Holland...

It was the big match between Holland and Portugal, the first semifinal. From Euro 1992 all host nations lost in the semifinal. So fortune should favor the Dutch.

But it didn't.

The Dutch didn't play good. It seems as if they hit their peak against the Czechs and Latvia and now it's downhill. On the other hand, Figo came in to this game the way he should play, like a world-class player that is.

Seedorf was playing bad. He was losing balls, didn't defend well, wasn't creative enough. I was screaming at the screen wanting him to be changed for Sneijder but Advocaat didn't hear me. Turns out after the game, Seedorf admitted that he wasn't playing well, that he didn't bring enough to the match. I don't have a coaching license, never played top football but was able to see it. Advocaat didn't.

The Portuguese played better so they deservedly won 2-1. Van Bronckhorst forgot to mark Ronaldo and gave him a free header, and the second from Maniche was because they didn't defend well from that short corner.

Oh well, Euro2004 is over. Frank de Boer, Marc Overmars, and Jaap Stam have anounced their international retirement. Paul Bosvelt, Ronald Waterreus, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Philip Cocu are old as well and might retire as well. That leaves thw WC 2006 in the hands of the new generation. Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Johnny Heitinga, Robin van Persie, Nigel de Jong, Maarten Stekelenburg, Pascal Boschaart, etc.

And Dick, please go...