What a glorious performance by the Dutch. I was in high school (back when soccer didn’t exist) the last time either Italy or France were beaten by three goals. Holland has done it now in successive fashion.
This Orange Crush may not last (they’ve been known to self destruct from time to time). No need to look to the future though. This pair of games were absolute gems.
I absolutely love the national anthems at the start of the games. In honor of this, I’ve posted the top three national anthems. Italy’s takes the top spot for a few reasons. First, they have an uncomfortably long intro where you’re sitting there not really knowing if the thing has started or not. In the middle, everyone goes “Da-da-da-da-da” or something like that, then the song takes a right turn and picks up tempo. It also is very long, much like a nice sunset in San Gimignano.
The French used to be my #1, but it drops to #2. This version from Casablanca is absolutely riveting, a soccer national anthem before there was such a thing.
Honorable mention is O Canada. This one is a quiet version, but it’s tough not to get misty as a Gold Medal winner elatedly sings for her country.
June 14th, 2008 at 3:23 am
[...] “It’s a Dutch Oven, and France is Toast!” …they’ve been known to self destruct from time to time). No need to look to the future though. This pair of games were absolute gems. [...]