Fortune favors the bold
Marco Van Basten, currently the coach of Holland's national soccer team, was a magical footballer and perhaps the best striker of his generation. Raymond Dommench, currently the coach of French national soccer team, was a cynical (and many would say dirty) defensive- minded midfielder. Today, the two faced each other in a riveting Euro 2008 match. The Dutch, coming off of a shocking 3-0 victory over defending world champions Italy, were looking for a win that would put them into the quarterfinals after only two games. France, coming off of a disappointing 0-0 draw to Romania, was looking to put itself in contention to advance in the next game.
Both teams started out with similar formations. In particular, both had two defensive midfielders: for France, Makelele and Toulalan; for Holland, Engelaar and De Jong.
Holland jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, which it held through the first half. Thus, to the extent that either team might remove a defensive midfielder in the second half, you would have thought it would be France, the trailing team.
However, it was Van Basten who opted to add attacking flair for the second half. He did so, moreover, in the form of Arjen Robben, the fabulous winger, who came on for Engelaar. Dommench stayed with Makelele and Toulalan.
The results were quite dramatic. Robben promptly set up a second goal for Robbie Van Persie (another attack oriented sub). Then, less than a minute after France had pulled back a goal, Robben made it 3-1 with a stunning strike. At the final whistle, it was 4-1 to Holland. And Makelele and Toulalan were still trudging around for the French.
The title of this post notwithstanding, in soccer the Dommench's seem to get the better of the Van Basten's more often than not. That's why we fans get so excited when it works out as it did today.
Originally posted by badmoonSo you live your life according to movies and form incorrect opinions about a whole nation just because you saw a crappy movie?
I root for Czech because the movie midnight Express turned me away from Turkey.
Plus Czech has been had it so very harsh in the past century.
Haha.
Originally posted by badmoonYour ignorance is killing me. Not only you believe everything your hear in movies you also greatly lack the knowledge in history.
All right, Turkey sided with Germany in WW1.
It was Ottoman Empire who sided with Germany not Turkish Republic because Turkish Republic was not even founded during WW1.
Originally posted by PalynkaTurkey finds its Waterloo against Croatia I believe. Though the Turkish comeback was nice, they don't play a convincing game.
Amazing comeback. Hope to see you again in the semis. 🙂
And Germany in this terrible shape won't stand a chance against Portugal. So Croatia against Portugal is the first semi.
So far a pretty easy road for the red and greens 😕
Originally posted by SakeFools write off Germany at their peril.
Turkey finds its Waterloo against Croatia I believe. Though the Turkish comeback was nice, they don't play a convincing game.
And Germany in this terrible shape won't stand a chance against Portugal. So Croatia against Portugal is the first semi.
So far a pretty easy road for the red and greens 😕