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EC1980: The End of a Generation…
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Johnny Rep between several West German opponents
The 1980s EC were held in Italy. Holland was among the eight finalists on this tournament. The Dutch impressed in 1974 and 1978 but failed to become a major force in this version.
Holland had qualified for the EC through a legendary 2-3 away win against East Germany. Rene van de Kerkhof scored the winner. A solo-dribble from his own half, comparable with Maradona’s super goal against England. Oranje was 2-0 down and thereby out the EC tournament. In an intense atmosphere in Leipzig, Oranje fought its way back in the game to win 2-3.
It was the last breath of a super generation. Holland failed in the final tournament. Johan Cruyff had retired and for him and other 1970s icons like Van Hanegem and Muhren we got names like Michel van de Korput, Huub Stevens, Martien Vreijsen and Kees Kist.
Oranje’s preparation campaign was a disaster. Holland played several games against local amateurs and the team manager, Jan Zwartkruis, was formerly the coach of the army football team (!!). The former airforce officer trained the players as if they were green berets.
Several players ended every training session puking and vomiting.
A delegation of players pleaded the KNVB for a less army-like approach. Zwartkruis changed his ways.
“We are going to Rome” sang Holland but we never saw Rome. Oranje returned after two games in Napels and one in Milan. The preparation campaign was longer than the actual EC! Oranje won the first game against Greece with luck. The Greek goalie made a kicking motion towards striker Dick Nanninga and the ref rewarded that with a penalty kick: 1-0.
In the second match, Oranje had a change to revenge the 1974 finals but the lacklustre Dutchies never seemed to believe in their chances against a strong West German team, with players like Matthaus, Rummenige, Kalz, Forster, Stielike and superstar Bernd Schuster. Oranje was played off the pitch, 3-0, three goals by Klaus Allofs. John Rep scored the 3-1 after Wijnstekers was fouled (outside the box, but the ref rewarded a penalty) and Willy van der Kerkhof hit home from 20 meters (3-2) but it would be too late. The West Germans were the better team and Oranje realized the party was over. In the last violent match against Czechoslovakia Oranje drew 1-1.
Zwartkruis was heavily frustrated because everyone who was remotely linked to the KNVB stayed in the players’ hotel. Wifes of KNVB members, players’ girlfriends, the works. Zwartkruis would later call it the “Oranje Mafia”.
Remarkable was the replacement of super fast Rene van de Kerkhof by Martien Vreijsen, because he trained so well. Vreijsen had never played an Oranje game before and would never again play one.
Holland would awaken from it’s winter sleep in 1988.
Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 87 comments.
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@Miguel Rosado Yeh, im not sure what to think of it so just thought id drop it here. lol.
It would be a bit of a sour way of getting one xD
BTW Seedorf just picked up an injury, so prob Emanuelson coming in.
Posted from 
Netherlands
Arsenal’s midfield is shocking
Posted from 
Canada
2-0….ouch.
I really feel bad for RVP…hes in the prime of his career on a shit team.
Posted from 
United States
Who the hell are on their midfield ?!? Arteta, Song and Ramsey ?? Hardly world class players. Good players yes.. but not the Sneijder, Xavi, Iniesta, Özil kinda good..
Posted from Netherlands
@ alex,
Song is good, Arteta is mediocre and Ramsey is shit.
Posted from United States
It would be great to formally see Argentina stripped off the 78 title. And YES, if they cheated then Holland deserves its place in history of football regardless if it’s 34 or 134 years after. I doubt this will happen though.
Arsenal is an ugly/shitty team, I can say I hate to see RVP play with ordinary players such as Ramsey, Arteta and especially Walcott (he makes me throw up). RVP must move on just not to Madrid.
Posted from United States
In this arsenal team.
This is Van Persie
Here is the rest
Posted from Netherlands
Van Bommel is playing well. So is Emmanuelson
Posted from Canada
Re: 1978. So FIFA is just now getting around to investigating it? Its not like this is a new accusation.
Its sort of like that scene in Casablanca when Louis is ordered by Major Strasser to shut down “Rick’s Place” and Rick (Bogie) confronts him. Louis looks him in the eye, and says “I’m shocked. Shocked to find gambling going on in this establishment.” And then, of course, one of Rick’s employees sidles up to Louis, and and hands him his winnings.
Still, I’d take it the WC, why not? Though my guess is that rather than award it to the Netherlands, they’d just vacate the trophy…or maybe they could could get the guys from Brazil and Oranje who can still walk, and have them play a title match in 2013. Nothing else going on that year. I’ll bet Neeskens could still play a bit.
Why is Wenger still using Rosicky?
Posted from Canada
Rosicky was not as bad as Ramsey… why the hell does Ramsey still play? He losses possession on 9/10 attempts.
Posted from United States
Before today I believed Van Persie would renew his contract, but now I consider it more likely he won’t. The man is too good for this team, and unless they make some quality signings (key word: quality) he needs to move on.
No more Artetas and Sagnas. I’m sure they have money lying around. They should sign Sneijder and make a statement (obviously will never happen). If they keep on going like this nobody will want to go to Arsenal anymore.
Posted from Canada
Wenger is way past his best. Ramsey has no business in the field. Also, makes no sense to keep a decent player like Chamberlain on the bench. A team of scrubs can’t go too far.
Posted from United States
It wouldn’t be the ideal way of getting the WC trophy but it’s still a trophy and if Argentina did actually cheat then they really don’t deserve it.
@ ALex :
well it’s sounds great , although – as Miguel said – it’s not the ideal way to get a trophy yet it’s still a trophy .
Great news having narsingh , maher , john in the team .
Marwijk is doing a good job with this call-ups .
if we’re not going to win the Euro , then let’s make a strong young team for the next world cup with other experienced players like sneijder , persie , robben and VDV .
Hopefully Maher will agree and join Oranje .
He’s a pure class .
Dropped my computer Monday, damn think went funky on me and took Igor the IT guy until today to get me back up and running. I missed this but I think its a good mix of experience and experimentation!
The Dutch will tackle England – who will be led by caretaker coach Stuart Pearce – at Wembley on February 29.
Maarten Stekelenburg Roma
Tim Krul Newcastle
Michel Vorm Swansea
Vurnon Anita Ajax
Khalid Boulahrouz Stuttgart
Jeffrey Bruma Hamburg
Urby Emanuelson AC Milan
John Heitinga Everton
Joris Mathijsen Malaga
Erik Pieters PSV
Ron Vlaar Feyenoord
Mark van Bommel AC Milan
Nigel de Jong Man City
Stijn Schaars Sporting
Wesley Sneijder Inter
Kevin Strootman PSV
Georginio Wijnaldum PSV
Rafael van der Vaart Tottenham
Adam Maher AZ
Klaas Jan Huntelaar Schalke
Ola John Twente
Luuk de Jong Twente
Dirk Kuyt Liverpool
Jeremain Lens PSV
Robin van Persie Arsenal
Arjen Robben Bayern
Luciano Narsingh Heerenveen
With Sepp as FIFA’s president, I do not see them stripping Argentine the WC trophy. As much as I like to see them giving to Oranje, it is not fair to Brazil who did not have a chance to play Oranje for it. The players themselves (Luque) felt ashamed by it and I think they are innocent. I’m not sure if there is a solution. How about Argetine plays Brazil now and the winner takes on Oranje in the rematch?
Regarding England friendly lineup we already know who will start in the Euro. For friendly why not just testing to see what other players can adapt to the system.
Posted from United States
27 players , means that 4 players should be dropped .
Lens , nigel de jong , anita & ??? 
I like BVM selection criteria, he picked strootman from nowhere before people recognise his talent, but also he can accomodate the main stream, like narsingh, john and maher who are outstanding in eredivisie this season.
I hope BVM won’t drop maher, john and narsingh from 23players. 4 players I want to drop, 1 forward,1 mid, 2defenders
Lens: get called only because BVM’s loyalty program, narsingh & john are better prospects
Anita: always vulnerable, get called only because he can cover right & left
Boula and/ or emmanuelson, none better than the other and Bruma can play their spots, but emmanuelson probably stay because pieters not 100% fit
Vaart because he is not fit, or Schaars because I want maher to stay
Posted from 
Australia
Van Bommel. The man has his detractors, but I am not one of them. What a player. Not speedy, a bit cynical, (once referred to as “psychological warfare with a perm 
), but wow. Can he control a game. Show Arsenal’s mid field a thing or two. Feel bad for van Persie. The man deserves to play with better players then he has around him.
On the 1978 Argentina WC issue – here is what one of their players Luque said, I quote from the BBC who had long ago followed up on the Peru Game – Years after, Argentine striker Leopoldo Luque said: “With what I know now, I can’t say I’m proud of my victory. But I didn’t realise; most of us didn’t. We just played football.”
Posted from 
Singapore
And he will be at PSV next season DD (van Bommel I mean)
FIFA definitely needs to investigate and declare their findings. Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson was famously disqualified for doping. His title was given to 2nd place finisher.
It will be hard to establish conclusively. More credible sources need to come forward and corroborate the story.
Media outlets need to bring this story to the public’s attention so that there’s more pressure on FIFA to find the truth and do the right thing. Can you imagine if this was done to England?
FIFA would have been investigating two weeks after the alleged
KNVB, Cruyff and every Dutch footballer should be incensed about this and demand justice from FIFA to clear up this allegation.
Posted from United States
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It’s not time for experimenting. Bert can try some new players but he doesn’t need to change much.
@Alex: I’d love that to happen!!! even if it’s after 34 years. It is not fair we don’t have THE WC TITLE when we have had some of the best teams in football history and it’s not fair a corrupt team like Argentina has the title.