The intention
In the 1970s, the Dutch national football team made a deep impression worldwide with the so-called 'total football'.. This curious football style was never seen before at the highest level.
Unfortunately, the Orange was unable to cash in on this in the form of a win at a World Cup or European Championship. The success formula generated a lot of enthusiasm but also resulted in one of the biggest national sports traumas…
The approach
Even at the start of the World Cup in 1974 in West Germany there was little enthusiasm for the football of Orange. The Dutch national team did for the first time since 1938 again on the highest world stage.
Under the leadership of trainer Rinus Michels and captain Johan Cruijf, Orange creates a wave of enthusiasm with their 'total football'. Attackers join the defense and defenders appear at the forefront. All players were able to attack and finish. This style of play caused great confusion and awe among the opponents. All this was combined with a nonchalance (long hair, unshaven, shirt off the pants) and an apparent ease of play from the Dutch.
The result
WK 1974: FINAL against West Germany. First participation since 1938. Orange comes after 2 minutes already in the lead but in the end loses with 1-2.
EK 1976: SEMI-FINAL against Czechoslovakia. The Netherlands assumed a simple victory but loses in extra time with 1-3.
WK 1978: FINAL against Argentina. The Orange squad once again played the final of the World Cup against a host country. Orange lost with 1-3.
EK 1980: The Orange squad dies in the group matches due to a loss against West Germany and a draw against Czechoslovakia.
Not in 1988 is it hit. The Netherlands becomes European champion
The lessons
The football of Orange in the 70s and the loss at crucial moments has been scrutinized by many:
- Rinus Michels says about the final of 1974 including. that the strongest man of Orange, Johan Cruyff, did not have the sharpness that was needed and that Germany 1-0 backlog was forced to go for it as much as possible.
- An analysis by the University of Groningen shows that Germany on 10 crucial points scored better than the Netherlands.
- In the many analyses, the nonchalant attitude and lack of discipline were also mentioned as causes oorzaak. Just like the lack of "killer instinct" that is ingrained in our culture and that also manifests itself in the game of football when it really matters.
- Still others find the beautiful attacking pure total football pleasing to the eye, but in essence not effective enough to break through the disciplined systems of football giants such as Germany and Argentina..
In the end, several Dutch grandmasters such as Cruijf combined the power of total football with other football systems and successfully applied them indoors- and abroad.
Further:
Sociologists also see a clear relationship between the advance of Dutch total football in the 1970s and the nation's increasing self-confidence.. The Netherlands developed a kind of moral superiority that you also saw in football. At the same time, the losses in the finals led to national sports traumas: the small Netherlands with the eye-catching football loses again to the big nations.
Author: Editorial IvBM
OTHER BRILLIANT FAILURES
Nomination Brilliant Failures Award Healthcare 2022: MindAffect’s Turnaround
Theo Breuers developed a system based on facial recognition that warns when a resident enters or leaves certain areas. The project failed due to privacy legislation.
highway party
The intention A birthday party of son Louis (8) to celebrate. Met 11 children and two cars to an outdoor playground where each one went to make a catapult (and use...) The approach A party for Friday afternoon [...]
Audience winner 2011 -Quitting is an option!
The intention To introduce a cooperative micro-insurance system in Nepal, under the name Share&Care, with the aim of improving access and quality of healthcare, including prevention and rehabilitation. From the beginning [...]
