Not a fan of their current kit
This one is much better
This one is much better
The Dutch National Soccer Team
- Thread starter Cork Evertonian
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Interesting game this now Bulgaria have pulled one back
Cork Evertonian
Player Valuation: £50m
They got a win over Bulgaria earlier.So at least we saw a reaction from them, after that France game.The dutch are third in the group now, three points behind Sweden.Sweden have a much better goal difference though.
I like watching the Dutch, and I'm definitely biased, but do people consider Germany boring? I always found the Italians to be the most loathsome to watch.
Cork Evertonian
Player Valuation: £50m
I think i was a bit harsh on Germany there.While they may not be as flamboyant as the Dutch, the Italians are a different kettle of fish entirely.The traditional Italian defensive style of football is repulsive.Their tactic in the 2006 world cup final was to play for penalties.German teams at their best are clinically efficient and they also play good football.I think it's the model for all teams to aspire to.If the Dutch could combine their tradition for stylish football and flair, with some German efficiency then they would have no problems.lol
I personally love how Italy play to be honest, but then again I grew up with World Cup 94 watching Baresi, Maldini and the two Baggio's
Italy have always been a side I've looked out for. They are unfairly credited as a super defensive side, which isn't always the case. I love watching old tapes of the 82 side for instance, where they recovered from a slow start in the groups to tear it up in the later rounds, including putting 3 past the famous Brazil side of Zico and Socrates
I've never considered Germany boring either. What they are is efficient and adaptive. If a team lets them play football against them, then they'll snot them playing lovely togger. If a team tries to kick them, they'll kick them back. They are the ultimate chameleon team, and I respect them hugely for that. They also played Total Football in 74 as well, which kind of gets forgotten. They beat Holland at their own game in the end, despite what history says
Italy always have some champ like Buffon or Pirlo that make them hard to dislike.
Utter legend
Played 120 minutes of a World Cup Final in the baking heat, whilst injured, and still had the chutzpah to step up and take a penalty. If any player didn't deserve to miss, it was him. I wish they'd won that final to be honest, I have increasingly less love for that Brazilian team the older I get and enjoy Italy's scrappy determination more and more. They had no right to reach that final, but still did so anyway. I kind of love that
artetas_biggest_fan
Player Valuation: £6m
Germany have completely changed in the last five/six years. They used to be very methodical, machine like, but now play more like Pep's Barca. Neuer is an extra passer in the team. The football they played against Brazil in the 2014 World Cup semi no previous German team would have played.
The 1974 final was as close to robbery as you can get. The Dutch battered them, passed them off the field, shots reigned in on the German goal, but they were cocky and complacent, and as Rudi Krol said "they forgot to win". That's not to say Germany didn't have great players (Beckenbauer, Muller, Maier, Bonhof, Breitner) but the Dutch were a class above (probably in the top five teams that have ever played the game) and only have themselves to blame.
They aren't great at the minute though. They have always been the masters of defending but unlike the past they don't have a star attacking player. Mazzola, Rossi, Giannini, Baggio, Vialli, Del Piero, Vieri, Pirlo, Totti...there is no-one of that calibre around right now which makes them hard to watch. When you think there was a period when Zola and Signori couldn't get a game such was the quality in attack.
Cork Evertonian
Player Valuation: £50m
What happened in 1974 was the Dutch started taking the piss when they were 1-0 up.They started showing off.Doing all these fancy passes and tricks.The Germans didn't touch the ball in the first 20 minutes.They kept the door open for the Germans and paid a huge price.
I've never felt from watching it that Germany were fully out of it, even whilst the Dutch were taking the pish out of them
They had a game plan of marking Cryuff tightly and probably expected to be under the cosh early
I think that 74 Germany side is great, they played some lovely stuff in that World Cup. Holland get all the credit, but Germany were a very good side indeed, as they showed in the 72 and 76 Euro's by winning one and reaching a final of the other
Toffee in Jandals
Player Valuation: £35m
Looks like it'll be a struggle for the Dutch to even get second in their group. They'll need to beat Sweden and Belarus, whilst overcoming a six-goal difference between them and the Swedes. You'd assume Sweden will beat Luxembourg (Yes, France though, I know lol)
Cork Evertonian
Player Valuation: £50m
I think this line from Father Ted seems very apt here?Is there anything to be said for saying another mass?
Cork Evertonian
Player Valuation: £50m
Right all the dutch have to do is beat Sweden by 7 goals to finish second in the group.They would need to win 7-0.They can't let Sweden score a goal.C'mon lads you can do it!lol That dutch team is very poor though.Only Daley Blind and Arjen Robben would get into the current Ajax side.That's how bad they are.
Toffee in Jandals
Player Valuation: £35m
The fact they recalled a 34-year old, injury-wracked van Persie for their game against Belarus a couple of weeks' ago says a lot. After the disaster that is this World Cup qualifying campaign, they need to start afresh. Surely there has to better youth options out there than relying on the old guard of Robben, Sneijder, Huntelaar, van Persie.
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