Brazil-Netherlands in the quarters; Anyone else feeling light headed?

You know those commercials that advertise, ahem, "enhancing" products? And you know the disclaimer that advises if you have a fuse that stays lit for more than four hours, how you should seek immediate medical assistance?

Well, what if you have a one that lasts four days?  Because I’ve already got a raging soccer stiffy over this weekend’s Netherlands-Brazil quarterfinal – and I just don’t see anything changing to alter the situation before Friday’s kickoff.

If you’ve read this blog before, you may know that the Dutch soccer team had me in their camp since the late 1970s, when I saw Johan Cruyff play in the NASL, right about the same time I was figuring out about this tiny land that was developing dandy players and standing up to much larger countries.

Then of course, Brazil is Brazil, the chocolate cake of soccer. It’s damn good and everybody cheers gathers around when it shows up.

As I started thinking about Friday’s contest, I also realized something else: I’ve been in the stadium for every Dutch World Cup elimination since 1990.

I was at the Cotton Bowl in 1994 for that fantastic Holland-Brazil quarterfinal. All five goals in the second half. A controversial Brazilian goal. Bebeto rockin’ the baby. A fantastic response from Dennis Bergkamp. Branco’s free kick that bent the laws of physics. The best half of the tournament, for sure, and maybe the best match overall.

I was in Marseille in 1998 when Brazil needed penalty kicks to end the Dutch run. A lot of people don’t remember, but the South Americans had an extra day of rest. Brazil had three full days to recover from its win over Denmark; Holland had just two days after its memorable, late win over Argentina. Holland looked tired in the 30-minute extra time against Brazil but still manufactured some chances. It was a great match, too.

The Netherlands didn’t make World Cup scene in 2002, of course.

In 2006, I was in Frankenstadion in Nuremberg for the back alley brawl disguised as a soccer game. Russian referee Valentin Ivanov handed out 16 yellow cards and four reds. Ivanov took a lot of heat, and deservedly so to a point. But, honestly, that match may have demonstrated that some contests just aren’t containable. It really was a disappointing scene.

Conclusion: As I have returned to the States now from South Africa and cannot, therefore attend Holland’s quarterfinal … they’ve got a fighting chance!