A somber day for fans of the Dutch game
by Steve Davis on Jul 12, 2010 10:15 AM EDT
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I was 12 years old when I paid attention to my first World Cup. It was the summer of 1978 and I was finishing every hot evening playing soccer with neighborhood friends. We lived in the city, in an area with a good racial and ethnic mix; I spent a lot of time playing soccer with the Mexican-American kids.
Every day started by reading my father’s sports page, checking baseball scores and looking for stories on my local pro soccer team. And … I started reading that summer about the World Cup going on down in
At that time I knew about European history the same way I knew about sharks and UFOs – from watching movies. So I knew just a little about
But that was this "
Still is, by the way, relatively speaking. At about 16 million, it’s Europe’s 11th largest nation, far smaller than
I was fascinated that this land could stand up to much larger countries in soccer. And I felt some sort of kinship with a country that kept bumping up against hard luck. I mean, twice this strange little land of funny wooden shoes may have owned the world’s best soccer team – but twice suffered the misfortune of meeting the hosts in the final. Damn! That’s tough luck.
By the next summer I was a full-fledged soccer geek kid. I had my subscription to Soccer America Magazine; read that bad boy cover to cover every week. I even put together a math project on a statistical study of soccer matches, which won a city award. The local pro team’s PR man heard about it and gave me a job as a spotter for the home games. (The coach of the Dallas Tornado, Al Miller, was way ahead of his time in compiling player data. He kept a "touch chart," recording every pass, accounting for long and short passes, lost possession, penetrating passes, crosses, etc. My job was to call out numbers to someone writing it all down.)
At any rate, this is about the time Johan Cruyff joined the Los Angeles Aztecs. My team had a Dutch fellow, too, Willi Lippens, a creative left-sided player and a really fascinating dude. He is the only native-German speaker ever to play for
Meanwhile, other Dutch players were sprinkled throughout the North American Soccer League. And they were all such wonderful talents. "What is the deal with this little land? How do so many great players come from this place?"
Of course, we all know now about manager genius Rinus Michels, Total Football and the advanced teaching systems of
I’ll never forget watching Cruyff take apart my team, the Dallas Tornado, with skill, speed and cunning unknown to most NASL outfits. At Ownby Stadium, I watched in rapt astonishment as Cruyff lined up a free kick from just outside the penalty area. Standing right over the ball, he started bickering. He pointed at the wall and gestured in obvious irritation. Then he started yelling at teammates. Then he yelled at the referee about the wall. Then, with all this intentionally created chaos swirling around him, Cruyff lifted his right foot and calmly deposited his free kick into the upper corner. Goal.
Yep, Dutch players. What a joy to watch.
I’ve learned a lot about soccer watching Dutch teams and Dutch systems through the years.
And, like a lot of people today, I’ve learned about disappointment.
As a journalist, you don’t get to be a "fan" per se. Maintaining professional distance and detachment is important. But since I really don’t cover the soccer in
Objective me says: The world gains, because Spain won by playing a wonderful, elegant style. I truly appreciate that. And Spain was my pick to win it all (you can look that up), so I do have that.
Personal me says: I suppose I get something from it, because the ability to empathize is an important tool in any journalist's kit.
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Commiseration
Good stuff, here. I have felt something akin to this in relation to UConn men’s hoops in recent years. I grew up in Connecticut and therefore rooted for UConn. It was easy, too; they were scrappy overachievers and then they were scrappy national champions. But then Jim Calhoun finally got access to “true” blue-chippers and it all came apart. Charlie Villanueva and Rudy Gay may be solid players in the NBA, but they killed UConn hoops—or Calhoun killed UConn hoops with them. They were talented as all hell, but they were soft and didn’t hustle. And now the team/coach are beset with a scandal involving the recruitment of a blue-chipper who ended up getting kicked out of school before playing a game. As I’d imagine might be the case for fans of Dutch “Total Football,” I feel like UConn lost what made it beautiful.
I think Holland had to play the way it did yesterday to have a chance to win. It seemed like they were overwhelmed when they weren’t hacking Spain out of its flow. But it sure was sad to see it go that way.
I was rooting for Holland
But I couldn’t quite bring myself to be upset when they lost. De Jong could have punctured Alonso’s lung with that kick, and Van Bommel and a few defenders easily could have been sent off. They played an aggressive, slightly dirty game, and it almost worked.
"Slightly dirty"...
…is an understatement. I was expecting it, but disappointed nonetheless that they did it. The football mind in me understands why they felt they had to play like that (though De Jong’s assault was unpardonable, as was Howard Webb’s timid response to it). But it sullied the moment I, like all Spaniards, had been waiting so long for.
Soccer: a no-contact sport?
First, i felt spain were the better team and deserved to win, but…
Paaleese! Handing out too many cards and sending off players is not how WC finals are to be played. Sure, the Dutch were aggressive as they are normally more so than relying on finesse as do the Spainish team, but these are simply competing “styles”. Playing hard and tough is not against the rules and many teams compensate for lack of pace or skills by doing so. The Dutch are equally skilled at soccer, just not as quick as the Spainish front line. Going all out for the ball does not allow for “please” and “thank you” like many people would have them say. I felt they played hard, and wanted to send that message to any Spainard venturing near the box, but by no means were they “dirty”. Why has the world decided that if you don’t play Brazil style Futbol you are not worthy of winning? I find their game rather “lazy”.
FIFA must do something about the officiating (namely use video in certain circumstances) or people will begin to lose interest in watching matches with unfair send-offs, missed penalty chances, faked injuries, and overly-zealous carding. Too many WC games were decided by the refs!
mostdiggity
by Thomas Mario Adams III on Jul 12, 2010 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Ajax nerd
anyone reading steve in the past or keeps reading, will soon realize he’s an Ajax nerd… not that there’s anything wrong with that…. there’s no truth to the rumor Steve wore an Ajax jersey when he got his one-on-one sitdown interview with Sepp in Dallas during the ’94 Cup
that may be true
…but Sepp couldn’t see it … i wore it as an undershirt
by Steve Davis on Jul 12, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This was a victory for Cruyff fans
I think that Spain’s victory was a victory for Cruyff and his vision of football. Let’s not forget his deep influence on Barcelona’s style of play and philosophy (and even players), which was on display the whole tournament. In a sense, Cruyff had to go to Spain to find a country to carry on his philosophy of football – technical, fluid, intelligent, patient, aesthetic. That is, it was the Spanish who have continued the tradition of Dutch football from the 70s, not the Dutch, and that is largely due to the influence of Cruyff.
by baconboy on Jul 12, 2010 2:15 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Thank you Steve Davis for a good post.
Your submittal certainly was a lot more enjoyable to read than the game was to watch. Like you, I was rooting for the Dutch (before the game that is. After having seen their incredibly dirty tactics which ruined the enjoyment for as all, I am very glad they werre not rewarded with a win). Like you, I watched the Dutch play the final against Argentina –a game in which the blood literally flowed. I have always felt sorry for the Dutch that they didn’t win either of their two previous finals but –while I didn’t realize it at the time, after watching yesterday’s abomination, I kind of suspect it was mostly Holland that created the dismal personal assaults situation in Argentina as well.
Unlike you, I don’t believe Spain is anywhere near the best team in the world. Their qualifying was anything but impressive and losing to Switzerland in the first game? And even if I was to concede that they might bevery good, talk about boring. 8 goals in seven games? Pathetic. Too bad the Germany vs. Uruguay match didn’t turn out to be the final. THAT was a game truly deserving of the venue. Normally it is with a little sadness you realize that the World Cup you have waited for for so long is now over but after witnessing The Netherlands’ embarrassing display and Spain’s utter lack of imagination, it is not all that difficult to let go. Unfortunately, the millions of Americans who consider soccer too boring to watch but who did tune in to the final anyway, have had their perception of the game confirmed.
Third place games...
…will never be like finals. It’s impossible (and unfair) to compare them. That same Germany/Uruguay game would have almost certainly played out differently if the trophy was at stake.
As for Spain. If they are not “anywhere near the best team in the world”, then who is? Your wording suggests that somewhere out there there is a team head-and-shoulders better than Spain. If that’s the case they didn’t bother to come to South Africa, so they might as well be a fantasy team.
The best team does not always win DrWeevil
if they did, you would have to consider Switzerland better than Spain. But you, of course, already knew that. The better teams WERE there but didn’t pull it off. That is not to say Spain didn’t deserve the win. They just didn’t get it done in entertaining fashion, which no doubt is fine with them. With the spectators, however, —not so much.
interesting
Every game I saw Spain play, they outplayed their opponent. They didn’t run up the scores up like they did in Euro, but they still got it done and deserved to win. (As an aside, any squad that can afford to have players like Fabregas and Silva on the bench is pretty darn strong with lots of depth).
Personally, I don’t think there’s any doubt Spain is the top side in the world right now.
Who do you figure is better?
As I too said above:
Yes, they deserved to win. Arguing which teams are “better” is pretty futile and even if you get a consensus, really serves no purpose but since you asked: In my mind, Brazil, Argentina and Germany are clearly better and Holland (if they had come to play) and Italy just might be. I admittedly didn’t see most of Spain’s games but dragging their butts out of a soft group with Switzerland, Honduras and Chile was not impressive and winning nearly all their matches 1-0 is pretty telling as well. Not “running up the score” is one thing but NO team that could have won 2-0 will settle for 1-0 —EVER!
When I said not “running up the score” I didn’t mean it was deliberate. I think it had more to do with Torres’ form and everyone was bunkering against them (The US created the template).
They also beat and outplayed Portugal, Netherlands, and Germany. When you say the Netherlands didn’t come to play, I’m not at all following. Do you think it’s possible teams look bad against Spain because of how much possesion Spain maintains during a match?
Yes Peter, that is not only possible but
quite likely. They may, in fact, very well deliberately have developed a successful strategy of slowing down the game by just holding on to the ball, passing it around in the backfield not risking too much by going forward and hoping that sooner or later they may find the opportunity to score that single goal needed for the win. It may work for them but it isn’t pretty. I watch soccer for the entertainment value. I actually enjoy “the beautiful game.” If I was only interested in the result, I would just look it up afterwards. I see no real point in FIFA determining which is better of two losing teams but the battle for third place was indeed very entertaining. The final, on the other hand did in hindsight constitute a couple of hours I could have spent much better.
I think the issue you really have is not with Spain
but their opponents and the low scoring results. Until some side out there has the confidence they can play soccer with Spain, this is what you are going to end up with.
As far as I saw, they dominated possession in the midfield and were the only team in any game they played that actually tried to play soccer… well, the Dutch tried it for the first 10-15 minutes yesterday and quickly realized that wasn’t going so well (and out came the chainsaws).
If you get a chance, watch some Barcelona this year. If you see that style of play against an opponent that tries to play soccer, you may come to appreciate it a bit more.
A very common arguement
But unfortunately, completely untrue. And proven actually.
Check out this link to see what I mean.
http://www.behindthenethockey.com/2010/7/12/1565006/world-cup-spains-road-to-victory
Wow.
Brazil, I might buy, if they hadn’t fallen apart at the slightest hint of adversity. Good teams just don’t do that. They’re out.
Argentina lost 4-0 to Germany. The Best Team In The World might get beat by a lucky goal, a bad call, who knows? But 4 goals? They’re out.
Germany had its chance to show it was better than Spain. They were outplayed, not only in my opinion and that of many people who actually watched Spain play its games, but also in the opinion of their coach, Joachim Löw. He said the Spaniards were the best. (BTW, the Germans are my candidate for 2nd best team right now.)
The Netherlands? Please. They knew they couldn’t hang. That’s why they brought out the goon tactics. And whaddaya know? They were right.
Italy? Mama mia! What you smoking?
The simple fact is, Spain got it done. They didn’t get their 1-0 wins by bunkering and hoping for the lucky counter. They led the tournament in shots. They controlled each and every game they were in, by dominating the midfield and severely restricting their opponents chances. No one took them out of their game plan. They are the best. Just not in your mind, which really doesn’t matter.
nice read...
After watching the Dutch play Germany in the Euro Championship while in Amsterdam in the 90’s a couple of times I too gained a soft spot for these over acheivers. As soon as Iniesta gathered the ball in that fatefull moment i could feel the collective breath of Norther Europe swale and….fall….
mostdiggity
by Thomas Mario Adams III on Jul 12, 2010 5:48 PM EDT reply actions
Spain
Deserving winners, but they can be a bit boring. I’m interested to see who develops a style or combo of players to combat Spain’s style. How do you disrupt their possession without the fouling we saw from the Dutch? More midfielders? More back line players?
I guess you can bunker down and counter, but you have to score on the three good chances you get.
Never mistake effort for achievement.
Ah, beer, my one weakness. My Achille's heel, if you will. - HJS
by Esteban d' Amur on Jul 12, 2010 8:56 PM EDT reply actions
Germany can do it.
The thing about the Spanish game is that every field player can handle the ball with confidence and skill. Even all 4 defenders. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Casillas could too! Not only that, they’re all quick thinkers. That’s just hard to beat.
But Germany has the chops to do it. They lost a close one in the semifinal, but of all the teams Spain played they did the best job, and with a little luck might have pulled it off. You’ll note that Germany hung in there without using any of the goon tactics the Dutch resorted to. It was a remarkably clean game. And—no offense to anyone here—anyone claiming that game was boring doesn’t know shit from shinola when it comes to soccer.
Note also that Germany were without Thomas Müller for the semi. Who knows what might have been with him? I still think Spain win, they’re that good. But Germany is a young team. In a couple of years, who knows? Euro 2012!
Soccer
is not an offensive game. It is about possession. It is about working the ball between your players until you can find that opportunity to strike. If you want offense watch a basketball game. There’s some high scoring for you.
I prefer the defensive play we seen yesterday (both Goalies deserve a round of applause for their games) and I prefer the elegant passes, to the kick it down the field and run after it. That’s the United States game and that, as we can see, has not worked for them.
Call it boring if you want, but a good soccer match is a gritty effort put forth by both teams. A struggle to keep going, chip away at your opponents defenses and to capitalize on the one mistake they make.
Yesterday’s game was a fine showcasing and I was indeed happy watching it.
"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins
"There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." Bruce Lee
"This fucking game is over!" Chuck Bednarik
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth" Mike Tyson
