The Dutch finally getting it right
The Dutch finally came through big time beating the French 4-1 in their Euro 2008 group game. This proves that the 3-0 win against the Italians was no fluke, what makes this Dutch team so different from the rest of those marauding and cavalier style of football they always play? This time the Dutch have two central defenders who can concentrate solely on defending with occassional run-ups forward. Boulahrouz and Ooijer made a whole lot of difference and this gave the rest of the Dutch team to go forward in a gung-ho manner, this Dutch team also knew how to defend as a unit when they lost the ball and Nistelrooy is playing more as a playmaker and this is interesting to see.
Their preparations also might have something to do with it, staying in state-of-the-art facilities in seculeded Lausanne and far away from the rest and with each player having his own room, the peace of mind of each indiviadual is helping the team bonding.
Romania meanwhile might regret their missed penalty against Italy 1-1 now spells a tightrope walk for Italy and France losing 4-1 to the Dutch will mean a do or die situation for both teams. If France or Italy win ther last game (they play each other) it will mean nothing If Romania beat the Dutch it will mean Romania going into the quarter-finals with the Dutch and the Dutch still finishing top of their group. With 23 million euros given to the team that wins all their group matches, I don't see the Romanians beating the Dutch.
Meanwhile today's Spain V Sweden and Greece V Russia? Well I am sitting this one out. See you again.
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