Our French observer Melvin Dia Moukori sent this reaction a few minutes after France’s thrashing at the hands of the Netherlands.

This was a game not to be missed. All day long, we were bubbling with expectation. A quick poll via email revealed mixed forecasts. Optimists were adamant France could do it, while the realists – as we may now call them – gave Les Bleus only the slimmest of chances.

Indeed, just 9 minutes after the referee’s first whistle, the Netherlands had already struck. Liverpool’s Kuyt headed in from a free kick, and the Oranje were ahead.

The Dutch squad soon forced its own style of play upon the game – a delightful brand of rapid first-touch passes. By the end of the first half, France had clawed their way back into the game, but they proved unable to convert their chances.

After the break, Les Bleus continued their attacks, but to no avail. An involuntary Dutch handball blocked a strike by Henry, but the referee decided not to award a penalty. Soon after, Van Basten’s men offered another taste of their deadly skills. In the 59th minute, a superb move by Ruud Van Nistelrooy freed Arjen Robben, whose pass was converted by the onrushing Van Persie. Twelve minutes later, a goal by Henry revived French hopes, but only very briefly.

The French crowd had barely finished cheering its first goal of the Euro, when a powerful Robben strike restored the Netherland’s two-goal lead. This time, Les Bleus let go, and the Oranje rubbed salt into French wounds with a stoppage-time finisher to confirm a record 4-1 win. It’s over, Les Bleus are undone.

Yet, one question remains: why didn’t the French coach send Nasri or Benzema on the pitch, rather than an inefficient Gomis? France were not without merits, but they suffered a crushing defeat. Above all, the Dutch squad delivered a true demonstration of football skills. Henry’s post-match comment says it all: “Considering how we played, it’s hard to take in. We were not that bad. Indeed, we played better than against Romania”. At present, the French team is no longer master of its destiny, as its chances of qualifying depend on Romania’s result against the Netherlands. Already qualified, the Dutch will likely field a reserve team, while Romania will give it their all.

Still, we must first beat Italy. Though they are also going through a difficult moment, the Azzurri will be determined to save their faces, particularly against France. Who will win the match between the world champions and the runner-ups? Without a doubt, it’ll be the team that has recovered most in terms of confidence."

Maxime Marchon,a French student, sends us his views after the French team's defeat...

Ok! Last night, the French vessel literally floundered. In all my life as a football fan, I cannot recollect having witnessed such a heavy defeat. In my view, the Dutch made the most of a fortunate night. While they easily dominated the opening 20 minutes, France responded well from then on. Les Bleus largely deserved an equalizer. But they were kept out by a heroic Van der Sar, who saved his team on a number of occasions, particularly when Govou volleyed the ball into the bottom left corner. In the second half, Domenech’s men kept up the pressure in attack, but were unable to score. Here lies the main difference between the two teams. For, indeed, both defences revealed weaknesses, leaving plenty of space for the opponent’s attacks. At present, our chances of qualifying depend on a major condition: that Romania lose against a Dutch B-team. Mutu’s teammates have proved difficult to beat, and almost dumped the Italian world champions out of the Euro. Les Bleus let their chance go by, and are most likely to regret it."

FRANCE 24's Mark Owen and Willy Bracciano are covering the Euro 2008 in Switzerland.

There’s a bar in the Casinoplatz Fanzone in the Swiss capital with the slogan “Bern Baby Bern” hanging outside. Certainly France played with fire against the Dutch and got their fingers burned.

“Burn Baby Burn ..” is the chorus of the hit “Disco Inferno” by New York groovers The Trammps.

                                            The Trammps Disco Inferno

 

Posted by Darbonens on June 03, 2007 

The song was first performed by The Trammps in 1976 – just after the peak of what was perhaps the best ever Dutch national squad. Led by the uniquely talented Johan Cruyff, Holland was mugged by West Germany in the 1974 World Cup final.

A stunningly gifted team, the Dutch style became known as Total Football. It was the first time defenders were seen attacking, and vice versa. The Dutch then reinvented football.

The Dutch team that beat France 4-1 is a throw back to that era. People say it’s a return to the era of Ruud Gullit and Marco Van Basten’s 1988 Euro winning team. They were a player collective build on strong defence, with the two ultra effective previously named attackers.

This Dutch squad has more. More attacking possibilities. And Wesley Sneijder has to be the best midfielder in the competition? He’s the guy who scored the fourth goal against France.

OK. France. Is it all over? Well, it’s going to be a more than a little bit tough to get out of the group now. Winning is the best way, France’s fate now lies in question. The world seems to be blaming coach Raymond Domenech, but games are lost on the pitch. The players’ performance against the Romanians was lacking. It was better against Holland, despite the score line.

Next Tuesday even if France beat Italy, their eyes will still be on the other game in the group. Holland – Romania. Will the already qualified Dutch take their foot of the gas? Romania will be playing for their success and survival in Euro 2008. I don’t need to draw a picture, do I? In Zurich next Tuesday I might have to, to take my mind off the tension.

Back with the Dutch. The spirit of their fans is amazing. They’ve almost doubled the population of Bern for the Euro. I bumped into a former Liverpool FC player, a Dutchman, there as a supporter of his national team. No sponsors lounge, no priority ticketing, no gravy train. Erik Meijer was there with The Lads – bravo to him!

We’ll be looking for evidence the team is taking the comparison with Cruyff’s era very seriously. We expect big, bad moustaches, flaired trousers and seriously long sideburns to make a Dutch comeback. We will be watching."