Two predictable games yesterday (though Austria vs Italy certainly wasnt as predictable as some of us may have predicted) followed by two, on paper, more intriguing games today.
The Dutch still have nightmares from 2004 when they went 2-0 up against Czech Republic within 20 minutes and had full control of the game until coach Dick Advocaat subbed Arjen Robben for midfield workhorse Paul Bosvelt allowing the Czechs to win the game 3-2 and making the Dutch people turn their backs on the Oranje. A national trauma (but less impactful perhaps) much like the three lost World Cup finals or going out on penalties in the Euros of 1992, 1996 and 2000 as well as in the 1998 and 2014 World Cups. Tragedy is always following the Oranje and this game could turn into more of a thriller than people might think.
Portugal vs Belgium is obviously a big game. The reigning champions, with their aging talisman and chronical anti-football mentality, against the Belgium side who despite 12 years of a "golden generation" still havent got really close to winning anything. Going to be very interesting. Looking at the teams, it should be a really fun game, but in reality I expect it to be a very tight game with few chances. Hope I'm wrong.
The Dutch still have nightmares from 2004 when they went 2-0 up against Czech Republic within 20 minutes and had full control of the game until coach Dick Advocaat subbed Arjen Robben for midfield workhorse Paul Bosvelt allowing the Czechs to win the game 3-2 and making the Dutch people turn their backs on the Oranje. A national trauma (but less impactful perhaps) much like the three lost World Cup finals or going out on penalties in the Euros of 1992, 1996 and 2000 as well as in the 1998 and 2014 World Cups. Tragedy is always following the Oranje and this game could turn into more of a thriller than people might think.
Portugal vs Belgium is obviously a big game. The reigning champions, with their aging talisman and chronical anti-football mentality, against the Belgium side who despite 12 years of a "golden generation" still havent got really close to winning anything. Going to be very interesting. Looking at the teams, it should be a really fun game, but in reality I expect it to be a very tight game with few chances. Hope I'm wrong.
