UEFA Euro 2004 - Portugal

Thought I'd throw this out to all of the Dutch fans on the board. Seedorf has said that if Advocatt doesn't play him directly behind the strikers that he'll refuse to play, although Advocatt perfers Van der Vaart in that role. That can't be good for team spirit. Are the Dutch imploding already?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/euro2004/headlinenews?id=302311&cc=5901

 

The Dutch will not win anything because their players are selfish pricks and shows it time after time. I don't hate Holland but that is unfortunately the way things are with their national team. In todays game you have to have a "team first" mentality. The teams that have this combined with talent will go far.

France are the clear favorites IMO. Spain seems like this could finally be the year where things work out for them and Italy may go all the way. These three teams are head and shoulders above the rest, not only talentwise but "team wise".

Just look at who won in 92! Denmark beat both Holland and Germany to take the title. That was an ultimate team effort with was the least talented danish team the last twenty years. In 96 the Chech Republic almost did the same but Germany won it all.

But this should really be a good tournament with A LOT of good even matches!! I can't wait

 

I say Portugual gonna win

 

Really? half Iranian and half what?

 

BTW, I don't understand why France are considered favorites. Their last major showing was a flop (World Cup) and Zidane is ageing quickly. I don't think they have the quality to beat Italy or even England. Holland will beat them if they draw each other because Holland actually shows up for big matches.

 

Not since 1988 when they had Gullit and Van Basten...

 

Everyone knows Holland turns it up a notch for big games. It's just the way they are. When there's a big game, they forget about how much they hate each other. It's no secret that the Dutch players with Surinamese origin don't get along with the others. But when it's a big game, it just kinda slips their mind.


Besides, I don't go by history. Personally, I think the longer you go without beating a team, the higher the chances that the next one is a win.

 

Okay, everyone knows they turn it up a notch for big games, even though they have not done so since 1988 (in fact, they ONLY did so in 1988), but you don't go by history anyway?! So what is it, everyone knows they do even though they have not done so? Huh?

Truth is, they have failed miserably in the recent past, given the quality of their players - they did not qualify for the world cup in 2002, they BARELY qualified for these European championships, they have not won anything since 1988, or, for that matter, other than 1988 - so to say they turn it up a notch for big games simply does not make sense...if you were saying that about Germany, it would be true, because several times Holland had the better players, but they still got beaten by the Germans because the Germans turned it up a notch.

 

I guess that explains how they failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

 

Holland is the exact opposite of clutch they are actually a little embarrasing to watch with their big egos who haven't done anything to warrant their unclassy act.

They have talent yes but lots of teams do. That alone is not enough to win. I remember last time where Toldo saved all those dutch penalties that was too funny.

No way Holland wins anything, especially if it goes to penalties.

 

By the way, Holland lost to Ireland 0-1 in their last test game in Amsterdam today, and Seedorf ostentatively left the stadium when he was not put in the game (Scottie Pippen, anyone?).

Looks like they are on their path to self-destruction again, but then again, they definitely have all the talent in the world, so you never know.

 

Italy will win. period.

 

I see what you're saying SJC, but you need to beat the little teams to get tothe big games, and Holland have always had more problems with little teams.

Remember the 1998 World Cup? When they nearly took out Brazil?


They haven't won anything since 1988, that much is true, but when they play the big teams, they play up to expectations. The problem is, they don't put themselves in a position to play the big games.

I'm still counting on them. I love Seedorf, but Van Der Vaart is better anyway.

I really think they'll put it together for this one... With all the talent they have, it's BOUND to come together sometime isn't it? lol

 

SJC,


I think you got some bad info about Seedorf, here's what the AP had to say:

 

What happened is that he played for 10 minutes or so (came in as a substitute in the second half, I think), then had to leave the game, sat on the bench for a while, and then left the stadium with a grumpy face and shaking his head. It was unclear what was going on. He did play for a few minutes, though.

 

Seedorf threatens strike


Seedorf is causing friction in the Dutch squad
Holland's Clarence Seedorf insists he will not play in Euro 2004 if he is not picked in his favourite position.
Seedorf wants to play just behind the front two, and believes "my qualities stand out well in that position".

The AC Milan star said: "For me it is out of the question that I will start the tournament in another position.

"If the coach decides different I will sit on the bench, it's that simple," added Seedorof, who is competing with Rafael van der Vaart for the position.

Coach Dick Advocaat has already said that Van der Vaart is his first choice.

He said: "Rafael has more scoring ability. I explained that to Seedorf but Clarence didn't agree. He disputes everything."

But Advocaat played down the apparent disagreement.

"I consider it brave and professional that he told me he wanted only that position," he said.

"The most important part was that he told me that he would play in every position I put him - otherwise I would have dismissed him from the squad."


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/holland/3777621.stm

 

Interesting. I'm glad it's Seedorf saying all this stuff and not Van Der Vaart. He's not the first choice anyway, so I think they'll be able to overcome this.