NETHERLANDS v. COTE D'IVOIRE [2-1]

My Oranje Boxcutter Make the World Go 'Round

HIGHLIGHTS


The real best game of the tournament -- the neutral's choice. Or so says Papa Stijls, whom we trust implicitly. (A belated Happy Father's Day to all baby fathers out there. If you ain't call your pops yesterday, shame on you.) For excitement, it lacked nothing. The kind of game you watch wishing you didn't bite your nails all the time cos you really want to chew on that fat thumbnail that's now floating away down some sewer underneath the Alster.

A good match if you like orange, though the Dutch were always going to be the ones to wear it in this tie. Can't stand that Horseface Killah struck the winner, and from more than 6 yards, no less. Can't believe I hate Van Nistelrooy this much after riding for him for years. A pity the Ivoirians are out of the tournament, the favorites of politically-minded, large-hearted liberals the world over. Check the signifiers: 1) They're African. 2) Their country is torn by civil war. 3) Dope uni's. 4.) Didier Drogba, lalalalala. (Okay, then there's this, but hey, that's for Chelsea) 5.) They're called The Elephants. Plus, they're actually incredible footballers, almost every last one of them. That goal by Bakari Kone? What???

We'll keep them in our hearts & heads, and hope they thrash the Serbs, if only for a little bit of satisfaction.