Subscribe The fans have been supportive but they will not continue to be if the
By Admin
The fans have been supportive, but they will not continue to be if the Jackets can’t get into the playoffs. . In 1960 a Dutch soccer coach developed the idea of total football. Total football is the concept of every player on the team being able to play every position.The Dutch also known as the Oranje or orange played using this tactic throughout the 80's leading them to the 1988 Euro victory. Great and all, yet there has been a serious drought in Dutch football. This 1988 championshiptrophy is the onlytrophy the Dutch have brought back to their loyal orange colored fans in their history.With little hope the Dutch team travelled toSwitzerland were they were set to play Italy the world champions and the runners up France in a one week span.Hopes in the little orange country were down and when radio DJ's asked callers what they thought the outcome of the Holland-Italymatch-up would be, most callers actually replied that their bet was on a defeat!What great soccer nation counts on their own team to lose?! None but then again the Dutch are pessimists when it comes to their football.Yet the entire country was sitting in front of the TV the ninth of June at 8:45 in the evening local time. Going out into the streets of Amsterdam at this time you could hear a pin drop in the red light district...Maybe the only time you could hear a pin drop in these crowded always living streets of Amsterdam. Soccer is a game of patience and teamwork.
Well-organized teams can be successful, occasionally very much so witness Greece four years ago or, to use a North American example, Canada at the 2000 Gold Cup.But, those examples are the exception. You see, soccer also is a game of flair the ultimate team game broken open by a flash of individual brilliance.Witness yesterday at Euro 2008 the holders, Greece, were soldiering on playing the same sort of dull but effective game that lead them to glory in Portugal. Even with the crowd’s whistles reigning down on them, the Greeks stuck to their game plan.Slow but sure Wait for an opening But, on this day, it wasn’t to be. Just as the neutral fan was beginning to fear that the tournament’s second scoreless draw was forthcoming, Zlatan Ibrahimovic produced the type of magic that makes this game so wonderful.
Out of nowhere the Swedish star, snake bitten internationally for almost three years previous, pounced on half an opportunity to rip a 25-yard strike to rip the game open and smash the Greek’s will. There was plenty of game left, but Greece understood: There was no way back, not this time Not this team. Suddenly Greece isn’t an intriguing defending champion but simply another underdog hoping to nip one off the counter.The Greek fan will always have 2004, but he or she had best hold onto those sweet memories because it does not appear that there will be any magic this time around not unless the Greeks can find some passion to go along with their discipline It doesn’t seem likely. Passion is not in short supply with Spain, who thrilled fans and neutrals alike with a brilliant effort earlier in the day. Passion is what the Spaniards are all about.Yesterday’s 4-1 win over capable Russia illustrated that perfectly.
Of course, the tournament is young, and Spain has a history of breaking your heart, so it’s best not to get too smitten just yet.. 13, 2008, everyone in the Press Room were handed Official Statements by any active party present, and willing to submit one. While in the Press Room I took note of Mike Lupica’s constant display of bias against Clemens, and his public support for Brian McNamee.He would shake his head, and scoff as Clemens made various points, like “Why didn’t anyone ever talk to me about these drugs,” and “McNamee told me he saved that girl’s life (St. Petersburg Rape Charge),” and “I yelled at McNamee for bringing drugs into my house.”Lupica was seemingly disgusted that Clemens would provide any explanation at all. He must have known all the answers himself, but has not shared his proof with anyone else. Lupica had yet to even review any of the evidence offered on the Oversight Committee’s Website before making his judgment, thereby proving his prejudice against Clemens, because the evidence was not made available until well after the hearing.He was seemingly leading the charge against Clemens in the Press Room as the subject of B-12 arose, and Lupica again showed his lack of objectivity. Anticipating his reaction, which raised eyebrows to say the least, I started videotaping.At this point in the video, Clemens had just gotten done answering questions from Rep Davis about his use of B-12.