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  1. Originally posted by Risto:Yep Holland is playing crap for some reason. But the fact is that all opponents we have played until now played crappier.

    Our main problem is the attack. Van Persie lacks fitness and people found out Robben can only do 1 thing. On the other side we dont have anyone.

    Solution:
    Robben on the left, so he cant do his frustrating repetive moves. And Van Persie on the right. Then Kuyt or Huntelaar as center forward and I promise goals with football we are used to from the Dutch


    We don't play crap, we just play different. It might be more boring but if we win the cup this way I'll be drunk for a couple of weeks. To watch the 2nd half againts Brazil in a overcrowded cafe over here was simply amazing.

    I'd say Van Persie on the left and Robben on the right, sometimes switching. Then Kuyt in the striker's position, he played a tremendous quarter final. And don't forget Huntelaar. Let's hope on a place in the final!
  2. And besides that: when Holland plays that old beautiful football again they'll not win the title. We just always moan. There were so many teams who played ugly football but got home with the cup. Now it should be our time!
  3. Originally posted by yeah:I'm all with you about the referee's role. And as I mentioned before, I think it's this human factor that makes the game that interesting and that evokes these discussions.

    Let's assume for a second that Suarez had not used his hand and that the ball was in. Would the outcry be the same about the diving player?

    I would like to think it would be, but I fear not, which is the endemic problem - the attitude towards cheating such as diving and the like has become engrained in the game because of the so-called 'professionalism' of football, and is almost taking for granted as part of the sport. When you hear professionals saying things like 'anyone would do the same', 'that's part of their football culture' and other such crud annoys me - just because it happens doesn't make it right, surely? We should be making as big a hullabaloo about players diving and trying to con the referee as is being made about the handball, because I think it's a show of disrespect to the officials, the other team, your own team and indeed everyone in football, because it's simply not a part of the game and should be stamped out. I feel the same way about players looking to get other players sent off by appealing for cards and also when they grab the ball if they've been fouled before the referee's blown, because at such a point you're trying to run the game yourself - the old adage of 'play to the whistle', as it were. I recognise all the stuff I'm blabbing on about would basically imply a massive overhaul in the world game, the laws and such like, but I think we need it. I've enjoyed a lot of what this latest World Cup has had to offer but it's been spoilt throughout by players from every team doing things like I've mentioned above which go against the spirit, honesty and integrity of the sport, so it's all ringing a bit hollow for me.

    I apologise if I sound sanctimonious and forthright, because quite frankly I can see that is the impression I'm giving lol, but cheating in football has been a major hate of mine for a long time now, since I've been old enough to understand and recognise it, and unfortunately for all you guys here it's all started pouring out of me as a consequence because I do feel very strongly about it.
  4. If we (Holland) play unattractive football but win the worldcup, let's see what people will still be talking about in 20 years time; the beautiful football during the groupstage in the 2008 European cup, or the worldcup of 2010...
  5. Originally posted by WojBhoy:[..]
    I would like to think it would be, but I fear not, which is the endemic problem - the attitude towards cheating such as diving and the like has become engrained in the game because of the so-called 'professionalism' of football, and is almost taking for granted as part of the sport. When you hear professionals saying things like 'anyone would do the same', 'that's part of their football culture' and other such crud annoys me - just because it happens doesn't make it right, surely? We should be making as big a hullabaloo about players diving and trying to con the referee as is being made about the handball, because I think it's a show of disrespect to the officials, the other team, your own team and indeed everyone in football, because it's simply not a part of the game and should be stamped out. I feel the same way about players looking to get other players sent off by appealing for cards and also when they grab the ball if they've been fouled before the referee's blown, because at such a point you're trying to run the game yourself - the old adage of 'play to the whistle', as it were. I recognise all the stuff I'm blabbing on about would basically imply a massive overhaul in the world game, the laws and such like, but I think we need it. I've enjoyed a lot of what this latest World Cup has had to offer but it's been spoilt throughout by players from every team doing things like I've mentioned above which go against the spirit, honesty and integrity of the sport, so it's all ringing a bit hollow for me.

    I apologise if I sound sanctimonious and forthright, because quite frankly I can see that is the impression I'm giving lol, but cheating in football has been a major hate of mine for a long time now, since I've been old enough to understand and recognise it, and unfortunately for all you guys here it's all started pouring out of me as a consequence because I do feel very strongly about it.


    As you mentioned, it has always been part of the game and will always be. Whether it's handballs, diving, open or hidden fouls, insults, and so on...
    If you want a pure game, that would probably one without body contact. And a boring one.
  6. Of course, I'll be happy when we win the cup regardless the game.

    But it is dangerous to play (semi) finals like this. Our defense and midfield is pretty good, but eventhough we seem to score the goals, the attack is weak at best. Look at the game against Brasil, one capital mistake from the keeper and a corner kick.

    But we had dozen semi chances. Just look at Robben. He had many opportunities to pass the ball or shoot with his right from just outside the box. But instead he wastes time to turn the ball to his left and shoots against 2/3 defenders. I know his right isnt that good, but I rather have him work the keeper instead of doing whatever he does. I would just ask him once to pass the defender instead of coming in directly without trying. We barely had any crosses into the box

    Same for V Persie. His ball controll is unmatched in normal conditions, but now he seems to forget the ball and is too sluggish to be really dangerous.

    Again, I'll be cheering when we win But imho with a few changes things would go much better in the attack. Like we said with Robben and Van Persie on the sides and Kuyt or Huntelaar in the centre.
  7. Originally posted by yeah:As you mentioned, it has always been part of the game and will always be. Whether it's handballs, diving, open or hidden fouls, insults, and so on...
    If you want a pure game, that would probably one without body contact. And a boring one.

    I get what you mean, but I still think that even though it's in the game - and I suppose one could compare it with the idea of you can't unlearn knowledge - we can make a continuous stand and constantly discourage people from cheating because you lose the fun of sport, and you can still play football in a competitive physical way without resorting to cheating lol. I might only play 7/8-a-side football with friends at university, but it's a damned sight more fun than watching professionals play sometimes because everyone plays it in a good spirit and doesn't try to gain an illegal advantage over the other. I'm not suggesting that we are without sin, because fouls are committed and the like, but they're honest mistakes as opposed to cheating, e.g. I got the tackle wrong and the like, and nor am I suggesting that every pro. is a cheat, but it's far more evident and in the limelight so one might as well start somewhere if one is to form a crusade - I'm hopelessly idealistic, I know, but I'm not going to give up without a fight
  8. Originally posted by Remy:[..]

    I shouldn't, but soccer players from South America have the same mentality when they play here. All of them, no exceptions


    If you are talking just about football players I kind of agree. But from what I've seen on this particular cup the italians players are the worse, they are just so dirty. Argentina and even Brasil surprised me, they accepted that their were just plain bad Uruguay on the other hand let everybody down.
  9. I think that the team playing the most beautiful soccer should win!

    At the moment it is Germany.

    If Netherlands win I´ll be happy because Sneider is great and they can play better than they are playing at the moment.

    Spain is great also, but I can´t understand Fabregas sitting and why Del Bosque didn´t call Marcos Senna.

    Uruguay would be nice if they won because the history they had, mainly up to 1950. So I´ll be happy if they win.

    I am glad Paraguay is out, I wouldn´t be happy if team that tied 3 out of 5 games got to the semifinals!

    Same with Brazil, of course I was cheering for Brazil because you cheer even at the worst moments, but this Brazilian team denied what has made us 5 times champs and that is the talent, the passing, the dribbling... not the defense. We lacked someone that could decide that even in 94 we had - Romario.

    But now, whoever wins I´ll be happy!
  10. I stand with Lineker: Germany will win.

    Although I hope we can get revenge for 1974.
  11. Originally posted by NLOTH_Victor:I think that the team playing the most beautiful soccer should win!

    At the moment it is Germany.

    If Netherlands win I´ll be happy because Sneider is great and they can play better than they are playing at the moment.

    Spain is great also, but I can´t understand Fabregas sitting and why Del Bosque didn´t call Marcos Senna.

    Uruguay would be nice if they won because the history they had, mainly up to 1950. So I´ll be happy if they win.

    I am glad Paraguay is out, I wouldn´t be happy if team that tied 3 out of 5 games got to the semifinals!

    Same with Brazil, of course I was cheering for Brazil because you cheer even at the worst moments, but this Brazilian team denied what has made us 5 times champs and that is the talent, the passing, the dribbling... not the defense. We lacked someone that could decide that even in 94 we had - Romario.

    But now, whoever wins I´ll be happy!

    Fabregas is very unlucky that he's coming into a team with players of the quality of Iniesta and Xavi ahead of him in the roles he plays. Xabi Alonso is possibly the best holding midfielder in the world at the moment and does the role better than anyone. He (Fabregas) should be getting picked ahead of Busquets though in my opinion. Fernando Llorente changed the game against Portugal (although so did Queiroz's decision to take off Almeida lol), looks in good form and is unlucky not to be getting started ahead of an off-colour Torres. Senna wasn't picked because he's had injuries all season unfortunately and only played something like 11 games all year for Villarreal?

  12. so who else is going to cheer for Holland tonight? a little more than 3 hours to go. hoping for a great game, fair play - and a referee who is not ruining everything with crap decisions. get it on, Oranje, for the final you go. Hup Holland hup
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