England's hopes for victory rise
By Vic Mills
LONDON (JP): Harold Wilson, a former British Prime Minister, remarked in 1965 that a week was a long time in politics. Some 31 years on, the same could be said about the fortunes of England's footballers.
A week ago they were underdogs against Scotland. Seven days on, and Holland routed, they are suddenly at 3-1, second favorite and feted by the rest of Europe.
In ninety minutes against the Dutch, England cast off the compounded frustrations of three years of friendly football and recent uncharitable media coverage, from the tabloids in particular.
It was a night that completely galvanized both team and nation, England is now awash with good feelings. There is even talk of John Major calling an early general election to cash in on the upbeat mood of the country.
At the Bisham Abbey training ground, England coach, Terry Venables, has done his best to keep a sense of proportion on Tuesday's result and the quarterfinal tie with Spain.
He has spoken of winning back respect; of signs that his system is beginning to work; and of a nation united by football success.
He will be forced to depart from his winning formula against Spain, however, because England's Paul Ince, so dominant on Tuesday, is suspended. David Platt is the likely replacement, although Jamie Redknapp, who damaged his ankle ligaments against Scotland, is making startling progress and may be in contention.
Apart from the vacant place in midfield, Venables is expected to name an unchanged side. Which will mean a full center stage for England's rampant midfield of Gascoigne, McManaman and Anderton.
It was England's midfield and Sheringham's and Shearer's movement up front which ran the Dutch ragged at Wembley. Gascoigne had one of his best games for England, and Anderton and McManaman combined to totally overshadow Seedorf, de Boer, Winter and Witschge.
Venables was once feted to become the manager of the championship-winning Barcelona side. He knows the Spanish players and the country well, he is well aware of the dangers his team faces against a Spanish side which is undefeated since the 1994 World Cup.
Spain had an erratic course through Group B. It booked its quarterfinal place with Amor's 83 minute goal against Rumania and Bulgaria's 3-1 defeat by France.
Little hope
After returning 3,000 tickets to Wembley's box office, it appears that Spanish fans hold little hope. A mood at odds with Spain's coach, Javier Clemente.
Spain is likely to prove a far sterner opponent than the quickly disintegrating Dutch side.
Spanish defense is always good, and this team is no exception, but Sergi, Nadal and Hierro will give Spain fluency as well as aggression in the midfield.
Goal scoring remains a problem for Spain. The much vaunted talents of the Kiko, Pizzi and Guerrero trio have yet to make an impression.
With this in mind, Clemente is unlikely to be drawn into a free-flowing game. Defense will be a priority with an occasional counter-attack.
In this part of the tournament every team has a chance. Spain will surely give its best, but few would bet against England moving towards a semi-final tie with Germany.
In today's other quarter-final, Holland meets France at Anfield. The key to this game appears to be the Dutch camp's ability to recover from its shock defeat by England.
When Holland has its day it is unbeatable. However, the constant friction between the players and coach have not helped its game. This friction culminated in the very public dismissal of Edgar Davids.
Coach Guus Hiddink has been hindered by the slow recovery of Patrick Kluivert. Although not fully fit from knee surgery in May, Kluivert must start if Holland is to have the necessary balance to beat France.
His inclusion would relieve Bergkamp of the onerous center forward role, giving him the space and freedom to move late into the penalty box.
Fitness and personal problems aside, this is a modest Dutch team. One that has clung slavishly to the Ajax system without having the penetrating wingers to fulfill it.
If indeed Holland is declining, then the very opposite is true of France. Any side that can afford to leave out the likes of Cantona, Ginola and Papin must be reckoned with. Two wins and a draw from Group B confirm this. They emerge as strong contenders to make the final.
France's coach, Aime Jacquet, put his job on the line by his team selection. The players have repaid his trust with typically stylish displays. None more so than Karembeu, Zidane, Djorkaeff and Dugarry. This quartet, operating in the final third of the pitch, possess such abundant subtlety and invention that another uncomfortable evening for the Dutch defense is likely.
France's commitment to attack is harnessed in the midfield through the unselfish running and tackling of Deschamps and Guerin.
In defense, towering Desailly is master of all he surveys. His partnership with Blanc has proved too much for the talents of Hagi and Stoichkov.
If the Dutch have put their England game behind them, then Anfield could provide a quarterfinal chance. If not, the French will not be slow to exploit their opponents weaknesses.