Unstoppable Oranje!
Posted: 14 June 2008
As EURO 2008 reaches the end of the group stages, it is the Netherlands who are looking pretty comfortable in the "Group of Death". But more than just winning, they make you fall in love with the Beautiful Game all over again. Total football.I have always been a huge fan of Dutch football, and this was also probably due to the fact that inspite of having produced some of the finest players European football has seen, the Dutch have never been able to shake off the "perennial underachievers" tag that has grouped them along with other teams like Spain and Portugal. But Holland has been my favorite because it had its own identity: the unique brand of total football that took the world by storm during the 1970s and 1980s. Yet, they have often been called "the greatest footballing nation to have never won the World Cup".
But this time, the Dutch have a brilliant coach who is a legend in his own right. Marco van Basten has trained his men very skillfully, and this has been evident right from the first game against World champions Italy. The way the Dutch relentlessly pressed for the ball right from start to finish spoke a lot of the kind of discipline van Basten has managed to instill in the side. Having himself patched up differences with Ruud van Nistelrooij, that renewed team spirit was evident from the first goal scored. Italy simply had no response to the free-flowing pass-and-move football that took them by surprise. By the end of the game (and two more goals later), the Azzuri were comprehensively beaten 3-0.
The Dutch seem now to be very fluent with the counter-attack. The second goal against Italy will in my opinion go on to become "the goal of EURO 2008", (breathtaking end-to-end stuff that!). Wesley Schneider and Gio van Bronkhorst were simply outstanding. Also, the young Affelay (who came on as a sub late in the game) looked very promising, hitting the bar with his first touch of the game.
Today, I'll admit: I was a bit nervous against the French, who didn't impress against Romania, but are very strong on their day. Dirk Kuyt (playing a wide target man of sorts) scored on 9' from the corner. The Dutch doubled their lead from another brilliant counter-attack led by Arjen Robben. The French got back their rhythm in the second half and the Dutch conceded their first goal of EURO 2008: inevitable I would think, given the quality attack France possess in Thierry Henry, Florent Malouda, Frank Ribery and company. The third and fourth were simply superb. Game. Set. Match. France 1. Holland 4. Holland certainly look unbeatable.
At the moment, let us analyze Group C. Holland have beaten both 2006 World Cup finalists and "superpowers" Italy and France 3-0 and 4-1. Unknown entity Romania have also stolen points from Italy and France. It looks like (I would hope) that Romania will qualify and Holland will top the "Group of Death". Seems now we know whose names the obituaries will read. Romania will probably pose no real threat to the Dutch, despite beating them during qualification. They resemble Italy in most aspects of their football, and like Italy, will fall to the relentless pressure and counter-attacking of the Dutch. I expect atleast a 2-0 win for the Oranje. The only team that, according to me, may eventually threaten Holland is Spain. Spain possess an excellent attack in Fernando Torres and David Villa and also counter-attack like the Dutch. That would make an interesting final (fighting fire with fire!)
There you have it: my favorite team and predictions for EURO 2008. I'll be keeping tabs on every Dutch game. Come back for more...
