1. Although this Dutch team wore orange, that was as close at it came to comparison with the 70s legends (or even the teams of ‘88 and ‘98). The traditional attacking, technical football of the Dutch school was abandoned in favour of rigid, defensive tactics, little good football and even brutality at times. Then again, defensive, counter-attacking football has proven to be mostly effective of late – think Italy 2006, many teams in 1990, etc. If the Dutch had succeeded last night – as they almost did – Van Marwijk would have been hailed as a tactical genius on par with Mourinho, who employed exactly these tactics against Barcelona in the ECL, to much popular acclaim. I don’t deny that I would have enjoyed a Dutch victory, but only as a belated reward for that other generation who surely deserved it.

2. The World Cup was won by the only team that is true to the footballing traditions that I love, a tradition exemplified by the Barcelona team that has been the best team in the world by a mile for a few years now and that has its roots in the traditional Dutch school. Except for a naively attack-minded Argentina (and Chile), the rest were cautious counter-attacking teams, although some such as the Germans executed counter-attack with pace, accuracy and verve. Spain, like Barca, is the best footballing national team on the planet at present. For football it is a good thing that they came through.

So, no, it doesn’t hurt much. 1974 still does …

salude

kel&ele