Whodunit Wednesday - Soccer greats

In a little more than a month the World Cup will be held in Qatar. This is the World Cup of football (or soccer). Yes, it is being held in Qatar. That might help you understand why it is being held in the winter instead of the summer as usual. But, putting these discussions aside, most Europeans all have their eyes on these match-ups. Belgium and The Netherlands both have high hopes of going far. 

At the last World Cup (2018 in Russia) Belgium made it to 3rd place after having had a chance to go to the final. In 2014 it was The Netherlands in 3rd place, The Netherlands went to the final in 1974, 1978 and 2010 and were third place in 2014. Belgium have never made it to the final. But let’s be honest, these are small countries making it this far. 

When we talk football players, Dutch and Belgian names are often readily available and well-known. On the Belgian side, names like Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaud Courtois, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard are known around the world - in English, Spanish, French or Italian. On the Dutch side, the names of Memphis Depay, Virgil van Dyke and Frenkie De Jong are well known in football circles. Historically the Dutch are also well represented with Johan Cruyff being perhaps the best known. 

Even several current coaches are former well-known players. Philippe Clement is a well-known former Belgian player who now coaches AS Monaco. Dutchman Giovanni van Bronckhorst won the Champions league with Barcelona and now coaches Rangers. 

On the women’s side, the United States has always been a force to be reckoned with. But along with them, the Dutch women have held their own in recent years. The Dutch women lost in 2019 to the US. In 2023 the Dutch will once again be one of the teams to watch. Names like Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal) and Lieke Martens (Barcelona) are well known. The Belgian ladies have been knocking on the door for the last few years, but still have a way to go.

For those who like and follow football, Belgium and The Netherlands have more than enough to offer. We will certainly be watching this winter (for the men) and next summer (for the women in Australia and New Zealand).