Instead the Dutch, sober and down-to-earth as they are, go about their business, comforting themselves that "at least they finished higher than Germany", and "we never thought we would reach this far anyway." They also are quick to defer cause to others. "We were beaten by a better team." "The referee had it against us from the start." Not even a hint of self-reflection.
Which is a bad thing. I mean, sure on the whole I personally enjoyed the whole tournament, no matter how Holland played. But some actions during the Final were inexcusable. No, not De Jong's kick to the sternum, which would score major points in an Olympic Tae Kwon Do contest. Not Van Bommel's tripping and hooking, which would put a prostitute to shame.
It was coach Van Marwijk's substitutions, which made no good sense. Basically he took his two hardest working, toughest and most crucial players from the pitch (Van Bronckhorst and Kuijt), and replaced them with a gamble (Eljero Elia) and someone whom I don't remember ever seeing before in any game before this one (Braafheid). Seriously, people around me were absolutely flabbergasted. It wasn't exactly a Dick Advocaat-Portugal 2004-substitution (replace your fastest, most dangerous player, with an old, slow pensioner), but one that definitely warranted explanation...
The most tragic thing is not that Holland came so close to stealing it (ROBBENNNNNEEEE!!), but rather the realization that no matter how Holland plays, beautifully gorgeous or dastardly evil, they still end up losing. At least they can revel in the knowledge they remain the best footballing nation in the world, without winning a World Cup...
...All things considered, I'd rather have them winning.
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