RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Luck Of The Oranje: Do The Netherlands Have Their Name On The World Cup - Or Is Their Fortune Bound To Run Out?
Does history favor streaky winners or free-scoring outfits?
Jul 7, 2010 7:05:00 AM
By Andy Brassell
The Netherlands deserve their place in the World Cup final, but have certainly not swept all asunder on the way. From the bizarre Daniel Agger own goal which opened their account in South Africa they have had their share of luck, and relied on similar fortune to get back into their quarter-final with Brazil before squeezing past Uruguay to reach the Johannesburg showpiece.
Frankly, Bert van Marwijk and company will not care how they got to the final, simply that they got there. But does their luck suggest they are destined to win the World Cup, or will the final be a step too far? Goal.com UK looked back through the archives at previous European World Cup winners to see what matters most - fortune, or fabulous football?
The team who have lifted the trophy more times (four) than any other European nation were also its last winners, but save the quarter-final thrashing of an unambitious Ukraine, suffered to get to Berlin. Marcello Lippi's men needed a hotly-contested last-minute penalty, won by Fabio Grosso and converted by Francesco Totti, to overcome Australia in the last 16, while two goals deep into extra-time in Dortmund saw them past host nation Germany in a classic match.
Their final opponents France dominated Spain, Brazil and Portugal to varying extents in their own post-group encounters, powered by Zinedine Zidane's World Cup swansong. The French No.10 gave his side the lead in the final, but despite being outplayed Italy eventually triumphed, with that man Grosso scoring the clinching penalty in the shoot-out.
1994
Italy had faced heartbreak in similar circumstances twelve years before. They needed late goals to save themselves against Nigeria and beat Spain in the last 16 and quarter-finals, respectively, and Roberto Baggio came up trumps every time. So it was especially cruel that he missed so horribly in the final shoot-out to seal their fate.
The Azzurri's habit of snatching games out of the fire shouldn't obscure the fact that Brazil hardly pulled up trees en route to Pasadena. They labored past the United States, needed Branco's late cracker to finish off the Netherlands in the quarters and they were into the last 10 minutes of the semi with Sweden before Romario hit the winner. In a generally cagey tournament, the final outcome reflected that there was little to choose between the respective competences of the two finalists.
West Germany's first World Cup triumph is known as 'The Miracle of Bern' (a 2003 film of that title was made about it), for two reasons. Firstly, because the Germans came back from going two down in the final inside the first eight minutes to win, and secondly because their opponents in the final - the much-fancied Hungary - had already walloped Sepp Herrberger's team 8-3 in the group stages.
The group stage thrashing is slightly misleading. Herrberger rested some of his top players to keep them fresh for later in the competition, and it worked. While the Mighty Magyars needed extra-time to finish off Uruguay in the semis, the Germans took Austria to pieces in a 6-1 welting.
1974
Die Mannschaft needed two late goals against Sweden in Duesseldorf, and a Gerd Mueller goal with 14 minutes left of their final group game against rivals Poland to clinch a final spot. Meanwhile the Netherlands comfortably disposed of Argentina, East Germany and Brazil and even took the lead in the second minute of the Munich final through Johan Neeskens' penalty before succumbing. If ever there was an example of close scrapes breeding belief, then Helmut Schoen's side provided it.
FRANCE
1998
Les Bleus' run to the final was thrilling, having practically every twist and turn you could ask for. After a safely negotiated pool phase (save Zidane's red card for violent conduct in an otherwise routine win over Saudi Arabia), the knockout games were high in drama.
Laurent Blanc's winner in the final minute of extra-time beat Paraguay in the last 16, while the quarter-final with Italy did get to penalties, and was only won when Luigi Di Biagio smacked the crossbar with the shoot-out's final kick. France even fell a goal behind in the semi against Croatia before Lilian Thuram's astounding brace turned it around.
Brazil cruised past Chile, made heavy weather of beating Denmark in the quarters and needed penalties to overcome the Netherlands in the last four. But their route to the Stade de France was not quite as knife-edge as France's, and Mario Zagallo and company were clear favorites. The final was one-sided, but only in France's favor as Zidane inspired a first World Cup win.
Nobody needs reminding of the dramatic - and controversial - nature of England's sole World Cup final win, over West Germany at Wembley. Taken into extra-time by Wolfgang Weber's last-gasp equalizer, the crucial third goal - the middle one in Geoff Hurst's eventual hat-trick - appeared not to fully cross the line. Azerbaijani linesman Tofik Bakhramov decided otherwise, and the rest is English football history.
After Bobby Charlton's brace had put Sir Alf Ramsey's side two ahead in the semi-final against Portugal, his brother Jack handled Jose Torres' header on the line to concede a penalty, duly converted by Eusebio and ensuring the home side would hang on to the end of the best match of the tournament.
The 2010 World Cup is finally here, so keep up to date with all the news at Goal.com's World Cup homepage and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Frankly, Bert van Marwijk and company will not care how they got to the final, simply that they got there. But does their luck suggest they are destined to win the World Cup, or will the final be a step too far? Goal.com UK looked back through the archives at previous European World Cup winners to see what matters most - fortune, or fabulous football?
ITALY
2006 The team who have lifted the trophy more times (four) than any other European nation were also its last winners, but save the quarter-final thrashing of an unambitious Ukraine, suffered to get to Berlin. Marcello Lippi's men needed a hotly-contested last-minute penalty, won by Fabio Grosso and converted by Francesco Totti, to overcome Australia in the last 16, while two goals deep into extra-time in Dortmund saw them past host nation Germany in a classic match.
Grosso point blank | Full-back was star in 2006
Their final opponents France dominated Spain, Brazil and Portugal to varying extents in their own post-group encounters, powered by Zinedine Zidane's World Cup swansong. The French No.10 gave his side the lead in the final, but despite being outplayed Italy eventually triumphed, with that man Grosso scoring the clinching penalty in the shoot-out.
1994
Italy had faced heartbreak in similar circumstances twelve years before. They needed late goals to save themselves against Nigeria and beat Spain in the last 16 and quarter-finals, respectively, and Roberto Baggio came up trumps every time. So it was especially cruel that he missed so horribly in the final shoot-out to seal their fate.
Divine pony-fail | Talisman Baggio faltered at the last
The Azzurri's habit of snatching games out of the fire shouldn't obscure the fact that Brazil hardly pulled up trees en route to Pasadena. They labored past the United States, needed Branco's late cracker to finish off the Netherlands in the quarters and they were into the last 10 minutes of the semi with Sweden before Romario hit the winner. In a generally cagey tournament, the final outcome reflected that there was little to choose between the respective competences of the two finalists.
GERMANY
1954 West Germany's first World Cup triumph is known as 'The Miracle of Bern' (a 2003 film of that title was made about it), for two reasons. Firstly, because the Germans came back from going two down in the final inside the first eight minutes to win, and secondly because their opponents in the final - the much-fancied Hungary - had already walloped Sepp Herrberger's team 8-3 in the group stages.
Das Boost | West Germany came back from 2-0 down
The group stage thrashing is slightly misleading. Herrberger rested some of his top players to keep them fresh for later in the competition, and it worked. While the Mighty Magyars needed extra-time to finish off Uruguay in the semis, the Germans took Austria to pieces in a 6-1 welting.
1974
Die Mannschaft needed two late goals against Sweden in Duesseldorf, and a Gerd Mueller goal with 14 minutes left of their final group game against rivals Poland to clinch a final spot. Meanwhile the Netherlands comfortably disposed of Argentina, East Germany and Brazil and even took the lead in the second minute of the Munich final through Johan Neeskens' penalty before succumbing. If ever there was an example of close scrapes breeding belief, then Helmut Schoen's side provided it.
Gerd of prey | Mueller's goals carried the Germans
FRANCE
Les Bleus' run to the final was thrilling, having practically every twist and turn you could ask for. After a safely negotiated pool phase (save Zidane's red card for violent conduct in an otherwise routine win over Saudi Arabia), the knockout games were high in drama.
Laurent Blanc's winner in the final minute of extra-time beat Paraguay in the last 16, while the quarter-final with Italy did get to penalties, and was only won when Luigi Di Biagio smacked the crossbar with the shoot-out's final kick. France even fell a goal behind in the semi against Croatia before Lilian Thuram's astounding brace turned it around.
Deux will do | Thuram scored two in semi-final
Brazil cruised past Chile, made heavy weather of beating Denmark in the quarters and needed penalties to overcome the Netherlands in the last four. But their route to the Stade de France was not quite as knife-edge as France's, and Mario Zagallo and company were clear favorites. The final was one-sided, but only in France's favor as Zidane inspired a first World Cup win.
ENGLAND
1966Nobody needs reminding of the dramatic - and controversial - nature of England's sole World Cup final win, over West Germany at Wembley. Taken into extra-time by Wolfgang Weber's last-gasp equalizer, the crucial third goal - the middle one in Geoff Hurst's eventual hat-trick - appeared not to fully cross the line. Azerbaijani linesman Tofik Bakhramov decided otherwise, and the rest is English football history.
Wembley wonder | Hurst is hat-trick hero in final
After Bobby Charlton's brace had put Sir Alf Ramsey's side two ahead in the semi-final against Portugal, his brother Jack handled Jose Torres' header on the line to concede a penalty, duly converted by Eusebio and ensuring the home side would hang on to the end of the best match of the tournament.
THE VERDICT - BEWARE THE DUTCH
As with every international finals tournament, the group stages cease to be relevant the minute they're done - the knockout rounds separate the men from the boys. But history has shown us that consistency and momentum is far more important than flamboyance. So the Netherlands' opponents on Sunday should watch out. The 2010 World Cup is finally here, so keep up to date with all the news at Goal.com's World Cup homepage and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
6 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Zlatan Ibrahimovic is no Mr. February
The Swedish striker traditionally struggles in February. Facing a three-match ban this month, the jinx looks set to continue.
-
DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream
In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.
-
ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein
Capello and John Terry are far from blameless in the England saga, but the real culprit is the FA chairman.
-
LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction
With high-profile players like Nicolas Anelka and Luca Toni rejecting MLS for other developing leagues, is the league falling behind its competition?
-
ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment
Nick Rosano argues that Mexico's continued officiating problems may have less to do with referees themselves and more to do with how they are treated by the federation.
Advertisement
Advertisement
