The New York Yankees are a team I despise. Admittedly, they are the greatest team in baseball, ask a Prince how many championships they've won, I don't know, but I think it's a lot, more than anybody else, maybe twice as many. Even though I hate them, I can think of some times when I've rooted for them.
Growing up, there was a kid on Syracuse Street in Williston Park named Gavin who had connections to tix. I can recall two times in the Reggie/Munson years when I got to games with him. I rooted for them then. In 2001, after 9/11, they had a great run, coming back to win games in the 9th inning of World Series. I rooted for them then. Even in the late 90's, guys like Jeter and Paul O'Neill, made me think, I hate them, they're evil, they're fans are evil, but these guys are cool, it's OK for me to like THESE Yankees.
It was excellent for the Netherlands to knock out those Brazilian favorities. I love Ruud in the ESPN studios, he is much better than they guy I remember with dreads who was friend with that Frank guy in dreads who spit on the Rudi guy in the world cup. But this isn't clockwork orange. This isn't a "cool" Dutch team. They whine when they get subbed, they act like they're hurt when they're not, they stall, they're "disciplined", meaning they win 1-0, instead of 3-1, and they have a great player who plays for Arsenal (ok, that last one's just me).
Anybody want to jump on my German bandwagon? Because THESE Germans play futbol the way it's supposed to be played. They show the English how old and feeble Jon Terry is. They show Maradona how to truly insult somebody. And they fill up Capital City Square the bestses of vibes. Go Deutschland!
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In the 70's we marveled at Clockwork Orange and Total Soccer. In the 80's Marradonna and his Argentine buddies forced us to look more closely at individual ball skills and the tactics it allowed teams to deploy. In the 60's and 90's the beautiful game of the Brazilians was king. Along the way the Italians defense won some games, but truthfully no one liked Italian soccer and no one really studied it or copied it. We stroked the Italians because we like their food, not the way the Azzurri played.
ReplyDeleteThings have changed, it started in 06 with the Germans showing us a glimpse of what was to come. They have it down now. This team is really, really good.
It seems that losing Ballack was a blessing in disguise for the Germans. Losing Mueller might be a problem for them against Spain. That should be a hell of a match.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell if you were comparing Holland ( who have never won a WC) to the Yankees or just making the point that you don't like this Dutch team. Either way I'll continue to be rooting for Holland to win (While wearing my scarf and jersey). It's pretty clear Germany is playing the best soccer right now in this tourney (much like the Dutch were in the 08 euros) but there are still two games left to be played.
ReplyDeleteJulie is right about how the Dutch were much the best in Euro 2008 and then were turned upside down by the Russians in the quarterfinals. The only difference, for me, is that the Germans beat a tournament favorite 4-0 and another (evidently overrated) pre-tournament favorite 4-1.
ReplyDeleteThe Germans have been very enjoyable to watch, but I wouldn't sleep on Spain. I think that they will start with all of their big time midfielders and will look a little better on Wednesday. Germany/Spain is such a great match-up on paper, I can't wait to watch it.
I'm definitely rooting for the dutch, but I did back in the Ruud Gullit days too so nothing new. I can't remember seeing a team as good as the Germans though. They might beat England, they might beat Argentina but destroying them is another matter. Especially considering england and argentina are totally different teams. That's crazy impressive.
ReplyDeleteWe shouldn't sleep on Spain though, I thought paraguay was going to take em down because their defense is just sick. But spain found a way.
However, since it looks like you need to net 5 goals to beat these Germans, I don't see Spain getting to the final.
The Dutch have already beaten the best South American team in Brazil, so Uruguay minus one of their best players shouldn't stand a chance.
Dutch v Germany
The Dutch beat Italy 3-0 and France 4-1 during their run in the 2008 Euros (2006 WC champs and semi-finalists).
ReplyDeleteI think the Spain game will be interesting since they are different from Germany's most recent opponents in one big way: Spain has one of the best GKs in the world.
I wasn't comparing Holland to the Yankees, I was saying there have been certain specific times when it's been cool to see them win. Traditionally, the Germans have been a boring low-scoring team that competes well in these tournaments due to exceptional goal keeping and penalty kick skills. And traditionally Holland has played beautiful football that's fun to watch, but they've been less successful.
ReplyDeleteI've heard friends who are just now watching soccer that don't like this Holland team because of how they beat Brazil. Meanwhile, they're sitting next to me on the German bandwagon because they're young, fast, and have scored lots and lots of goals.
I'm not questioning what the Dutch have accomplished because I think it's actually more impressive than the 2008 Euros in terms of results. It's the how, the Van Persie upset he got subbed, telling the coach another successful player should have, and the multiple fouls at the end of the Brazil game, which is common in the game, but unusual to see Holland do it.
It would not surprise me if Spain won, in fact I believe they're favored. But it would suprise me if the Germans played unattractive football. The 2010 German team is comparable to how I felt towards the 2001 Yankee team. You're pulling for them because of "how" they are winning, not because of "what" they are winning.