Football - It's Just a Game Right?

Photo: (c) Amanda van Mulligen

Well actually it's not. Any self-respecting football fan will confirm that. It's not quite life or death but it's close.

And every two years I am confronted with a cultural dilemma when a Euro Cup or a World Cup takes place. Every two years my I wrestle with my nationality and my adopted home. Do I support the Netherlands or England? Which team do I affiliate more to? It's been an internal struggle for years.


The thing is that when you live in another country for a considerable time you come to know more about that football team than your 'home' country team. You are surrounded by Dutch flags and orange paraphernalia. It's hard not to get excited by it all. To get swept away in the fever of the locals. Names like Van Basten, Robben and Kuyt roll off the tongue. The local media is full of 'oranje' in the build up to the tournament.

Photo: (c) Amanda van Mulligen

Photo: (c) The Writing Well

Of course, the Dutch team are now back home licking their wounds. The follow up to reaching the World Cup final two years ago has been dismal, depressing and above all a little embarrassing. Two years ago the nation was in mourning after a World Cup Final defeat (me included). This time around the nation got angry. They lashed out at Bert van Marwijk and his squad. My brother posted a message on Facebook about the Dutch team being a bit of a joke this time around. My Dutch husband couldn't have agreed more.

A Mini Dutch Supporter
Photo: (c) The Writing Well

I had high hopes at the beginning of Euro 2012. I thought the Dutch were destined for great things once more. How could it not be after the euphoria and then the disappointment of the World Cup in 2010? My expectations of the English team were lower than normal, and that's saying something. Nobody expected England to do much. Is that the reason they are now battling for a semi final place against their arch rivals the Germans and the Dutch are at home analysing what went so horribly wrong?

After the defeat at the hands of Denmark it was clear to me that laying my hat of loyalty at the feet of the English was a surer way of avoiding disappointment. Or at least delaying it. I turned to Plan B. I started placing some hope in the English side. Not that I lost all hope in the Dutch - I was still hoping for that 2-0 miracle against Portugal..... but I had a back up.

And so, here we are, hours away from the match against Italy. To play for a place in the semi-finals of Euro 2012. Do I expect England to beat Italy? Well, actually I do. I have faith. Hope. Optimism. The picture has wildly changed over the space of a couple of weeks.

2004 - Then I was sure of my Englishness.....

Football certainly is a funny old game.