Should the Netherlands "throw" thier game against Romania?

[balla]

I think non-Italian and non-French supporters would be saying yes because the neutral almost always likes the underdog to win.

[drahnier]

But the Italians already believe the whole world has a conspiracy against them in every tournament, if Holland throw the game they'll never shut up.

[Salop]

Holland have earned the right to do it, in a way.

They've already convincingly beaten both France and Italy so they've nothing to prove and, aside from the obvious ethical questions, I think it's a good idea. I seem to remember Brazil sending out a weakened side in their final group match of France '98 and losing to Norway. I wouldn't be surprised to see Holland do something similar. Not throwing the match as such but not going 100% at it.

That said, Romania are no mugs. They've already beaten Holland in the qualifiers and have come close to taking three points off the world champions and easily taken a point off France. They would almost certainly beat a weakened Holland side if qualification for the quarter finals was at steak and then who knows? 2 wins against a side, whatever the circumstances, is going some way to setting yourself up as a bogey team. Who knows what the psychological effects could add up to for Holland if they end up facing Romania again?

[canzano55]

Van Basten is a gentlemen of the game and would never intentionally tell his players to "throw" a game. Now I expect him to play it safe by putting together a side that is mostly reserves.

However even with a second string side Holland is still good and those young guys like Affelay will want to prove their worth so I don't expect Romania to be getting any favors.

[Todorov]

Romania will take this. Holland will field a B squad, most certainly. Too bad for Italy and France, though. :rolleyes:

[drahnier]

Romania has been unable to do anything except defend so far, how are they supposed to play attacking football against Holland?

And Mutu seems to be quite out of shape.

[canzano55]

Romania has been unable to do anything except defend so far, how are they supposed to play attacking football against Holland?

And Mutu seems to be quite out of shape.They put together a couple of good moves against Italy and hit a post but other than that I agree with you, they're uninspiring offensively.

[Tetsuo]

Romania has been unable to do anything except defend so far, how are they supposed to play attacking football against Holland?

And Mutu seems to be quite out of shape.

believe me Romania can attack. and we did so in qualification scoring many games. we were very nervous and afraid in the first game against france. in the second game, the italians were forced to attack and exposed themselves so we played the defense counter-attack tactic. why should we risk? but now in the final game we will attack a relaxed dutch team and if our players will be very concentrated and aware of the dutch threat we coul beat them. but anything can happen. the battle for the second place is open.

[Todorov]

believe me Romania can attack. and we did so in qualification scoring many games. we were very nervous and afraid in the first game against france. in the second game, the italians were forced to attack and exposed themselves so we played the defense counter-attack tactic. why should we risk? but now in the final game we will attack a relaxed dutch team and if our players will be very concentrated and aware of the dutch threat we coul beat them. but anything can happen. the battle for the second place is open.

Romania will pass: they have the quality and the opportunity to do so. They just have to keep focused and play an intelligent game against Holland's reserves.

I'd be surprised if they didn't pass.

[NL11]

Holland has earned the right to do whatever they want to. It was UEFA's silly decision to change the format of the tournament. For some reason, they wanted a 'rematch' possibility in the semi-stage rather than in a final. What they failed to take into account is how unfair it is to the team who has already 'proved' itself by winning its group. The scenario where someone had to beat the same team twice in little over a week was always right there to see. Ridiculous.

As for those that take offense at the idea Romania would not win anyway, I say that's EXACTLY WHY the Dutch should do it. No one will be the wiser. Romania is a very good team, particularly defensively. They have a great record against Holland. So if the Dutch don't smell the goal no one will cry foul.

And, importantly, it allows the Dutch motivation if they see the Romanians again in the semi-final. They'll say, "Hey, we had to lay back for these guys and watch them celebrate a win. Now let's show them." Brilliant motivation.

If Van Basten does not rest everyone, play back, and hope the Romanians win, he is a complete idiot. And he'll rue the day if he sees the French, or more likely, the Italians, line up against his men again. Either of those teams will be looking for payback and Holland would have blown its best chance at a trophy in 20 years.

[Fan123]

That said, Romania are no mugs. They've already beaten Holland in the qualifiers and have come close to taking three points off the world champions and easily taken a point off France. They would almost certainly beat a weakened Holland side if qualification for the quarter finals was at steak and then who knows? 2 wins against a side, whatever the circumstances, is going some way to setting yourself up as a bogey team. Who knows what the psychological effects could add up to for Holland if they end up facing Romania again?

Frankly, if you talk about Holland's FORM during qualifying, I think Holland would have trouble with even San Marino and Andorra, much less Romania. Qualifying form means nothing once you get to the tournament, as the two results have shown. Holland was able to beat France and Italy, and Romania couldn't.

France and Italy looked VERY STRONG even though they lost heavily. I don't know anyone who would rather face Italy or France than Romania. Of course, Holland isn't afraid of either Italy or France anymore. But you want to maximize your chances of winning later on, and it's not a good idea to go against 2 teams that have proven to be winners before.

Van Basten should be labeled the stupidest coach ever if Holland allows Italy or France to go through. That would be a massive massive mistake, and Holland would pay for it later on.

[againstthe odds]

At the end of the day,Holland is there to win the tournament,avoiding one team or another is part of the game.If Holland meet France or Italy again in the semifinals,I'm not so sure about them winning again.Holland should care about its purpose,not about the media or some comments.If winning could mean avoiding Italy and France by loosing to Romania,then why not do it?People will always have something to say anyway,the trophy remains though:)

[REALFOREVER]

Really, this is FIFA's fault for changing the format.

Holland can do whatever they want but I think they would have to be stupid to let Italy or France through.

How bad will it look if in the semis they lose to one of those two?

Although if they lose to Romania in the semi it would be hilarious.

[Seymour_Gunner]

Hi All,

I am fan of France and also have great deal of respect for Italy and so I would like to see France or Italy make it to QF, that is Holland don't lose t Romania. However, if I was Holland manager, I would very much take this chance to bury Italy and France once for all. Throwing a lifeline to any of these two could be dangerous and might come back and hunt the Dutch. After watching Spain today, I have to say Italy and France will pose more danger to Holland. I only saw the highlights of Italy-Holland, but from what I have heard the game was closer. I saw the Holland-France, and 4-1 scoreline while well deserved was flattering to the Dutch. Had Henry taken his chance who knows what would have happened.

Make the long story short. YOU HAVE CHANCE TO COMPLETELY ERASE two teams that if given a second chance can come back and bite you, dump them. Holland owes nothing to any team. As reward of their two big wins they have earned the right to clear their way of danger even if it means putting a reserve team and asking them just have fun don't worry about the result.

[midnightman]

I also believe that the Dutch will throw the next game away on purpose. :mad:

But there might be a possibility that Netherlands want to have Italy/France taking care of Spain (or trying to) for them. In such case, mentality wise, it's easier for Netherlands to face Italy/France (which they beat badly before) than a quite strong Spain team.

[jerrito]

Van Basten is entitled to play this game any way he likes, as he and his squad worked hard for this. He would be foolish not to keep a star or two off the pitch to avoid injury and keep them fresh. The Netherlands has this luxury because they earned it by beating the number 1 and 2 teams from the last World Cup by a combined 6 goals. Had Italy and France done a better job, we would not be having this discussion. If we beat France and manage to advance I will be happy. But if we do not I will not blame Holland for thrashing two powerful footballing nations.

Having said all of this, I cannot see the Dutch "throwing" this game. It is simply not productive for a team with this much momentum. I expect to see a Dutch team with some "reserves" which continues to attack, however.

[Excape Goat]

Holland has earned the right to do whatever they want to. It was UEFA's silly decision to change the format of the tournament. For some reason, they wanted a 'rematch' possibility in the semi-stage rather than in a final. What they failed to take into account is how unfair it is to the team who has already 'proved' itself by winning its group. The scenario where someone had to beat the same team twice in little over a week was always right there to see. Ridiculous.


They also should put both hosts on the different brackets. Logically, wouldn't they want to put both hosts apart so they won't meet until the Final? I know Austria and Switzerland are underdogs so this would unlikely to progress enough to the Final. Still, if Austria and Switzerland made it to the 2nd round, they could meet in round 2 with one host being the away team? It is UEFA's priorty to keep the host in the the tournament and at home, right? With this format, the host might end up eliminating each other with at least one host being away from home.

If they want to do "rematch" in the semi-final, they should at least keep one host on each side of the bracket. Each bracket belongs to one host country. That way, the host will be keep at home throughout the tournament if they are good enough to progress.

[blueguitar322]

I very much hope that Van Basten doesn't play any important players (cards/injuries), but comes out with a strong B-squad. I also hope he instructs his players to take the game to the Romanians and beat them - if possible - just as soundly as Italy or France.

If you take your foot off the accelerator, it's often difficult to regain your old momentum. The purpose of this game needs to be confidence building so that any of our subs can come into a close match down the road and be mentally and physically prepared to make a difference.

[Slotback]

I look for the Dutch to make about 5 changes in order rest key men for their quarterfinal. But to think that they will go out there and throw it, that won't happen.

[Boloni86]

Van Basten has to think of his reputation as a gentleman of the game, especially with his many friends in Italian football ... including Donadoni. So yes MVB will tell his boys to play. Now "play" doesn't necessarily mean going into every tackle like it's life and death ... there's no need for that. But they will try to score goals ... if nothing else just to keep the good form.

Having said that we've already seen Portugal lose today to an inferior team and they had no reason to throw that game. And Switzerland was much less motivated than Romania will be.