Netherlands vs Italy - Monday 9th June [r]

[canzano55]

Now you've confused me. First the thought of Holland's attack is unnerving to you and Ruud is world class and then you go on to call us mediocre and an average generation of players? Ruud is part of the early 21 century generation that was loaded with talented Dutch players; Ruud's older peers compared to the ones of today are by far superior.

Pick any Dutch team between the year 2000 and 1974 and you'll understand what I mean by "unnerving". The Dutch team that will face Italy on the 9th doesn't come close to resembling those Dutch teams of old.

[johan neeskens]

Holland is a notorious side regardless of their quality. Always was and always will be.


Real Madrid bought Sneijder because that was all that was available at the time. He's a versatile attacking midfielder who can use either feet and has a knack for scoring goals (sometimes) but overall he's a light player with little or no playmaking instincts.

Overall he's a player with a lot of potential but is currently to raw to win anything significant, the fact that V Basten was quoted saying he's better than Pirlo I find rather shocking. I still refuse to believe a former player of incredible stature such as V Basten said that.

Yes I'm sure Real Madrid are in the habit of paying 27 million Euros for players that they don't even particularly rate.

[johan neeskens]

Ruud is part of the early 21 century generation that was loaded with talented Dutch players; Ruud's older peers compared to the ones of today are nothing close to par.

Pick any Dutch team between the year 2000 and 1974 and you'll understand what I mean by "unnerving". The Dutch team that will face Italy on the 9th doesn't come close to resembling those Dutch teams of old.

I'm very amused by all these overseas posters of European descent overrating 'their' national team. So thank you!

[canzano55]

Yes I'm sure Real Madrid are in the habit of paying 27 million Euros for players that they don't even particularly rate.I can make a list for you:

Baptista
Cicinho
Metzelder
Graveson
Cambiasso
Cassano (3rd highest payed player)
Higuan
Michael Owen
...

[Belgian guy]

I guess we'll see on Monday if Holland has a chance or not...

[johan neeskens]

I can make a list for you:

Baptista
Cicinho
Metzelder
Graveson
Cambiasso
Cassano (3rd highest payed player)
Higuan
Michael Owen
...

After a quick internet search:Everton sold Gravesen to Real Madrid for GBP 2.5 million, that's about 4 milion Euros - how is that near to Sneijder's 27 million?

Look if you want to tell yourself that Sneijder is mediocre, that's fine by me, its just that I haven't seen you make a good argument yet. Must try harder!

[johan neeskens]

I guess we'll see on Monday if Holland has a chance or not...

Oh I've no idea of that either. I'm just arguing against these Italy 'fans' saying that the only class player we've got is Ruud van Nistelrooy.

[AFCA]

Well ultimately its all subjective but neutrally I only consider one of those players as world class - Robben. And even Robben is an undersized lightweight for his position and its been proven he can be physically intimidated provided he's handled accordingly.

Sneijder and Van Persie are very good players but they have proven very little at top level and whatever specific details that excuse their inconsistencies recently will likely not bear resolve against Italy.

The fact is Italy is by far the more talented side in practically every position and they play better as a team then Holland. I don't like making predictions but I think anything less then a 2-0 result for Italy over the Netherlands will be a surprise.


I think any score between 0-4 and 4-0 is very plausible, even though this is the first game for both our teams.

Obviously, you haven't been paying much attention to Sneijder. Most allround midfielder I've seen in ages. Pirlo is overrated. Sneijder has much more agression and power in his play.

Ruud is part of the early 21 century generation that was loaded with talented Dutch players; Ruud's older peers compared to the ones of today are by far superior.

Pick any Dutch team between the year 2000 and 1974 and you'll understand what I mean by "unnerving". The Dutch team that will face Italy on the 9th doesn't come close to resembling those Dutch teams of old.

True, but I think we might surprise you with probably the most dangerous attack since... long time.

And if we win... you will never hear the end of it. That is a promise. I will hunt you down with a link to this thread until ultimately, you beg for mercy.

Which I shall not grant :D

[Spartak]

After a quick internet search:Everton sold Gravesen to Real Madrid for GBP 2.5 million, that's about 4 milion Euros - how is that near to Sneijder's 27 million?

Wait, Real paid Ajax 27 million for Sneijder? :eek: How the hell does Real make money?

[Belgian guy]

Wait, Real paid Ajax 27 million for Sneijder? :eek: How the hell does Real make money?

I believe they're in debt again. Which is disgraceful, seeing as the teams from the smaller leagues would no longer be allowed to compete if they had the kind of debt the likes of Manure and Real find themselves in.

[canzano55]

After a quick internet search:Everton sold Gravesen to Real Madrid for GBP 2.5 million, that's about 4 milion Euros - how is that near to Sneijder's 27 million?
What difference does it make? Some names were more than 27 million and some were less. The point is despite the abundance of quality players that have gone through Madrid less then half of them ever make a significant impact and there is no reason to believe that Sneijder is above the list of players I mentioned.

[squidward123]

sneijder can't hold a candle to pirlo but that's ok because nobody can

pirlo is the closest player today to beckenbauer and in fact i would say is a replica of bernd schuster (without the attitude)

[AFCA]

sneijder can't hold a candle to pirlo but that's ok because nobody can

pirlo is the closest player today to beckenbauer and in fact i would say is a replica of bernd schuster (without the attitude)


Pfff.... :rolleyes:

Italian pansy-ass (Pirlo, not you)

[johan neeskens]

What difference does it make? Some names were more than 27 million and some were less. The point is despite the abundance of quality players that have gone through Madrid less then half of them ever make a significant impact and there is no reason to believe that Sneijder is above the list of players I mentioned.

Look: it's altogether plausible that Italy will beat Holland, I'm not contesting that. The Italian style of play has never suited us. But what I just find ridiculous is your inane claim that Italy are MUCH better than Holland. Italy aren't MUCH better than anyone in the tournament. That's the beauty of the European championships overall: the differences in quality are minimal and anyone can beat anyone. On that note, it seems to have completely escaped you that all big European nations with the exception of Germany have struggled in qualifying for this tournament. Or do you think Scotland are a class above the Netherlands?

[canzano55]

True, but I think we might surprise you with probably the most dangerous attack since... long time.
Italy's attack this time around is vastly better, maybe the best in the tournament.

[canzano55]

Italy aren't MUCH better than anyone in the tournament. That's the beauty of the European championships overall: the differences in quality are minimal and anyone can beat anyone. Ofcourse anyone can beat anyone, this is football afterall, not an American best of 7 series.

And about Italy being better, well...yeah they are. I would have to say its a combination of Italy having a collection of really good players and the Dutch having a couple of top quality players and the rest mediocre.

Again its all subjective when discussing the value of players; it just happens that I don't rate this Dutch team very highly and matched against the reigning world champions lets just say it doesn't look good.

I'm not trying to rub it in your face or anything, sometimes your nation experiences an era of obscurity and you just have to live through it. It happens to everyone and its nothing to get all riled about.

[johan neeskens]

Ofcourse anyone can beat anyone, this is football afterall, not an American best of 7 series.

And about Italy being better, well...yeah they are. I would have to say its a combination of Italy having a collection of really good players and the Dutch having a couple of top quality players and the rest mediocre.

Again its all subjective when discussing the value of players; it just happens that I don't rate this Dutch team very highly and matched against the reigning world champions lets just say it doesn't look good.

I'm not trying to rub it in your face or anything, sometimes your nation experiences an era of obscurity and you just have to live through it. It happens to everyone and its nothing to get all riled about.

I'm not trying to rub it in your face or anything, but Holland got to the semis of Euro 2004 while the mighty Italians crashed out in the group stage and Greece, coming from a very long era of obscurity, won the tournament overall. These are the Euros, not the world cup, and anything can happen at the Euros as we all, with the exception of people like you it seems, know.

[johan neeskens]

I'm not trying to rub it in your face or anything, sometimes your nation experiences an era of obscurity and you just have to live through it. It happens to everyone and its nothing to get all riled about.

Also: a Canadian Italy fan patronising a Dutch football fan. I thought I'd seen it all on these boards.

[AFCA]

Meanwhile, Cassano has started some infighting at Italy. Way to go! :D

We'll see what happens, I think Italy will prove the most difficult match for us. A loss would not be completely unexpected, although a win would be greeted with open arms.

[squidward123]

Pfff.... :rolleyes:

Italian pansy-ass (Pirlo, not you)

well there's nobody better than him :)