Oranje National Team [R]

Re: Oanje National Team [R]

Lol, that van Bommel is a funny guy, first stating that he'd never play under v. Basten again untill he sees that he'll then miss out on Euro 2008 for certain and then tries to get back

 

Re: Oanje National Team [R]

At least his heart is in the right place. Can't fault him for that.

How has he been playing this season BTW?

 

Re: Oanje National Team [R]

The situation was like this Vinnievin:

He was watching a match from Oranje at home with his kids. Still being a bit heart broken because in his heart he really would have liked to be there.
And then his kids (dressed all in Orange probably) said 'Daddy, why don't you play in het Nederlands elftal?'....

So then his heart broke completely in 1000 pieces

That's the real reason. It really happened this way, just don't know 100% that they were actually dressed in Orange

 

Great to see that Robben is back.

We're now fifth favourites at the bookies.

http://www.euro2008odds.co.uk/

 

Re: Oanje National Team [R]

hehe, yeah probably something like that

 

Sorry that I did not comment on the Croatia match the other day as I was away, but I was quite happy with the result.

I look forward to seeing Ruud and Van Persie getting involved with Sneijder running the show.

 

Surprised to see us ahead of Portugal. In all fairness, we know we're capable of winning, just like the other talented squads, but we won't and that's ok. As long as we give a decent performance that's in allignment with our objective. So what's realistic here? What would satisfy us? Getting past the groupstage, QF, SF? This is the part where some old fashioned Dutch soberness overshines foreign arrogance. We know what's realistic and don't take it for granted that we'll be crowned champions. They should learn from us.

 

I've no idea of how we'll do. We could be great and we could be awful. The Dutch aren't so sober when the actual tournament arrives mind. I've doubt that Oranje mania will erupt again in the summer.

We're ahead of Portugal because they didn't look good v Italy in their recent friendly whereas we looked very good v Croatia despite missing a truckload of regular starters. The bookies are fickle.

 

We've got great players but we've also got a rubbish manager.

 

My interpretation is that Holland will enter the Euro 08 group stage as an underdog, which in my opinion, is a good situation to take a bit of pressure from the team. Both Italy and France are placed higher in the bookies ranking. That means, there is a general consensus that they will make to the second round at the expense of Oranje.

 

On another note, Im having trouble imagining what our starting 11 may be if everyone is healthy come the time of the tourney. Will van Bommel be back? If we do in fact play 4-2-3-1, can we justify having two of Seedorf-van Persie-Robben-van der vaart-Affelay on the bench?

If van Bommel will in fact come back, will Marco play him? Does he deserve to play if he didnt qualify with everyone else? I would say yes, he has the quality, so why not?

 

You can never foretell Van Basten's choices, he's totally foolish! everything is possible, literally.

 

I'd say the same, but I think then he should at least play in the friendlies before the tournament. Otherwise he won't be used to the team.

 

If Euro started tomorrow, this is the team I would've liked to see. I started with the team that went to WC2006, then replaced those who are underperforming/inactive with players in their positions (defender for defender, etc). For example, Jaliens for Melchiot, Cocu for Afellay, etc.

1 VAN DER SAR Edwin (GK)
2 MELCHIOT Mario
3 BOUMA Wilfried
4 MATHIJSEN Joris
5 VAN BRONCKHORST Giovanni
6 SEEDORF Clarence
7 HUNTELAAR Klaas-Jan
8 AFELLAY Ibrahim
9 VAN NISTELROOIJ Ruud
10 VAN DER VAART Rafael
11 ROBBEN Arjen
12 DE JONG Nigel
13 OOIJER Andre
14 HEITINGA John
15 DE CLER Tim
16 DE ZEEUW Demy
17 VAN PERSIE Robin
18 ENGELAAR Orlando
19 VENNEGOOR OF HESSELINK Jan
20 SNEIJDER Wesley
21 BABEL Ryan
22 TIMMER Henk (GK)
23 STEKELENBURG Maarten (GK)

Stand by (i.e. fighting for their spots):

JALIENS Kew
DA SILVA David Mendes
EMANUELSON Urby
MADURO Hedwiges
LANDZAAT Denny
KUYT Dirk
VAN BOMMEL Mark
KOEVERMANS Danny

 

fixed that for you

anyway, I think the 4-2-3-1 is the way to go, and not just because of the game against croatia. Its a realistic formation, and right now i'd go for

sar
melchiot-Boulahrouz-Mattijsen-Gio
-----Heitinga--Bommel--------
VDV--------Clarence-----de Pur
-------------RVN---------------

Unrealistic? Hells yes. But it would be my favorite line up.

 

It is widely assumed there will be two players covering a position. At this point of time, I think De Cler and Bouma are the two most logical choices for left back. Gio can cover there as well. As much as I like Urby, I found it difficult to justify his inclusion.