France pay testament to that.

Marat Safin
Despite being regarded as one of the most gifted players of the last decade, the Russian never lived up to the billing. He broke rackets – over 700 during a 12-year career – but should have won more than his two Grand Slam titles. Played four finals in all, had a wicked serve and finally called time in 2009. "I can’t complain, I’ve managed to do pretty well in my career.”

Colin Montgomerie
Captured seven consecutive Order of Merits on the European Tour but will forever be remembered for losing two play-offs and finishing runner-up five times in Majors, as well as losing his rag on a number of occasions. The 2006 US Open defeat when he scuffed his approach to the 18th was the closest he came, ending with a double-bogey six and tied for second.

South Africa's ODI team
Despite chasing down 435 to beat Australia in 2006, the South Africans have failed win an international one-day series – despite being blessed with technically brilliant players and world-beating all-rounders. In 1999 they tied with Australia in the World Cup semi-final after panicking in the final over. The Proteas needed only 126 to beat India on run rate at the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup and make the semi-finals but fell 10 runs short. And in the 50-over World Cup the same year they were thrashed by Australia in the semi-finals after a disastrous change in tactics.

Jimmy White
Underachiever or great sporting choker? The highly-popular Londoner, nicknamed The Whirlwind, lost in six World Championship finals during an entertaining career. The biggest chance came in the 1994 final when he missed a routine black of its spot when locked at 17-17 against Steven Hendry. Afterwards White joked that the Scot was "beginning to annoy" him. But the disappointment was evident that night in Sheffield.