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Foreign Media positive: “Oranje potential World Champs”
Comments(24)
The foreign media are relatively positive about Holland’s win over Denmark. The influential French newspaper L’Equipe believes Oranje can win it.
Bild (Germany): “Holland can do it without Robben to. The injured superstar was benched against Denmark, but the Bayern hero could see how his colleagues could eliminated Denmark without him. However, with all these top players, the game wasn’t too good. Zidane, Cruyff and Platini were all on the VIP stands, talking instead of watching.
The Guardian (England): “Holland didn’t give any comedy-goals away, but thanks the win for a large part to the generosity of the Danish defense, giving away a goal without reason.
L’Equipe (France): “Holland’s renowned attack was disappointing, but has a team on paper that can go far. They could even win it. But they need to up their game otherwise they won’t have a chance.”
Daily Mail (England): “Electric Elia offered up some excitement. Elia didn’t get his goal but in the 23 minutes which he played he did offer the spectators something to talk about. The first WC surprise is there. His combination of pure energy and typical Dutch attacking orientation gave a spark of excitement.”
Algemeen Dagblad: “Elia puts the Fab Four in his shadow. Not Sneijder, Van der Vaart or Van Persie but sub Elia and defensive midfielder Van Bommel were the best on the pitch.”
Volkskrant: “Holland could support the motto “playing bad, but winning” thanks to the weak defense of the Danes. And fortunately, there was Elia, who took along his tricks from the street and who looks fast even in slo-mo. The locals of Soccer City recognized the dribbler and supported him in everything he did.”
Telegraaf: “The points are in the bag. Oranje didn’t play good, but it won. That’s what counts in your first game.”
Sportsite (Denmark): “Olsen is too old, the players too bad and too boring and no one can score a goal. At least not in the Dutch goal.
Berlingske (Denmark): “We gave goals away. Both goal one and two brought tears in our eyes. The first half was ok, but that’s the best we can do…”
Sporten (Denmark): “Danish suicide against Holland. One mistake in the defense and the Danes are out.
Robbelia! Classic, I like it better than “Robbery”!
The dutch played okay, but they did win. More than Spain, France, Italy and England can say.
Yes the more I look back on the game the happier I am. Can’t wait till Saturday morning. Let’s see if the guys like the ball better in the second game.
Don’t give me credit. Someone else, sorry I forgot who, came up with it.
We played very well, the game wasn’t thriving with beautiful play but it was very entertaining. Like a good drama, I mean Denmark scoring in the first half really wouldn’t have surprised me with the way they were playing. All the people nagging about how it wasn’t a good game, your all pissed that they kept you stressed out all game. The first goal relived some, but then you stressed out over the tie, I know I did. But when it was all said and done we were the winners with a good bid at leading our group with +2GD. After knowing that you have to feel good, and not dwell on the performance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnizC8i4yRo
Any of our dutch translators want to help me with this Elia interview please. As much as possible, but anything would be nice, thanks.
I know we have debated this topic to death already, but I do feel it is all about balance.
For the first time in perhaps 36 years, I feel Holland has a truly well balanced team. We can put on all the primadonnas at any time, yet we can balance it out with the non-glamorous workers such as Kuyt and DeJong. The best defense starts in attack, and not the other way around and we can do that. I think Holland now under BvM is an extremely difficult team to beat. We may not always look Holland pretty, but we will get the job done given the opportunity.
Actually very similar to Brazil to some extent. This Brazil ain’t no 1970′ies Brazil, but probably the most physical side in the tournament (and with the best goal keeper and defense in the world) which is something you never associate with Brazil.
Latest Dutch news outside of the world cup: Bayern is considering a swap between Klose and AC Milan`s Huntelaar. I really would like to see Huntelaar in Bayern along with Ribery, Robben and Schweinsteiger. Bayern really needed someone like Huntelaar last season for obvious reasons – he is a much better finisher than any of the Bayern strikers, who have far too often failed to capitalize on golden opportunities and lack composure. Huntelaar is a world class striker with the ability to finish in almost impossible situations, poses a tremendous aerial threat and is arguably the world`s most dealiest player in the penalty area. Bayern`s style of play is a perfect fit for Huntelaar unlike AC Milan. He can really combine well with Bayern`s wingers and midfielders who will deliver him countless opportunities to finish. With that being said, what do you think the chances are for Huntelaar to come to Bayern nest season?
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/world-cup-2010/news/2010/06/16/scoring-goal-that-dumped-scotland-from-world-cup-was-turning-point-in-my-career-says-dutch-world-cup-star-eljero-elia-86908-22336760/
link to Elia’s interview
Posted from 
Australia
Elia likely to start on bench again !!!
http://fourfourtwo.com/news/restofeurope/56948/default.aspx
Posted from Australia
” We were all just thinking about Arjen. Nobody spoke about the win”
Eljero Elia –
Posted from Australia
Expect anther pearl harbor attack from Japanese!!
Posted from Australia
Just read a few more stories on who was best on the pitch. Marco v B said van Bommel was the best player on the field !! That is some admission ! German papers seem to be full of Bommels play too. Good sign !
Posted from 
Singapore
I think Bert was upset with how all the guys wanted to ball at their feet. But Bommel made some good runs off the ball, and his defense was very solid.
Well I just read about altitude sickness. There isn’t a whole lot you can do short of strapping oxygen tanks to the players. Water seems to be the best solution, hydration is key. But over hydration has no benefits and my cause sickness. In Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia a folk remedy is the tea made from the coca plant. Think we can have that for our tea time?
Altitude seems to be big problem for many teams,kuyt has stated it to Times of India.But the final is being played at in the early night so will see better match…
Posted from 
India
a
I think Elia will be used as a super sub although I’d rather see him from the start especially now that Robben is still not ready. We need a fast player who can break defenses with his speed and trickery.
After the Denmark game Elia has racked up 10 caps for the beloved Oranje, with starts in four games. In the six substitutions he has scored two goals, and zero in those starts against USA, Italy, Paraguay, and Australia. I think Bert knows all this and will use him as a sub throughout the tournament. It doesn’t have to be rocket science, the opponent plays for an hour get tired and a fresh Elia runs circles around them.
Yeah, I actually agree with that too OD (Orange Dutchman). Elia has a better chance to make a big impact coming on as a sub. I thought the same thing before while watching him at Hamburg as well.
van Bommel wasn’t that fantastic. He made a couple of decision errors. Why do you think de Boer was cursing? Because vBommel couldn’t keep the shot down?
I was cursing when he made a good run/dribble to the backline but overlooked his 2 teammates in front of goal and went for goal himself, poor decision from that angle. Who do you think you are, Maicon? 
Nah, he was allright, had some really good moments and some lesser. Like most that day actually.
Posted from 
Netherlands
It didn’t work for Spain with Navas!!!!
Sigh, blind people. You’ve just named 4 good defensive teams and mentioned no details about those matches. Elia played well in those matches and him not scoring had nothing to do with him starting. Watch the games again if you don’t believe me.
Ah well, we’ll play another Russia game before this thing is over if this believe that we can wait with our impact players persists…
Sorry for my emotional reaction. As you can see, I strongly disagree and believe we’ll get hurt with that line of thought. It may work for now, but just wait and see (well, apparently you can see the Spain game and still miss it, the Russia game and still blame Heitinga, Ooijer or whoever in the defence you hold responsible for our loss to Russia).
Posted from Netherlands
btw, it still works the way you said, about “the opponent plays for an hour get tired and a fresh Elia runs circles around them”
That’s all true. But it’s not good enough. It isn’t a reason to play with Bouhlaruz RB (so that vdWiel can use his freshness and speed), it isn’t enough reason to play with Kuyt RW (so that Robben …etc.) and it certainly isn’t enough reason to play with Hunter CF (so that vPersie…..etc.).
So why would it suddenly be sufficient reason to make it so difficult on yourself for 60 minutes by not having a proper leftwing (or rightwing as well) and then try to cram all your effort into 30 minutes?
Ah forget it.
Posted from Netherlands
Then again….
Elia could get hurt again as well, so I’m fine with whatever vMarwijk comes up with in the groupstages. The lads on the field will find a way. It’s more against Brazil’s defence that I’m worried about or other strong defensive teams, Denmark comes close, but is not quite up there among the list of France, Germany, Italy, Greece (yes Greece, I’m talking about defence), Switzerland, Paraguay, Servia, USA (well, some of those they can match defensively I guess, Italy and USA probably, hard to tell in such detail, comparisons are always hard with so much differences and uniqueness in players).
Posted from Netherlands
It may be at this WC2010 but the oranje should show how to destroy the packing defense in this WC first likes Swiss Ivory Japan that show how good of commander of Bommel and Registra Wesley to break the wall of defense ,to make the different pass to fantasista of team likes VDV RVP or Robben Or Elia . By the way the important player likes workhorse De Jong Kuyt are important to winning the ball in the pitch.
Posted from Australia
I think Elia should be used to put the game away. Be used to up the game a notch and make sure the game is in the bag!!
Holland up 1-0 against a good team and are under pressure, Elia comes in as a sub, with fresh legs and makes the game 2-0. Game over.
All you guys care about is beautiful football. I hate to say it but I’m sick of beautiful football with no WC title.
Posted from 
United States
I couldn’t agree MORE Wissam!
Posted from 
Canada
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Nice to see Elia is getting much deserved recognition. I thought our other young gun, Van der Wiel, looked pretty good. Those charges up the middle at the start of the game were ok, but what I really liked was how he shut down the right side defensively.
Soon we will be able to unleash Robbelia, defensive walls will crumble, goalies will be non-existent!