Team EAP
Formation:
4-3-2-1
Strategy:
+ The team is built on a flexible front 3 with Cruyff and Messi in free roaming roles able to move to the wings stretching the defence of overwhel through the middle.
+ Due to strength in numbers in the middle, we expect to dominate possession. - The defenders will have the freedom to press up 'slightly' higher (none of the crazy Barca stuff) but with numbers in the middle, we'll utilize the opportunity to squeeze space a bit.
+ Two very competent fullbacks with stamina and talent to hold the flank on their own will support the attack. Both Masopust and Schuster are comfortable in wide-ish roles so we don't end up being too narrow and ofc, Cruyff and Messi able to operate as wing forwards makes this a very flexible and dynamic team.
.
+ Stiles will play a key part in reigning in Gullit when he drops back to create. He's a match against the physical attack of onenil. He'll have ample support from Masopust/Schuster who contribute a lot defensively.
+ Both Ruggeri and Collovati will be a match for the pace/speed of van Basten both on the ground and in the air.
.
Thoughts on opposition:
- Vieira will be hard pressed to handle the movement and interplay between by midfield and attack (Movement of Cruff, Messi and oncoming Masopust/Schuster). Onenil will be better served with a Makelele or Stiles type of player than Vieira. Role is not to Vieira's strengths.
- There'll be overlap between Breitner and van Hanegem. Breitner is apt to cut infield into exactly the same space where van Hanegem plays his game. They're better off with a overlapping FB or a midfield 2, giving Breitner space to play his game.
Players:
Dino Zoff - The Monument
.
Hans Peter Briegel - The steamroller from Palatinate.
Oscar Ruggeri - The Big-Headed One
Fulvio Collovati
Cafu - The Express Train
.
Nobby Stiles - Hardman
Josef Masopust - Greatest Czech player ever
Bernd Schuster - Blond Angel
.
Johann Cruyff - Pythagoras in boots
Lionel Messi - The Atomic Flea
Uwe Seeler - Our Uwe
-----------------Edgar Allan Pillow---------------------------------Onenil
Team Onenil
I decided on this theme spur of the moment; the only goal was not focusing on South American players. The basis obviously the Dutch 1988 Euro Champion side which was one that stuck out in my memory. For me, in 1988 the Dutch were the best side in the world. Argentina didn’t even make the final of the Copa the prior year and the Dutch beat their German footballing nemesis and the Soviet Union who were ranked 1 and 2 in the world at the time. I’ve complemented the key players with a host of players that I enjoyed watching and complement the combination of traits.
Marco van Basten put in an epic performance in 1988 as the epitome of the classic no.9. Incredible close control in the box, clinical goal scoring and intelligent subtle movement. Gullit ran the show. He was everywhere in ‘88 dropping back into the midfield battle, always working when the opponent had the ball, causing nightmares for all the opposing defenses.
Laudrup offers the powerful all around performances from 1998. He was superb at creating, opening up and using space. Overmars is set to stretch play on the other flank, attacking with his dangerous ‘98 form before he got injured. The full backs complement the wide options. Breitner offers his unique skills and disposition while Gerets gives Laudrup the overlapping fullback option without sacrificing his solid defensive skills.
Vieira and van Hanegem combine to form the platform for overall success. Vieira the more mobile box to box player while van Hanegem offering the positional sound role he provided in being named to the 1974 WC all star selection.
Krol and Rijkaard form a resilient combination. Rijkaard was a dominant stopper in ‘88 while a decade earlier Krol represented the epitome of a total footballing sweeper.
Van Basten (Euro’88)
Rijakaard (Euro’88)
Gullit (Euro’88)
Breitner (WC ’74)
Krol (WC’78)
Van Hanegem (WC ‘74)
Laudrup (WC ‘98)
Overmars (WC ‘98)
Gerets (WC ‘86)
Vieira (WC ‘06)
Seaman (Euro ‘96)
1988 Holland
While this side is well known among draft regulars, I found with my friends who are more casual fans or newer/younger fans some of these names are much less remembered. Marco van Basten was one who seems to get most forgotten now by younger fans.
This Dutch side, the only one to win a major tournament, donates its three epic leaders to my cause this draft. The Dutch dominated their qualifying group scoring 15 goals with only 1 against and going unbeaten. However they entered the actual tournament with some very stiff competition.
Holland ‘88 Euro group opponents included the number #1-2 ELO ranked selection in the world in the Soviet Union, England who was ranked #4 and Ireland who was ranked #11. While these rankings are never perfect, they give a good indication that Holland was in a very tough group. Still to get into a rhythm the Dutch lost their opening match against the Soviets where van Basten was only subbed on to play 30 minutes. But after that they never looked back. Against England, van Basten put in an iconic performance.
Holland-3 England-1
This era of England (88-90) was arguably the best English selections since ‘66. They had a hard defense and a host of players who could hurt any defense. To me this match was run by Gullit and Rijkaard. Conducting a master class in the stopper role I felt Rijkaard was dominant in defense breaking up England’s tempo frequently. Gullit was all over the pitch, running at the defense, helping out in the midfield battle and continually offering a dangerous presence. This lead to the van Basten show this match. In his prime and displaying his full range of skills, van Basten was everything you could imagine from a striker.. From incredible close control in the box to clinical finish to intelligent and dangerous movement all match against the centre backs van Basten showed why he many call him the best classic no.9.
Holland-1 Ireland-0
This is another match that Gullit just impresses me. This whole tournament Gullit was everywhere at once it seems. Gullit marries tactical roaming with strength, speed and stamina. Here is a description of one of Gullit’s moves this match, “He defied the laws of geometry’ says John Motson, after the AC Milan man gets a lovely cross in, despite being pegged into the corner by Moran and the hard-working Tony Galvin. The Dutch are ‘fluent and deadly’ says Jimmy Greaves through his moustache.”
Holland-2 West Germany-1
Holland’s eternal nemesis. The Germans fluctuated between ELO rank 1 and 2 in the world at this time. The future winners of WC 1990 and a mental block for Holland to overcome. This was a huge match in Holland’s history.
Formation:
4-3-2-1
Strategy:
+ The team is built on a flexible front 3 with Cruyff and Messi in free roaming roles able to move to the wings stretching the defence of overwhel through the middle.
+ Due to strength in numbers in the middle, we expect to dominate possession. - The defenders will have the freedom to press up 'slightly' higher (none of the crazy Barca stuff) but with numbers in the middle, we'll utilize the opportunity to squeeze space a bit.
+ Two very competent fullbacks with stamina and talent to hold the flank on their own will support the attack. Both Masopust and Schuster are comfortable in wide-ish roles so we don't end up being too narrow and ofc, Cruyff and Messi able to operate as wing forwards makes this a very flexible and dynamic team.
.
+ Stiles will play a key part in reigning in Gullit when he drops back to create. He's a match against the physical attack of onenil. He'll have ample support from Masopust/Schuster who contribute a lot defensively.
+ Both Ruggeri and Collovati will be a match for the pace/speed of van Basten both on the ground and in the air.
.
Thoughts on opposition:
- Vieira will be hard pressed to handle the movement and interplay between by midfield and attack (Movement of Cruff, Messi and oncoming Masopust/Schuster). Onenil will be better served with a Makelele or Stiles type of player than Vieira. Role is not to Vieira's strengths.
- There'll be overlap between Breitner and van Hanegem. Breitner is apt to cut infield into exactly the same space where van Hanegem plays his game. They're better off with a overlapping FB or a midfield 2, giving Breitner space to play his game.
Players:
Dino Zoff - The Monument
GOAT. His greatest achievement was in 1982 world cup where he was captained his team kept clean sheets and made crucial saves leading their team to victory. Chosen as GoalKeeper of the Tournament and made the Team of the Tournament.
Hans Peter Briegel - The steamroller from Palatinate.
A veritable machine who excelled in athletics before moving on to football. A physical player with excellent technical skills and ability to score goals. Able to turn up in the box at the right time to score crucial goals.
Lord of the skies, ruler of arial balls. . One of the most successful defender from Argentina, he was a crucial part of the 1986 world cup winning team.
One of the best defender to come out of Italy, he was integral to their 1982 world cup victory and was chosen to the tournament all star team. A elegant, physically strong, and dynamic player, he was gifted with good technique and distribution, as well as excellent anticipation, marking ability, and aerial prowess.
One of the best RBs of all time, his stamina and ability to run up and down contributing to both ends is phenomenal. Winner of the 1994 and 2002 world cups, he's a perfect fit to own that flank.
Nobby Stiles - Hardman
One of the most crucial players in the world cup winning squad, he provided the steel and balance to that midfield freeing up Bobby Charlton to shine. Given that Alf Ramsey threatened to resign if he could not pick Stiles, his importance cannot be underrated. A destroyer par excellence, he took Eusebio out of the game enabling England to win.
A workhorse of a left half, excellent in recovery and brilliant in attack with his slalom runs. Good dribbler and passer with box to box abilities to contribute at both ends. Named as "European Footballer of the Year" for his performance in the 1962 WC.
One of the best players of Euro 1980 patrolling the midfield starting waves of attack. Brilliant range of passing and workrate to shuttle box to box. His performances in 1980 earned him a 2nd place in that year's Balon d'Or.
Johann Cruyff - Pythagoras in boots
1974 WC - Player of the Tournament. Master of space and time. Speed, awareness, creativity...he was brilliant. Free roaming through the middle or out wide in the wings, he'll be hard to defend against.
Cruyff's counterpart on the right. Playing a Right IF/AM hybrid, he was one of the best players in Copa America 2015 & 2016. Admit he's not quite the best in world player of Club standards, but still is a dangerous player with his movement and technique.
One of the greatest players in German football history, he was chosen to the all star team for his performances in 1966 world cup. A very unselfish and influential player he'll be the perfect foil for Cruyff and Messi behind him making for a potent front 3.
-----------------Edgar Allan Pillow---------------------------------Onenil
Team Onenil
I decided on this theme spur of the moment; the only goal was not focusing on South American players. The basis obviously the Dutch 1988 Euro Champion side which was one that stuck out in my memory. For me, in 1988 the Dutch were the best side in the world. Argentina didn’t even make the final of the Copa the prior year and the Dutch beat their German footballing nemesis and the Soviet Union who were ranked 1 and 2 in the world at the time. I’ve complemented the key players with a host of players that I enjoyed watching and complement the combination of traits.
Marco van Basten put in an epic performance in 1988 as the epitome of the classic no.9. Incredible close control in the box, clinical goal scoring and intelligent subtle movement. Gullit ran the show. He was everywhere in ‘88 dropping back into the midfield battle, always working when the opponent had the ball, causing nightmares for all the opposing defenses.
Laudrup offers the powerful all around performances from 1998. He was superb at creating, opening up and using space. Overmars is set to stretch play on the other flank, attacking with his dangerous ‘98 form before he got injured. The full backs complement the wide options. Breitner offers his unique skills and disposition while Gerets gives Laudrup the overlapping fullback option without sacrificing his solid defensive skills.
Vieira and van Hanegem combine to form the platform for overall success. Vieira the more mobile box to box player while van Hanegem offering the positional sound role he provided in being named to the 1974 WC all star selection.
Krol and Rijkaard form a resilient combination. Rijkaard was a dominant stopper in ‘88 while a decade earlier Krol represented the epitome of a total footballing sweeper.
Van Basten (Euro’88)
Rijakaard (Euro’88)
Gullit (Euro’88)
Breitner (WC ’74)
Krol (WC’78)
Van Hanegem (WC ‘74)
Laudrup (WC ‘98)
Overmars (WC ‘98)
Gerets (WC ‘86)
Vieira (WC ‘06)
Seaman (Euro ‘96)
1988 Holland
While this side is well known among draft regulars, I found with my friends who are more casual fans or newer/younger fans some of these names are much less remembered. Marco van Basten was one who seems to get most forgotten now by younger fans.
This Dutch side, the only one to win a major tournament, donates its three epic leaders to my cause this draft. The Dutch dominated their qualifying group scoring 15 goals with only 1 against and going unbeaten. However they entered the actual tournament with some very stiff competition.
Holland ‘88 Euro group opponents included the number #1-2 ELO ranked selection in the world in the Soviet Union, England who was ranked #4 and Ireland who was ranked #11. While these rankings are never perfect, they give a good indication that Holland was in a very tough group. Still to get into a rhythm the Dutch lost their opening match against the Soviets where van Basten was only subbed on to play 30 minutes. But after that they never looked back. Against England, van Basten put in an iconic performance.
Holland-3 England-1
This era of England (88-90) was arguably the best English selections since ‘66. They had a hard defense and a host of players who could hurt any defense. To me this match was run by Gullit and Rijkaard. Conducting a master class in the stopper role I felt Rijkaard was dominant in defense breaking up England’s tempo frequently. Gullit was all over the pitch, running at the defense, helping out in the midfield battle and continually offering a dangerous presence. This lead to the van Basten show this match. In his prime and displaying his full range of skills, van Basten was everything you could imagine from a striker.. From incredible close control in the box to clinical finish to intelligent and dangerous movement all match against the centre backs van Basten showed why he many call him the best classic no.9.
Holland-1 Ireland-0
This is another match that Gullit just impresses me. This whole tournament Gullit was everywhere at once it seems. Gullit marries tactical roaming with strength, speed and stamina. Here is a description of one of Gullit’s moves this match, “He defied the laws of geometry’ says John Motson, after the AC Milan man gets a lovely cross in, despite being pegged into the corner by Moran and the hard-working Tony Galvin. The Dutch are ‘fluent and deadly’ says Jimmy Greaves through his moustache.”
Holland-2 West Germany-1
Holland’s eternal nemesis. The Germans fluctuated between ELO rank 1 and 2 in the world at this time. The future winners of WC 1990 and a mental block for Holland to overcome. This was a huge match in Holland’s history.
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