Holland got past Sweden on penalties. Edwin v.d. Sar, the Dutch keeper, was amazing in the penalties, diving the right way every time, stopping one and having at least one near miss. I recall last fall he stoned Arsenal, when playing for his club team Fulham, to a 0-0 draw at Highbury to the admiration of all involved. While Sweden goes home to the akavit and herring, it can take some comfort in having the best kit of any team in the tournament.
While The Netherlands, sporting the Nike uni-look, had a very spiffy crest on their left shoulder blade with both the Swedish and Dutch flags celebrating the game, the Swedish uniform, by Umbro, was style itself. The collar even had a line of yellow on blue with a yellow line up and down at the back forming the Swedish flag. The blue numbers on the yellow also had a yellow line in the middle giving it a real 1976 Montreal Olympics look. Natty.
The TSN commentators kept calling the game a chess match. This is fitba longo for snooze fest. I am hoping tomorrow's Czechs v. Denmark will be a little more robust.
Comments
Arthur - June 26, 2004 9:16 pm
The TSN commentators kept calling the game a chess match. This is fitba longo for snooze fest.
I thought it was a pretty good game because of the nature of both countries (both play attacking style). I noticed that the Swedish goalkeeper was not at his best in the first half (sun?), boxing the ball too frequent. BBC notices how neatly Van Der Meyde and Robben can change positions, which I can remember was once introduced by Cruyff in the mid eighties (then coach for Ajax) when he had acquired then young-Overmars.
If the Dutch make the finals, Robben would be my choice for player of the tournament.
Alan - June 26, 2004 9:56 pm
Agreed. I noticed Robben slip to the right at one point and Davids certainly is everwhere. "Total football".
tnr - June 27, 2004 10:41 am
I thought the Dutch somewhat fortunate. Certainly agree that Robben has been superb throughout the tournament, but overall Holland have not impressed. "Total Football" I disagree, this is "Partial Football" Hopefully when they meet the mighty Czechs again, we will see Total Football.
Alan - June 27, 2004 11:05 am
I am so agreeable. I agree with tnr as well. The Dutch are playing an attempt at total football but not yet pulling it off. They need Ashley Cole, for example, and his ability to play left fullback and left winger at the same time.
Arthur - June 27, 2004 1:46 pm
I thought the Dutch somewhat fortunate. Certainly agree that Robben has been superb throughout the tournament, but overall Holland have not impressed.
I think football has always been a game of luck. If not, all teams would be playing like the Germans: consistent and defensive but utterly boring.
Hopefully when they meet the mighty Czechs again, we will see Total Football.
I expect the Czechs to make the finals too: I haven't made up my mind about the other team yet, but I would be surprised if the team of Portugal can withstand the pressure of being the host.