Okay, let's see the raise of hands here. How many pegged the Netherlands get out of their Group of Death in Euro 2008? I only see one and no one is snickering anymore.
It's been 30 years -- 30 years and that was when Johan Neeskens, that New York Cosmos great was leading them -- since the Clockwork Oranje beat an Italian side 2-1 in the second round; a win that dates all the way back to the 1978 World Cup (the Dutch lost to eventual champion Argentina in extra time that year with Mari Kempes scoring twice in a 3-1 win).
On a totally unrelated note, that 1978 World Cup was the first one I became acutely aware of.
But for the Dutch, after only a European championship to show since, they're back in a grand way beating the current World Cup champs 3-0 thanks to goals by Ruud Van Nistelrooy (who was offside), Wesley Sneijder, and Giovanni Van Bronckhorst. Clearly, Van Bronckhorst, the Feyenoord midfielder was the Man of the Match as he cleared away a near own goal by a teammate and had a hand in the Dutch's two other goals.
Now seeing that the usual slow-starting French got a 0-0 draw with Romania, the Netherlands have an excellent chance to advance to the next round. Their three goals and three points a huge difference in the standings.
Yeah they had their moments during that 30-year gap, but this is sweet for them.
It's been 30 years -- 30 years and that was when Johan Neeskens, that New York Cosmos great was leading them -- since the Clockwork Oranje beat an Italian side 2-1 in the second round; a win that dates all the way back to the 1978 World Cup (the Dutch lost to eventual champion Argentina in extra time that year with Mari Kempes scoring twice in a 3-1 win).
On a totally unrelated note, that 1978 World Cup was the first one I became acutely aware of.
But for the Dutch, after only a European championship to show since, they're back in a grand way beating the current World Cup champs 3-0 thanks to goals by Ruud Van Nistelrooy (who was offside), Wesley Sneijder, and Giovanni Van Bronckhorst. Clearly, Van Bronckhorst, the Feyenoord midfielder was the Man of the Match as he cleared away a near own goal by a teammate and had a hand in the Dutch's two other goals.
Now seeing that the usual slow-starting French got a 0-0 draw with Romania, the Netherlands have an excellent chance to advance to the next round. Their three goals and three points a huge difference in the standings.
Yeah they had their moments during that 30-year gap, but this is sweet for them.
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