Dutch of Classlessness

When one door closes, another opens class. So sit on down and let’s get into Footie 101.

First, let me offer my heartfelt congratulations to Spain and Spaniards everywhere for winning your first World Cup championship. You played excellent football throughout and are deserving champions. Though I (and my crew) were all supporting the Netherlands, we joined two Spanish supporters afterwards to celebrate their victory in the true spirit of the game. Be gracious in victory and gracious in defeat.

Viva España!

Also at the top of the heap are Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan and German midfielder Thomas Mueller who won the golden ball and golden boot respectively. The golden ball is awarded to the tournament’s best player, while the golden boot is given to the top goal scorer. Mueller’s five goals tied with Spain’s David Villa and Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder goal haul, but Mueller had more assists. Mueller was also selected best young player, while Spanish keeper Iker Casillas won the golden glove award for best goalkeeper.

Now for a quick word about the match itself. There was a bit of Spanish histrionics through the match, but the longer the match went on, the less theatrical they seemed – thanks to the thuggery on display by the Netherlands. There are few living people in football whose words are beyond reproach: mine – of course – but arguably at the top of that list is Johan Cruyff, the former Dutch Master who is widely credited with introducing “Total Football” to Spain. Cruyff pulled no punches when asked about the defensive and aggressive methods deployed by the Netherlands in the final:

“Sadly, they played very dirty ... ugly, vulgar, hard, hermetic, hardly eye-catching, hardly football.”

Three Dutch players could have easily received straight red cards in the first half – particularly midfielder Nigel De Jong who offered this cleat-to-the-chest tackle on Xavi Alonso.

All who have followed this blog know that I don’t hesitate to call out poor sportsmanship or incompetence in the game. You’ll also recall that I supported the Netherlands in the final. So I’m even more adamant that the anti-football on display Sunday was heartbreaking. For the nation that has consistently and proudly carried the banner of beautiful football in Europe largely since Hungary’s preeminence in the 1950s to turn to ruffian tactics turns my stomach. I can’t say the cynical tactics got what they deserved – only one Dutch player was red carded – but unlike so many other cup finals (particularly those involving Italy or any Italian club) the better team won and anti-football lost. Let’s hope this begins a new era of the beautiful game being beautiful again.

There is another sad note that must be addressed – the horrendous and cowardly bombing of a World Cup final party in Ghana that killed 76. Among the dead is American Nate Henn. Condolences to the family and friends of all those taken in the bombing. The gutless attack is a reminder to all of us in the United States that sport is more than entertainment and should be seen seriously in the serious socio-economic and political context it resides in. The Footie Professor sincerely hopes all perpetrators of this bombing are rounded up, brought to justice.... then skinned alive… with dull rusty knives… and dropped in a tank with 76 ravenous piranha.

Lastly, I must include FIFA in the shame bin today, as top executives are said to have put “extreme pressure” on South African political legend Nelson Mandela to attend the final. Certainly FIFA wanted the 92-year-old human rights icon at the final, but executives should have respected that Mandela and his family were mourning the loss of a family member and left the man alone. Of course the crowd and television audience appreciated his presence, but I’ll bet they all felt manipulated once hearing that Mandela was pushed to attend. Bad FIFA!

On a positive FIFA note, the South African World Cup is estimated to have earned $2 billion in television revenues and the final is expected to have been viewed by more than 700 million people. It’s also believed to be the first sporting event to have sealed broadcast agreements in nearly every territory in the world. Said FIFA King Sepp Baltter:

And in keeping with the FIFA train rolling non-stop, the official logo for Brasil 2014 has been unveiled. Friends know that the Footie Professor will lie, steal, and pillage to be there. Here’s hoping you join me!

Last, but not least, I’ve asked good friend “The Professional” to guest blog Friday. He agreed Sunday during the final, but that was after drinking most of three liters of libation. It was ill-advised, but when "The Professional" puts a drink to his lips, that drink is history. I expect the same committment when he opins football on Friday.

And now, your footie anecdote:

Asked before the World Cup final about the pro-Spain prediction by Paul, the famous clairvoyant cephalopod mollusk, Spanish defender Carlos Marchena responded: “Well, it's an octopus.”

CLASS DISMISSED