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Another World Cup finalist outclassed by Van Basten’s side
NETHERLANDS FRANCE
TWO World Cup finalists tormented, the rest should be a dawdle, right? With the Netherlands, life is never that simple, yet Marco van Basten’s side have made a compelling case for greatness.
This was an indescribably awesome experience, not to mention a humiliating one forthe French coach, Raymond Domenech. Defeatwas inflicted even more enthusiastically and expertly on France than it was the Italians. This, after the Dutch displayed a resolve and bravery that was rarely required against Roberto Donadoni’s sterile side.
Van Basten’s tactical bravery was rewarded with a legendary performance. On the evidence of the last two matches, with seven goals plundered against two football superpowers, he has sold himself short by agreeing to return to Ajax. The sheer ballsiness of his decisionmaking was perhaps in spite of the attendant puritan Johan Cruyff. Holland’s greatest-ever player and now biggest critic made the journey in a show of solidarity. This was Total Football in the realm of fantasy.
It is a crying shame that the most entertaining and flamboyantly followed team in Euro 2008 are stuck in the pokiest stadium but they are already destined for a grander stage. They meet the runnersup in Group D in the last 16 and on this form will obliterate all before them en route to the Ernst Happel Stadium on June 29.
Holland had thevast majority of the Stade de Suisse on their side but, when required, luck favoured the Oranje, too. They escaped a legitimate penalty claimwith only DirkKuyt’s goal to show for their swaggering brilliance. Van Basten then, against all rational thought, overloaded his team with attackers and virtually dispensed of his midfield for the second half. It was a gamble that bordered on suicidal but one that paid off spectacularly. Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie were added to the already heady concoction and combined to score a breakaway goal that punctured France at their most dangerous.
Thierry Henry sparked a comeback that lasted precisely 60 seconds. No sooner had he given France renewed hope, Robben hared up the park to scoop a third goal past Gregory Coupet. By then, defence was a futile exercise. Wesley Sneijder earned his second man of the match award in succession with a sensational fourth goal that summed up the sheer expressionism at the core of Holland’s imperious form.
The Dutch continued from where they left off against Italy; their passing sublime, their understanding subliminal. They exhibited an artistry Vincent van Gogh would have been envious of. Inspiration was in plentiful supply but the introduction of Robben at half time was a masterstroke. The Real Madrid winger was rabid after missing the opening game through his latest ailment. Accommodating such an awesome array of attacking talent is a bigger concern for Van Basten than the remaining competition. This is throwback football.
Domenech administered radical surgery of his own, Patrice Evra, Henry and Sidney Govou all featuring in 4-2-3-1 designed to mirror the Dutch. Imitation is the best form of flattery but there is nothing like the genuine article.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the city centre isvery busy,”a public announcement declared, in comical understatement, at the end. The Dutch, around 60,000 at the last conservative count, have colonised the picturesque town of Berne and, in doing so, have provided one of the most colourful and comical spectacles of Euro 2008. The local council have added a third jumbo screen to the Kornhausplatz to satisfy the demands of non-ticketed supporters who have at least doubled in number since the 3-0 defeat of Italy.
The Neuenegg FanZone has been renamed the Oranje-Dorp. After the Oranje Elvises of the opening game, the tulip car and human clog have joined this wacky-backy wonderland. Famous faces mingledwithJoevan derPunter. Arthur Numan, Bert Konterman and Michel Doesburg made their way from Zurich to Berne,blendinginanonymously with their ow n colourcoordinated clothing. They arrived for a party and did not wait long to be entertained.
Kuyt’s appetiser was the easiest goal of his career. Van der Vaart’s swirling corner ought to have been intercepted by Gregory Coupet. Instead, the Liverpool attacker simply had to poke out his head to beat the goalkeeper and his mannequin marker, Florent Malouda.
Holland spent the rest of the half stroking the ball and looking for the perfect goal. It almost arrived, Van der Vaart’s shot blocked after spraying a sublime sequence of nine uninterrupted one-touch passes across the field. The French became ever more harassed in their efforts. Govou was the most likely source of inspiration, provoking three saves in quick succession from Edwin van der Sar before Franck Ribery’s roving run was halted by the goalkeeper.
Remarkably, Holland reemerged with five attackers, Robben replacing Engelaar with Van der Vaart dropping backto help Nigel deJong.Total Football or total madness? France were intent on ensuring the latter. They protested vehemently and justifiably when Henry’s shot bounced off