Spaniard Andres Iniesta dashed Dutch World Cup hopes for the third time, after they lost the 1974 and 1978 finals, when he scored the winner in their 1-0 victory with four minutes left to play in extra time.
"It is very bitter, very sad, but that is sport," said Van Marwijk. "It is harsh but the best team won tonight."
"You could feel from the start the team that would score the first goal would also win the match. Those chances from Robben could have meant victory but unfortunately we were not lucky," he said.
"Nobody expected that we would have been here, playing the final, and we came so very, very close to the penalty shootout," said the coach. "We were unlucky."
"If we deserved it, I do not know. It is disappointing. We came so close and we really wanted to win. We could have with a bit of luck."
Van Marwijk refused to blame referee Howard Webb for his team's defeat although he did say the Englishman did not have a firm grip on the match.
"I do not think the referee controlled the match well but let me be clear: the best team won," Van Marwijk said.
"Both sides committed fouls and it may be regrettable for a final and it is not our style but you do play a match to win.
"I would have loved to win the match even with not so beautiful football," he said.
