Netherlands

Football's Final Four

What’s At Stake

By Andrew Palczewski   |

After nearly a month of non-stop soccer, the 2014 World Cup championships are in sight. Four teams in particular have their eyes on the prize: Argentina, Brazil, Germany, and the Netherlands – the last four teams left.

Obviously, all four are playing to win. But what’s their motivation? What are the specific elements that are pushing them towards a win?

Brazil: Win for Their Country

Brazil seeks to win its sixth title on home turf.
Brazil is the most successful country in World Cup history, winning five titles since 1958. But perhaps the most memorable Cup for Brazilians is one they didn’t win – in 1950, when Brazil last hosted the World Cup, the home team lost to rival (and neighbor) Uruguay by 2-1. Over 60 years later, the Cup is back on Brazilian soil – and Brazil is hoping it can win the title on home turf.

Germany: Close it Out

Germany: always the World Cup bridesmaid.
The last three World Cups have not been kind to Germany. In 2002, they were the runner-up to Brazil. In 2006 and 2010, they came in third place, losing to eventual champions Italy and Spain (respectively) in the semi-finals. This year, Germany is hoping to break that streak, and break the conception that they’re always a World Cup bridesmaid, never a World Cup bride.

Argentina: Do It for Messi

Messi hopes to win his first World Cup.
Lionel Messi is arguably the most popular and successful soccer player in the world today. But with all of the titles, the awards, the praise, there’s one prize that’s alluded him: a World Cup title. A contender for the Golden Boot award, given to the player who scores the most goals, Messi’s surely hoping to score not only the award, but a title for Argentina.

Netherlands: Avenge their Loss

Netherlands hopes to avenge their 2010 loss against Spain.
The Dutch came within one match of winning the 2010 World Cup, falling to Spain in the final 1-0. But with the defending champions knocked out in the group stage of this year’s Cup, the Dutch are hoping that they can avenge their loss and finish the job they couldn’t four years ago.

Netherlands (0 (4) - 0 (3)) Costa Rica

The Runner-Up vs. the Cinderella (UPDATE: Cinderella’s Story Ends)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


here

Can Costa Rica continue?

UPDATE: Costa Rica’s unexpected run at the World Cup is over after falling to the Netherlands on penalty kicks 4-3. Netherlands goes on to play Argentina on Wednesday in one of two semifinals.

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There’s a lot of pressure on both Netherlands and Costa Rica in their quarterfinal match (4 PM ET/8 PM UTC). Netherlands lost to Spain in the 2010 World Cup final; with the defending champions out in group play, could Netherlands make it back to the final…and win? Costa Rica is the Cinderella team of this year’s World Cup – emerging ahead of England and Italy in group play, they hope to keep their success going and earn a spot in the semifinals.

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

Your Team Is Out? No Worries!

The Final Eight: Who to Root For

By Andrew Palczewski   |

We’re finally down to the last eight at the 2014 World Cup, and there’s a distinctive theme: four teams are from Europe, and four are from South America. But what if you’re from North America, or Asia, or Africa? Who do you root for now. VOA Football tells you who you should root for…

Brazil.

If you want suspense: Support Brazil

Yes, Brazil. Brazil never seems to live up to the public expectations, the Cup is hosted on their home turf, and they were a penalty shot away from elimination in the Round of 16. Add these together, and it’s clear that Brazil is the perfect team for all lovers of the soap opera that is soccer: suspense, surprises, and shock.

Colombia.

If you love “the beautiful game”: Support Colombia

The beauty of soccer – the collaboration between players, the confidence, the technical skill – can all be found in Colombia’s game. Their style of play is far removed from the days when it was called “El Toque,” or “the touch,” a short, utilitarian style of play. Today, a more accurate name might be “El Toque Bonito” – “the beautiful touch” – for the ease with which they seem to play.

France.

If you love Africa: Support France

It may be controversial, but France is the best “African” team still in the competition. Many of the French players are from Africa, including such countries as Senegal, Algeria, Mali, and Congo. Even if some do not want to admit it, this team is not a French team, but a team of immigrants who are representing France.

Netherlands.

If you want to see attractive players: Support the Netherlands

While Neymar of Brazil and James Rodriguez of Colombia are often mentioned among the most attractive players, the Dutch team seems to be especially stacked in the looks department. Just look at the legions of female fans in the stands cheering on the Netherlands.

(This post courtesy VOA’s French language World Cup blog. Check it out at http://football.lavoixdelamerique.com/)

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

Netherlands (2-1) Mexico

Who Will Get Their First Loss? (UPDATE: Netherlands Stays Perfect)

By Andrew Palczewski   |
here Netherlands looks to stay perfect.

UPDATE: Thanks to two late goals, Netherlands first snatched the lead, and then the win, from Mexico, extending their win streak at the 2014 World Cup to four. With their 2-1 victory, Netherlands continues to the quarterfinals, while Mexico is sent home.

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Netherlands and Mexico come into this match without a loss: while Netherlands has had a perfect World Cup so far, a strong Mexico team has two wins and one draw. By the end of 90 minutes, one team will have its streak grow by one – and one team will head home. Find out who at 12 PM ET (4 PM UTC).

comes into this match with a perfect World Cup record so far, and hopes to add another win on their march towards the final. But standing in their way is Mexico, a team that hasn

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.