Arjen Robben

First van Persie, Now Robben

Dutch Memes Reign Supreme

By Andrew Palczewski   |
The infamous dive.

In just under two weeks, we’ll have a 2014 World Cup winner. But halfway through the competition, we already have a winner for the best tournament memes: the Netherlands..

First, it was Robin van Persie’s spectacular header that generated images of the “Flying Dutchman” sailing past Rio’s Corcovado statue, flying with a cape on his back, and gliding alongside an airplane, among others.

But after Arjen Robben’s dive in yesterday’s match against Mexico – in which he faked being fouled – there’s a whole new set of memes featuring a different flying Dutchman:

Robben's dive. Robben's dive.

But, as it turns out, this isn’t Robben’s first dive. So naturally, there aren’t just memes for this match:

Robben's dive. Robben's dive. Robben's dive.

So what are all of these memes based on? See for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAVW9Hussao

Rematch: Spain vs. Netherlands

By Andrew Palczewski   |
here

Spain vs. Netherlands.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza | AP

In 2010, Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta banged home a goal in the 116th minute of the World Cup’s final match, lifting Spain to victory over the relentless and creative attacks of Arjen Robben and the Dutch national team. The victory gave Spain its first World Cup title.

Robben and his teammates get a chance to redeem themselves when they take on the Spaniards in the two teams’ opening match of the 2014 World Cup, which kicks off at 3 p.m. USEDT (7 p.m. GMT) today.

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