Comments on: Foppe: not much to fall back on… http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html World Cup 2010 - South Africa, Oranje, Nederlands Elftal, Eredivisie, Marco van Basten, Dutch football, The Netherlands Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:30:06 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Rob http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html/comment-page-1#comment-158767 Rob Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:09:56 +0000 http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html#comment-158767 Olympic football is bloody stupid - 100% agree. Olympic gold medals shouldn't be so worthless, but they're handing them out for some under 23 tournament - minus all the best European under-23s - where a couple of older has-beens are invited back for no apparent reason. Simply the lamest competition ever. Olympic football is bloody stupid – 100% agree. Olympic gold medals shouldn’t be so worthless, but they’re handing them out for some under 23 tournament – minus all the best European under-23s – where a couple of older has-beens are invited back for no apparent reason. Simply the lamest competition ever.

]]> By: finnster01 http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html/comment-page-1#comment-158757 finnster01 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:56:42 +0000 http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html#comment-158757 @Alex; Interesting question. I can onlu answer for myself and I guess I am not "authentic" American as I have only lived here in New York since 1990 but I do have a 12 year old daughter who sure is as American as it gets. I think that most Americans will put the US first but have a soft spot for their country of ancestry and will root for them too. It is hard not to be impressed by Phelps. Not only does he win, but he seems to be shattereing all the world records in the process. He is truly amazing. In terms of fairness, I think it is more a case of US having 300 million people to choose from and great facilities and coaches. China has a billion and are at home. Holland has what, about 16 million and change? Statistically Holland should always struggle in that kind of comparison. Not sure if a BeNeLux combo would help much, but maybe we could borrow a Belgian defender because there sure does not seem to exist a person with a Dutch passport able to mark anyone. @Alex; Interesting question. I can onlu answer for myself and I guess I am not “authentic” American as I have only lived here in New York since 1990 but I do have a 12 year old daughter who sure is as American as it gets.

I think that most Americans will put the US first but have a soft spot for their country of ancestry and will root for them too.

It is hard not to be impressed by Phelps. Not only does he win, but he seems to be shattereing all the world records in the process. He is truly amazing.

In terms of fairness, I think it is more a case of US having 300 million people to choose from and great facilities and coaches. China has a billion and are at home. Holland has what, about 16 million and change? Statistically Holland should always struggle in that kind of comparison. Not sure if a BeNeLux combo would help much, but maybe we could borrow a Belgian defender because there sure does not seem to exist a person with a Dutch passport able to mark anyone.

]]> By: Alex http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html/comment-page-1#comment-158754 Alex Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:00:01 +0000 http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html#comment-158754 @all of you posted from america, are you authentic Americans :), or do you have any dutch ancestry, depending on he answer, how does it feel seeing dutch athletes etc., lose to American's, or the other way around?? i couldn't help but wonder. But since the dutch don't have a proper basketball team, i enjoy watching the "redeemteam". But although my eyes dropped when seeing Phelps swim, i can't help but have a feeling of unfairness, with so much American, Chinese athletes competing, it's almost impossible to do good as the Netherlands, Belgium is even worse, i thought about it, and came to the conclusion, why not form a Benelux Delegation(and sneak a bit of Belgian-African, Suriname, and Antillian athletes in it), think about what the Olympic football squad then could have been like, thinking about it makes me a bit depressed it won't happen, at least not anytime soon. @all of you posted from america, are you authentic Americans :) , or do you have any dutch ancestry, depending on he answer, how does it feel seeing dutch athletes etc., lose to American’s, or the other way around?? i couldn’t help but wonder. But since the dutch don’t have a proper basketball team, i enjoy watching the “redeemteam”. But although my eyes dropped when seeing Phelps swim, i can’t help but have a feeling of unfairness, with so much American, Chinese athletes competing, it’s almost impossible to do good as the Netherlands, Belgium is even worse, i thought about it, and came to the conclusion, why not form a Benelux Delegation(and sneak a bit of Belgian-African, Suriname, and Antillian athletes in it), think about what the Olympic football squad then could have been like, thinking about it makes me a bit depressed it won’t happen, at least not anytime soon.

]]> By: Alex http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html/comment-page-1#comment-158753 Alex Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:40:46 +0000 http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html#comment-158753 @Goose, yes, i'm dutch, and sure there will be a group of people not happy with baseball to be cut out, but you can't do anything against it, i for one still have a bit of a awkword feeling on some teamsports at the olympics, but i feel f you have teamsports at the olympics, why not include a selection of those world's most popular sports, and have the squads really be at their strongest unlike with football, i don't have a problem with Baseball, basketball, rugby at the olympics, but rugby isn't really popular worldwide, i's just a fairly small number of country's, but the deciding board now more about the number, therefore they know better what sports fit the games. About the dutch selection by V.Marwijk, i was really surprised to still se Andre Ooijer in it, to me, he's becoming slow, an'd can't really keep up any more, would rather see Edson Braafheid(25) from FC Twente or Ron Vlaar(23) from Feyenoord in the squad, they still have potential. I would at least expect(i hoped) him to select a real rightback and try Heitinga-Boulahrouz as central defensive pair, i think they complement eachothers playing style. Boulahrouz, fast, and a hard, sturdy defender who does exactly what's needed, and Heitinga has a beauty of a pass and shot, and is better at building, guiding the play forward to attack. Also think we should keep an eye out to Theo Janssen, who went to FC Twente, he might surprise this season and finally live up to his full potential. @Goose, yes, i’m dutch, and sure there will be a group of people not happy with baseball to be cut out, but you can’t do anything against it, i for one still have a bit of a awkword feeling on some teamsports at the olympics, but i feel f you have teamsports at the olympics, why not include a selection of those world’s most popular sports, and have the squads really be at their strongest unlike with football, i don’t have a problem with Baseball, basketball, rugby at the olympics, but rugby isn’t really popular worldwide, i’s just a fairly small number of country’s, but the deciding board now more about the number, therefore they know better what sports fit the games.
About the dutch selection by V.Marwijk, i was really surprised to still se Andre Ooijer in it, to me, he’s becoming slow, an’d can’t really keep up any more, would rather see Edson Braafheid(25) from FC Twente or Ron Vlaar(23) from Feyenoord in the squad, they still have potential. I would at least expect(i hoped) him to select a real rightback and
try Heitinga-Boulahrouz as central defensive pair, i think they complement eachothers playing style. Boulahrouz, fast, and a hard, sturdy defender who does exactly what’s needed, and Heitinga has a beauty of a pass and shot, and is better at building, guiding the play forward to attack.
Also think we should keep an eye out to Theo Janssen, who went to FC Twente, he might surprise this season and finally live up to his full potential.

]]> By: finnster01 http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html/comment-page-1#comment-158745 finnster01 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:24:34 +0000 http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html#comment-158745 In all honesty, the reason why the Olympic ideal of true "amateurs" are no longer existing is quite simply because it became to difficult to police. It became far worse than dealing with the college sports in the US. At least here you only have one jurisdiction to worry about. I think the Olympics are wonderful and must be a faboulous thing for a young athlete to attend and nobody should be prevented from attending if they are good enough, pro or non-pro. However, there are clearly some dodgy sports such as golf (yawn), 10m air-rifle (yawn some more), equestrian (hop on the wife/girlfriend much more exiting and challenging) etc. This year I am actually for the first time enjoying watching US basketball team because they for once play decent and as a team (shocking, I know). The football/soccer has been a huge disappointment from an Oranje perspective and I have no hope of going deep into the tournament. Actually, I wouldn't mind poker being in the Olympics. For one, it provides good entertainment, requires a good degree of smartness and strategy and it is a global phenom. Poker is everywhere. I rather watch that than some 67 year old Japanese guy faffing about on a horse pretending to be an athlete. In all honesty, the reason why the Olympic ideal of true “amateurs” are no longer existing is quite simply because it became to difficult to police. It became far worse than dealing with the college sports in the US. At least here you only have one jurisdiction to worry about.

I think the Olympics are wonderful and must be a faboulous thing for a young athlete to attend and nobody should be prevented from attending if they are good enough, pro or non-pro.

However, there are clearly some dodgy sports such as golf (yawn), 10m air-rifle (yawn some more), equestrian (hop on the wife/girlfriend much more exiting and challenging) etc.

This year I am actually for the first time enjoying watching US basketball team because they for once play decent and as a team (shocking, I know). The football/soccer has been a huge disappointment from an Oranje perspective and I have no hope of going deep into the tournament.

Actually, I wouldn’t mind poker being in the Olympics. For one, it provides good entertainment, requires a good degree of smartness and strategy and it is a global phenom. Poker is everywhere. I rather watch that than some 67 year old Japanese guy faffing about on a horse pretending to be an athlete.

]]> By: Jan http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html/comment-page-1#comment-158743 Jan Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:14:14 +0000 http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html#comment-158743 Agree with Goose! No baseball at the OG but beach volley ball??? I would like to see a classic Olympics. All the traditional greek sports. Period! Golf, tennis, hockey, football, cycling they all have their own tournaments. But money rules my friends.... I like MO's deadpan Oranje squad in the midst of these Olympic comments :-) Agree with Goose! No baseball at the OG but beach volley ball???

I would like to see a classic Olympics. All the traditional greek sports. Period! Golf, tennis, hockey, football, cycling they all have their own tournaments.

But money rules my friends….

I like MO’s deadpan Oranje squad in the midst of these Olympic comments :-)

]]> By: goose http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html/comment-page-1#comment-158740 goose Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:04:27 +0000 http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html#comment-158740 @Alex; are you dutch? i know many people in Holland that are heartbroken over the loss of baseball...i for one @Bob; do you think than that the football should be all amateurs?? agree on the poker comment (its all hot in Holland btw), what about darts/snooker?? i really lost faith in the Olympic dream once the swimming finals had to be swum at 7.00 am chinese time for the americans to watch Phelps prime-time btw; tomorrow Fc Twente will play Arsenal a the Champ.L. qualifier @Alex; are you dutch? i know many people in Holland that are heartbroken over the loss of baseball…i for one

@Bob; do you think than that the football should be all amateurs?? agree on the poker comment (its all hot in Holland btw), what about darts/snooker??

i really lost faith in the Olympic dream once the swimming finals had to be swum at 7.00 am chinese time for the americans to watch Phelps prime-time

btw; tomorrow Fc Twente will play Arsenal a the Champ.L. qualifier

]]> By: Bob http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html/comment-page-1#comment-158739 Bob Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:39:33 +0000 http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html#comment-158739 I will offer an alternate opinion regarding football in the Olympics. I believe it should be an Olympic sport, providing an opportunity for younger players to have a lifetime experience of playing for their country in a truly international tournament. What a terrific opportunity for the younger athletes to have this memory, meeting many others from throughout in the world in a foreign venue. I affirm it in every respect. Here is where I do agree with many of the comments: 1. The Olympics, like so much else in this world today, has lost the spirit of its original purpose. It is for the "youth of the world." It is intended for "amateurs", a word meaning to love something for the sake of the event and without expectation of reward(money!). 2. Due to the number of participants, it is impossible to cover well on television. In America, at least, one can not watch the football event as a complete tournament, such as we could with the recent Euro '08. We see limited matches, which generally must involve the US or favorites such as Argentina or Brazil. 3. No full-time professional should be allowed to participate. Basketball has become a joke, with US pros playing against other country pros. Let the amateurs play! When I was younger, the US team had to be composed of college players, no pros allowed. This should apply to all sports, including football. 4. I believe sports such as basketball, baseball, golf and tennis should not be Olympic sports, UNLESS they restrict the participants to being amateurs. As it appears they will not so restrict, then these sports should be eliminated. 5. Many of you mention golf--why an Olympic sport? No way, I agree. 6. One final thought, somewhat unrelated but which has become popular here in the US. ESPN, one of our major sports networks, has decided to make POKER a sport. It is shown on ESPN many, many hours every weak. THAT IS REDICULOS! Will that now become the next Olympic sport. I recognize that these items are not logically consistent and need some work, but wanted to share them anyway. I look forward to tomorrow's match, even though I will probably not be able to see it here in the US. My best guess--the Dutch tie with Japan, and go home. Unless they play much, much better than they have to date, which of course I hope they do. I am also not confident of the talent on this team, nor am encouraged that if they do "go through", that they will progress any further. I will offer an alternate opinion regarding football in the Olympics. I believe it should be an Olympic sport, providing an opportunity for younger players to have a lifetime experience of playing for their country in a truly international tournament. What a terrific opportunity for the younger athletes to have this memory, meeting many others from throughout in the world in a foreign venue. I affirm it in every respect.

Here is where I do agree with many of the comments:

1. The Olympics, like so much else in this world today, has lost the spirit of its original purpose. It is for the “youth of the world.” It is intended for “amateurs”, a word meaning to love something for the sake of the event and without expectation of reward(money!).

2. Due to the number of participants, it is impossible to cover well on television. In America, at least, one can not watch the football event as a complete tournament, such as we could with the recent Euro ‘08. We see limited matches, which generally must involve the US or favorites such as Argentina or Brazil.

3. No full-time professional should be allowed to participate. Basketball has become a joke, with US pros playing against other country pros. Let the amateurs play! When I was younger, the US team had to be composed of college players, no pros allowed. This should apply to all sports, including football.

4. I believe sports such as basketball, baseball, golf and tennis should not be Olympic sports, UNLESS they restrict the participants to being amateurs. As it appears they will not so restrict, then these sports should be eliminated.

5. Many of you mention golf–why an Olympic sport? No way, I agree.

6. One final thought, somewhat unrelated but which has become popular here in the US. ESPN, one of our major sports networks, has decided to make POKER a sport. It is shown on ESPN many, many hours every weak. THAT IS REDICULOS! Will that now become the next Olympic sport.

I recognize that these items are not logically consistent and need some work, but wanted to share them anyway. I look forward to tomorrow’s match, even though I will probably not be able to see it here in the US. My best guess–the Dutch tie with Japan, and go home. Unless they play much, much better than they have to date, which of course I hope they do. I am also not confident of the talent on this team, nor am encouraged that if they do “go through”, that they will progress any further.

]]> By: Michel-Olivier http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html/comment-page-1#comment-158737 Michel-Olivier Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:18:59 +0000 http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html#comment-158737 Bert squad for the friendly against Russia Timmer Stekelenburg van Bronckhorst Ooijer Heitinga Mathijsen Boulahrouz de Cler de Jong de Zeeuw van der Vaart Afellay Engelaar van Bommel Robben Kuijt Vennegoor of Hesselink van Persie Huntelaar Bert squad for the friendly against Russia

Timmer
Stekelenburg

van Bronckhorst
Ooijer
Heitinga
Mathijsen
Boulahrouz
de Cler

de Jong
de Zeeuw
van der Vaart
Afellay
Engelaar
van Bommel
Robben

Kuijt
Vennegoor of Hesselink
van Persie
Huntelaar

]]> By: richard http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html/comment-page-1#comment-158736 richard Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:02:10 +0000 http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/olympic-and-young-oranje/foppe-not-much-to-fall-back-on.html#comment-158736 The Olympics have become something of a joke. It's a Made For TV event now, driven by ratings and money--which is why the IOC wants pro players and stars and sex appeal. It doesn't think it can stay full relevant without glitz. On the FIRST night of American TV coverage, NBC showed a //full hour// of an almost meaningless beach volley match between America and Japan, I supposed to get some girls in bathing suits in front of viewers. Soccer, tennis, softball--they should get rid of some of the team sports; there is too much. The Olympics have become something of a joke. It’s a Made For TV event now, driven by ratings and money–which is why the IOC wants pro players and stars and sex appeal. It doesn’t think it can stay full relevant without glitz. On the FIRST night of American TV coverage, NBC showed a //full hour// of an almost meaningless beach volley match between America and Japan, I supposed to get some girls in bathing suits in front of viewers. Soccer, tennis, softball–they should get rid of some of the team sports; there is too much.

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