Quote Originally Posted by Peter Renn View Post
Well yea, but the Netherlands had always a great team, but as u might remember like 2008,winings in the group stage are not as important as later on, the dutch usually overpower themselves always way before its getting serious, and its funny, this year they have besides 3 or 4 player a no name team, none of the defender is known at all, maybe that's s recipe to go more forward cause less teams know about ur resources. And well spain have had good teams too before but eversince the golden generation is in charge they win everything 8-10-12) other teams with their golden generation like england, Portugal (2004) Netherlands (1198-2006) don't reach top, and the difference between good and legend is a title! Spain lost yesterday, but they beat the dutch in the last final, that counts more, cause it lasts forever...
Not sure where you think I counted group stage wins - its exactly the opposite. The point is Spain underachieved on the World stage until they won 1. They await more.

Just because the Netherlands hasn't made that next step doesn't prove they never will - they are different this time. I don't think they'll win but they could.

And all this from a Scot that used to think getting out the Group stage would be like winning the Cup but now thinks the same about qualifying.