The Dutch Master

Well, you have to hand it Guus Hiddink because after the mauling his young Russian team suffered at the hands of the effervescent Spanish in their opening fixture, it looked as if the Russian's stay in Euro 2008 would be a short one. But Hiddink encouraged them to keep the faith and his young team have handsomely repayed him and then some! By putting the Oranje to sword, the Russians have made the footballing world sit up and take notice. This is the Oranje side that had caused us to reminisce, by the manner in which they beaten both World Cup finalists, about the total football displayed by the Oranje team of 10 years ago that dispatched the South Koreans 5-1 and prompted the South Korean football federation to make Guus Hiddink their coach - he was the Oranje coach at the time.

Ultimately, Hiddink outmanoeuvred van Basten and has served to reinforce his credentials as a master tactician. He has taken the Oranje & South Korea to the semi-finals of the World Cup, the Australians to a World Cup and now in Russia he has an opportunity to win his first European championship.

Welcome BACK!!

It is almost 10 years to the day since the Oranje put on an exhilarating display of total football and annihilated South Korea 5-1 in a group game at the 1998 World Cup. The geometry of their passing in that game was something to behold - one could see their fluid triangles all over park. Last night with a breathtaking display of counter attacking football, they made Italy look their age. If Italy are to progress, then Del Piero needs to start because his impact was immediate when he came on. The Oranje's second goal was reminiscent of that goal scored by van Basten in the final of Euro 88, the angle was equally acute.

It looks as if a vast number of commentators are not as au fait with the rules of the game as they should be - how else can one explain the outcry that greeted van Nistelrooy's opening goal. Clearly, Panucci had played him onside - DUH!!!!

Arrivederci l'Azzuri!!