Straight to the top of death mountain...

Easy this international football supporting business isn’t it?!

The Italian pensioners took one hell of a beating from my boys last night…the lads in Orange did the business with a superb counter attacking style.

It is Holland I’m supporting throughout this tournament by the way. I realise that apart from the poorly attempted innuendo and font colouring I haven’t yet expressed who would be getting my invaluable support. So for this summer only I’m officially more orange than Jodie Marsh, David Dickinson and even Ian Paisley.

The explanation will follow but for now, let me gloat…

Because last night we breathed life into not only the group of death, but the tournament itself.
With all the backbiting and infighting that comes with a Dutch pre tournament build up I don’t think many gave us a chance against the mighty world champion pizza makers. But with Edwin in goal, Wes Sneijder pulling the strings in the middle and Ruud up front now is the time to start believing. Christ, even Kuyt looked like a player. And with the orange out singing every opponents we have a potent mixture for success.

Maybe I have backed a winner after all…

Fresh from defeating my tip Casual Conquest in Saturday’s Vodaphone derby Van Nistelrooy led the line superbly, constantly looking dangerous. And with the photo finish for his first goal he was clearly onside to stab home the opener. Everybody knows that offside ruling 11.76672.62222 recurring stipulates that if a bloke is led injured off the pitch then it’s a goal…and it wasn’t just Panucci playing our Ruud on either…there were at least three press photographers doing the same. Goal given.

The grumpy old men were furious but once the Alzheimer’s kicked in the game resumed. And they hardly had time to draw breath, one moment Van Bronckhorst was clearing the ball off his own goal line before instantly popping up at the other end to set up super Wes to put the ball past Buffon. A great move, the perfect goal, orange ecstasy!

The game continued in a lively fashion with the Italians making chances, but with Edwin between the sticks the clean sheet was as safe a bet as a Gordon Brown speech being dull. The save from Pirlo’s free kick saw the greatest orange thing flying through the air since the launch of EasyJet. Cheap flight to Vienna June 29th anyone?

With the boys in blue still marvelling at the wonder save, the night was topped off by yet another energetic break from Van the man…Bronckhorst that is. He broke away on yet another ruthless counter attack to set up Kuyt. With Buffon making the save, Dirky retrieved the ball and looking unusually composed set up little Gio to send us to the top of death mountain.

Before the end subs Ibrahim Afellay and Robin van Persie went close but as the final whistle went the first victory in thirty years over the Italians was met by pure joy and wild celebrations…by the players. Forget team bonding days, this victory could be the catalyst for our first tournament victory in twenty years.

This year two countries share the hosting, but in 1988 it was half a country that provided the setting for victory. West Germany saw the Orange take home the trophy, beating the hosts in the semis before defeating the U.S.S.R in the final. Marco Van Basten took the golden boot with five goals. Then he led the line, now he leads the team.

Bring on the French on Friday.

Up the dutchy!