gerbie: (fokke&sukke)
[personal profile] gerbie
One outsider named to have a good shot at world cup glory is Portugal. Apart from their star players, the fact that they have played together for a decade and their great style, there is another reason why they will win. They have beaten the Dutch to get where they are now. You need proof? Look at all major tournaments since 1974:

74: Germany beats the Netherlands in the final. Germany WORLD CHAMPION.

76: Chechoslowakia beats the Netherlands in the semi's, they go on to win the title on penalty kicks, with the most legendary penalty of all times, Panenka converting it. Checoslowakia EUROPEAN CHAMPION.

78: They needed to bribe Peru to reach the final, then beat the Netherlands in extra time. Argentina WORLD CHAMPION.

80: In the last group match, the Dutch lose 3-2 to Germany. The Germans go on to beat Belgium in a boring final. Germany EUROPEAN CHAMPION.

Four out of four up until there. In the eighties, the next results are still impressive.

82: A brilliant Platini free kick in the last qualifying match prevent the Dutch from qualifying for the world cup in Spain. France then lose to Germany in the semi's, after extra time I believe, with that famous Schumacher - Battiston mid air collision. France semi-finals.

84: The Dutch thought they had made it, Spain bribed Malta in the last match and won 12-1 and manage to qualify on goal difference. They eventually lose to host France in the final. Spain second.

86: In a play off the Belgians score an away goal in Rotterdam, a few minutes before time. The away goal rule decides they can go to Mexico. Their best world cup campaign ever follows and it takes a brilliant Maradona to beat them in the semi's. Belgium semi-finals.

88: The Dutch finally win their big title.

4 out of 7 now, but still anybody who manages to beat the team in orange gets far.

90: In the 1/8 finals, the Dutch are drawn against friendly neighbours Germany. Rijkaard and Völler exchange a bit of saliva, the Dutch lose an essential player and the match. Germany goes on to win. Germany WORLD CHAMPIONS.

92: In the semi finals Van Basten misses the final penalty kick, the Danes (who hadn't even qualified for the tournament, but were asked to replace Yugoslavia) go on to beat Germany in the final. Denmark EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS.

94: A tense quarter final in Dallas, bad tactics, off side goals, a bad goalie and some class strikers were against the Dutch. Brazil wins 3-2. Two matches later they lift the cup. Brazil WORLD CHAMPION.

Another 3 in a row makes it 7 out of 10!

96: The Dutch sneak into the quarterfinals, but lose to France, again on penalty kicks. The French surprisingly fall to the Czechs. France semi finals.

98: And again it's penalty kicks. Did the referee not see the foul on Van Hooydonck in injury time? We would have had a single penalty, instead of five, like the godly canaries. They lost in the final though. Brazil second.

00: Home advantage. The Dutch beat world champions France in the group, trash Yugoslavia in the quarters and play against 10 Italians for over an hour in the semi-final. They miss two penalty kicks in the match itself and are mentally unable to recharge for the decisive five. Italy wins, then loses to France. Italy second.

Conclusive stats:

In the last 13 tournaments, seven winners had to beat the Dutch to win the title. 3 times the losing finalist had to do so. The other three teams the team still made the semi final. That's 56% chance on the title, 100% of reaching the semi's. My money is on Portugal this time!

P.S. Sorry Paddy, no offence, but I rate Portugal a bit higher.

Date: 2002-06-02 03:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jeroen.livejournal.com
ha, well found theory you have there :)

Re:

Date: 2002-06-02 05:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gerbie.livejournal.com
Not completely my own I have to admit, heard it somewhere, adapted it a bit. It seems a weird coincidence though..

Woo Hooo

Date: 2002-06-02 02:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yourownworld.livejournal.com
I'm watching with ya!! :)
k

like the italians myself! (wishful thinking)

Re: Woo Hooo

Date: 2002-06-02 03:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gerbie.livejournal.com
Do you like the italians or the Italian football team? (Might be a different perspective...)

Re: Woo Hooo

Date: 2002-06-02 05:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yourownworld.livejournal.com
Football silly! Never fall for an Italian! k

Re: Woo Hooo

Date: 2002-06-03 02:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gerbie.livejournal.com
I've seen Italian women that would be impossible not to fall for. Don't like their football though, too clinical. They'll get far though.

Re: Woo Hooo

Date: 2002-06-03 11:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yourownworld.livejournal.com
Crossing my fingers for the football team and giving ya a wink for the italian women comment! ( me = 1/2 italian, 1/2 french)

Re: Woo Hooo

Date: 2002-06-04 06:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gerbie.livejournal.com
Half Italian, half French. Up until there I'm still impressed. What's your passport?

Re: Woo Hooo

Date: 2002-06-04 02:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yourownworld.livejournal.com
American ( 2nd generation)

Re: Woo Hooo

Date: 2002-06-08 12:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gerbie.livejournal.com
Less impressed now ;-)

Re: Woo Hooo

Date: 2002-06-08 12:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yourownworld.livejournal.com
Ahh...... my heart is on the floor!

You're naughty! k :)

Re: Woo Hooo

Date: 2002-06-08 03:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gerbie.livejournal.com
Not your fault though. (then again if I am to be consistent, you can't pride yourself either on being half Italian...)

Re: Woo Hooo

Date: 2002-06-08 04:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yourownworld.livejournal.com
What does citizenship and place of birth have to do with bloodline? My fathers blood is 100% Italian, my mother's 100% French. Their blood runs through me. Therefore, I am both of these nationalities! Ok, How about I’m American, with French and Italian parts? Better? You're funny, but I guess I get what you're trying to say! k

Re: Woo Hooo

Date: 2002-06-09 05:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gerbie.livejournal.com
Don't take me too serious, I myself don't, so why should you?

Re: Woo Hooo

Date: 2002-06-09 12:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yourownworld.livejournal.com
No worries at all Mate! :) k

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