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Young Oranje get ticket for the Olympics!!!

June 14th, 2007 | By: Jan | 10 Comments »

Young Oranje has made in history in Groningen yesterday, winning 2-1 against Portugal in a tough match. The team qualified for the Olympics in Bejing and qualified for the semi finales of the EC. De Haan’s mission is accomplished already!

For the first time since 1952 we’ll see a Dutch football team play on the grandest pitch in the world. And this milestones was certainly celebrated yesterday. Babel fell on the grass, De Haan made two fists and punched them towards the heavens and the players cheered and danced as if they’d won the tournament.

And it was a typical match for it too, the fans didn’t have a nail left on their fingers. YOung Oranje lacked the skills and finesse of the Portuguese opponent but fought themselves to victory.

And again it was Royston Drenthe who - like his idol Edgar Davids - led the way with his passionate play. Oranje’s preparation was a mess. Midfielder and playmaker Aissati had to leave the tournament with an injury and Belgium had just beaten Israel.

Young Oranje knew it would come down to fighting spirit and mentality. Withouy Aissati and Schaars, Emanuelson and Afellay who had to cancel before the EC. Young Oranje did not play well and certainly not attractive but it showed they are a team, willing to sacrifice and fight. Again, De Haan again chose a more defensive tactics, with only two strikers.

Ryan Babel had a free role and supported his midfield when needed. Portugal had a surplus of technical skills, which they showed with tricks and flicks, but never paired with passion. Nani, the new superstar and Man United signing was invisible like Almeida couldn’t create anything against Vlaar and Donk.

Oranj’e dangerman was Drenthe again, who had a great cross in the first minutes, horrendously missed by the Portuguese goalie. After 30 minutes, it was 1-0. Rigters was sent away by Bakkal. Rigters tricked the goalie who slided into Rigters legs: penalty. Babel kept his cool: 1-0. And just for half time, the same scenario: a smart pass by Bakkal, a sprint by Rigters and a shot on the post. Jenner was just to slow to score from the rebound. The AZ striker again looked tired and he was subbed in the second half by PSV-striker Beerens. In the first half, Waterman needed to be replaced by Ajax goalie Vermeer due to a back injury.

The Dutch fans felt their team needed firm support and they screamed and sang the team towards 2-0. Again, Drenthe sprinted towards the line to reach Rigters with a cross: 2-0. The fans were ready to party, but 2 minutes later Portugal scored from a set piece. The tension was back in the game, but Oranje held their ground and won 2-1.

Tags: Foppe de Haan, Royston Drenthe, Ryan Babel, The Netherlands

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Comments

By Luis | June 14th, 2007 at 8:54 am

Congrats! Your under 21 squad looks great. Portugal played absolutely terrible ball. Mostly our coaches fault as the talent is unmistakably there. Good luck in the semis.

Posted from United States

By goose | June 14th, 2007 at 9:41 am

thanx Luis, watched the whole game…not very impressed by Port., esp. Nani… i was impressed by daCosta and Veloso (his father was the one who missed his penalty during the Psv-Benfica final in 88)

it was certainly no penalty….hate it when the ref doenst give the goalie any room..i mean..what is he supposed to do??

was very impressed by Drenthe…he has this Davids mentality going on…

Jenner sucked but his replacement Behrens was much better

Babel never impresses me and certainly not as a striker

well, not a bad game to watch…will be nice to see who of the 22 we saw yesterday will make it to the real top..

grzt Luis

Posted from Netherlands

By stephen | June 14th, 2007 at 12:17 pm

I didn’t see the game, but it seems like Drenthe is really making a splash in this tournament. Does anyone know anymore about him? Is he a left back? a winger? aggresive? the next pitbull? I know this isn’t the biggest tourny in the world, but it’s fun to follow these yound kids, and see who stands out and who will eventually make it big. Jong Oranje in the semi-finals is fantastic. A chance to win this thing two years in a row is a great accomplishment for Foppe de Haan. Also next summer is going to be fun following the Oranje in the EC and Jong Oranje in the Olympics. By the way Foppe de Haan will be allowed to bring 3 senior players - will one of them be Mark van Bommel? It would be kind of funny to see Oranje lose at EC and MvB win a gold in Beijing.

Posted from United States

By goose | June 14th, 2007 at 1:13 pm

@stephen;

Drenthe has played as a back at Feyenoord, if i remember correctly he has played right-back and right-centre…
as many defenders he was once an attacker but as he grew older he went to a more defending position..
as far as i know Koeman has never played him as a midfielder (i could be wrng) so it might be a Foppe deHaan special insight.
after what i have seen yesterday im sure Drenthe is gonna play on the Feyenoord midfield under vanMarwijk. he was really impressive (not say that very often), he had this real “davids attitude’going on but without the person to person aggression. He really pulled them through.

Think theres a real possibility that vanBommel will play at the Olympics… but still hope vanBasten will call him and try to patch things up

grzt

Posted from Netherlands

By Mario | June 14th, 2007 at 1:17 pm

I have seen this guy Drenthe and man, he does have the quality to suceed big time!.
I have seen him play as left back and left midfielder but he has much more impact on the game when he plays as midfielder because when he plays left back he has to defend first and then attack while when he plays on midfield he can go back and forth more often and that is better for him because he has more attacking qualities rather than the defensive ones. I am sure this boy will be huge, he has a lot of technique, tactical knowledge of the game and has a strong body to compete at the highest level so we can see the new Davids for sure.

By stephen | June 14th, 2007 at 2:49 pm

Assuming vBasten takes the cream of the crop to EC2008(assuming Oranje even qualify) :-), who are your favorite 3 picks for Foppe de Haan to take to the Olympics? I may be waxing a bit nostalgic here, but wouldn’t it be cool to see Stam-Davids-MaKaay travel with the Jong Oranje to China?

Posted from United States

By Jan | June 14th, 2007 at 4:54 pm

I know Ruud van Nistelrooy has a dream to be part of the Olympics!

Posted from Australia

By stephen | June 14th, 2007 at 5:18 pm

I’ve heard that too about RvN. But if Basten chooses him for EC, then the Olymics is probably out. Unless RvN would rather play at the Olymics than the EC. Is that even likely?

Posted from United States

By Miguel Rosado | June 14th, 2007 at 8:38 pm

I watched the game too and I was very impressed by Drenthe he has a lot of potential. He is fast, strong, very good with the ball, good crosses, a quality player for sure.

But I think there are other players who can make it to the top. Vlaar, Donk played well, Zuiverloon, Beerens, Babel needs to start playing easier, both goalies were great, etc.

When you talk about football it is always better to win a Eurocup than to win a golden medal at the Olympics which is algo reeeeeally great. That’s why I hope van Bommel and Ruud play in the Eurocup.

By Jan | June 14th, 2007 at 10:25 pm

Ahhh….from a sports man/woman’s perspective being at the Olympics - not necessarily winning! - is great already. Being in the Olympic Village, with all the other athlets, the atmosphere…it must be AWESOME! So, if Ruud doesn’t get a spot in Oranje and is 2nd or 3rd striker, I can easily imagine him giving MvB the finger again and go to Bejing. And man, the Peking Duck there is AWESOME TOO!

I agree with Miguel: Vlaar and Donk are potential top players! Foppe recently said that in his eyes Donk will be bigger and better than Jaap Stam!!

Zuiverloon used to be a huge talent at Feyenoord - another one - but he didn’t make it and now it seems he is making some detours (FC Groningen now?) to reach the top. Gianni could end up in the EPL for sure… Not with the big guns, but Everton, Wigan, Aston Villa, that level…

Posted from Australia

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