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Poll: Best Dutch goal ever? (Part 1.)

June 20th, 2008 | By: Jan | 21 Comments »

Look guys, it’s part one, ok? I know there’s more to come and the real “best goal ever” will be selected after the finals! We want to give Ruud and Rafael some more opportunities. But, I can’t control myself… I wanted to poll your ideas already. So, humor me, ok?

Wesley Sneijder’s brilliant strike against Italy has been described as one of the greatest Netherlands goals ever. The Real Madrid man volleyed home from close range after a sweeping team move that took the ball from one end of the pitch to the other in a matter of seconds.

Arjen Robben scored a not too shabby goal against France. A beautiful combination, a through pass by Sneijder and the Madrid winger appeared to be in a cul-de-sac, heading home the 3-1 behind Coupet. Who, I swear, pulled his fingers back in true terror! And the timing of this one was crucial too: France was knocking on the door and Henry had just scored the 2-1 from off side (sorry, got to be nitpicker all the way!).

But how does Sneijder’s and Robben’s goal rank about the finest ever scored by De Oranje?

Here are some of the best:

Dennis Bergkamp (v Argentina, 1998)

Bergkamp got some practice in a few months earlier, scoring a similarly exquisite goal against Leicester City. Substitute Roberto Ayala for Matthew Elliott and a World Cup quarter-final for Filbert Street, and the result was the same. Bergkamp trapped a 60-yard Frank De Boer pass, beat his man and finished with the outside of his right foot.

Ronald Koeman (v England, 1993)

Perversely celebrated by England fans since it signalled the end of the Graham Taylor era, Koeman should not have been on the pitch to score it having committed a professional foul on David Platt. Presented with a free-kick just outside the box, Brian Moore thought Koeman was going to ‘flip one’, but David Seaman did not. Sadly, the man from ITV was right.

Marco van Basten (v USSR, 1988)

This physics-defying volley has been played to death, but never loses its brilliance no matter how many times you see it. Arnold Mühren overhit his cross from the left, pushing Van Basten far too wide to attempt a shot. He hit it anyway, sending a dipping volley over Rinat Dassayev and into the far corner to set Holland on the way to victory in the Euro ‘88 final.

Arie Haan (v Italy, 1978)

The Italians were on the receiving end of another piece of Dutch genius at the 1978 World Cup. Holland took a short free-kick and the unchallenged Haan unleashed a stunning drive from 40 yards that gained height from the time it left his right boot until it crashed in off the right-hand post, giving the great Dino Zoff no chance.

Johan Cruyff (v Belgium, 1976)

The greatest Dutchman of all scored a few goals, but none showed off his ability to, well, show off, like this one from a European Championship game. Cruyff collected the ball on the left and cut inside to the edge of the box, looking for a team-mate in the middle. While still looking away from goal, he scooped the ball past a stunned Belgian keeper into the corner from a tight angle.

Dennis Bergkamp (v Germany, 1992)

The Non-flying Dutchman was flying on his EC1992. Oranje gave Germany football lessons when Aron Winter broke on the right side looking for Marco van Basten. The current team manager saw Dennis Bergkamp coming into the box right behind him and unmarked. Van Basten pointed his finger to the Iceman, Winter obliged and Holland seemed to be on it’s way to another European title when Dennis hit the ball home.

Johan Cruyff (v Argentina, 1974)

Oranje humiliated Argentina in the group stages at the WC1974. According to many, Willem van Hanegem was the real playmaker of the team, but the strategist didn’t get to open his account on the WC. His attempt to score was blocked by the Argentinian goalie, pushing the ball wide where one Johan Cruyff was lurking. Everyone expected a cross, Cruyff chipped the ball outside left foot (!) over the goalie: 4-1.

There have been more sweet goals of course. But some of them were of lesser consequence. John Bosman scored five against Malta, but the game was cancelled after the infamous bomb-incident. Gio van Bronckhorst scored a flying volley from 40 meters against Ireland in the WC2002 qualifications campaign, but that was just against Ireland and wouldn’t result in any heroic campaign afterwards. Then there’s the goals Nees and Cruyff scored against Brazil in 1974, or the four Kluivert scored against Yugoslavia in 2000. Even the Frank de Boer free-kick against France in 2000 doesn’t really qualify because both teams were already qualified for the knock out phase…

You can vote here, and have your say in the comments:

Which goal is the best Oranje goal EVER??
( surveys)

Tags: Bergkamp, Cruyff, Frank de Boer, Group C, Robben, Sneijder, Van Basten

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Comments

By Mike | June 20th, 2008 at 6:29 am

Oh Jan, what a question. Football is like art, its subjective.

For me its Bergkamp’s against Argentina. The skill, the pressure of the moment and I vividly remember watching it on a tiny TV thinking, “Wow…I’ve never seen anything like that”. I was 13 and my Dad just smiled at me.

Posted from Canada

By goose | June 20th, 2008 at 6:30 am

think i one my favs wich didnt make Jans list is Robbie de Wit v Hungary

heres a link;

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SC2P1ofKnt8

btw; a few years after that deWit had to stop pro-football cause of an illnes(?)

Posted from Netherlands

By Jan | June 20th, 2008 at 6:34 am

Goose, you walking encyclopedia of Dutch football you! You’re right. It was “only” in a qualification game, but it was the decider and a wonderful goal it was too. Oranje was totally clueless in that game, and Robbie just did it. What was it, 10 minutes before the end or so? Wonderful goal.

And Mike, sure it’s subjective and all. I know… :-), but it’s fun to talk about it still…

By Mike | June 20th, 2008 at 6:57 am

You’re absolutely right.

As I wrote that I was watching the local Sports channel’s top 10 goals of the group stage. The commentator was describing the Dutch during Robben’s surge and van Persie’s finish as “Sensational…Artists at work”. You just can’t help but smile.

Posted from Canada

By alaa | June 20th, 2008 at 7:16 am

in the world cup qualifications 1994 , holland played england in wembley and drew 2-2, we were trailing 2-0, the goal bergkamp scored that day for me is the best. it was sensational, i donno if we can find it on youtube or somewhere else.

Posted from United States

By goose | June 20th, 2008 at 7:29 am

@alaa; found it but its just a few seconds..starts at 4.52

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mAAgeMis_U

wanst this the game where vVossen come of the bench to score a penalty?

Posted from Netherlands

By alaa | June 20th, 2008 at 7:38 am

@goose, good job:)

to be honest i don’t remember who scored the other goal that day! i donno why i remember gullit scored the other, but i am not sure. it was before gullit broke with advocaat and left the team, so he played that game. i don’t remember van vossen’s penalty!

Posted from United States

By Sol | June 20th, 2008 at 9:46 am

I remember a goal from de Boer during a qualifying match against a weaker nation, something like Belarus (wit-Rusland) or Lithuania (Litouwen) or something. It was very similar to de Boer’s free kick against france in 2000 (last group match 3-2 to holland) but it was in open play and from a longer distance. Holland was really struggling to find any opening in the defence of the opponent and was really getting frustrated with the 0-0 score. De Boer always had this really angry look on his face in these situations and you could see that anger translated into that shot, lovely, typicly de Boer.

I think it was the only goal scored in that game and it came late in the second halve. I think nobody remembers it because it was such an unimportant game, but I just love that his entire character can be summed up in that single shot in that context.

And it was a beauty of a goal, nobody expected him to shoot from that distance and they certainly didn’t expect it to go in.

Posted from Netherlands

By Robert | June 20th, 2008 at 10:41 am

For shear technique, timing in the game and beauty I don’t think Bergkamps goal against Argentina can ever be beaten. Van Basten’s goal in ‘88 was also something special though. A close third is yet to come. I can feel it. Van Persie in the final? Funny how some players score goals that are simple amazing like Bergkamp and van Basten did in their days while others get the ball in the net very effectively and frequent but would never make a list like this. Van Nistelrooy and Kluivert come too mind. Rarely pretty but always effective.
In the end they all go in

By dirk v.d.berg | June 20th, 2008 at 10:43 am

Apparently van Basten is going to drop engelaar for Robben in the game against Russia. So we’ll be playing a 4-1-4-1 formation.

Posted from Canada

By Caleb | June 20th, 2008 at 11:21 am

It would be a lot of work, but embedded video clips of these goals would be absolutely fantastic… *hint*

Posted from Canada

By Caleb | June 20th, 2008 at 11:23 am

I voted for Van Basten’s goal. It was a fantastic goal, and the significance of it gives it that something extra to put it above the other goals.

Posted from Canada

By Igor | June 20th, 2008 at 11:44 am

I agree with Robert all the way, both on bergkamp’s goal and how some players score more goals but very few beauties compared to players like bergkamp…i don’t know how many times in the past i’ve watched the bergkamp clip that goose posted above but when i clicked the link and saw that video start i just couldn’t pull away until the whole 6-7 minute thing was over.

i’m surprised that no one has mentioned van Basten’s goal in the semis against the Germans in ‘88, i love the slide rule pass and the great finish…another fave of mine is Neesken’s goal against the brazilians in ‘74.

Posted from Canada

By Van Basten | June 20th, 2008 at 12:23 pm

According to Reuters, and virtually all journalists who follow soccer:
“It was a magic moment when audacity, artistry and accuracy combined to create a thing of great beauty and “senseless” wonder.
It was THAT goal and it happened on June 25, 1988.”
No goal has ever been the focus of so much talk and admiration. I think that goal sums up in a nutschell who Marco Van Basten was.
A once in a lifetime gift!
Thank You…Marco Van Basten.Thank You!

Posted from United States

By Van Basten | June 20th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

Soccer-Euro-Van Basten’s magic goal back in focus 20 years on.
Link to the article by Reuters:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/footballNews/idUKL1923566520080619

Posted from United States

By SydAjax | June 20th, 2008 at 12:49 pm

I gotta go with Sneijder’s, mainly because it was just such a BEAUTIFUL counter, followed by an amazing goal. So, I’m basing my opinion on not just the goal, but the build up as well.

Posted from United States

By Jan | June 20th, 2008 at 1:39 pm

Oh, the days when we not only talked about goals (for hours) but we also went out on the field with a ball and actually tried to copy the goals. “I am Sneijder, no I am Sneijder!!”

I do believe many balls got lost when fans tried to copy the Van Basten cracker of 1988.

The Neeskens goal vs Brazil in 1974 (and the Cruyff one too) actually belonged to this list… True.

Caleb: I wanted to do that, but I wanted to do it only if I could find clips of all goals and I couldn’t find the Argentina and Belgium one (JC’s)….

By Caleb | June 20th, 2008 at 2:40 pm

“I wanted to do that, but I wanted to do it only if I could find clips of all goals and I couldn’t find the Argentina and Belgium one (JC’s)….”
Goose?

Posted from Canada

By maarten | June 21st, 2008 at 5:16 am

Of course the best and most beautifull dutch goal ever is van Bastens’ volley in the final of euro’88. No doubt.

With regards to bergkamps goal against argentina. yes it was beutifull but he scored a simular goal that was even better. (but not as importand). Does anyone remember his volley against England in a qualification match? Same situation as against argentina. A very long pass from De Boer (or was it koeman)to bergkamp who volleys it gently over the english goalie. It was even faster en more skillfull than his argantia goal. I’ve tried to find it on you tube, but no success.

Posted from Netherlands

By maarten | June 21st, 2008 at 5:19 am

“in the world cup qualifications 1994 , holland played england in wembley and drew 2-2, we were trailing 2-0, the goal bergkamp scored that day for me is the best. it was sensational, i donno if we can find it on youtube or somewhere else.”

thanks alaa, this is the goals i’m referring to…

Posted from Netherlands

By maarten | June 21st, 2008 at 5:46 am

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4718057207967750479&

Found it ! Sorry, it’s quite a long video, but if you want to see the most beautifull Dutch goal ever (apart from v basten 88), scroll to the 13th minute of the video. holland vs england…

Posted from Netherlands

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