And….the EC is ON!

June 7th, 2008 | by: Jan |

The red-eye express for the Ozzies has took off. The Tournament has started.

In the next three weeks, we’ll see the best of the best battle it out and this place here will be a great spot to blow off some steam, find consolation, celebrate great wins or bitch about team performances or refs…

What have we learned today, on Day 1?

1. For starters, Arjen Robben deserves a new nickname. Dennis was the Iceman, Arjen can be now called The Man of Glass. I don’t have any specifics yet, but apparently he is out for the Italy game.

2. Playing nice offensive football against the Czech Republic earns you kudos but no points.

3. Petr Cech is definitely one of the best in the game

4. Many many Oranje fans are puzzling, like Van Basten no doubt, who to play on the left, with Babel, Van Persie and Robben out… We could enter a second team with players who weren’t selected (Kromkamp, Koevermans, Landzaat), players who didn’t want to play if Marco was in charge (Clarence, Mark) and players who aren’t fit (Robin van Persie, Babel, Robben…).

5. 2.30 am matches are not as much fun to watch then 8pm matches…

6. Czech Republic is a somewhat old team, predictable and to be had. Despite their cheap win over Switzerland, I can’t see them as fave for the title… But what do I know? I didn’t expect Greece to win in 2004 either…

7. Portugal can really play good football, if they want to and if their opponent allows them. They still don’t have a decent point man upfront, but others can score too. They’re one of the faves for the title for me. But what do I know, I thought Italy was a fave for the 2004 title…

8. Robben is injured.

9. After two matches, I am not too disappointed with the quality of play and the quality of referees. The first matches are normally boring, tight and nerveus, but this didn’t look too bad.

10. Van Persie thinks: damn it, that Robben is always trying to steal my thunder…

11. After Day 1 comes Day 2… With Germany in action and our friend Don Leo for Poland!

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Comments

By richard | June 7th, 2008 at 7:43 pm

The Czech keeper was NOT good today; he gave the Swiss many good rebound opportunites with poor blocks. The Swiss deserved better–but how many time is that said in this game? Too many, which is why football is a bit of a weird sport; too often, the better team doesn’t win.

Turkey was bad.

As for Robben: I can’t understand guys in the early 20s who are always getting hurt, or str are slow to heal. Robben is always hurt. Van Persie seems like he’s taken 6 months to recover from whatever leg injury he had. Babel pulls ligaments jogging around…Frustrating.

Am I wrong, or does Germany alway seem to have an easy draw, easy group?

By Michel-Olivier | June 7th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

i thought dennis was nickname the non flying dutchman

Posted from United States

By Mario Rosado (Dutch admirer) | June 7th, 2008 at 10:36 pm

I was confident when Babel got injured because I knew we had Robben but with him injured and without Babel, Seedorf, Kromkamp, Bommel, Persie I don’t know how well will we do. Let’s hope for some miracles because at this point that’s all we can ask for.

Does anyone know how long will he be out or is it a minor injury?

By Jan | June 8th, 2008 at 12:24 am

Well…he did keep a clean sheet. I know what you mean with the rebounds, but with a lesser keeper the Swiss would have scored, I reckon…

Posted from Australia

By Jan | June 8th, 2008 at 12:32 am

Dennis has many. The Menace is another one.

It seems it’s not a huge injury but the problem is, it could become one if Robben is brought back to quickly or if it’s a weak spot. Then next time it could go snap. With Robben, I feel these little issues play up on his mind when he plays… It’s human I guess. Players tend to “hold in” abit and that’s when you get even bigger issues.

Like when you enter a duel halfhearted instead of full on. The ones who go into a duel firing on all cylinders most of the time come out unscratched.

If I were Marco, I’d have a severe and intense meeting with my medical staff. How on earth is it possible that this happens to three players in a prep for a tournament??? Babel, Melchiot and now Robben.

Posted from Australia

By Robert | June 8th, 2008 at 12:42 am

The Robben thing is frustrating but there are lots of options available. It would mean shuffling some players around but I don’t see that as a big deal. I would love to see Affelay get some time; the kid plays with a lot of flair and is great fun to watch. Or Kuyt, who I think would have to play on the right but the energy that guy brings to a game could frustrate opponents. I never thought he made a great striker but since he took on a position slightly further back at Liverpool he has IMO become a lot more effective.

As far as the games go that were played today; I thought the Swiss were robbed when they did not get a penalty out of the guy clearly touching the ball with his hand raised well above his body. The Czechs looked bad all game but finished well when it counted. They have an easy group and will likely get to the next round but great soccer it was not.

Portugal; ahh well, I hate that team more than the Italians and nearly as much as the Germans but they did look great.
This group will probably be without to many surprises.

Why was Don Leo never considered a candidate to follow up Marco??

By Nishit | June 8th, 2008 at 1:07 am

Robben is a great player, when he’s fit! Really frustrating this. I was pretty confident in the Dutch before the tourney started, but now, things are looking slightly difficult. Hopefully, Robben will be back for the game against France (he can rest against Romania also, think the Oranje can win that one without him) since that’s the key game. A draw against Italy is like a bonus, but against the French, they should go out with the bit between their teeth, and reallly push for it. France IMO are weaker than Italy. Till then, I hope Marco VB plays another striker along with RVN. Maybe Huntelaar? (prefer him to Kuyt anyday) By the way, Sneijder is fit right?

Posted from India

By alaa | June 8th, 2008 at 1:38 am

yes sneijder is fit.

Posted from United States

By Jan | June 8th, 2008 at 2:43 am

Don Leo managed the Dutch in the mid 80s when they failed to qualify (for Mexico 1986 I believe), last match against Belgium they were virtually through with a 2-0 lead until the last 5 minutes when one Grun scored the all important 2-1. Belgium wrote history on the big tournament.

Don Leo was later selected in 1990 to replace Thijs Libregts. The players wanted JC, but the KNVB (read: Michels) signed Don Leo. The WC1990 was a major disaster and I don’t believe Don Leo will get a job at the KNVB anytime soon due to these bad memories.

Posted from Australia

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