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5 Things We Learned in SwissAustria, June 13

June 13th, 2008 | By: Laurie | 40 Comments »

1. Netherlands is the real deal.
I believe that when you demolish both of the World Cup finalists, each by a three-goal margin, people can officially stop referring to you as either “dark horses” or “underdogs.”

2. The refs giveth, and the refs taketh away.

You never like to see the outcome of games determined by questionable refereeing decisions, and this tournament seems to have had more than its fair share. In the Romania-Italy game, a Luca Toni goal was ruled offside when it was on. And in the Netherlands-France game, before momentum had switched irrevocably to Netherlands, a handball by Ooijer in the box was ignored.

Shall we all chip in and buy the refs some new glasses and a copy of the rulebook?

/France-fan-bitterness

3. We may soon find out whether the unemployment benefits are better in Italy or France.

Before Euros, France and Italy were the teams expected to go through from the “Group of Death.” After two games, both teams have a grand total of one point apiece. If Italy and France go home after the group stage, expect both coaches to be competing in in the all-new Unemployment Benefits Tournament.

4. You always hurt the ones you love.

Romanian player Mirel Radoi was stretchered off the field in the game with Italy, the upper half of his face wrapped in bandages. He was later diagnosed with a dislocated nose, a possible fractured cheekbone, and eye damage that will require surgery. He’ll miss the rest of the tournament. And if that’s not painful enough, the injury came from a head-to-face mid-air collision with his teammate, Razvan Rat.

I wonder if it would hurt less if it had come from an Italian player?

5. If you were playing a drinking game using the phrase “Group of Death” and you’re watching ESPN, you are dead now.

I’m afraid that the human body was not made to withstand this kind of challenge.

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 40 comments.

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By Eoin | June 13th, 2008 at 4:53 pm

Yeah, that excuse isn’t valid for World Cup finalists like France and Italy, they should be well capable of coming back. Must say I am pleasantly surprised with the Dutch style of play, they have been the stars of the tournament so far, and yet during qualification all I heard was how negative, boring and bland their football had become. Van Nistelrooy even said after the game that he was surprised with how they were playing given their recent form.

Posted from United Kingdom

By anonymous | June 13th, 2008 at 4:55 pm

going down 1-0 and coming out on top is not impossible. It is difficult, but for the quality teams that France and Italy are (or were supposed to be), neither of those games should have ended with them on the wrong side of a three-goal margin. Your objection is noted, and overruled…

By Eoin | June 13th, 2008 at 4:56 pm

What a huge void Cannavaro is leaving though from the 06 champions.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Eoin | June 13th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

What ever happened to Italy’s production-line of world-class defenders?

Posted from United Kingdom

By Jon | June 13th, 2008 at 5:04 pm

Hand ball? Ha ha. Seriously? There is no way even the most bitter and jaded of France fans could say with a straight face that was a hand ball. But by all means, keep saying it. You just look more ridiculous the more you do it.

But umm, yeah, that 7-1 goal difference against the two WC finalists is definitely a fluke. Funny. Please, tell me another one. Holland could lose to Romania and then lose again in the quarters, and it will still be considered a successful tournament for them at this point, without a doubt. 7-1 over France and Italy when most people didn’t even think they’d advance? Well done.

By Eoin | June 13th, 2008 at 5:08 pm

I’m not a French fan and I’m saying it. Anyway, at this point, Holland can’t lose in the quarters without bitterly disappointing the country and many neutral supporters. This 7-1 over France and Italy has just raised expectations to unthinkable levels.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Neo | June 13th, 2008 at 5:08 pm

Yes handball…go watch the replay you blind dutch…ooijer whatever the f is his name

By RF | June 13th, 2008 at 5:12 pm

So Neo, is it easy to keep calling the totally legit goal against Italy an “offside” goal but ignore that both Italy and France should have gotten a red card each? And that Henry was likely offside (although can’t say this for certain, on the Dutch broadcasting it sure looked like it, but I haven’t confirmed it from a dif angle).

Doesn’t matter really. Italy has been embarrassingly disgraced, with their whining fans doing their part to make it even more pitiful.

And it’s not even so much the “coming back part”. If they lose, and lose embarrassingly, you can always call it a “bad day”. Lots of teams have times when they don’t play their best. It happens, even to those supposedly awesome teams. But to blame it on being behind 1-0 point? What kind of amateur football players are you guys? Embarrassing. You’re an embarrassment for the football world.

By elle | June 13th, 2008 at 5:14 pm

Hey Laurie, wasn’t the look on Henry’s face priceless when the Dutch scored like 45 seconds after he did? I’m not trying to rub it in, I swear

By alaa | June 13th, 2008 at 5:22 pm

neo stop crying and whinning like a virgin in her first night, stop it my man and admit that the ornaje humilaited the french and the italians!!

Posted from United States

By Tommy Wong | June 13th, 2008 at 5:26 pm

5. If you were playing a drinking game using the phrase “Group of Death” and you’re watching ESPN, you are dead now.

AS FOR RULE NOBNIMER FIFE. IO AM SO DRUNK LOL JESUS CHRSIT IH ATE ARJEN ROBNBEN I WIL NEVER FORGIEVE HIM.
iots okyay beeacsue i hitnign im going to get laid. WOOO NETHERLANDS I LOVE UYOU! THIS GIRL IS SOTH OHOT!!!!!!AHAHAHAHA GROUP OD DEATH FOR LVIEFWE

Posted from United States

By Julien | June 13th, 2008 at 5:28 pm

I am heartbroken from the France loss but regardless of the officiating, the Dutch outplayed Italy and outplayed France by leaps and bounds, they deserve those two wins… they are playing like a true team with everyone contributing amd deserve where they are. No more whining about bad calls, that’s part of football and there has never been a tournament without some mistakes… all part of the game.

Congradulations to all the dutch fans, you deserve this…

Posted from United States

By Victor | June 13th, 2008 at 5:29 pm

There’s no way that guy is getting laid.

By jack | June 13th, 2008 at 5:30 pm

That is harsh! when Le Sulk was brought on to complement his opposite number it was always going to be Oranje

Posted from United States

By RF | June 13th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Correction, our third goal against france wasn’t a counter, I guess our second one counts as one

By surendra | June 13th, 2008 at 5:48 pm

to all those flying dutch fans, i hope ur spirit and attitude remains the same when you get thrashed with one of your goals disallowed for offside when the score is 0-0 and then the other team scores from an offside position and then u go all attack and concede again on a counter attack. And I would love to come back here and read ur all sportmanship full of comments. I just happen to believe that it will be during the semi final and the team will be ITALIA. till then dream and u suddenly realize that U just had a big fall out og your bed.

By Kxevin | June 13th, 2008 at 5:55 pm

The “Group of Death” is looking to be, as in qualifications, the group of “France v Italy for the last spot.” We looked like crap today, frankly. I’m not sure that not having Abidal in there was the best idea. Malouda’s “defense” on that first goal was a joke. Domenech doesn’t seem to understand that first, you have to not concede. Sagnol verges on worthless, and don’t get me started on the mids. Vieira is a huge miss.

Henry misses the puppy, then turns that crazy goal. Great, then right down at the other end, some Keystone Kops defending undoes what the offense did. And if Henry turns that easy, easy chance, it’s a completely different game. Argh.

Reassuringly, France should beat Italy, then it’s off into the next round. As long as Holland doesn’t roll over against Romania.

Then they’ll have another chance to break my heart, the bastards.

The only consolation I have is at least the Dutch are winning with the beautiful game. And as a Blaugrana, can someone tell me why we sold Van Bronckhorst?

By Tom | June 13th, 2008 at 5:56 pm

Can people stop saying that RvN’s goal against Italy was offside? It was pretty clear that it wasn’t.

Unfortunately when you have low scoring games, referee decisions are going to have a huge impact in games. Of course, that doesn’t excuse Panucci from putting a headlock on a Romanian — how does he think he’s going to get away with something that obvious? Same thing with the Polish defender, why are you grabbing someone in literally the last second? Both of those were clear fouls — it’s harsh that they led to goals but why are they doing that?

By Imran | June 13th, 2008 at 6:51 pm

I am a neutral but used to be an Italian fan until recently, but I am just sick and tired of Italians complaining about everything every time they lose, please stop the whining, the dutch are amazing this time around and fully deserved their wins. They won fair and square with some minor wrong calls.. for both sides which are part of the game. I dont think Italy has ever lost a match “fairly” according to all Italians, think back to the Scandinvian connection in 04, Korea in 02, France in 00, France in 98, Brazil in 94, Argentina in 90, the Italians always claim they were wronged. Guys, it cant happen EVERY time. The Baggio era made me a fan of the Italian team, but the fans made me despise it now.

By Daniel | June 13th, 2008 at 7:10 pm

the french belong in the kitchen! ..haha

no just joking, 2bad for the french! Ooijer dived away from the ball. The penalty was not given because it was his upperarm and he did not do it on purpose like some other ppl do.
Now it depends on Romania..
I hope mr. van Basten would be wise, and let the other players play than the wining team against Romania. So the players can rest against Sweden in the Quarter Finale!
HUP HOLLAND HUP..LAAT DE LEEUW NIET IN ZIJN HEMPIE STAAN!

Posted from Netherlands

By Dan | June 13th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

It’s almost clear that France and Italy will go home. I don’t think Netherlands will win against Roamania. Romanians know very well Dutch from qualifications when they won against them. In addition, Romania play better and better. Anyway, Italy and France are much weaker than in 2006, so they desearve to go home. Holland plays beautiful, I hope they will preserve their forces for Spain or Sweeden.

Posted from United States

By anonymous | June 13th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

barca sold gio van bronckhorst because he wanted to play for his childhood club feyenoord…that’s the only reason i can see…

By Andrei | June 13th, 2008 at 9:57 pm

Final standings:

1) Holland
2) Romania
3) Italy
4) France

remember that.

By Jelle | June 14th, 2008 at 2:13 am

Surredra,

dont make us mad now and hand the game to Romania. You should be a little bit nicer. YOUR FATE IS IN OUR HANDS

Posted from Netherlands

By colman1860 | June 14th, 2008 at 5:34 am

While its disputable whether that was a handball by Ooijer (he was sliding to block the shot, and it hit his arm, which was outstretched, but no intent), Henry’s goal was clearly offside. Same as the Poles complaining yesterday – the ref giveth, the ref taketh away.

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