My Crystal Ball, part 1

This is me three years ago…

I must warn you… I have more than one Crystal Ball. So, if my predictions don’t add up during the EC, I can easily grab another ball (…eh…) and make you a new one.

Here goes:

What I always take into the equation with these predictions is the order of play.

Romania – France is played first. The result of that match could effect the second match in our group: Holland – Italy. But let’s leave that for now. Italy won’t want to lose the first match. In all honesty, they always think in terms of not losing (rather than winning) but let’s elaborate a tad. They respect Oranje, of course, and the first match will be played with caution. I think a draw would suit them fine, as long as they won’t lose. The Italians will allow Oranje to dominate and will even invite us in in order to create space behind our defense line. I think San Marco will realize that. Oranje will play cautious as well. First game and all. If we manage to score early (say in the first 25 minutes) we could be laughing. They will have to come out and play and will allow us to double or triple our score. If they score first, they will sit back absorb our pressure. With Hunter and Kuyt as subs, I can see us get back in the game and maybe settle for a draw. If the match stays 0-0 for an hour or more, it will end up a boring, nerve-wrecking game where no one will want to make the crucial mistake.

Let’s say we win this. And let’s just say that Romania upsets France in the first match.

Things become interesting then. France will then have to grab three points against us. That will force them to attack and we can play our “counter-attack but it isn’t really counter-attack” game. Maybe leave Ruud on the bench for this one and use Kuyt or Afellay for depth. I say we win this one too and France will be out already.

Italy will win over Romania and the last match day will be crucial (albeit not for France).

Still, Italy needs to win over France but the French need to get some honour back and want to leave the EC on a high note. Domenech will bench Henry because his ex-father in law is a scorpio and that means (note of the editor: shut up Jan and keep focused!!). Italy loses.

Holland and Romania draw. In a dreadful match, I might add.

But it’s Holland 1, Romania 2 and the blue-shirts/white shorts are all going home. Bye.

Knock out stages later ))

Oh…the men of the matches?

Sneijder is the big man against Italy.

Van der Vaart and Robben against France.

Ruud against Romania.

Sar will be in top form and our defense won’t really be tested.

Spurs, Olympique Lyon, Fenerbahce, Rangers, Zenit and Fiorentina want to sign Engelaar but are too late.

Seedorf is spotted on the stands with an Oranje wig and Henk Kesler realizes during match 2 that we are dressed in orange. He was cheering the wrong team all the time and yells “go Rijkaard” whenever Engelaar is in possession…

(Editor: ENOUGH ALREADY!!!)