WC2010 Round of 16 - Netherlands vs Slovakia

The interviewer asked Van Bommel: "Can you go far in this tournament with this 'pragmatic' football?"

Van Bommel: "That's how Germany did it all the time!"

The Professor wrote:RVP going off, kuyt stays on

what's the problem here? RVP has been shit, and I'm being kind.

blutgraetsche wrote:The interviewer asked Van Bommel: "Can you go far in this tournament with this 'pragmatic' football?"

Van Bommel: "That's how Germany did it all the time!"

blutgraetsche wrote:

Van Bommel on German TV.

"Kann man mit diesem Fußball weit kommen?"

"Das hat Deutschland doch immer gemacht!"

What a TRUE GERMAN van Bommel !

stinger wrote:

DD wrote:

stinger wrote:

DD wrote:Replay shows it was quite a dive.

What a way to go in the 93rd minute. Have some pride Slovenia - fuck off now Euroshite.

Maybe, but there was a contact between Stelekenburg's hand and right leg of Vittek, which was enough to give penalty.

If you watch any replay from the left side of the pitch, you'll see 1)he couldn't control the ball, and 2) his right leg keeps going into Stekelenburg side as if its magnitised.

To sneak a pointless dive in the last second of extra time, when even the goal wouldn't change anything is pathethic.

I don't care if it's was pathetic or not - goalkeeper didn't touch the ball, if attacking player somehow will find a contact against him, referee will give a penalty more times than not.

Its a dive, and normally as pitifull as dives usually are anytime during the game, this one was in the last second of extra time when even getting a goal wouldn't change anything. Therefore more pathethic then ussual.

Whatever, we won this shit game and on to Brazil next.

Axeslammer wrote:

The Professor wrote:

Axeslammer wrote:

DD wrote:Van Der Wiel has been shit today

As I predicted (he needs Kuyt in front of him, not Robben)

So u can't play wingers ahead of attacking fullbacks anymore?

Not the combination Van der Wiel - Robben, that's for sure

There's no good argument not to play them.

Just like Van Marwijk, u just want to find a way for the defensive striker () to make his way into the team.

Messi plays with Alves no problem at all, that combination is very similar to VDW-Robben.

Dutch pundits are complaining about how crap we play for a full 15 minutes now

The Professor wrote:
Messi plays with Alves no problem at all, that combination is very similar to VDW-Robben.

I predicted it would not work and it did not work.

...what more do you want from me ?

Christ Holland are crap to watch. Brazil has been accused of all sorts of things but there is at least something to watch in their team. The way Kaka-Robinho-Fabiano combine along with Maicon can be lovely to watch. This Holland team offers absolutely nothing. I hope either of Brazil or Chile go on the beat them.

The most 'pragmatic' Brazil vs. the most 'pragmatic' Holland ever! Football!

blutgraetsche wrote:The most 'pragmatic' Brazil vs. the most 'pragmatic' Holland ever! Football!

It's like Italy versus Germany

Worst world cup in living memory

Italy vs. Germany have been the very best international matches ever. FACT.

We can only hope that it's anywhere near that good!

blutgraetsche wrote:Italy vs. Germany have been the very best international matches ever. FACT.

We can only hope that it's anywhere near that good!

Now you sound like lrd. FACT

blutgraetsche wrote:Italy vs. Germany have been the very best international matches ever. FACT.

We can only hope that it's anywhere near that good!

Germany is the best again

Hurrah

It is FACT. FACT.

Germany - Italy 1970 was voted as the best match of the century by FiFA. FACT.

Holland has to improve a lot to beat brazil, but if they use this secret weapon


the catinga will be overwhelmed and Holland might have a chance to win!

Axeslammer wrote:

The Professor wrote:
Messi plays with Alves no problem at all, that combination is very similar to VDW-Robben.

I predicted it would not work and it did not work.

...what more do you want from me ?

Based on what exactly? no good argument why it wouldn't work except from wanting to see the defensive striker start.

RVP was rightly pissed off when coming off, he's got no one to combine with.

I want nothing from u.

blutgraetsche wrote:It is FACT. FACT.

Germany - Italy 1970 was voted as the best match of the century by FiFA. FACT.

Unreliable source

I think our pragmatic title is bit decieving. We don't set out to do the bare minimum and/or soak up the pressure.
We appear pragmatic because our entire front four aren't performing to their best or even to a normal expected standard.

VDV has been dissapointing and toothless. Speaking of toothless, RVP looked lost in every game in the WC: his touch was gone, his scoring gone and it looked like he was struggling in every game.
Kuyt is Kuyt. And Sneijder has been bland with occasional good shooting (this is traditional Oranje Sneijder performance though).
Robben has been absent the majority of time, but isn't firing on all cylinders either/yet.

In the pre-WC friendlies we were entertaining and spanked all comers; including the likes of Ghana and Mexico.

Our appearance of being pragmatic has more to do with us being shit and somewhat ruthless in finishing and countering.
Its not a philosofy but more a result of the team never getting out of gear 1 this WC.

Robben needs a very very good fullback behind him, because he hardly defends. Doesn't have to be a purely defensive minded one, but only a very good attacking fullback like Lahm can provide enough cover, as could be seen at Bayern this season.

I don't know how good VdW is, but he looked rather dodgy today.

Are people seriously disputing that Italy vs Germany have been some of the best games in the World Cup.

Think 1970

Think 1982

Think 2006

debaser wrote:

blutgraetsche wrote:It is FACT. FACT.

Germany - Italy 1970 was voted as the best match of the century by FiFA. FACT.

Unreliable source

Most neutral fans with a clue would not disagree. Have you seen it?

Super Africa wrote:
Are people seriously disputing that Italy vs Germany have been some of the best games in the World Cup.

Think 1970

Think 1982

Think 2006

And how old are you? 2006 was shite ffs

Super Africa wrote:
Are people seriously disputing that Italy vs Germany have been some of the best games in the World Cup.

Think 1970

Think 1982

Think 2006

You tell 'em Super. Only on EMB...

blutgraetsche wrote:

debaser wrote:

blutgraetsche wrote:It is FACT. FACT.

Germany - Italy 1970 was voted as the best match of the century by FiFA. FACT.

Unreliable source

Most neutral fans with a clue would not disagree. Have you seen it?

It was a JOKE about FIFA.

Jaysus.

L r dd wrote:

Super Africa wrote:
Are people seriously disputing that Italy vs Germany have been some of the best games in the World Cup.

Think 1970

Think 1982

Think 2006

And how old are you? 2006 was shite ffs

I have seen all 3 games.

They were good and even by today's standards of pace they could be enjoyed.

And the 2006 game was shit It was probably the best game of the cup allthough I agree that it was a bit hyped afterwards and the other two were probably better.

DD wrote:I think our pragmatic title is bit decieving. We don't set out to do the bare minimum and/or soak up the pressure.
We appear pragmatic because our entire front four aren't performing to their best or even to a normal expected standard.

VDV has been dissapointing and toothless. Speaking of toothless, RVP looked lost in every game in the WC: his touch was gone, his scoring gone and it looked like he was struggling in every game.
Kuyt is Kuyt. And Sneijder has been bland with occasional good shooting (this is traditional Oranje Sneijder performance though).
Robben has been absent the majority of time, but isn't firing on all cylinders either/yet.

In the pre-WC friendlies we were entertaining and spanked all comers; including the likes of Ghana and Mexico.

Our appearance of being pragmatic has more to do with us being shit and somewhat ruthless in finishing and countering.
Its not a philosofy but more a result of the team never getting out of gear 1 this WC.

All true, Holland were entertaining in the friendlies, but in a friendly teams tend not to defend with a deep line. This Holland is quite good on the counter but are unable to break teams down.

Having said that Holland are very difficult to break down as well.

L r dd wrote:

Super Africa wrote:
Are people seriously disputing that Italy vs Germany have been some of the best games in the World Cup.

Think 1970

Think 1982

Think 2006

And how old are you? 2006 was shite ffs

So true. That friendly in Florence was much better anyway. Italy v Germany is always horrible to watch and Italy always wins anyway.

DD wrote:I think our pragmatic title is bit decieving. We don't set out to do the bare minimum and/or soak up the pressure.
We appear pragmatic because our entire front four aren't performing to their best or even to a normal expected standard.

VDV has been dissapointing and toothless. Speaking of toothless, RVP looked lost in every game in the WC: his touch was gone, his scoring gone and it looked like he was struggling in every game.
Kuyt is Kuyt. And Sneijder has been bland with occasional good shooting (this is traditional Oranje Sneijder performance though).
Robben has been absent the majority of time, but isn't firing on all cylinders either/yet.

In the pre-WC friendlies we were entertaining and spanked all comers; including the likes of Ghana and Mexico.

Our appearance of being pragmatic has more to do with us being shit and somewhat ruthless in finishing and countering.
Its not a philosofy but more a result of the team never getting out of gear 1 this WC.

You are completely spot on. I have called Holland pragmatic but only in practice to be honest. The attacking players have been utter crap with RVP being the worst imo. This is partly why I was a bit unsure when Guzman tried to pass it off as simply starting slow. The attacking dynamics aren't there and unless we see some changes tactically or perhaps in personnel I think they will continue to struggle.