As coaches of their respective teams Dick Advocaat and Scolari did well for themselves and for the game of football at the Euro 2004. Both teams looked immensely talented but in the playing eleven the Portuguese were much younger, fitter and wanting to prove infront of their adoring home crowds. With such levels of fitness and a hunger to make a mark the younger Portuguese could always carry out the strategies of Scolari which in the end proved vital. The Dutch on the other hand are big names and many in the playing eleven are veterans about to hang their boots. A semi-final at this level is a high voltage game and a bit too much for those about to retire. Given a younger set Dick can certainly do better. Giovanni, Bowma, Edgar, Clarence, Van der Meyde, Van Vaart, Arjen, Ruud, Makaay and Kluivert will still be there to initiate the newcomers as they start all over again their march towards the pinnacle of soccer glory. In their heydays Edwin van der Saar, Frank de Boer, Reiziger, van Hooijdonk, Jaap Stam and Mark Overmaars were simply fantastic. Many of us even now see them still as world class material fit to be recalled if and when needed. We love these Dutch fitness fanatics.
